Simon and I took our longest walk by far today, heading onto the path where we walk with the dogs each day. Simon was edgy as we moved out of sight of the barn, and I had the sense he was anxious about leaving the farm. Then he settled down and we had a good walk, with Simon stopping every now and then to munch some crabgrass or leaves. We walk well together, and he stayed closely by my side. I love walking with Simon, it is a new dimension to my life with animals.

I think of all those lovely books about farmers walking around with their donkeys, all the way back to the Bible and the Kabbalah A special thing. He ended up enjoying it as well. We are easy together, as if we understand one another.