It is a wrenching thing to see a dead lamb lying in the snow, it is a natural thing, a common thing, a reminder that life has its own way of asserting itself. It is also an ancient ballet, as is almost everything that happens between the sheep and the dog. Red saw the dead lamb and came over to stand by it, he is involved in everything that happens with sheep in the pasture.

I’ve also learned that the usually docile sheep are among the most wonderful of animal mothers, they will stand down a wolf and sacrifice themselves to save their lambs. Red and Kim stood over the dead lamb this morning, still trying to get her up hours after she must have died. Normally Kim would never stand this close to Red, nor would he permit her to, but they were each asserting themselves in their own way. Red was showing the sheep that the lamb was now in his care, Kim was still trying to protect her lamb, get her up, distract Red and get him away from her.

It is beautiful, awe-inspiring to see animals follow their instincts, play out their timeless roles, mother and sheep dog, an ancient dance.