Wow, another great plus point for Thoth! I felt “compelled” to reread my old article myself. I had almost forgotten it, but it’s actually a very important piece, because you’re right: that’s when it all began!

As a helpful neighbour, I discovered my love for sheep (when do you ever get that kind of direct contact with such animals?!) and also my love for working with livestock (I wasn’t “unable to work” - I just couldn’t handle school anymore). The work truly fulfilled me! It was the kind of work that really gave my life meaning - the only reason for loving it since I wasn’t even paid for it. Quite the opposite: later, when the farm’s financial situation kept getting worse, I sometimes bought feed and medication for the animals myself.

The foundation for having my own animals was laid when the farmer gave me two rams. They hadn’t grown properly, the cost of slaughtering them would have been higher than what they were worth. I had them castrated, and they lived in our garden for quite a while. Here (including photos), I described how I picked up the boys. Soon, those two “original rams” became the most beautiful sheep in the whole village...

The farm eventually went completely bankrupt. I arranged with the farmer’s wife that we would continue on a smaller scale together as a hobby, and I bought 10 sheep from her for that purpose. But that plan never came to be (she was deeply affected by the fate of the farm and the loss of all her animals). And all 10 of my sheep were pregnant (without me knowing it). Haha, and just like that, I suddenly had an entire flock and became a full-time shepherd. And I’m happy!