“Nika spent over 9 of her (almost) 12 years with me. She left me with many wonderful memories of her kindness and wisdom.  I'll never forget the day I looked up in the paddock and saw one of my ewes was in the process of lambing. Then I saw a little head sticking up between Nika's front legs where she laid nearby. She was taking care of the firstborn while mom had her twin. Mom would come over every few minutes between labor pains to check on her, then go back to "work". As wonderful as Nika was with the sheep on pasture, she was absolutely terrified of thunderstorms, having been out in a chain-linked fence area during an especially terrible one in her former life. I even had to go sit with her when the Village had their 4th of July fireworks (about 5 miles away). So eventually Nika was assigned to protect the barn and any sheep and lambs in jugs inside it, while two other Pyrs took over pasture duties. She had a "den" there where she could go and feel safe during storms, got lots of love and attention from us during chores, and got to spend nice days outside in a side paddock reserved for the weaned lambs or goat kids. I will always have a special place in my heart for her.”        

Mary Gloster - NEPR Member