L., dubbed the "family lawyer" by her parents and sibling for arguing points she believes are always right, could not talk or reason her way in to convincing her 3-week-old lamb, Midnight Minette, to do any sort of directed walking with a halter yesterday at the farm.
The farm owner suggested L. simply put the halter on the lamb and let her graze without trying to direct her. But L. thought she'd be able to convince Midnight Minette to follow her lead and gave me multiple reasons why she thought she could do this, which included talking to the lamb about finding her mama.
But in practice L.'s ideas did not work out. No, Midnight Minette shared her opinion on that quickly - and effectively - so L. is going to try some new tactics (i.e., follow the farm owner's advice) when she works with the lamb again this weekend.
I took some video to share Midnight Minette's ideas about halter training. It's an interesting notion - and one I saw from my children many, many times during their toddler/preschool years - of throwing yourself down on the ground and defiantly refusing to move when being told what to do.
Oh yes, watching that epiphany - how the young react to things they don't want to do even after a reasonable explanation has been offered - cross L.'s face yesterday just made me smile. (She asked if she did this when she was little and I was truthful, "more often than I would have liked honey").
But I know L. will find a way to work through her lamb's resistance. It will take time, dedication, love, patience and understanding. And the reward of a great relationship in the end will have made it all worthwhile.
That reward is something I know for a fact is worth every second of time - and love - invested.
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