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`BRAAAAUH!!!' enter Angus When one has a flock of sheep, there is one aspect that must always be addressed. Ya gotta keep changing the ram. You see, if you don't change the ram, he might just be committing a bit of incest the next time... well, you get the drift. This year our original ram, Dodge, had reached that point in our barn where his eligible ewes in the barn numbered only nine. The balance of the females were either his daughters or granddaughters. So to avoid having lambs born with two heads or six legs (okay, just kidding) The Sidekick and I decided it was time for Dodge to find greener pastures. He was purchased by a shepherd who would be using him on his commercial (meat) flock. So Dodge merrily went on his way, to merrily have his way, with a flock of 30 ewes. Now with Dodge's transfer, there was an opening on the roster for a new ram. Hemi, our second ram was enlisted last year, so some of this fall's ewes are his daughters, so they can't be exposed to him for the same incestuous reasons. Enter `Angus,' our new ram, The Sidekick and I picked up Monday from a shepherd in Mount Forest. Angus is a top-rated ram, with great potential and a strong pedigree. He's only five months old, but will be ready for action by late fall. I must say, he has settled in to the comings and going at Brown Farm quite well. In fact, he's more settled than Hemi ever was. The two of them are in adjoining pens, where they can smell each other, and if they stick there heads out through the gates at the same time, can see each other and bleat back and forth at each other, as Hemi fills him in on the routine. So, I told you that story, to tell another. Monday, after loading Angus into the crate in the back of the F150, we set out on our drive home. The sun was shining, there was a nice breeze and all was well. Now Angus, being a typical sheep, wasn't pleased about leaving his home in Mount Forest. Sheep are herding animals, and find being alone quite stressful. To combat that fear and insecurity, AVALON EUROPE RIVER CRUISE SALE Save $1,000 per couple on select 2012 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruises booked air-inclusive* Save $500 per couple on select 2012 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruises booked without air* 7 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, August 4, 2011 Ted Brown they put up a brave front. They `roar' a lot. Angus is old enough (in sheep age) to be considered an adolescent-- like a 17-year-old guy whose voice has just changed. His roar is deep and throaty. He sounds like ` BRAAAAUH!!!' We were cruising down Trafalgar Road, north of Hillsburgh, and decided to pick up some sweet corn at Birkbank Farms. All the way from Mount Forest, we'd been serenaded by Angus, with his `BRAAAAUH!!!' Through every town, village and hamlet, Angus cut loose with his ` BRAAAAUH!!!' to draw attention to the fact he was being `kidnapped'. At Birkbank, The Sidekick and I left him in his crate, surveying the parking lot. As we re-emerged from the store, he saw us walking toward the truck. At that precise moment, another couple were walking toward the store. The Sidekick strolled around the back of the truck out of sight, to climb into the passenger's side as I opened my door. ` BRAAAAUH!!!' The lady walking towards the store stopped dead in her tracks and turned around. ` BRAAAAUH!!!' "Is your wife okay?" she asked. "She sounds like she's really sick. Is she throwing up?" ` BRAAAAUH!!!' one more time... By this time, she'd realized her mistake-- too late. She turned, shook her head and high-tailed it, with her very red face, into the store. The Sidekick and I had to collect ourselves before we were in any shape to drive-- we were literally doubled up in pain, laughing. As we resumed our journey to Angus' new home, we agreed he was going to make a great addition to Brown farm. And a great addition to this column. Our prices include accommodations, local sightseeing, many meals and complimentary wine with dinner. Georgetown *$1000 savings only applies to select 2012 Europe Avalon River Cruise air-inclusive vacations only. $500 savings only applies to select Europe Cruise/land-only bookings. Booking must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between 05/18/2011 and 08/30/2011 for travel through 12/31/2012. Offers not valid with any other offer. Applies to new 2012 bookings only. Offer reliant on space availability. Government-imposed taxes and fees of up to $375, additional and must be paid by each traveler. Full cancellation penalties will apply. Additional restrictions may apply. 905-873-2000 328 Guelph St. Georgetown, ON TICO Reg #50018501 Open Saturdays 9:30am - 3pm w w w. v i s i o n 2 0 0 0 t r a v e l . c o m As of August 2011 OAC Your mortgage isn't DONE, till you talk to ANDERSON! Call Michael Anderson 24-7 TOLL FREE 1-888-792-9278 Or send him a confidential message at www.DiamondAnderson.ca More WNV-positive mosquitoes found More West Nile virus positive mosquitoes have been found in Halton. A batch of mosquitoes collected last week in Burlington has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the second batch found in Halton Region this year. The other batch of positive mosquitoes was collected in Oakville. "West Nile virus in mosquitoes has had an early start this year and we still have two months for West Nile virus to be amplified in mosquitoes in Halton," said Dr. Monir Taha, Associate Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. "August and September are the months of highest risk for human illness with West Nile virus, which is most serious in older adults and persons with chronic illnesses. However, it is important that all Halton residents take measures to protect themselves from mosquito bites." Maps showing the locations of positive mosquito pools, as well as standing water sites that have had larvicide applied are available on the Health Department's website at www.halton.ca/wnv, along with tips on how to protect yourself from WNV.