Animals are skilled readers of human emotion, their survival depends on it, their instincts support the reading of emotions through sight, smell, movement. Maria has a gift with animals, they respond to her, her emotions are close to the surface and they are warm and loving and patient. I believe women are more in touch with animals than men, generally. I am struck every day by how much the animals trust and respond to her. Carrots help, but it is more than food, it is a connection of the heart and soul.