A Day on a Sheep Farm

The Petite Saline Sheep and Llama Farm is located in Booneville, MO, is owned by Rey and Deanna "Dee" Perera. When I called them, they were incredibly welcoming and that carried through in my visits with them. As I got to know them, I discovered their real love for their animals - whether it was their sheep, llamas, ducks, Guinea hens, parrots, cats or dogs - and when I was editing I decided I wanted to illustrate that as I illustrated their work on the farm.

Here's the pictures from my story:

Rey Perera distributes feed to his Karakul ewes on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Perera works his farm daily and typically begins feeding the sheep, alpacas, and llamas around 8 am.

After feeding his llamas, Rey Perera pauses briefly to survey his sheep yard on Tuesday morning, Februarry 16, 2010. The Pereras use their llamas to guard their sheep; prior to adopting their first llama in 1989, coyotes would steal several of their lambs each year.

Oscar, the Corgi-Australian Sheperd cross, waits for Dee Perera to finish putting on her winter pants and boots, before they head outside to give the animals their afternoon hay, on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Oscar is one of three dogs the Pereras own, along with around 10 cats, 5 parrots, and over 90 Karakul rams and ewes.

Dee Perera loosens some black alpaca and llama fur to feed into her carder on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. The Pereras sheer their sheep, llamas, and alpacas twice a year, which Dee later sells to interested parties.

Dee Perera settles in to watch the Winter Olympics after a typical day on the farm, on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Her lap companion, Tommy, was dumped on the Perera's property and is one of around 10 cats that they consider part of their family.

I chose two alternates:

After feeding the animals, Rey Perera makes pancakes on Tuesday, February 16, 2010. Perera typically makes the breakfast and his wife, Dee, cooks lunch and dinner.

Dee Perera raises her finger in victory over her husband, Rey, after a small debate on Tuesday evening, February 16, 2010. The Pereras met when Rey was stationed in England and have been married over 30 years.