Over at Ishtar’s Ark, it is Anette who is the proud owner of two well-fearing goats, who, unless they for no apparent reason would start to act very crazy have a high chance of living out their days being pampered by their owner any time she is around. When she is not around (which she isn’t for another month), they get fed regularly by Anette’s house mate, who sometimes lets them run off any excess energy in the garden, though only under strict supervision (less Ishtar’s ark be denuded of all its green).

As for the rest of the Ark, it is I who am keen on getting a pair of sheep. Anette tells me that sheep are boring individuals and lack the charming appearance that goats possess, but I think it’s about waiting for “the right one”.

Most sheep in Niger (at least those I see walking past my gate!) are pale-colored and possess quite rightly that crooked nose, but some are really cool. For months, I’ve been telling Ali to be on the lookout for a pair of all black sheep (they are rare, but they exist) but unfortunately, he has only come across one, who came from Tanout and was way too expensive considering the lack of meat on his bones. When out on an ordinary walk one day, I came upon a cool looking sheep creature, and as I took out the camera, I heard the kids on Eden street mumble to their amazement “She takes pictures of a sheep!”

Inspired by a hilarious goat post over at Pat’s son and daughter-in-law’s blog (they are Peace Corps in Tilabery), I couldn’t resist the idea of purchasing the goat on site, but it never developed into action out of two reasons: first of all, anything is way more expensive than it should when you (the buyer) shows a particular interest in it (even the smallest child in Niger knows how to bargain) and second of all, adult sheep ARE expensive in Niger and I never carry that kind on money with me.

The sheep however was really cool, and I took all these pictures just to show Anette that are really cool! Just imagine what a proper and good combing would do…

Those facial features were wonderful!

As it turned out, this cool-coated sheep walked in the company of a nearly-black sheep and a very cool-looking goat; and although I did not integrate them into Ishtar’s Ark, I did enjoy watching them for the full five minutes it took for them to cleanse the street of anything edible, before running off to team up with all the other sheep and goats being taken out of the city for an afternoon free ranging bush feed.