Day: March 13, 2013

Every day I work with Red and the sheep, rain or snow or sun, and usually the donkeys come along to keep an eye on things. It’s good training for Red, he has learned to move the sheep around and through the donkeys and they have learned to let him. Today Maria came out and the donkeys circled her and nuzzled. Donkeys need human attention, they love it, but it is always on their terms, not ours. I am always touched to see how affectionate they can be, how connected to Maria – and to me – that they are.

Every day, in the late afternoon, the chickens assemble for their afternoon meeting. The hens hop up on various parts of the rocking chair, Strut struts back and forth, keeping an eye on the dogs and people passing by. They seem to be exchanging opinions about one thing or another, maybe comparing notes about the bugs and insects and seeds popping up just before Spring. I used to chase them off of the chair, but I don’t have the heart to do that anymore, and they just come back. Oddly enough, there are no chicken droppings on the chair. Perhaps they decided to respect their meeting place.

I love walking, it’s my escape and one of my passions. There are kinds of paths and trails around the new farm to walk and I go myself sometimes, often with Maria and the dogs. The farm has lots of space around it, and we have the feeling of being connected to the world, yet apart. We like it. It is not as imposing a place as the first Bedlam Farm, but it fits us, it is where we are now. In its own way, it is a postcard too.

Sheepherding is a ballet in a way, an ancient dance. Zelda is a difficult sheep, tough and independent and she knocked Red down when she first saw him (me too, several times). Red has been quietly challenging her ever since, never touching her or charging her but meeting her very strong gaze head on. Border collies herd with their eyes, and when Red locks onto Zelda, I feel as if I am suddenly a witness to a drama almost beyond my comprehension. Red is a very professional dog, very appropriate. But he is very strong, he does not back down or quit. Zelda does not try and knock him down any more, and now when she sees him, she runs to hide behind me.