I went over to Moise’s farm around 4 p.m. to order donuts for the Mansion tomorrow morning (It’s Donut Friday at their farm) and asked if it was okay for me to brush Tina, almost certainly for the first time her life.
They said “sure,” and somebody yelled “good luck” as I headed outside with my dog brush. Tina was keeping a close eye on the orders of baby chicks that came in yesterday and today.
They were sitting outside in a tub, taking in the sun. Tina was watching them closely. I didn’t ask the family if Tina had ever been brushed before; I think I didn’t really want to know the answer. However, the answer was obvious soon enough.
Tina looked at me as if I had gone mad and tried to grab the brush in her teeth and pull it off.
She’s a wild and independent creature, and I wasn’t sure she would like it. She didn’t.
She showed me some teeth once or twice and made a nipping motion towards the brush, and then my hand when I dug into the parts at the base of her skin that was matted.
Okay, first time.
We tested wills for a few minutes, she thought about snapping at me and decided against it, and then I had a talk with her. Trust me, I said, you will love me for this. So she settled down, licked my hand, and look resigned.
I got about a dozen brush full of hair off her with a rake brush and then brushed her with a soft brush. She rolled over on her back in submission a few times.
Next time will be easier.
I’m learning how to trust the Amish and permit them to trust me. Obviously, I’ve heard all the talk about them abusing animals. I have seen their hearts and ethics, and I know this family would not do that.
I wasn’t sure if they would like me to stick my nose in and offer to brush her. I thought she needed some brushing. So I just asked them. They said it was fine. They can’t ask for help like that or even applaud it, but I was certain that they had no objections to it after we spoke.
There was no resistance or hesitation. I enjoyed it very much. And I will be back.
The Amish have a certain way of dealing with their animals, who all seem healthy and content to me. It’s not my way, but I can help when it’s appropriate.
I appreciate that they have shown me how to judge less and help more.
The children thought I was nuts; they kept coming out to watch me and asked me how she was taking it. We had a few tense moments, but she let me finish. I’m coming back on Saturday for another brushing. There were some spots around the neck I missed.
I thought she looked great after the brushing, and she must have felt a couple of pounds like her. I know they don’t have a brush and would consider a brush a wasted expense and brushing her a waste of important work time.
I also know that they love her and care for her. Dogs in the wild were never brushed and did fine.
Tina’s coat responded well to the brushing once I got some of the snags out; it was shiny and smooth. This and the new dog food has greatly enhanced her; Moise says she has never looked better.
The children were delighted by how she looked. I think my Amish portfolio just expanded to grooming regularly. I’m in.
I love Tina; she’s a great dog and one of a kind. When I left, she was busy obsessing over the chickens. Everybody there was no chance of her eating or herding them.
Tina’s coat looks beautiful!
Jon, that was very thoughtful of you to ask if you could brush Tina. I’m sure she’d appreciate having those mats gone. So far you seem to be getting it just right in how you relate to Moise and his family …. knowing when to push and when to pull back. One thing you and Moise for sure have in common- your need and respect for boundaries.
My grandparents were poor farmers in Mississippi….One time when I was paying an astronomical vet bill for my allergic to everything, but very sweet border collie, Sophy, my grandfathers voice drifted into my head…shoot this dog and get one that does not cost you so much money!!! That is certainly what he would have done…no dog food, just table scraps, no medical care either quite frankly…I feel like the Amish see animals not as furbabies but as workers and if you do not do your share…well….. Most animals were treated like this 50 years ago… Maybe we have evolved….maybe not…it may be a better thing to be useful.
Carol
Interesting Carol, the difference I think is that dogs have a much closer emotional role to play in the lives of humans than they did 50 years ago. For most of us, they aren’t working tools, they support our emotional lives. Zinnia is not a working tool to me, that’s the difference between then and now. I thank you for something to think about though.
I agree… 50 years ago I was an oddity as an only child… most of my friends were from big families… now I see a lot of young people with dogs… not children. The Amish are more connected to family.
Jon…
Our dog is a prolific shedder. Her fur signals to all where she’s been and who she’s been with. So, a brushing – daily at least – is essential. We’ve combined her brushing with her evening walk. After the walk comes a visit to the back yard for brushing. I sit by the back door with a brush, while she walks her guard route along our property border wall.
Then she comes to the chair. I appeal to her vanity, telling her how pretty she will look afterwards. Not sure she’s buying it.
She didn’t take to brushing at first; mainly, she seemed uncertain about it. Now she tolerates brushing because it’s part of “the routine.”
…and I Have just finished daily brushing of our elderly cat… Part of his routine. I remember it took a while for you to warm up to cats. I find myself wondering if the Amish have farm cats around. I expect they will appear eventually, once their farms are up and running. Cats will certainly earn their living, keeping down mice and rats.
I find it odd how people are labeled “cat people” or “dog people” as if one cannot enjoy both. We miss having dogs now that we are too old to exercise them and have no fenced yard, just open and turning into a golf course and then woods.
This is way off track from your blog–just a stray thought.
Erika, thanks I do believe dog people and cat are different, they love their animals for different reasons.