Rose, digging the sheep out of the mist.

On Labor Day, I honor the greatest working creature I have had the pleasure to know, Rose. She came to the farm with me when she was six months old, she has saved my life more than once, worked hard every day to watch my book, move sheep, help with lambing, round up neighbor’s cows, even goats. She loves her work and does it faithfully, with courage, intelligence and professionalism. She has battled coyotes, wild pigs, angry rams, enraged mothers, protective donkeys. She’s been kicked, run over, cut open her stomach on barbed wire, collapse from dehydration and heat.

She has never failed me, never forgets me, is a great presence in my life. On Labor Day I honor my passion for work that I love, and I honor an animal whose great spirit inspires me every day to do my work, do it well.