Between tidying up and working - everyday life with plan and chaos
Anja Nehrenheim
Between tidying up and working - everyday life with plan and chaos
How a day at Maiensäss rarely goes the way you think it will (but is always instructive)
Plans are great. Until life intervenes
he thought was wonderful: the summer season doesn't start until the end of May. That gives me - theoretically - a whole month in April to split wood, replace fences and mow a tick-free paradise for the dogs. So much for the plan.
But Valais had other ideas.
Spring snow & flying tipis
Spring didn't come in the form of flowers and sunshine, but as heavy, wet snow, which gave our trees the rest - and our tipis the roof.
After several winters and storms, that was it. And to be honest: the thought of dragging all the tepee material back to Valais and setting it up again? No thanks.
Blizzard in a search game
Wood pile for sawing
To-do list vs. reality: 0:1
Instead of relaxing and repairing the patio, I'm shovelling fallen trees. The days fly by - and the list is still growing.
Because animals don't wait for good weather.
- Rain? ✖️
- Storm? ✖️
- Sore muscles? ✖️
With 17 huskies, 4 sheep, 4 goats, 4 chickens & 1 tomcat, the daily schedule is always pretty... busy.
Dogs with idiosyncrasies - and a sense of order on four paws
Nova (our Belgian shepherd) loves the storm. Why? Because there are sticks and branches lying around everywhere, which she proudly reports - like a cross between a police dog and a landscape gardener.
The huskies? They don't find it exciting. They want to run. But woe betide them if there are branches on the trail - then the elegant "husky run" turns into a slalom choreography with wild side jumps.
By the way, Nova has zero understanding of pulling dogs. When I tried to harness her, she looked at me 20 times like: "Tell me, are you serious?" - and then started walking backwards.
Husky logic vs. shepherd dog system
Throwing a ball or frisbee?
- Nova: Catches everything. Brings it back. Expects praise and treats.
- Huskies: "Big thing. No food. Keep walking." Search game?
- Nova: Finds everything. Report it or bring it with enthusiasm.
- Huskies: Find it, eat it. Why report it if it tastes good?
Our Quessant sheep
Yakari and Bowie in the run
Every paw counts - teamwork with character
Whether chicken, husky or goat - they all have their own character. That's what makes life so colourful.
I have learnt:
- Everyone has strengths and weaknesses
- You don't have to be able to do everything to be valuable
- A good team doesn't work through equality, but through understanding
This applies just as much to the train dog team as it does to everyday life - and, to be honest, to any job.
Conclusion - adaptation is not a step backwards, but a strength
You can also make plans with MS. You just have to keep them flexible.
I have many days when nothing works. Doubt, frustration, tiredness - it's all there.
But then comes a look from Nova, a catch of snow in the husky coat, or a contented grunt from the goat pen - and I know:
I don't have to be perfect. I just have to keep at it.
PS: How much I've learnt from my huskies about teamwork, life & perseverance can be found in a separate post - with even more chaos, charm & fur.
Husky stories
Existing contributions
Anja Nehrenehim
Anja is the founder of Wild Swiss Adventure and lives with 16 huskies in Eisten in Valais.
