Down the agriculture hall, in Dr. Jessica Jones’ classroom, one can find Grace, a lamb.

Dr. Jones has been caring for Grace since Jan. 23 after receiving a text from English teacher Mrs. Dallas asking her for help. Her son, freshman Derek Dallas, was raising the lamb. The mother of Grace was at first allowing her to nurse, but then realized Grace had “a weird tongue thing,” according to Derek Dallas.

After that, the mother kicked Grace off from nursing.

Last Tuesday, Grace was sprawled out, near death, and in emergency care. Dr. Jones described Grace as being a “little fighter” because since then, she has regained much of her strength.

As of Monday, Jan. 29, Grace was nine days old weighing around nine pounds and freely running around Dr. Jones’ shop.

“I think Derek named her appropriately,” said Jones.

“I named her Grace because when she runs around on the floor, she slides around. I just thought it was ironic to name her that,” said Derek.

During the school day, Grace provides great entertainment for students in agriculture classes. Of course, all this attention makes the lamb behave differently.

“Around 11 a.m., she gets super excited and poops and pees a lot,” said Jones.

In the evenings, Dr. Jones takes Grace back to the Dallas home, where Grace sleeps in a pen. Jones says that at school, Grace never wants to be in the pen because she likes to be free. Dallas explains that they still put Grace in the lot with the other sheep so that they will accept her as part of the herd.

“Grace really likes our dog. She has been following it around everywhere. She has even started to scratch her ear like a dog, but the dog doesn’t really like her,” said Dallas.

Next week, Grace should be strong enough to rejoin her siblings and herd full time.

Derek has been raising sheep since first grade. He also raises other animals, such as meat rabbits, chickens, and horses.

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Allison Crank