Jessie's playful antics capture heart

by Shelby Knife

June 10, 2006

Jessie the sheep.

My favorite animal at the sanctuary is Jessie, who has the hardest head I have ever felt on a sheep. Every time I see him he makes me smile.

The family who raised Jessie devoted much time to his care in the early days, including bottle-feeding him. When he was young, they trained him to butt your hand when it was put out in front of him. While this was cute when he weighed 10 pounds, today he can knock an adult down.

Jessie and I started bonding at work parties, where he would follow me as I pushed the wheelbarrow out to “the Pile.” One day, he looked at me, bucked his head, and started bouncing. As a competitive sort, I interpreted this behavior to mean he wanted to race, so I started running with the wheelbarrow. Sure enough, we raced!

Now, I run with Jessie whenever I come to the sanctuary. Wayne half-heartedly complains that I get Jessie riled up. I, of course, explain (with a sheepish smile) that I am simply helping him get his energy out.