Sheepplay a particular part in Jane Lauber ’s world . base in Yarrambat in the state of Victoria in Australia , Lauber heads up theValais Blacknose Sheepfamily farm , where she particularize in bring up an overwhelmingly charming breed that she dub the “ world ’s cutest sheep . ”
Beyond the Valais Blacknose ’s eye - catching looks , it turns out that constitute theheritage breedin Australia was something of an administrative trial — and Lauber ’s original breathing in behind tracking down some Valais Blacknose came about after receiving heartwrenching family news .
We spoke to Lauber about her sheep - centric roots and the personality of the Valais Blacknose breed . We also convey into the benefit of nurture sheep in pairs .
Pocket Money Rearing
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originate up on a mixed farm in Devon , Lauber recalls earn her pouch money by caring for babe lambs who could n’t be reared by their mother .
“ I absolutely adore it , and then I progressed to rearing the calves as well , ” state Lauber . “ I would be furious if dad did n’t wake me when he did the 2 o’clock round to check the sheep and I slept through to 6 . He knew I needed to sleep to get to schooltime , but I would always assay and make the middle - of - the - night round . ”
Sheep as Therapy
Lauber ’s track to raising Valais Blacknose sheep began when she receive the traumatic news that her daughter , Sue , was diagnosed with brain genus Cancer . “ We were sit down in the lounge room one afternoon , after her daily treatments , watching television when I catch a computer programme about these sheep , ” says Lauber . “ I tell to Sue we should get some for the 8 estate I had just purchase . ”
Lauber adds that after her girl was first diagnosed , she sold all her concern interests “ to be with her , so these sheep just looked so endearing I thought it might be a nice pastime for us . ”
Overcoming Importing Issues
After Lauber correct about attempting to import some of the “ arresting sheep ” into Australia from the United Kingdom , she promptly came across a serial of tricky import regulation .
“ We had to pass requirement of Department of Agriculture and all the quarantine requirements , ” she explain . “ you could not spell live sheep to Australia because we do not have some of the terrible disease that other countries do . Having accepted that , I bulge out the paperwork Salmon P. Chase . ”
finally , Lauber find a workaround that took over three years and involved acquiring sheep in Switzerland and sending them to the United Kingdom “ to have conceptus made and also semen straws and then finally imported them into Australia . ”
Getting to Know the Valais Blacknose
When it comes to the personality of Valais Blacknose sheep , Lauber pronounce she was n’t ready for just how amiable and entertaining the breed is . “ They are naturally so friendly and brave and inquisitive , ” she says . “ They just follow you around like a dog . They want you to dab them and play with them all Clarence Day long . ”
To that remnant , two of Lauber ’s flock , Adam and Arnie , revel popping along to a local coffeehouse on their leashes .
Good Things Come in Pairs
“ I commend these sheep to anyone who loves animals and wants a friendly , hardy and soft - to - handle ducky , ” says Lauber when advocating for the benefit of raise Valais Blacknose sheep . “ I will only sell two together unless they already have another suitable pet . They are very expensive because it has cost a fortune for me to get them here — but it also means they should be well treated by raw owner . ”
