The Louie Tree.

This is how we got the Louie Tree from my perspective.

My name is CheeZcake. I am the very first Valais Black Nose Sheep in all of Cache County, as well as in Clarkston, a small population nestled in to the base of a mountain in the Northern tip of Utah. My flock mates and I live here with our Shepherdess. We call her MAAAAAAAAAA. 

I am kind of a big deal around here because my 50%  DNA of the very rare and noble VBNS bloodline is the first that has ever walked this part of the land . There may be others come along over time, but they will never be able to claim my title or the position it grants me. 

My Shepherdess tells me it's because I am extra special and there could never be another to take my place.  I feel like she may be leaving out part of the story there, but nevertheless, I rank pretty high on the scale of importance around here. I feel it is my place to tell of the events, so this is my story on how we grew a Louie tree. 

The excitement and festivities of the season were mounting. Even more so this year. The cold winter months have set in, and we look forward to every visit we get from our shepherdess. The Holidays seem to make her feel extra happy. 

A very special Christmas date for Maisey and Penelope has been planned this year. They were both invited to the very fancy Christmas Cotillion far away in a land down south. There is a  beautiful farm owned by a wonderful Shepherdess who loves and cares for her own flock of sheep. In fact it is the farm where I was born and lived the first 5 weeks of my life. 

A special carriage was being decorated and prepared for Maisey and Penelope to be transported down to the long awaited sheep dance.  It is now two days before Christmas. 

Both Maisey and Penelope will be the first to leave the comfort and safety of our pasture. The only farm they had ever known since arriving 2 1/2 years ago, and travel down south in the Christmas carriage to meet the prince. 

Our ladies were nervous but excited. They had been hearing about this special event for several months now. 

They had their wool trimmed just perfectly so they looked beautiful and sophisticated. Their hooves received a royal styled pedicure and all around physical has been done and they're ready to meet the new royal prince. 

From what I heard he is the vision of perfection when it comes to the 100% VBNS royal bloodline.  He was recently dubbed His Royal Highness Prince Marshmello. 

Apparently this is only a party for the ewes. He gets to choose who his next princesses will be. Now this is a very important job, because only the best ewes with a good foundation will be chosen to help him start a whole new royal bloodline. 

They must be very proper and lovely in action, word and deeds. I know our ladies here fit that description perfectly. 

Prince Marshmello will now father this new royal  blood line and in so doing, it will  be up to him, the new Prince Royal, to choose who helps him create and govern all his heirs, throughout the land so his Royal Heritage Line will stand the test of time. 

I heard he has been taught all the things a fine young ram must learn before meeting all the ladies in waiting. But, not all the ewes will be chosen so the competition will be fierce.

The night our ladies arrive on the Christmas carriage will be the opening ceremony for the fitting of the color plate. 

He will be assigned a color that only he will be allowed to wear. The special colored plate sits on his chest as a sign to all who see him, that he is the prince they are waiting to meet. 

Because it is the festival of winter,  with Christmas almost here, Prince Marshmello has been  presented a fine looking shield full of the color known as "Christmas Red" with the special magical powders that he will now be responsible for handling and sprinkling over his chosen Christmas ewes. 

Personally I don't see what the big deal is. All he has to do is wake up every morning and remember he is a sheep, just like the rest of us. Why does he get a ceremony and all this special celebratory woohaw? He's a bit cheeky if you ask me. 

However it seems to have set all the ladies on this farm on edge with big smiles and happiness, laughter and giggles. 

Prince Marshmello is looking for very specific ewes to be his princesses. 

The ones that are proper and sophisticated in their behavior of course. Just like my flock mates. I already know he won't find any better suited than they, but they're throwing a huge Christmas Cotillion, Sheep Dance to celebrate his opportunity to choose who he wants anyway. So who am I to judge, right? 

Of course he wants only the best for his offspring. The future princes and princesses. That's what the invitation said when MAAAAAA read it to us. 

 Now, ewes all over the country are being pampered and prepped and sent special Christmas carriages of their own.

Maisey and Penelope bid their farewell to me as they loaded into their awaiting Christmas carriage.  It has fresh hay for them to snack on during the long drive. The bed is lined with clean straw to lye down in and low lighted Christmas ambiance all around as the ride pulled out to take them to their  awaiting prince.

Again, I don't see why he is such a big deal to everybody.  I'm pretty sure I was the first big deal around here anyway, and I still hold that title today. 

MAAAAAAA  has really missed the ewes and so do I.  It's been a whole day! I have wandered the pasture searching for my flock but nobody is here. I keep calling out for them but they won't answer. I didn't realize it was going to be like this. I thought they'd be right back the same evening. But, they aren't here. I need to try and be brave so I don't upset my shepherdess, but I don't seem to be doing very well. 

I did receive extra visits from her all day as she brought me cookies. The animal cracker cookies. Those are my favorite. Every couple of hours I'd see her through the back door window, putting on her winter coat, boots, hat, gloves and scarf before heading out towards the pasture. 

I'm trying to hold my head up so Shepherdess doesn't see how sad I am, but I'm failing big time. She knows I am heart broken cause I see the tears in her eyes when she comes to see me. We are both worried.   

We sat together for a while in the barn. We watch as some light snow flakes began to cover the frozen ground. MAAAAAA always gives me loves and pats. Sometimes we just sit. Nobody saying anything at all. We just kind of share space with each other, just like we were doing at that moment. 

"They'll be home soon CheeZcake." She whispered " You are my best guy ever." 

"Just think,  if he has chosen our ewes as the Christmas Cotillion Princesses, there will be a special sign and many blessings of good fortune and love will be coming our way. They will be wearing his color of marking on their woolen fleeces. We will have to wait and see what happens. But I am choosing to let the dreams of our future flow." 

It had been a long time since she had made me a special little bed in my corner of the barn. Now that I am older, I was allowed to sleep anywhere I wanted. But this night,  MAAAAAA brought in a fresh new bale of soft straw that smelled just like the summertime. Taking off the strings  she spread it out in a thick layer creating my own little bed just like the olden days of my youth. Giving me a big squeeze around my thick woolen neck she bid me farewell until the morning sunrise comes. 

"Good night best guy I love you" she spoke softly as she closed the doors to the cozy warm barn. I heard her secure the handle and listened as she walked back through the gate to her own back door. 

I was feeling a bit lonely as I considered all the events taking place.

"Woopty do"  I thought to myself, " who cares about his colors anyway?" 

I guess everybody forgot about the beautiful lime green collar I wear sometimes for the special holiday pictures. 

I didn't feel my eyes closing at all. I don't even remember dozing off.  But next thing I knew, there was MAAAAAAAA, opening the door to my barn, smiling and so happy to see me.

"Merry Christmas CheeZcake. You won't believe the news. Can you see them? Just look at their woolen fleeces. They were chosen CheeZcake. The New Prince Marshmello chose our ladies from our Wild Daisy Homestead " 

I could feel her happiness and excitement. I perked up as she opened up the grain bin. She was so light on her feet she was almost floating. Pouring my cup of oats into my very special blue bucket, she made an announcement. 

" See this CheeZcake? Here is the picture." Sure enough there they stood next to a snowy topped gate with their beautiful thick woolen coats looking lush and warm.. On top of their wool was the " Christmas Red" color that Prince Marshmello had carefully sprinkled over the top to make his choices to all who looked on, very clear. 

I have to admit, that picture made all the difference in how we were feeling that Christmas morning.  In fact, it lightend our heavy, emotional loads and turned our frowns upside down. 

" I will be heading down to pick up Maisey and Penelope today CheeZcake. I need to get them home as soon as possible." 

The Shepherdess was growing increasingly concerned. I watched as she continued to look out at the sky as if she was looking for something specific. 

"A big snow storm is expected to hit sometime in the next few hours CheeZcake.  Apparently it has been on the news for the last few days, and it is choosing today of all days to come in and we will either be snowed in or snowed out if we do not time this correctly." 

She told me that if she didn't make the trip down to get them today, it may be several days or weeks before the snow clears enough for her to make the trip safely. 

I know her almost as much as she knows herself, there was no way she was going to not go down and get them, a little snow never scared her before. But to be honest, I was a little scared knowing I'd be here, alone.  And all the news on the TV was making her nervous. 

We spent a few minutes walking around the pasture. and she led me back to the barn. Again laying fresh straw, filled my water bucket and placed fresh hay in my hay bin. 

"I'll be back soon CheeZcake, I promise."  And again she closed the doors to the barn, securing me inside. 

Dressed in her warmest attire she left me and the farm to travel south until she found the palace where our ewes were waiting.

Now remember, that's where I came from years ago so I know its a lovely place to be. It sits in a beautiful location where the shepherdess there can look out over her own flock from the beautiful windows of her home. 

She finally arrived and was greeted with warm hello"s and excited conversations. 

MAAAAAAAA later revealed to me how excited both of the ewes were to see her and hear her voice again. They dashed towards the gate shaking their heavy coats and proudly showing off their Christmas Red decoration. 

With our ewes safely tucked into their traveling trailer she relayed her gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of the Christmas Dates their farm had given to our farm that year. 

Checking through the back door to the Christmas carriage one last time,  she secured the lock and jumped into the farm truck and they all headed for home.  As MAAAAAAA drove down the road looking toward the sky often to see how close the storm was, she later told me she  had said more than one prayer that night. 

She revealed she was nervous hauling that large trailer especially if the storm hit before she could make it home with her precious cargo snuggled in the back.  They were putting all their trust in her, we all were.  The weight of the world must have been on her shoulders as she began to drive and the snow began to fall. 

I stood at the window of my barn and watched as the snow began to come down so fast I couldn't  see the house anymore. I was scared, I cried for MAAAAAAAAA. I was all alone. 

Everybody was gone. Quietly, I shed more than a few tears as I waited that night..... I waited.... and waited..... and waited..... No sign of them anywhere. I saw the neighbors come home and go inside their warm houses. Just the porch light of  MAAAAAAAA"S house shone softly as the snow began to cover the light. 

Laying  down I couldn't bare to watch as the snow began to collect on the ground. It was deep already.  I had never felt so lonely in my whole life. I fell asleep  in my warm barn once again.

Something woke me up, I had just the smallest amount of hope as I listened carefully. But all I could hear was the howling winds outside. I looked out the window but saw nothing. I turned to go back to my soft straw bed when I saw a light trail through the barn as it shone for a moment on the walls inside.  I spun my head around towards the window and there it was! The lights of the farm truck were coming towards the barn. 

I leaped for joy and began to call out as loud as my voice would let me. MAAAAAAAAAA - MAAAAAAAAAA I listened but heard nothing. I tried again. MAAAAAAAA-MAAAAAAAA and this time I heard the faintest reply and thats when I knew. THEY WERE HOME. MAAAAAAAAA  climbed over the top of the tall fence as the snow had already built up almost half way. She jumped off the other side and ran towards the barn. I was there ready to greet her. I could hear the snow shovel digging quickly as she tried to first clear the barn doors so they could be opened. 

I was so excited when I saw her. A quick pat on the head to let me know she was there and off we were to the fence line to clear the snow so the ewes could be released from their Christmas Carriage ride. 

I could hear them inside. They were anxious to be home. They paced around and tried to be patient. MAAAAAAAAAAA I heard them cry. 

Through the howling wind I could hear our shepherdess offering a prayer of gratitude on the fly as she continued to dig. She was so grateful they had all made it home. I have heard her mention several times since that snowy Christmas night that if she had been even 20 minutes later, they would not have been able to get home. They would have been stranded. She and the ewes would have had to spend the night in the carriage alone in a horrible storm. Not even the big plows were out right now. 

I remember the trailer doors swung open wide, and there they were. Both of them standing there just as proud as could be. I have never been more excited to see anyone in my life. I am not ashamed to say I ran to them and they ran towards me. We were all together.  Our flock was whole again. We trudged through the quickly mounting snow drifts towards the barn and walked inside. 

"Christmas lights marked our path all the way down and again all the way home." The ewes proceeded to tell me. They had all sorts of wild stories to  narrate that cold snowy Christmas of 2022. Some I'm not so sure I believe, but we'll save all that for another day. 

 "He chose us!!!" they cried out  " Prince Marshmello chose us." 

I then saw the two beautiful "Christmas Red Dusting " marks that had been left by Prince Marshmello himself. 

So he was actually the real deal.  There really is a Prince Marshmello and he did sprinkle his magical red powders on our ewes. The ewes were indeed blessed with his presence.  

I have to say I felt proud of our girls that night.  This time instead of my head hanging down low, I held it high.  I was beginning to sense the new, very important life roles they were now engaged in, as the chosen Christmas Cotillion Princesses. 

It was a full on blizzard that night, I remember. . With all of her flock reunited, MAAAAAAA made her way to her back door. She was cold, shivering and wet from head to toe. We watched out the barn doors  as MAAAAAAAAA shook off the snow as  best as she could and walked inside closing the door behind her. 

Later that night as we three flock mates snuggled inside the warm and cozy barn, we saw MAAAAAAAAA through the kitchen window. The low light glowing inside. MAAAAAAAAAA  turned on her stove and waited for the tea kettle filled with water to boil. She reached up into the tall cabinet and brought out her cup and a can of hot cocoa. Scooping two spoonfuls and dropping them inside the cup, she lifted the kettle from off the stove and slowly poured the hot water onto the powdered mound of chocolate resting at the bottom. 

We saw her stirring gently then reaching for the light switch. The window went dark. But from deeper inside the home of our MAAAAAAA we saw the flickering lights of the TV as she sat in her recliner, wrapped in a big quilt and turned on a Christmas movie. 

Spring arrived and the snows began to melt. Things felt different and exciting around our homestead. 

MAAAAAAA  brought sweet oats and grains for the ewes to eat. I got some too as nobody wanted me to feel left out, but I  knew it was most important for the ewes to get their fill first. I wasn't exactly sure why, I could just sense something was different, and I wanted to be true to the nobility of my breed 'a 50/50 cross Valais Black Nose and Baby Doll.  Everybody knows first and foremost the Valais are proper gentleman through and through. 

We were excited to see the man who comes to release us from our heavy woolen winter fleeces. Yes, shearing day had arrived. We all received a haircut and a pedicure. We don't exactly appreciate to the fullest our shearing as it takes place , but we  sure looked fresh and stylish by the time he left.  Celebrating and feeling jovial, we repeatedly revealed to one another how marvelous, fresh and clean we all looked. Life felt happy, lighter, and enchanting as the days rolled on.  

Delivery week has arrived is what our Shepherdess said as she sat out in our pasture while taking a break from all of her pasture projects. She had been busy fixing the fence line, making these lovely little rooms she called lambing pens. Picking things up, stacking the hay and making sure everything was clean and orderly. 

She showed Maisey and Penelope their very own private rooms.

Although they were separate, they were joined together so we could all still be near one another. She knows how frightened we would be if we got seperated. 

I knew something was happening, but again, I didn't quite know what. Penelope grew more restless and MAAAAAAAA said it was time for her to stay in her private accomodations until the little surprise bundle arrives. We all waited anxiously. 

"This is truly the Christmas gift that keeps on giving the whole year,"

We heard her say many times that spring. 

The lambing pen was just the perfect size. It had fresh straw to make a soft bed, each had their very own water bucket that was kept filled with nice cool water to drink. They also had their very own basket of sweet alfalfa hay mixed in with the usual grass, hanging on the side of her divider.  Alfalfa was only for this very special time. Everything was ready. 

I of course was set up in my sheep shack right in front, where I could still be near and see both and they could both see me. We could even touch noses if we wanted. 

That night, in the wee morning hours,  I was sleeping when I  heard a noise I have never heard before. It sounded like sheep but....  they were very faint and barely a sound at all. I raised my head slightly and saw MAAAAAAA arrive outside. Ok, something was definitely going on. She will come visit us late into the night sometimes but never at the hour of 2:00  in the blessed A.M. 

She hung a small light on the gate. It was a very soft lighting. Just enough to see but gentle enough as not to alarm the two tiny lambs that were snuggled together on a bed of fresh straw. 

Whispering quietly she announced their arrival.  We all gathered around, listening to a  quiet song Penelope was now calling out and singing to her twins. Two little girls almost identical lay there sleeping curled up together with a new mother looking over them.  

We were all delighted at the tiny creatures who were indeed sheep, just very very small and brand new to life. Brand new to our farm. Something like this has never happened here before. Truly a time to celebrate. 

They called out  for their momma in their wee little voices. Penelope stood there, cleaning and encouraging them to drink their very first taste of warm milk she had for them. 

Maisey was also in awe, smiling at the very small set of twins who now resided in the pen next door to her. She continued to sniff and investigate as did I . 

"They're  beautiful Penelope" our MAAAAAAAA whispered.

Penelope finally laid down next to her new babies. The new additions snuggled together resting quietly nestled up in the warm wool of their mother until morning. 

MAAAAAAA  arose early that and hurried to get everything done so she could give full attention to the new lambs.

There they were, standing and looking around at everything. So many things to see and smell. They even tried to hop and jump, but kept falling over their own little hooves.

She quietly and carefully walked into the lambing pen, cleaned up all the old straw, laid fresh straw down for the new little residents  and their momma. Penelope was very gracious, allowing MAAAAAA  to meet her babies full on. She stood tall, proud and accepting of the praise she was receiving. 

"You're such a good momma Penelope," she said  "you've done such a magnificent  job." 

She finished giving  affection to all inside that cozy pen. Then decided mom and babies needed some time alone.

Filling the water  bucket, hay basket and grain tray once again, she quietly stepped back out. 

You may be wondering about now..... 

"What exactly does this have to do with a tree named Louie?" Bare with me, it is all going to come together soon. 

A couple days later excitement filled the air once again. The feeling around the farm was magical. Everything was just perfect. MAAAAAAAAA opened the door to the private suite and the twins tumbled over themselves as they tried to take in the big open world that lay before them. Their momma slowly walked out just a few steps and quietly called to her babies that everything would be alright . They just needed to take that first step outside their safe place of birth, and begin to see what was out beyond the gate. Slowly they each walked out for a step then hopped back in. Quickly the hops became more playful and energetic, soon they were well on their way to exploring the whole pasture with mom right behind them. . 

I saw Maisey lay down inside of her private room. She looked tired and ready to have her surprise arrive as well. Would it be the same kind of surprise? We all began to wonder. 

Arrive he did.. 4 days after the twins were born, Maisey stood proud and protective over her beautiful little boy who made his entrance that morning. Everyone including the new lambs gathered around Maisey as she introduced the newest member of our flock. 

"I would like for all of you to meet Louie, my new lamb." 

Maisey too was congratulated and praised for a job well done.  

MAAAAAAAAA  waited a while watching Maisey become a new mom as she began to  bond with her baby boy. 

Then just as she had done with Penelope, MAAAAAAA quietly  stepped inside of Maisey's pen. She began to clean up the old straw and all the things that were left after the birth of little Louie. 

She collected everything and set it in her wheelbarrow. Laid down a thick layer of fresh straw, filled the water bucket with cool clean water, topped off the grain tray and quietly left Maisey and baby Louie to rest, just as she had done before. 

I watched her take all the leftovers she had just cleaned up and set inside the wheelbarrow over towards the compost pile. That's when she stopped. 

"I wonder...." She spoke out loud yet not really to anyone in particular. 

She stood staring at that silly stick she had brought home the other day and stuck it in the ground.

She call it a "tree just waiting to decide if it wanted to live." 

I just thought of it as a stick. Because it was literally a stick that had been stuck in the ground. No leaves or buds or flowers just a bare stick. I thought it was a silly thing to do at the time.

She seemed to love this stick.  I thought there was no hope for the big beautiful tree she kept telling the stick it could someday be,  if it would just try a little harder to live. 

MAAAAAA started watering it every evening. She would talk to it and touch the stick, assuring it that it will one day be a big beautiful tree that all the other trees would admire and show gratitude for during the hot days of summer as it provided shade for all. 

It did have a  few roots when she planted it, it just wasn't showing any signs of growing or even desire to become a big tree someday. The way I was seeing things, it didn't even want to be a tiny tree or any kind of a tree at all.  I wandered over to see what she was looking at and why it had suddenly caught her attention during such an oddly timed moment. 

"I wonder" she said out loud again.

" I wonder if I dig a hole right here next  to this tree and place all of the straw and things I cleaned up after louie's birth, inside the hole, then cover it back up.....  just maybe it will give this sad little tree the nutrients it needs to start to grow.?"

She looked at me as if she wanted a confirmation to her theory. I just stood there, you know, like an emotional support sheep type role for the moment. 

Staring at me, I stared back. "CheeZcake! I think you're correct, this is exactly what we need to do. I can  feel it." 

I continued to stand, not clearly understanding what it was she felt I said as I had actually not spoken a word. Nevertheless, I stood proud and willing to help out our MAAAAAAAA however she saw fit. If my presence of just standing there is what she needed, then there I shall stand until further notice. 

She did exactly as she felt inspired to do.

Digging the hole right next to the tiny twig. She dug deep and replaced the old dirt with some new about half way up, then into that hole she set all of the leftovers from louie into the hole. 

Once she had placed everything the wheel barrow had been carrying inside of the hole, she covered it with all the fresh soil and dirt she had just dug up.  Looking at the stick with hopeful eyes, I think I heard her utter a small prayer. 

 She spoke to the tree softly " This is what you needed. You will be just fine. I know it."   as she turned and walked away. 

The warm summer days had arrived. All of the lambs played and frolicked in the pasture. They learned to climb the pretend Swiss mountains MAAAAA had made for them, and were learning to leap from heights that alarmed the rest of us. Life on the farm was good. 

A few days later MAAAAAAAA was out doing the morning chores. Checking and filling water buckets, feed buckets and mineral pans. She went over to the stick and began to give it some water just like she does every morning.

"What? What is this?" A  smile covered her face " There are leaves and buds! They're tiny but there they are just as sure as the sun came up this morning." 

We all stood trying to see what it was she was so excited about while munching on our  sweet sprigs and blades of grass hay. She continued with her excitement. 

"Louie!!!! Maisey!!! You did it. It's because of you this little tree has found the will to live.  I'll be darned." 

Maisey and Louie stood proud and noble as they witnessed the pure joy our MAAAAAAAAA had in her voice for both of them and their contribution to the cause that day. 

I am proud and happy to report that, this tree now stands tall and strong,  continuing  to grow 2 years later. 

It has become a beautiful willow tree just as our MAAAAAAA said it could be. The louie tree now has branches heavy with leaves as they hang down.

The tree has become a quiet peaceful area for all to gather and enjoy the afternoon shade during these lazy summer days. 

Our miracle tree has officially been named " The Louie Tree" during a celebratory ceremony of our own creation. I have to agree, that's the perfect name. 

It will stand for decades to come growing larger and stronger for all who sit under its weeping willow branches to feel the whimsical,  enchanting feeling that was felt on our farm during such a magical and unforgettable time.

We as residents of this homestead know the magical powers it possesses to all who come and sit under it.  Every time we walk over to the tree and take shelter under its beautiful branches, the feeling from those special days so long ago wraps itself around us and we can feel the magic of those moments return. 

Thank you for reading my story of " The Louie Tree" 

Love CheeZcake.  

Written from the thoughts and inspirations of MAAAAAAA and  CheeZcake, The first little Valais Black Nose Sheep In All Of Cache County Utah.  

 

Planting placenta you retrieve from left over birth debris from your farm animals is a natural and very healthy way to give nutrition to trees and plants around your property. The iron rich blood is incredibly nutritious for the growth of roots and leaves.