Yipes! Stripes! Take 2

Zebras have plenty of blessings to count in the Christmas season! They have tight-knit families, A large herd to belong to, & a clearly defined male & female leader to follow! Counting their blessings  helps them to smile & even have an old-fashioned "Belly Laugh"!

"A Cheerful Heart doeth good like a medicine".Don't Worry, Be Happy!

Zebra's stripes are another sign of God's goodness to them. Each Zebra has its own unique pattern of stripes. It's like having ewe-r own set of fingerprints! Imagine trying to locate a foal in a mall, with all those other stripes to choose from! Ewe-r eyes could go buggy! Mares & foals spend time shortly after the birth bonding, which enables them to recognize their foal in a crowd.

All those stripes are making me Dizzy! That foal is getting "Grounded"!

The Christmas season is also an opportunity for different smaller groups or harems, to gather together to sing! Zebras normally  snort, bark, & bray at one another. However, Christmas carols have a way of bringing all the unique groups together to harmonize!They set aside their differences, & focus on singing the "Good News"!


The 3 Amigos singing ,"Away in a Manger, no room for a bed..."

Zebras, like other animals in the wild, have some natural enemies.
Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, & wild dogs are a few of the predators on the lookout for a meat sale on "Stripes"! It's nice to know that Christmas is a time where enemies can lay down their differences, & celebrate the Prince of Peace!

It's OK, I forgive Ewe for trying to eat me! Let's call for a truce!

Christmas is a time to stop fighting! Can't we just work this out?

 

Thousands of Zebras migrate some 300 miles in search of water. They travel great distances in search of refreshment! Christmas is also a season to seek refreshment from life's hardships! It's a wonderful time to reflect on the true meaning of the season! A time to enjoy friends, family, & the significance of Christ coming to the earth! Even humans need time to slow down & "smell the roses"!

  

It's been a long journey, but definitely worth it! This is so "Refreshing"!

 

I Love Vacations! Nothing like a little "Down Time"!

Sheep also enjoy gathering together for the holidays. Eating with the flock, & sitting at the feet of their Shepherd, brings tremendous contentment in an ordinarily "crazy" world!

 

 

The Shepherd is my "Prince of Peace"!

 

Ewe Have nothing to fear as long as I am here! Let's sing some carols!

As Ewe celebrate this glorious season with friends & family, reflect on the many blessings in Ewe-r life & take some to be refreshed in His Love! 

 

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden. and I will give you rest." Mt. 11:28

 

 

 

 

 

Yipes! Stripes! Zebras Got Them!

Zebras , along with donkeys & horses, belong to the "Equidae" family in the "Animalia" kingdom. There are 3 species of Zebra; the plains zebra,  the mountain zebra, & the "Grevy" zebra. All 3 occupy the grasslands of the Savanna as their primary habitat, yet  ewe will find some zebras in the woodlands & mountains. Zebras are herbivores.


I enjoy the grasslands , especially when they offer  such a large buffet!

Did ewe know that the Savanna runs "Family Specials"? Eating out is now possible!

Zebras are uniquely born with stripes, which serve them well in 
the wild. The Savanna has its share of predators, all looking for a tasty meal.Lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, & hyenas all are carnivores, preying on Zebras. Zebras form herds for safety, their stripes all blending together, making it more difficult for predators to single out the weakest animal, especially at night!


Ewe think we're kidding? Ewe try telling us apart! (Look Closely)

Ewe win some & Ewe lose some! Predator 1 Zebra 0

Zebras are intelligent & social animals.They gather in herds, which contain smaller groups called harems. Each harem consists of a lead male, called a stallion, several females, called mares, & the young Zebras, known as foals. The male is the head, but will yield the choice of direction for the group's movement to the female. All members of a harem are able to recognize one another.


We enjoy Each others' company! It sure beats being eaten by a lion!

 A Zebra's average height is 3.5-5 Ft. & its average weight is 440-990 lbs., with a  life expectancy of about 25 yrs. in the wild. Zebras can run up to 35 mph & will move in a zig-zag pattern when being chased by predators. They have real stamina & are able to outlast most cats over long distances. Their bodies are stream-lined & if  caught, they will bite & also kick with their deadly hoofs! 

This is one fast cat, but she's not catching me! Hee Hah!

Don't forget to Zag after Ewe Zig! No Lion, it works almost every time!



Zebra family life is quite fascinating.The dominant male defends his rule over the harem each breeding season. He fights bitterly, resisting any challengers with fierce kicking & biting. There is also a strict pecking order among mares.They fight or threaten any other mares desirous of the top rank. Threats include lowering the head, flashing the teeth, & tail lashing. High-ranking mares enjoy perks such as access to a dust bath, & the coveted shade!

Both males & females can fight like cats & dogs!It's all about being #1!

Zebras are quite social outside of mating season! They bond by mutually grooming each other's head, neck, & shoulders.They also nibble at one another, sniff, & rub heads & shoulders! They converse through snorts, sniffs, barks, & brays. Snorts are given when uptight, & Sniffs are friendly greetings. Barks & Brays are warning signals for possible danger!



We either will hang together , or hang separately!

Zebra mares have a 12 month pregnancy before giving birth to one foal. A foal is able to stand in just 20 min. of birth, & is also able to run beside its mother the same day! Mares make excellent Moms to their foal, licking, sniffing, & protectively bonding with it, in order to know its smell & stripe pattern. Other mares of the herd know to stay away, or they will have to face the wrath of "Mare"!

Did Ewe know that "We" need some "Alone Time"!

Sheep & Zebras have a great deal in common. They are both herbivores & have a pecking order, headed up by a dominant animal! They both travel in herds for safety, & both mothers are

very protective of their young. Sheep do have the big advantage of  being cared for by a Shepherd. Zebras are sadly left on their own! 

 



Two, Four, Six. Eight, Who do we appreciate? The Shepherd!Yeah!

Today is a great day to acknowledge once again, that having a Good Shepherd gives Ewe a real advantage! Happy Trails to Ewe!



 " The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Ps.23:1

An Army of Hope!

"Charity Begins at Home" is a popular quote Ewe will hear quite often, & especially this time of year. In thinking about charitable organizations at Christmas, one particularly comes to mind, & that's the Salvation Army! Most of us have either avoided or appreciated their bell ringing outside of various stores during this season.



"It is Better to Give (me something to eat} than to Receive!"



I was concerned about alcohol's devastating toll on the family!  

The Salvation Army was started by William & Catherine Booth of England. They started the East London Christian Mission in 1865  as an outreach to the poor. Eventually, the vision was transformed into forming an army, the Salvation Army, that was organized to save lost people from the evils of this world, & teach them about Jesus Christ.They named their leaders officers & their newspaper "The War Cry"!

I am "Hog Wild" about saving people from hurting themselves!

Volunteers collect offerings to help needy people around the world!

Known as the "General", Booth had a passion for the lost in his community & preached boldly to all who would listen. His wife Catherine, was also directed by the Holy Spirit to speak & was instrumental in many souls being saved! She even was given the nickname, "The Army Mother", because she cared for the poor & helped establish Rescue Homes for homeless women in London! 



Let me help clean up this mess so Ewe can find Purpose again!

The Salvation Army were so effective in London in the 1870's & early 1880's, that the "Gin" shop industries were hurting.They were doing so poorly, that they encouraged mobs to attack the people & buildings of the Salvation Army! Close to 700 workers were attacked & 60 buildings were wrecked! However, the work continued & they established "lunch rooms" to feed the hungry & remain open for any poor to purchase a good meal at a good price.

Ewe can growl all Ewe want , but we're still preaching!

We don't want to "lock horns "with Ewe! All we want to do is to help people!

 William & Catherine even had their son, Bramwell,  work with them in the Army. At 13 , he was handing out tracts, & at 16 years of age, Bramwell was given the responsibility of managing the "Food -for-the-Millions" shops that fed the poor. There were 5 canteens open for 24 hours a day, either selling or giving food to the needy. This was all preparation for Bramwell, who eventually became director of missionary operations for countries around the world! After his father's death in 1912, he became the Army's 2nd General!

God Loves a Cheerful Giver! "Don't let your right hand know what your left is giving!"

Poor people need people to help feed them, just like us!

Sheep are vulnerable animals that are in serious need of direction & guidance. They are blessed to have a Shepherd, who attends to their needs daily. Some people, however, don't have anyone, except us!

Count Ewe-r Blessings! Count them One by One!

As Ewe count Ewe-r many blessings this Christmas season, give thanks to the Good Shepherd, who daily walks with Ewe! Also , pray to see how Ewe can be His hands in the life of another!


"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." Prov.19:17

Hams Gone Wild!

Wild pigs are known by a number of names. Wild boars, wild hogs, Eurasian Boars, & Razorbacks are all names for the "Wild" relative of the pig. Columbus, DeSoto, & Ponce De Leon were the first Spanish explorers to introduce domestic pigs to the Americas in the 1500's. Columbus "let them loose" to supply food for a later visit.  



I won't "Boar" Ewe with the details, but I was "Born to be Wild"!

Male wild boars live solitary lives for most of the year. The  only exception occurs in breeding season, when the males gather together to compete & fight for a chance to mate with a female. Male boars have large tusks that curve upward on their bottom lip, as well as unusual hollow tusks on their top lip.The top tusks actually serve as "sharpeners" for the bottom tusks!

When Ewe Smile, the Whole World Smiles with Ewe!

 Female wild boars are rather gregarious, & live in sounders, which are groups of 6-30 animals. Sounders usually contain 3 breeding sows & their young, They are located in close proximity to other sounders. Females have smaller tusks than males on their lower lips & very sharp canines. Females are very protective of their young & will charge & bite if threatened! 

Don't Ewe come any closer! I promise I'll take a bite out of Ewe-r day!

I hope Mother Superior lets us camp here! Ewe know how Matriarchs are!

 Wild boars are nocturnal, only foraging at night for food.They have tiny eyes & poor eyesight.They rely on their superior sense of smell & their distinctive snout, which acts as a bulldozer in unearthing its food. Wild boars are omnivorous scavengers, eating grass, nuts, tubers, berries, carrion, refuse, insects, & small reptiles.



Did Ewe know that my weight averages from 110-220 lbs.!

I normally sleep 12 hrs. during the day! I prefer hunting at night!

 Females are pregnant for just under 4 months. Routinely, 1-3 days before giving birth, they excuse themselves from the group to farrow. Farrowing is building a mound-like nest made of dirt & vegetation to give birth in. After 2-3 hours, she births a litter of 4-6 chocolate & cream striped piglets! They will rejoin the sounder in 4-6 days, after bonding & nursing with their wildly protective Mom!



Yipes! Stripes! We have them! (At least for a while.)

Sheep & wild boars have some things in common. Each family has a fiercely protective mom, & a "clueless" father, when it comes to taking responsibility for the litter! Female sheep & wild hogs also are very social, preferring being in groups with their families for safety purposes! Sheep do differ from hogs in having a Shepherd to battle for them when danger threatens!



Stick close to me & I'll take "Good"care of Ewe!

 Today, as the "Christmas spirit"  is growing within Ewe, think of how blessed Ewe are to have Someone like the Good Shepherd watching over & protecting Ewe!

 "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by your name;You are Mine." Is.43:1a

Ham it Up!



Please consider eating "TURKEY" for Ewer Christmas dinner! Our lives depend on it!

 

 Pigs are the most intelligent of domesticated animals & rank 4th overall. They rank 4th behind chimps, dolphins, & elephants. They learn tricks faster than dogs & piglets respond to their names by 1-3 weeks! Pigs have good memories & in scientific tests are super problem solvers.

I hope Ewe know that Pigs are really quite sophisticated!

 Pigs are extremely social animals! They greet each other by rubbing noses , similar to the way humans shake hands. Pigs love to cuddle in nests, huddling together at bed time. They also assist one another in grooming as a display of affection.

Check (Sniff) it out! I hate to be nosey but have Ewe seen the Muppets?

 Pigs also are very clean animals! Personal grooming is paramount to a pig. They always keep their bedding area separate from the toilet, which they locate a safe distance away. Now Ewe might be thinking, how is a pig considered clean when it "wallows" in the mud? Mud acts as bug spray & sun-tan lotion for the pig, & keeps  its body temperature cooler. A bath or swim will soon follow!

Did Ewe know that I love to swim & I'm  pretty good at it?

 Adult pigs have  44 teeth with enamel similar to that of humans.
 Contrary to popular belief, pigs are very picky eaters! They refuse to gobble up their food like dogs, but rather enjoy nibbling and sniffing their food. They prefer variety in their diet, since they are omnivores, eating both plants & animals. 

Here's the scoop! Ewe need to be very picky about what Ewe eat.

Ewe should brush after every meal if Ewe want to prevent cavities!

 Pigs have a host of names they are called. The female is known as a gilt before having piglets, & a sow after giving birth. Males are called boars & are also known generically as swine & hogs. Sows make excellent mothers, bonding with & nurturing their 7-12 piglets with the loyalty & protectiion of a grizzly!

Have Ewe seen the movie "Cheaper by the Dozen"? Would Ewe like 3 months of this? 

 Sheep, like pigs, also form special relationships with their young. Lambs stay close to their moms, who are also assisted by their Shepherd in protecting them when they're most vulnerable!

Have Ewe seen my Mom? How about my Shepherd?

Pigs and sheep remind us that we have Someone who loves us that is passionate about looking out for us!  What a great thought to take into Ewe-r day!

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?" Ps. 139:7

Reindeer Ramblings!

Reindeer are more than likely, on some people's mind this time of the year. Reindeer are members of the deer family & inhabit the northern parts of Europe, Asia, & North America by the Arctic Circle.The name reindeer means "running deer" & aptly describes this beautiful 4ft. high creature, that is both grey or brown in color. 

Did Ewe know I was in the poem,"Twas the Night before Christmas"?

Reindeer have been serving people for centuries in northern Europe. Reindeer have provided meat, clothing, cheese, milk, & butter to the Lapps in Norway, & the Tungus & Chukchi tribe of Siberia! Reindeer were also trained for riding & for  pulling loads on a sledge. They weigh from 300-600 lbs., swim, & run 50 mph!

"Oh What Fun It Is To Ride..."

Reindeer are herbivores & are very gregarious, traveling in  massive herds, some as large as 200,000, during their migration. They travel hundreds of miles between their summer & winter grounds, eating grass in summer & lichens, also known as "reindeer moss", in the winter. They have unique hooves that spread open to help them locate their food under the snow in the winter.

Aren't the crowds awful this year? What's the big fuss ? It's only Migration!

 Reindeer are the only species of deer in which  both the male & female grow antlers! They have the second largest set of antlers, only trailing moose.They grow their antlers in summer & will each lose them at different times. Males lose their antlers from late November through mid December. Females hold onto their antlers until after they give birth in the spring. The Antlers help reindeer in fighting during mating season, &  in gaining social dominance.

 


White reindeer have white Antlers ! Maybe God used too much bleach.

Reindeer have wild relatives in North America known as caribou. Male caribou will fight with each other for females during rutting season. Males are hoping to win a harem of 5-15 females in the 3-week mating season! They then leave  the burden of child rearing with the female. In 7-8 months, the females give birth to 1 to 2 ten lb. calves, which stand on their own within 30 minutes. They move with the herd within a day!

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of reindeer!

Sheep have a lot in common with reindeer. Both are herbivores that flock together for safety. Next, both males fight for mating 
rights during rutting season. Finally, both depend on females to be responsible for raising the young. Reindeer don't have a Shepherd to look after all their needs. That's a game changer!



 Did Ewe know that my Shepherd takes "Good Care" of me!



As Ewe graze today in the pasture He has allotted to Ewe, be

thankful for the Shepherd's provision for every detail of the day!

 

"And my God shall supply all  your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19