Name That Ewe 6-12-17
There are six new members of Redstart Farm: Two momma ewes and their twin lambs. It’s such a joy to have lambs back on the farm–we had to skip lambing season this year because of a bacterial disease that prevented our co-owned ram from coming over in fall and breeding the ewes. But now we have two new ewes from him (Little Big Man), thanks to friend and co-owner Donna, who sold us two of her older ewes and the lambs a few weeks ago. All are settling in well, but I need some help.
All the ewes at Redstart have names, but I’m struggling with a name for the ewe in the photos below. Right now I call her “scraggly ewe,” for obvious reasons, but that doesn’t have much of a ring to it. So I’m reaching out to my village for ideas. All ideas are welcome.
Here’s what you need to know:
- “Scraggly ewe” is quite old, and is the daughter of one of our best rams, Redford, so named because he was handsome and studly, but shorter than expected.
- She is no shrinking violet. As a matter of fact, she challenges the dogs and seems to be taking over the flock. I’d call her Wonder Woman but somehow I just can’t see her in a bustier. (Saw the movie yesterday. Loved it.)
- It’s no fault of her own that she’s scraggly. Most of Donna’s sheep are hair sheep and don’t need shearing. Her wool seems to be coming off on its own, so there’s no point in me bringing in a shearer to shear one ewe.
Any ideas? Other named sheep in the flock include Lady Godiva and her daughters Pepper and Lady Baa Baa (whose name was from another contest, best name ever), Solo, Chili and Cupcake (our plus size model).
Here she is, awaiting her name: (The red on her butt is from being bred last fall; Little Big Man had red “marking paint” on his chest to show when each ewe was bred. The flock looks quite festive that time of year.)
MEANWHILE, still back on the farm: Here are a few more photos from early summer. Look at how Maggie is putting pressure on the left to keep the sheep in line. She’s learning to do that all on her own, and I’m so proud of her for it!
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Patricia B. McConnell, PhD, CAAB Emeritus is an applied animal behaviorist who has been working with, studying, and writing about dogs for over twenty-five years. She encourages your participation, believing that your voice adds greatly to its value. She enjoys reading every comment, and adds her own responses when she can.
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Looks like a Rosinante to me – Rosie for short!
I envy you your blue skies and flowers – grey skies, rain, and lots and lots of green weeds here…
Eliza Baalittle
She looks like Eunice to me!
Meryl Sheep (like Meryl Streep…) – basically Wonder Woman minus the bustier effects. The perfect slightly-graying power female.
I vote for Monarch. She sounds like her scraggly appearance is just a disguise to her true queenly temperament, similar to the caterpillar form of the butterfly of the same name.
I’m going to have to buy some new sheep. I love all these names so far!
Meryl Sheep wins it for me. Clever name!
Bette Davis
Not a classic hollywood beauty, but her own grace and poise. A certain toughness. Her own woman. DEFINITELY not a shrinking violet!!
Mullet (since she’s all business in the front [brain] and a party in the back!)
Eleanor Rosy-pelt
Rosie the Ruminator
She-Puli
A nod to her elder female standing and a bow to the ever-amazing Puli dog (same coat and same boss of the flock). And it sounds kind of tribal-ish. And if you say it fast, it sounds like sheep with an accent :0
i’ll amend my prior suggestion — Baaaaatte Davis?
Looking at her shedding her hair coat it seemed like she needed a stripper name perhaps Deja Ewe or BaaBaaRa. Or BaaBaaRann since she’s a classic oldie (Barbara Ann).
Actually, Regina would be nice and regal.
How about Baabra Ann? This dates me, but I always did like that old Beach Boys tune.
Movie action heroine with dodgy hair:
Ripley
How about Celebrity? She is special because you have invited us to help name her. She’s a pretty girl!
I was going to say Ba-a-a-a-bra, but I really like Meryl Sheep above!
Strawberry Field (FOREVER) or Lucille as in Lucille Ball–a red head funny woman, but very powerful
I also love Meryl Sheep – the wonder sheep. Not to mention the non-existent, but loudly rumored “romance” of Meryl S. and Robert R. which so nicely fits the story of Her-to-be-named and Redford 🙂
How about Millie, short for Millenial, since most of the Millenials these days have scraggly hair…
Doesn’t go in line with your women themed thought but, with the scraggli-ness of her hair.
Marge (in charge)!
Scrappy, for her strong personality, and the lovely moth holes in her hair!
I was thinking along the lines of one of Meryl Streeps characters Isak Dineson. Grew into her power. Was
Often raggedy from living in Africa. Keeping with the Redford theme
Renaissance Lady as she is a bridge between your old or current sheep and the new, a’s a hair sheep.
Loving the pictures especially the one of Maggie at work. So lovely. My BC can’t lean that heavily on one shoulder–getting old– says I as I rub my hand first thing in the morning. The body remembers past insults.
Taking over the flock? Xena Warrior Princess.
Dreds
Call her “hey.”
I submit (Queen) Victoria. Regal, powerful, knew what she wanted and got it.
Shear-a (princess of power)
Raggedy Ann
Patchwork popped into my head when I saw her, I also like Quilty or Raggedy Ann. Now I want some sheep, I fell in love with the Jacobs sheep when I was in England many years ago.
“Libby.” I believe it is another nickname for Elizabeth and one that I personally like better than “Lizzy” or “Betty.” After all, this stately lady is queen of her flock and a little on the elderly side, much like her well-known human counterpart. Now if you could just get her to wear a hat….
Lady Fuzzywug
Lady in keeping with the fact that she appears to be taking over the flock. Fuzzywug because of her coat. Not sure where it came from, just popped in my head.
Definitely vote for the “Meryl Sheep” suggestion !
Elle, or Elli, in Norse mythology is the “The Great Crone” who defeated Thor in a wrestling match.
Another vote for Meryl Sheep
Yes, for Meryl Sheep!
Gypsy Rose Ewe
Nice photos. What about patchwork or patches? Eleanor for Eleanor Roosevelt.
Eunice, or Eugenie?
I would probably name her something like Scruffy – but got to admit that Meryl Sheep is pretty clever.
Meryl Sheep is hysterical!
Ruth Bader, for a fabulous older lady who also stands up for her (our!) rights. If you want to keep with the music theme, Notorious RBG.
How about Shaggy Red?
Covefefe would be special…
“Chenille” 🙂
Such great suggestions! Hairietta popped into my head.
I like Xena and Ripley.
My suggestion is Ewe 2.
Another vote for Meryl Sheep!
Might sometimes look like an “an unmade bed,” but tough enough to speak against power when it’s wielded unfairly….
Betty Boop! Because of the hair of course =)
great names… i like Meryl sheep and Gypsy Rose Ewe (there ARE so many clever names suggested by your bloggers!)… but something tells me Meryl has it! Wish I was as clever as these people are!
How about Prada….she is actually the opposite in a fashion sense…but captures the tough exterior of Meryl Streeps character.
Meryl Sheep – can’t really do better than that!
So many cute names! Raggedy Anne was my first thought, but someone beat me to it. She does look like a Eunice (Ewenice?), but I think Meryl Sheep is the best one of all.
Not a little irony: Velvet as in the velvet rabbit.
Late to this party, but in case you haven’t named her. Cinderella!