Intuitively, Maria and I are always looking for points of connection with the animals we live with – food, emotion, touch, voice, visualizations. Food is the bridge between animals and people in many ways, animals pay attention to their food and tend to love the person who gives it to them. Every morning, no matter the weather, Maria brings out a plastic tray. On one half are scraps and food she has saved for the chickens, in the other food for the donkeys – carrots, slices of apple, celery. Simon would eat anything, Lulu (above) and Fanny are somewhat pickier.

But there they are, every morning, waiting for us. A point of connection, and a warming  one, even when it is 0 degrees, as it was this morning (which was 23 degrees warmer than it was at the same time several mornings last week.) Life is about points of connection I think.