One day Topsy the terrier woke up and found she’d turned into an afghan – or if not an afghan at least a spaniel. While it’s not as dramatic as the Mexican lion, by coincidence, a couple of weeks before Julia sent me the lion pictures my daughter had given Topsy a new do.
She deliberately left all the long curly fur on the ears, effectively turning Tops into a spaniel or a miniature golden retriever.
I’m pretty sure Topsy doesn’t mind.
I was sent these pictures by Julia. who received them from her tía segunda, or first cousin once removed, her mother’s first cousin. They were taken in the United States, in New Mexico, at a garage that had been subject to several recent break-ins.
The proprietor let it be known that he had acquired a Mexican lion. Once they had seen it, the thieves fled, never to be seen again.
I’m not sure what sort of dog it is – or was – perhaps a leonberger? Its face reminds me of the cowardly lion in The Wizard of Oz – maybe it’s the drooping ears. It’s going to require a lot of maintenance. I love its tail.
Of all the goats Vesla has the finest wool. Usually the younger the goat the finer and softer the wool – the best mohair comes from one-year-olds – but Vesla is an exception: she’s the oldest by a year, the smallest by a good 20 cm, and the finest (where wool is concerned).
Of Holly and Misty, Holly (right) has finer wool.
Misty’s is more greasy which is why it’s darker, and it’s rough to the touch in places – lately it has become matted, almost like dreadlocks.
It’s still lovely wool, much finer than sheep wool.
Of course it varies over the body. This is Holly’s ear where, even when it’s just been sheared, you can still see it’s fineness.
The rest isn’t bad either.
I don’t think Misty cares one way or the other about wool quality.
I’ve always thought Misty was the prettiest. My daughter says Holly’s prettier. Holly has blue eyes, which is quite unusual for a goat.
But Misty has has very kind eyes.
A Bad Guide 