Brushing animals is a way of talking to them. Loving them. Communicating with them. Animals brought to the edge of life by human cruelty and misunderstanding seem to me to have a particular need for grooming – brushing, touching. And of course, food and care. I took a short video of Maria brushing Simon, and I think it’s a lovely thing to see, especially if you focus on how much he seems to want and need it.