Thank You For Your Service, Sheep!

About the Book

Sheep live a quiet existance among us. Working as self-propelled lawn mowers and weed eaters, clipping invasive weeds, preventing the need for costly herbicides and gas-powered machinery.

Did you know that in 1914 to 1921, during Woodrow Wilson's presidency, sheep grazed on the white house lawn? The flock helped with white house expenses during World War I by trimming the grass. The flock was sheared and almost 100 pounds of wool was auctioned off for the Red Cross. More than $50,000 was raised.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were also shepherds they kept sheep at their private homes. The Jacket that James Madison wore the day that he was inaugurated was made out of the wool from the flock of sheep he raised on his private residence.

In some areas sheep are used to help prevent wildfires. They are able to keep the vegetation down and create an effective firebreak. This is most effective where the wildlands meets urban communities. Also the wool that they produce is naturally flame resistant. Wool has often been used in the past as well as current day in blankets, bedding, mattresses, carpets, and protective clothing.

Thank you for your service, sheep is a rhyming lyric of a number of other fun and interesting facts about sheep and the wool that they provide for us. I have also included photos and some information about a very special pet of mine that I liked to refer to as my therapy sheep.

About the Author

I live in Pennsylvania. Following my parents example, I learned to love nature and grew up taking care of an assortment of pets. My dad, who grew up on a farm, was always ready to teach me how to help the baby pigeon that fell from the nest high on the barn roof, or the bunny who was separated from mom and siblings. He assisted me in tending them until they were old enough to eat on their own and no longer needed our help. This trend of finding pets in need continues to happen in my adult life. In my travels, as an aide to adults with disabilities, I seem to keep meeting pets in need of a home for various reasons. This is how I was introduced to Moses, the sheep pictured in this book. Because of Moses I learned to spin wool into yarn and appreciate the many uses for wool in our everyday life. These past and current day used for wool is what I share with you in this book.