When I saw this photo on my computer, I immediately thought of calling it “encouragement,” because that’s how it felt to me, this very touching friendship between a blind pony and an intense and loving working dog. Every day, Rocky and Red bump heads. Rocky sniffs Red and Red sits still, looking calm but alert. It seems that Red is at ease as long as he can see me. I do not know what goes on in the minds of animals like this, but I feel as if the two are in some way encouraging one another. Perhaps Red makes Rocky feel easier in his darkness, and watching out for Rocky seems to settle Red down – he does it every day and for long periods of time.

What, I wonder, do these two disparate creatures touch in one another, what chemistry? I will be sharing this friendship with you at the new farm, it is one of the reasons moving sometimes can be so important. See the new and wonderful things that emerge.