Wolves, Sheep, and Sheepdogs by Marisol Trujillo Medina

Sheep

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-29 22:49:12 UTC

Sheep are the prey when discussing the relationships between wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs. Sheep are vulnerable, weak, and dependent on sheepdogs or others in general. In order to survive they need to be in a type of herd.

Wolves

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-29 22:49:18 UTC

Wolves are the predators when discussing wolves, sheep, and sheepdogs. Wolves are seen to be vicious predators/animals on the outside, but that's mainly when they are traveling in packs. When they are alone they can only hunt small animals and normally coward away from bigger ones.

Sheepdog

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-29 22:49:43 UTC

When I think of sheepdogs, I think of the authority that they hold and the protection that they give. Sheepdogs give the herd a form of defense since they can't do so alone. Like humans, sheepdogs have a job that starts at the beginning of the day until the sun sets.

Herding

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-29 23:11:43 UTC

The main job of a sheepdog is herding. Herding is the number one thing I think of a sheepdog. They control the animal stocks and make sure that the herd stays together in one group rather than breaking away.

Travel in Packs

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-29 23:20:54 UTC

Wolves always travel and hunt in packs. That is how they hunt, travel, and survive. Just like sheep, wolves need to be in the form of a pack because they are stronger in a group rather than alone. If you were to meet a wolf in person alone, it would most likely run away and keep its distance.

Protectors

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-29 23:25:17 UTC

Sheepdogs are in charge of protecting the sheep herds. Sheep are vulnerable when they are by themselves; they have no sense of protection or any form of defense mechanism.

Deceitful

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-29 23:52:46 UTC

Wolves can be deceitful; it makes me think of the Aesop fable "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing." This fable mentions that the wolf can't find food, and to find food, he has to hunt. He found sheepskin that was left behind, and he snuck into the fold of the flock.

Vulnerability

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-29 23:58:32 UTC

Sheep are vulnerable when they are by themselves or even when in a herd without a sheepdog. As mentioned earlier, sheep don't have any form of defense mechanism, so when they are put in difficult situations, they need to run as fast as they can. A fun fact about his picture is that when a sheep falls on their back, they get stuck and need help to turn over. If they don't turn over in a specific amount of time, they will die because of gas build up.

Strength in Numbers

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-30 00:33:51 UTC

Like Wolves, sheep survive better when they are in a group. As mentioned before, sheep are vulnerable when they are by themselves. They have companionship, someone to help them when needed, and some protection when they are together. Sheep aren't very strong, but they can protect one another when they are out in the wild without the help of a sheepdog.

Authority

iitsmarii8_ — 2023-10-30 00:41:00 UTC

Sheepdogs must have authority and the ability to take control of any situation. When sheep move away from their herd, sheepdogs must pull them back into their group. If a sheep gets lost, farmers could lose money, and the sheep would most likely not survive. Sheepdogs have a significant impact on sheep's lives.