I think the hens have come to see Red as a protector. There are many dogs that eat chickens, and chickens usually run from them – they stay well clear of Frieda, and don’t come to close to Lenore either. But when Red is lying down by the gate which he usually is as he always is in hope of going there to work, the hens come and hang around with him, lie down with him. I never really know what the motives of animals are, as we all tend to project our own motives into their lives. Photography gives me a wonderful way of chronicling the experience, we can all make up our own minds.

Red has an unusual quality for any animal, especially a dog. He is very businesslike, very focused on his work and the other animals seem to sense that he is safe.