I believe in adding dimensions to life. I believe in moving past the drama, conflict, emotionalizing and projection that characterizes our love and life with animals. I believe in opening myself up to new experience, and learning from animals, not arrogantly assuming I know what they need and are thinking. A new paradigm.

I’ve never really connected with sheep or loved them. I don’t know why. I don’t think I can love all animals equally or see them in the same way. Dogs and donkeys and cats are all different to me and sheep have always been somewhere between chickens and other animals for me. Maria has changed that to some degree – I always learn from watching her around animals. These new sheep – is it because they are her sheep? – are affecting me differently and of course that shows up in the photos, doesn’t it? This ewe – Maria calls her Tess – is a gentle, loving and curious creature and she came up to me this morning and touched noses with me and sniffed the lens and then went and lay down for me. “She’s already good for you,” said Maria, beaming knowingly. New dimensions to life are important, critical.