One of the sweet things that came out of my friendship with Moise Miller and remains is my friendship with one of my favorite dogs, Tina, the Three-Legged Amish dog at the Miller Farm.
I love Tina; we are great pals, and I get a joyous reception whenever I show up at the Miller farm. When I met Tina, I learned how a dog with three legs can be agile, determined, and loyal. She was raised very differently from my dogs, as the Amish are different from me. But she is loved, happy, and well cared for in the Amish way.
Tina is one of the most impressive dogs I have met.
She watches over the horses, safeguards the grandchildren, runs through the fields, watches out for strangers, and adores her family. I asked Moise if it was okay if I bought dog food for her. I’m not sure what they fed Tina—she was well fed—but I asked my vet for the name of some dog food that would strengthen legs and give a very active dog some energy.
The Amish don’t bring their dogs to vets, and they don’t buy expensive premium dog food. It’s not their way.
She is part pet and part working farm dog. She takes no nonsense from the horses. She watches over the children. She runs along with the wagons on the farm. She often vanishes into the woods to chase one thing or another. She sleeps in the house every night and is fed every day.
I started bringing Tina dog food, and every couple of months, an Amish wagon came into our yard and asked me, as I requested, if I could get them some more dog food for Tina. This is a chore I love doing. They always offer to pay – several times – and I always decline. I can’t take money to buy dog food for my friend; Tina goes straight to my head.
I love doing something good for her and want to avoid being paid for it.
I want to buy her food for the rest of her life and mine.
I brought Tina two bags of dog food this morning, which will get her through the summer and into the fall. I hadn’t seen her all winter, but we had a joyous reunion. Wherever she is, she comes flying when she sees or hears my car.
Tina loves it when I hold her head and scratch the side of her neck (Zip loves this too; it might be a trait of wild creatures.) When I drive by the Miller house, I often see Tina tearing through the vegetable garden or the fields, following some of the children as they work on the vegetables and do their chores.
She always turns and looks at the car and wags her tail.
I see that Tina is getting older, and I suspect it’s a little more challenging for her to run around so much on three legs. I’d never tell her that. I told Barbara, one of the Amish girls we know, to let me know if Tina needs anything. She said she would.
I told Barbara I was happy to get Tina food, and thanks for asking.
