Maria never fails to surprise me. Many people love dogs and animals, but Maria pays attention to them, not just to coo and talk baby talk but to observe and help them. I love the emergency ramp she is building for the Old White Hen.

For the past few weeks, our Old White hen, the oldest of our hens, has seemed unable to jump into the roost. We found her lying underneath after the others had gone inside and slept.

This is both troubling and dangerous. Lying there all night, she’s an easy target for predators. We’ve been going out to find her, pick her up, and put her in the roost. I just thought she was another chicken getting old.

Maria was paying attention, as she does with our animals daily. She counts the sheep every morning so we know if one is lost or missing. They respond to her.

She doesn’t just love them and put them in booties; she loves to care for them and be a genuine steward. There is a big difference.

This morning, she came into the house and said she put a plank out yesterday for the Old Hen (so many hens were getting picked off we decided not to name them; since then, none have been picked off or died.) She surprised me yet again.

She got the correct wood size and put it next to the roost window. She was pleased to report that the Old Hen looked out and walked immediately down the plank. She got the idea right away.

Maria realized the problem the old hen was having was that she couldn’t jump straight up as the other two did, so she gave up and lay down. We expect she will pass on shortly, but it will not be at the hands of a raccoon or weasel.

I just never noticed that.

She will die naturally and in her own time. I told Maria I was impressed at how she pays attention to every one of our animals daily. She notices if they are sick or not looking right, and if we can help, we do.

I love that the old hen now has a ramp that she can easily use and get to safety every night out of bad weather and in a severe world for chickens. Like rabbits, almost everyone eats them. I hate to think of her lying in a snow or ice storm.

Maria plans additional work on the ramp; she wants to put some wooden ridges in it and attach it more securely to the roost. I love that she does this for a chicken; I never would have thought of it.

For me, the real test of animal compassion is always the same. Natural animal lovers stop worrying about killing off our domestic working animals but pay attention and are willing to get their hands dirty.