Scooter took one look at the snow and zipped around the yard in gleeful circles. That little dog is fast! Lily ran big loops around the coops and behind the vegetable garden. Candy hopped patterns into the snow and then planted herself in it, satisfied. They were each expressing JOY in their own ways. Am I reading into their behavior emotions that only humans know? Am I guilty of anthropomorphism? I don’t think so. A growing body of research shows that animals have emotions – you can document it in their brain chemistry.

It is wrong, though, to apply human traits to our animals. Jean Donaldson’s book, Culture Clash, cites the many cases where dog owners attribute thought that isn’t there to behaviors (for example, like believing that a dog has shredded your blanket in spite.) There are thoughts going on in the dogs brain, of course, just not what the owner wishes to believe! Don’t apply your own emotional baggage to explain the behavior of your animals. They have a life unto themselves. And sometimes, watching them express it, like seeing my dogs have joyful zoomies. helps to set aside your own problems.

Relationships with chickens aren’t as fraught with expectations and desires. They are birds of modest brains, after all, not, “man’s best friend.” And yet, what good company they are! Charming, often silly, busy, productive and inquisitive. Even better, what brings a chicken joy is very simple – a nice bug, a bit of corn, a shiny drop of water. These joyful moments happen frequently. Maybe that’s why it’s so nice to sit in the coop with the girls. A little of that joy rubs off on us.

Wishing you many moments of joy in the coming year.

Terry

Tillie Lays an Egg has been getting great reviews! My book got a starred review in Publishers Weekly, and raves in Kirkus and School Library Journal. It looks like people are having as much fun reading it as I had making it. Your local bookseller can order a copy and get it in time for holiday giving. In these days of re-evaluating what is good and lasting and necessary, I do think that books are right there in the “must-have” list. They’re a pleasure to hold, and are the ultimate hand-me-downs. However, if you’re on a really tight budget, make use of your public library! A gift to your children (or grandchildren) of a read-aloud night is as good (better) than any toy. Settle down with popcorn and a stack of books in front of a fire. I hope that Tillie and I will be there with you.

New England weather is known for its changeability, but recently we’ve outdone ourselves. Last week was bitter cold. A touch of snow. Then warmth and mud. Then torrential rain. Then ice storms. Now it’s dreary gray and chilly. My little piece of land has been spared the devastation just ten miles north of here, where snapping, crashing tree limbs brought power lines down.

The hens are fine in freezing weather, and their coops are snug against chilling breezes. But, I worry about them getting wet and muddy. If the ground doesn’t freeze up soon, I’ll put down a some hay to get them out of the muck. Candy will appreciate that, too. Have you seen her look annoyed at her dirty paws and shake them in the air? She longs for clean white snow to tunnel in.

Have you tried to explain what it is about Hencam that has you checking in on the girls numerous times during the day? Do you have friends who just don’t get it? This article was posted on the L.A. Examiner web site yesterday. It perfectly captures the spirit of what Hencam is all about.

Have you noticed the dusting of snow on the ground here at Little Pond Farm? The party girls – Eggers, Coco and Betsy have. These little bantams have a harder time keeping warm than the larger hens (I think it has to do with body mass in proportion to skin area – sort of like toy dogs.) They go outside for the cracked corn in the morning, but spend most of their time in the coop on the roosts. The big girls stay inside while the snow is coming down – no chicken likes to get wet/cold – but otherwise ignore the white stuff. Lulu, hyperactive hen that she is, goes out no matter what.

Candy is the one who LOVES the snow. She hopped around with glee while the snow fell. She refused to go in her hutch last night. I had to lure her in with greens. At 6:30 am this morning she was sitting in the one white patch left from yesterday’s flurries. I think she was using her bunny mental powers to will more snow to arrive.