[He could explain that he had Timcanpy along, and that Timcanpy was a recorder. But...Once-ler is really rubbing him the wrong way and you don't give trade secrets when you're a con artist - so let's just be dismissively vague.]

In a sense, perhaps.

[No he'll be ignoring Once-ler for Spike]

The sheep are just...standard odd animals found in the Dead Zone. Most species here are very odd by Earth standards. This town is one of the few places you'll see normal creatures.