Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Alberta
        • Yukon
      • U.S.A.
        • Alaska
        • Washington
        • Oregon
        • California
    • Adventure
      • Hiking
      • Camping
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Skiing
      • Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Adrenaline
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
  • Share Your Experience
    • Join Our Team
    • Contests
      • Okanagan Summer Getaway
      • Win Round Trip Flights
      • 10 Adventures Contest
      • Winter Road Trip With RVezy
      • Paddle Tour 2021
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
  • Nature & Wildlife
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
  • About
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Alberta
        • Yukon
      • U.S.A.
        • Alaska
        • Washington
        • Oregon
        • California
    • Adventure
      • Hiking
      • Camping
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Skiing
      • Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Adrenaline
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
  • Share Your Experience
    • Join Our Team
    • Contests
      • Okanagan Summer Getaway
      • Win Round Trip Flights
      • 10 Adventures Contest
      • Winter Road Trip With RVezy
      • Paddle Tour 2021
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
  • Nature & Wildlife
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
  • About
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Delightful woolly duo charm Salmon Arm family

Gin voices his view of having his photo taken as Ken and Karleen Kantymir pose with him and his brother Tonic. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Delightful woolly duo charm Salmon Arm family

January 18, 2021 //  by Martha Wickett

Share this:

The north Okanagan community of Salmon Arm is home to a distinctive woolly duo.

With fuzzy faces, the brothers have a slightly teddy bear-like look and their names – the stuff of sunny Saturdays on the deck – are Gin and Tonic.

More than a year ago, Ken and Karleen Kantymir purchased two Old English Southdown Baby Doll sheep (‘Baby Doll’ for short).

The woolly boys mow the lawn – usually in patches – provide non-stop fertilizer, are curious about every job or project their humans do, and have been known to climb right on in to the family ATV.

The Kantymirs’ son Nate was in the house last summer when he heard Ken’s little side-by-side ATV start up. Outside, he found both sheep in the vehicle with the engine running. Ken had forgotten the keys in the ignition.

“They had climbed in and nibbled on the key enough to turn it and they’d started it, and they were just standing there, both of them inside the ATV.”

Gin and Tonic consider their next great adventure. (Contributed)

Although the Kantymirs were well aware sheep are herd animals and should be kept in pairs at a minimum, they have been surprised just how social they are.

The sheep like to be taken on walks over to the river, especially when there’s grass to munch on, but if Ken and Karleen go for a walk anywhere without them, the couple hears about it.

The sheep come running, baa-ing and baa-ing, Ken said.

“Don’t leave us,” quipped Karleen. “All the way down the road, they’re still yelling, ‘Heyyyyy!’”

The family decided to get the sheep when they moved out of town after their kids left home. Karleen had always wanted sheep and when Ken was growing up, his family always had 20 to 30.

“We always get a lot of comments. When I go to buy feed for them, or hay, they ask, how many sheep you got, and I say, I got two, and they all laugh at me.

“They say, what? Two sheep? Nobody has two sheep.”

You either have a herd of sheep or no sheep, laughs Ken.

The Kantymirs’ sheep like to follow their human companions closely. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

“They’re just for fun,” added Karleen, pointing out they’re very gentle and low key. “Basically they’re just a grown-up 4H project for no reason.”

Ken said they are “definitely professional inspectors.”

“Anything you’re doing – like if I’m working in my shop, and they can get in there, they’ll get in there. They’re very social.”

Karleen told of the day when their daughter Sienna was cleaning her car and left the door open.

“She comes back outside and both sheep are in her back seat.”

The family has photos of the sheep “doing all their dumb things,” smiled Karleen.

Karleen Kantymir gives Gin and Tonic a hug. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

She explained that Tonic is a little more skittish than his brother and is more alert to possible danger. While Gin, the bumbling brother, is like, “Whoa, whatever.”

The couple is impressed with the sheep’s wool and how warm their skin remains in cold weather. Ken noted that’s why they’re such an old breed; they’re hardy.

Another of the sheep’s quirks involves food. Taco chips, to be specific.

When the Kantymirs are sitting out in the yard in the summer, the sheep will crawl right up on their laps to get taco chips.

“They’re definitely motivated by food,” emphasized Ken.

Karleen said the sheep have taught her a lot about living in the moment.

“Because they only have this moment. They don’t think behind or ahead, it’s just right now. They’re really calming actually.”

Would she recommend them?

“If you’re into docile dudes who like to hang out with you, yes.”

Ken and Karleen Kantymir’s pet sheep Gin and Tonic would prefer to live inside the house, but they’re a tad too messy. (Contributed)

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Salmon Arm

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Pigeon Lake draws community curlers to outdoor rink

Despite a pandemic keeping community members physically distanced, Pigeon Lake neighbours have been creative this…

Pigeon Lake draws community curlers to outdoor rinkRead More

Mystery Mountain Hop: Documentary recounts quest for largest peak on the B.C. coast

It’s the largest peak on the B.C. coast and the namesake of Vancouver Island’s most…

Mystery Mountain Hop: Documentary recounts quest for largest peak on the B.C. coastRead More

Island wildlife viewers thrilled by close view of passing Orca pod

It was a wildlife photographer’s bonanza on Feb. 27 when a pod of orca passed…

Island wildlife viewers thrilled by close view of passing Orca podRead More

Cow moose rescued from frozen pond east of Williams Lake

Williams Lake residents and a conservation officer rescued a cow moose after it fell through…

Cow moose rescued from frozen pond east of Williams LakeRead More

All aboard! Train traces the epic Klondike journey

What do the Eiffel Tower, the Panama Canal and the Statue of Liberty all have…

All aboard! Train traces the epic Klondike journeyRead More

Year-long logging halt aims to bolster northern spotted owl habitat near Hope

The last known wild northern spotted owls in Canada have been given a new shot…

Year-long logging halt aims to bolster northern spotted owl habitat near HopeRead More

Summer is sweet at Sugar Lake (and winter’s pretty cool, too!)

Emerging from winter, you may be dreaming of a vacation with sunny skies, warm water…

Summer is sweet at Sugar Lake (and winter’s pretty cool, too!)Read More

VIDEO: New Mt. Cain ski documentary eye-candy for powder lovers

A freeskiing documentary set at Vancouver Island’s Mount Cain is making waves online. Frozen in…

VIDEO: New Mt. Cain ski documentary eye-candy for powder loversRead More

BC provincial camp reservations start March 8

If you’re planning for summer nights under the stars in British Columbia’s provincial parks, camping…

BC provincial camp reservations start March 8Read More

Previous Post: « Alberta monolith comes with message to save eastern slopes of Rocky Mountains
Next Post: The winners of the Amateur Photographer of the Year contest are… »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Pigeon Lake draws community curlers to outdoor rink

March 2, 2021

Mystery Mountain Hop: Documentary recounts quest for largest peak on the B.C. coast

March 2, 2021

Island wildlife viewers thrilled by close view of passing Orca pod

March 2, 2021

Cow moose rescued from frozen pond east of Williams Lake

March 2, 2021

Recent Posts

Pigeon Lake draws community curlers to outdoor rink

March 2, 2021

Mystery Mountain Hop: Documentary recounts quest for largest peak on the B.C. coast

March 2, 2021

Island wildlife viewers thrilled by close view of passing Orca pod

March 2, 2021

Cow moose rescued from frozen pond east of Williams Lake

March 2, 2021

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and 100,000+ Facebook followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2021 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved