Throughout the week on the farm, people stop in for whatever reason. Some, such as the vet, to treat the cows or perform a herd check, our artificial inseminator to breed the cows, others to drop off farm supplies, still others to pick up our milk to take it to the factory.
One particular farm supply guy comes once a month, right on time, and very early, like 6:30 a.m. early. Every time he comes he wears a broad smile and greets me with a boisterous: “Good morning, Kay, how are you today?” He is a young kid, right out of high school and is a considerate, hard-working, polite young man.
One morning I had already washed up milkers and was just heading into the house before he made his appearance. It happened to be a frigid-cold winter day, and to make matters worse, we had just been dealt a nasty snow storm the night before. As we talked a bit, I commented he was a little late that morning.
“Oh, I know! I stopped to pull a guy out of the ditch. I figure I’d like help if I needed a hand, and this way if I ever do, maybe somebody will stop and help me!” He was so honest and forthright and sweet about it, very matter-of-fact. It had made him begin his day very late and that didn’t faze him in the least.
This kid painstakingly tries to accommodate us in the very best way he can, ordering something special if we need it and making sure the order we place is filled exactly. And always a friendly wave goodbye with a sociable, “See you next month!”
Another accommodating person visiting our farm is our vet. During herd check, he is always willing to check on any animal my husband has an issue with, even if it’s our pigs. He’s nice, but our yellow lab, Molly, does not like him. Not at all. Whenever his truck pulls into our yard, the hackles on her back stand straight up and she barks like there is a vicious intruder lurking.
The other day, we got a reminder from the vet’s office that Molly’s rabies shot was due. I looked at the note in dismay. How in the world would we get Molly to succumb to a shot from that awful trespasser on her much protected property? We were debating whether perhaps tranquilizers would have to be administered. (There is no way Molly could be taken into the vet’s office; she just does not handle that well.)
I called the office and they suggested an alternative solution. They have a woman vet on staff who would happen to be in our neighborhood the following Wednesday. Perhaps Molly would be OK with her? We agreed to try it.
The day arrived and the vet pulled up in her truck. Molly was outside and as soon as she saw and smelled that truck, her immediate reaction was to protect and serve her beloveds, so she began making a huge scene. As soon as the woman vet stepped out of her truck, she began to talk in a sing-song voice to Molly and offered treats. Well. That made Molly stop and cock her head, ears perked and, wonders of wonders, wag her tail!
The female vet and I began talking about Molly right in front of Molly in a sweet voice, hashing over just how we will handle these series of three shots she will need. “Oh, you are such a good girl, and you will be just fine, and let’s just get the first one over with right now, and we will be quick so you won’t hardly know what happened.” Bingo! It was in. The treats came again, and again the scene played itself over like deja vu, and bingo, number two shot was in. Then three!
It had worked like clockwork. Molly for some reason, we’ve decided, does not care for men and masculine voices. She is much more comfortable around my daughter and I, rather than my husband. The woman vet knew exactly how to raise her voice just a tad, to show no dominance or threat in any way, and to bribe with treats! I was so relieved I hugged the vet right then and there. We laughed and she made a mental note to tell our regular guy he didn’t quite know how to handle this very complex female dog we have on our farm!
All the people who come into our yard are so helpful and kind, and some go over and beyond to accommodate us in any way. It is very much appreciated. Molly thinks so, too.
(“Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:10, The Message Bible)
