Tag: Dogs

All Creatures

All Creatures Great and Small is a delightful PBS series featuring the true stories of a veterinarian, James Herriot, in Yorkshire England in the 1930’s and 40’s.

Abigail, Zacchaeus, Barnabas (hidden behind his brother) and Nanita.

The stories come from four books James Herriot wrote years ago. I enjoyed reading the books, and still owned them until recently I gave them to the Northfield Hospital Auxiliary fundraiser event. The books were filled with wonderful tales about the vast and interesting experiences James Wight (James Herriot is his pen name) had in the beautiful, rural area of Yorkshire, in northern England.

There have been several renditions of these stories in films and television series, but the latest series (began 2021) on public television is a favorite of mine. There have been three seasons to date, with plans for another season. YAY!

I thought of James Herriot when I arrived at the farm where I help out occasionally. The friendly, and hungry creatures (pictured above) were ready and waiting for me to feed them: 2 horses, 2 donkeys, 2 goats, 8 chickens, 4 cats and one dog.

I enjoy helping feed these fine animals, but do realize this is fun for me because I do it once in a while, while farmers do this daily – actually two times a day. This is the extent of my farm experience, while my husband, Gary, knows all about the daily work having grown up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania.

I’m thankful for ALL creatures, great and small…and for farmers! 

Back in the Saddle

It was a warm, sunny day, with temperatures in the low 60’s as I drove out to the farm, where on a previous visit a horse knocked me over and stepped on my foot, putting me in a walking boot for several weeks. I wondered how the horse would react to me (and me to the horse) so I was a bit apprehensive. But when I drove into the driveway a sense of peace passed over me. I was excited to be back helping with the animal chores. 

A student quilt displayed at the National Quilt Museum, January 2022.

Being among the animals reminds me of one of my favorite PBS series, “All Creatures Great and Small”, stories that come to life from James Herriot’s books. I may not be in Yorkshire Dales England, nor be a veterinarian, but none-the-less the setting is rural and picturesque, and the animals are sweet. 

I like putting on my mud boots and leather gloves and getting into the animal pens. Sampson, the dog, takes his place outside the pens, watching our every move… waiting for his special playtime with us after chores.

It’s fun to see the chickens respond to clapping; when they hear the sound (and are shooed towards the hutch) they all obediently climb through the little chicken-size door and we shut them in for the night. 

There are two donkeys who are brothers, and they are comical. I’m glad they have each other. 

The two goats are feisty and probably anxious to get out into the fenced-in field to graze freely when spring greens pop up through the earth.

The horses just seem happy to have warmer weather to eat outside, and be near each other. The horse that hurt me acted like nothing at all ever happened between us!

Overall it went well, and I’m happy to be back in the “saddle” again.

Jemma!

photo by DE
photo by DE

I met Jemma last week. Jemma is an eight-week-old golden retriever. My friend trains service dogs for Helping Paws, an organization with a mission of
“Furthering people’s independence and quality of life through the use of Assistance Dogs.” One facet of the organization trains dogs for veterans.

It matches veterans with service dogs believing that the dog can significantly change the lives for the better for veterans with a variety of post traumatic stress symptoms. My friend took on this challenge for the first time a few years ago and her first assignment was Atticus, another golden retriever. She trained him tirelessly, with blood, sweat, and tears for two years. She fell in love with the puppy and two years later gave him up for the greater good, the new duo: veteran and dog who are now inseparable. Atticus is making life so much better for one young man. I am in awe of this ministry my friend pursues as she willingly takes on another challenge with Jemma. It will be another wonderful journey to watch unfold…watching this adorable puppy grow up to be a service dog.