Matilda's Tribute

Well, 

After the "permit" debacle with the Conception Bay South Council last summer, 

things have settled down temporarily. 

I filed an appeal with Municipal Affairs and a hearing date is yet to be set. 

However, I'm not complaining. 

The longer I have to spend with my precious pets, the better. 

I have a bond with Matilda that I haven't had with any other pets I have ever owned. 

Perhaps it is because we are both mothers. 

Perhaps it is because we provide each other with mutual necessities...

I give her food, shelter and love and she provides me with milk and friendship. 

Matilda is a beautiful, gentle and affectionate animal. 

There are no words spoken between us, 

but we understand and love each other all the same. 

A soft "maa-aa-aa" when she hears me tramp through the snow up to the barn door.

She stays curled in her warm bed of straw while I smooth her head and scratch her chin.

Then I fill her feed dish and she slowly hops down from her perch and I settle over her to milk. 

The rhythm of the milk spraying into the bucket is hypnotic 

and the warmth from Matilda's back is penetrating, even through my down coat. 

The task could lull me into a relaxed, easy sleep. 

After such an intimacy with Matilda each day, I can sense her relief at being milked. 

She finishes eating and I linger for while. I don't want to leave the peace, the bliss. 

When we are outside in the yard and the children are playing, 

sometimes Matilda will jump and wag her head. 

She loves to chase the children and play also. 

She is quite young herself. Only two. 

But even so, she never quite lets me out of her sight. 

She comes when I call and if I should happen to disappear

she calls for me. Maaa-aa-aa. 

When I'm with her, it's the most peace I've felt in a very, very long time. 

I don't want to disappear. I don't want Matilda to disappear.