"My mind sees that I am nothing, my heart sees that I am everything, between these two poles my life unfolds."

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Not A Baad Day After All

The next stop on my Rotorua city tour was a sheep demonstration at the Agrodome. I have to be honest and admit that I was initially kind of meh about this exhibit, but like so many times in life, it actually turned out to be very interesting, entertaining and memorable.

  The different breeds were all lined up along either side of the building prior to the show.

One by one they came up as they were called and took their spots - they knew the drill!

The unique characteristics of each breed was discussed.

A full house :)

Their faces were adorable. Then came the geese who comically waddled around the stage while the dogs demonstrated their skills. They also profiled two kind of dogs: Huntaway and Strong-Eye Heading.

It was pretty amazing when the dogs walked along the backs of the sheep - you can see one up top and two crouched down towards the middle of the second row. The sheep and dogs were quite affectionate with each other - the dogs playfully licked the sheep's faces and the sheep in turn nuzzled them back.

Looks a little like Wile E Coyote in disguise!

Lol!!


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34 comments:

  1. Sulky KittenJune 13, 2012 at 2:17 AM

    I would have loved going to this show - I love sheep, they always look so benign and friendly. Sheep dogs are brilliant, it's amazing how they control so many sheep so quickly. I hope that milking certificate is in pride of place!

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:02 PM

      I should have it framed and hung right beside my basket-weaving degree!

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  2. AnonymousJune 13, 2012 at 3:37 AM

    Incredible! When I first looked I thought they were models of sheep. It is interesting seeing them together and seeing how different the breeds are.
    Nice certificate!

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:03 PM

      I can see what you mean - they don't look real! There were some definite difference between the breeds.

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  3. Kay G.June 13, 2012 at 3:54 AM

    I wish I could have seen this show! I wonder how many of your readers will say that they have milked a cow, and have a certificate to prove it!

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:04 PM

      When I was heading towards the airport the day we left, I can honestly say I wasn't anticipating milking a cow would be part of my holiday!

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  4. outjunkingJune 13, 2012 at 3:54 AM

    Oh that last picture I'm thinking he looks like me needing a hair cut. Does that mean I wonder, if I look like Wile E Coyote? So much fun going on your trip with you by way of blogging.

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:06 PM

      Do you remember that episode with the sheep dog and Wile E Coyote? By the end, you had no idea who was who!

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  5. Plowing Through Life (Martha)June 13, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    Ha ha...yes, it does look like Wile E Coyote in disguise! This is so cool, Jane. I love that the animals are affectionate with each other. And I think I also would have been meh about this exhibit, although certainly curious enough to see what it's all about. And just think, now you have experience in milking cows and a certficate to prove it. Make sure you frame it!

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    1. Sulky KittenJune 13, 2012 at 4:51 PM

      Yeah,she has the certificate Martha, but I think I might need some photographic evidence to back it up! So,any pics of that Miss Jane? I want to see the (tortured?) face of your victim as well! :)

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    2. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:01 PM

      Sulky, I wish I'd taken a pic, but at the time I was so mortified that I'd been called up to the stage that all I wanted to do was get this over with. It wasn't so much the milking of a cow - I've done that before - although I this is my first certificate, lol! You'll just have to believe me that no cows were harmed in the process :)

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    3. Jane June 13, 2012 at 10:00 PM

      Hi Martha, I'm going to have to post a Looney Tunes clip for anyone unfamiliar with this particular episode :) I was slightly curious heading there, but could have definitely taken it or left it - I'm glad it turned out to be such an interesting experience.

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  6. Debra She Who SeeksJune 13, 2012 at 5:15 AM

    I see from your 6th photo that one of those sheep is related to Mitt!

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  7. turquoisemoonJune 13, 2012 at 5:26 AM

    I would have enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing your trip...

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  8. Margaret DJune 13, 2012 at 6:51 AM

    Amazing.

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  9. Dianne SSJune 13, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    Who knew that sheep could be trained to perform like that!!! You didn't get a chance to shear a sheep though??!! LOL!!This post made me think of Babe--Baa Ram Ewe, To Your Own Kind be True!!

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:10 PM

      There were treats in the cups beside each sheep - I expect that's the trick :)

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  10. GailJune 13, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    Hi Jane - thanks for the fun diversion. Just what I needed :-)
    Love Gail
    peace.....

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  11. WebDebrisJune 13, 2012 at 10:22 AM

    Lol. I have been around farms my whole teenage life and have yet to milk a cow!

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:13 PM

      Well you missed out on an exciting experience, lol!!! I think you'd better hop in your car over the weekend and visit the closest farm to you.

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  12. The Dancing CroneJune 13, 2012 at 11:10 AM

    Ha ha! What a wonderful day! I for one never knew there was more than one kind of sheep. And the dogs walking along their backs! These animals know how to charm tourists that's for sure! (Even long distance tourists like me). Isn't that always the way though? Something you feel ambivalent about turns out to be totally charming.

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:14 PM

      Believe me - I had no idea myself that there were so many different varieties - never paid that much attention :)

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  13. Scrappy AngelJune 13, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    milked a cow? whooda thunk?

    Thanks for posting these. This place looks very interesting and likeable.

    Who knew? seems like the trip of a lifetime!

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:15 PM

      I wouldn't have hadn't I been forced up on stage though :)

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  14. GigaJune 13, 2012 at 3:55 PM

    Myślę, że mnie też ta wystawa by się spodobała. Była i ciekawa i jednocześnie zabawna. Pozdrawiam.
    I think I was also the exhibition would have liked. It was and interesting and also funny. Yours.

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  15. https://booksthoughtsadventures.comJune 13, 2012 at 4:17 PM

    OMG...I love this...I want to hug all of them!!!

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 5:16 PM

      Their faces are very cute - I went up on stage once the presentation was over and took a closer look at all of them - very sweet dispositions.

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  16. LoreneJune 13, 2012 at 5:27 PM

    Your sheep show would have been a true highlight of being in New Zealand for me. I adore sheep, they are so interesting and to see all the different breeds and the herding dogs would have fascinated me to no end.

    Your pictures are beautiful and you caught the essence of the showing so well.

    Congratulations of your "Certificate of Udderance" for hand milking a cow. That must have been a thrill for you to actually of had the opportunity to do that.

    I wonder what your next posting will contain? I can't wait to see. Good work Jane.

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    1. Jane June 13, 2012 at 9:55 PM

      Hi Lorene, I was quite struck with how sweet their faces were :) I had no choice in the milking - I was called up on stage as I was the only visitor there from Canada that showing. All in good fun and I enjoyed getting my certificate too!

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