Scottish sheep 'that thinks he's a dog' inspires new children's book Christopher's New Home

A sheep that thinks he is a dog has inspired an Aberdeenshire smallholder to write a children’s book.

Owner Laura Meredith from Strichen says her beloved sheep Christopher behaves just like a puppy, going out for daily walks and enjoying a cuddle.

She said Christopher’s behaviour is a result of spending time with two Alsatians, who looked after him when he was taken into her house after being abandoned at birth.

Laura wrote ‘Christopher’s New Home’ after rescuing the abandoned lamb and giving him a loving new home among her goats.

She told STV News: “He follows me everywhere – as you can see he eats out of my hand and he sits with me.

“He desires cuddles or ‘shuggles’, which are sheep cuddles. He loves a brush, so he really likes being groomed like a puppy would and he eats out of a dog bowl. He loves a tummy tickle as well.

“He’d come in the kitchen and have his bottle of milk when he was little.”

Christopher likes being hand-fed and enjoys cuddles with his owner STV News

Laura rescued the orphaned Oxford Down breed after a local farmer was looking for a home for him.

Christopher was the size of her hand when he was born but was helped to survive the initial hours and days after he was looked after by her two caring dogs.

Laura has now fulfilled a life-long dream by writing the tale of her sheep being rejected and then finding a loving new home.

The animals in the book are based on the true story of the four-legged friends living on Laura’s Aberdeenshire small holding.

She added: “It’s inspired and based on all the real animals we have here. It’s all about finding where you belong in life. I wanted to create a story which also focused on adoption.

“We adopted Christopher and I wanted to relate to those children who go through those emotions so its all about inclusivity. All you need is love, really, because that’s what I believe.”

Laura says she’s overwhelmed by the book’s success.

She says her animals are her ‘happy herd’ – but Christopher will always have a special place in her heart.

“It’s like he reads your soul. I always say he’s my little soul mate,” she said.

“If you are feeling blue one day, it’s a big ‘shuggle’ and all your worries just go away.”