In 2006 when Eugene moved the sheep from Swan Lake to Goshen, Friend was with him. He estimated her age to be between 2-4 years old at the time and told me that they called her Friend because she was so friendly. Remember, Eugene frowned upon naming sheep but Friend and Ugh both arrived with names and became my first two Merino loves.

Friend’s lambs tended to have friendly dispositions, freckly noses , classic Merino neck wrinkles, and serious treat addictions just like their Mom.
In 2011 she was the victim of a coyote attack and lost full use of her right hind leg. She survived a bad infection and adapted to her bum leg at her retirement home behind my house. She needed extra care and I wanted to care for her. On July 31st Friend died. She was at least 16 years old and probably would’ve broken a record for the oldest sheep ever had she not had that coyote encounter. She was the strongest ewe I will ever know and my love for her was just as strong. Rest In Peace Friend♥️.