Sherman, a neglected donkey, arrives at the small farm Christopher McDougall owns in Pennsylvania Amish country, roughly two hours away from Philadelphia. Sherman is in very bad physical shape with torn fur, infested skin, rotten teeth, and hooves that have grown into grotesque curves.

McDougall phones his friend Scott, who has experience in mule husbandry. Scott agrees to come in the morning. McDougall agreed to foster Sherman on his farm after a Mennonite neighbor asked for help dealing with an animal hoarder who was a member of his congregation. Sherman was kept in a flooded, dilapidated barn, in a stall “as dark and tiny as a dungeon cell” (5). Virtually immobile in waste and hay up to his knees, Sherman could barely walk. When Sherman is delivered, McDougall and his neighbor have to carry Sherman off the trailer. McDougall is dismayed and overwhelmed at the level of care Sherman will require in order to survive.

The next morning Scott arrives and is taken aback at Sherman’s appearance, suggesting the “humane thing” (10) to do is put Sherman down. McDougall insists they continue. McDougall and Scott use a hacksaw to cut and shape Sherman’s hooves.