Laowai

Brian is in Chengdu this weekend visiting another client. I’ve ended up spending a bunch of time reading blogs today. What would I do without blogs to read. Here’s an excerpt from a really pleasant blogger that has a sheep farm in Missouri. Go to http://foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com to read more.

—During her last visit to the farm, my mother pointed at Chip and Chip and said, “Tell me again why you don’t eat those two.” I reminded her that for one thing, they were much too old and wouldn’t taste very good. And secondly, it would be like eating the dog. “Oh.”

Since sheep are always standing on all four of their feet, they cannot give each other hugs like people can. A mother ewe is unable to hold her lamb; the lamb snuggles up next to her or will sometimes sit right on top of her (which is absolutely adorable). To show affection in general, sheep have their own unique version of a hug, which I learned from Big Chip. What you do is this: Stand right next to the sheep, knees slightly bent to brace yourself. Then you lean your hip and leg into the sheep, pressing with all of your might. At the same time, the sheep presses back. If you stop hugging before the sheep is done, you will end up on the ground. Other than that, it is a very pleasant experience. Every time I get near Big Chip he walks right up to me and demands a hug.—