Living Nativity And Talking To The Animals
Submitted By Carole Soule
Clair Tourigny is Mary and Vin Nuthalapate is Joseph
with Eleanor, the donkey from Miles Smith Farm.
Two young visitors sit with Santa (Bruce Dawson) with
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rein-Steer (Topper the steer) and Tazzy
the house pig at Miles Smith Farm.
Shepherds Dale Trombley (left) and Laura Tourigny (right)
are the shepherds with the two lambs from Miles Smith Farm.
Cows mooed, lambs bleated, and the donkey watched as three wise
men brought gifts to Baby Jesus at Manchester's Brookside
Congregational Church's living Nativity in John Stark Park. When
Deacon Kira Morehouse asked me if I'd bring animals to their
first Living Nativity in 2015, I immediately agreed. Of course,
Christmas is about Jesus, but without animals, it wouldn't be
the same holiday. If you have a pet, you know what I mean.
Although they are a little bulky for the Nativity creche, cattle
embody the Christmas spirit. They don't hold grudges or make
judgments. That's especially true of my favorite – Topper, my
Scottish Highlander ox. He accepts me for what I am: a farmer
who feeds him, makes him pull heavy objects, and sometimes
dresses him up in a holiday costume. If he has any opinions, he
keeps them to himself when every December I dress him up as
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Rein-steer. Once he understands what I
want and that carrots are involved, he's a great sport and will
stand quietly with Santa and his sleigh. Children love to meet
this gentle giant; his side-kick, Tazzy the mini-pig; and Santa.
Just like humans, animals want to be appreciated. They thrive on
rewards. A kind word or a gentle pat is as meaningful to a farm
animal as it is to a human. That's why I train my oxen with
kindness. If Topper walks off when I want him to stand still, I
don't punish him; I just bring him back to where he was supposed
to stand and reward him when he stays.
According to a holiday tradition, the animals speak on Christmas
Eve. You bet they do! But they talk every other day of the year,
too. We may not always comprehend, but they constantly vocalize.
If I'm late in feeding them, the water trough is frozen, or a
mother has been separated from her baby, there will be
commentary!
I've watched a steer and horse lick each other. I've seen two
cows that had been separated, joyously greet each other when
reunited. Our donkey, Eleanor, brays when we take the goats out
of her pen.
Charlotte, the pig, will grunt with pleasure when I rub her
belly, the donkey will nuzzle me for treats, and Topper will put
his head on my shoulder asking for a neck scratch. I watched the
movie “Charlotte's Web” recently, and had no problem with the
talking animals. They were far more realistic than the pristine
barnyard – without a pile of manure or rusting vehicle in sight.
A
dog wagging his tail or a cat purring on your chest is your pet
communicating. We just have to pay attention.
Sometimes it's hard to sort animal communications from mischief
and antics, many of which are recorded and shared online – the
comical cat flopping downstairs, a deer and turkeys playing in
the snow, a donkey in a hospice comforting the residents, the
dog stealing a French fry after his owner leaves the room. My
steer, Milo, loves to swipe the hat off my head. Why? Teasing me
is his idea of fun.
This
holiday season let's do as the animals do: appreciate each
other, show affection, encourage rather than punish, and have
some fun. You can meet Topper in his Rudolph nose on Saturday,
Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Miles Smith Farm in Loudon.
(Remember, he loves what he does – and he's paid in carrots.)
The next day, Sunday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m. you can see my little
group of barnyard colleagues at John Stark Park in Manchester as
the goats, sheep, and Eleanor the donkey help bring the
Christmas story to life.
Carole Soule is co-owner of Miles Smith Farm. She can be reached
at
[email protected].
