Faceoff!!

We've had Dudley, the dog, for three years. We've had three donkeys for almost seven months. That means, donks have lived in close proximity with big black dog for almost seven months. But this morning... Well this morning Luigi just didn't like the looks of that big black dog. Not even a little. Face-to-face (well almost) across the gate. Luigi not moving. I throw hay for the girls and call Luigi. Not moving. Just staring at that big black dog. Finally, though who knows what prompted the cave-in, he scampered over to make sure he got his share of breakfast.

... to the Rescue

Went out for evening feed tonight and you'd never know there had been deep trails zig zagging through the snow from the gate to the shed (made by me, the wheelbarrow and three donkeys). Gone... as a result of more snow and wind today. Needless to say, there were no new tracks made by the donks, just three faces peeking out of the shed.

Luigi had icicles hanging down over his eyes and was an excellent patient while I held his head firmly and pulled them off. It's a good feeling to know they're becoming more sure of me and would allow it. Franny was minimally iced up, but she's been my snuggle bunny for awhile now so I expected her to let me get right in there. Miss Gabby didn't need any emergency de-icing which is just as well since I think she would have put up a stink.

Meet the Gang Next Door

Miss Dolly, the white Percheron, is my favorite. That big face can come stretching over the fence while I sneak her a treat. And she is stunning when hitched to their red wagon. It's what she was born to do. Denali, the big Clyde on the right, is skittish despite his size. However, he sometimes stands at the fence and ponders the donkeys. Dolly has other things to do (napping in the sun) and doesn't pay much attention to the amigos.

Mr. Luigi, comedian

I finally learned after about four months of donkeydom to not leave a partially filled wheelbarrow in their yard. About 60% of the time I would find the contents on the ground beside it and have to re-scoop. Now, why it took me that long to figure out I should park it outside the gate is anyone's guess. Well, today during morning clean, I'm working in an area right outside the shed, lost in thought about the workday to come, turn around and Luigi has dumped the wheelbarrow. (he takes one of the handles in his mouth and lifts up) While I'm standing right there! I wasn't in the mood to have to redo everything, so he got clunked on his rump.

But the question remains, is he smart enough to be a practical joker? What other pleasure does a little donkey get out of pushing over a wheelbarrow?

Spring Fever??

The donks were in fine form a couple of days ago during evening feed. I had to stop my clean-up duties to watch, not being sure what was going on. All three of them were running around full blast kicking out with their back feet. Round and around with no difficulty in the deep snow. At first I thought Dudley had startled them, but I've never seen them react like that. Finally all three stormed out of the yard into the pasture and that seemed to brake the whole affair. They sauntered back and there were a few more kicks at each other, but mostly that high-energy display had petered out. I made darn sure the wheelbarrow was between them and me during the escapade.

Snow, Snow and More Snow

An interesting morning indeed. Seven to eight inches of new snow, the first big snowfall since having donkeys in our life. Diligent Rick had plowed last evening about 10, but even so there was a several-inch coating on the driveway when I went out to feed this morning. First order of business - shovel a path to the shed for the wheelbarrow. Three little donkeys peering out. No footprints in the snow. So, after cleaning and feeding was done, I shoveled a circle path for them to wander in during the day. Quite the exercise. When I got home from work, good husband Rick had plowed the driveway and given me a nice area cleared of snow around the gate. I also noticed footprints beyond the path I had cleared. The monkeys had wandered. Perhaps I was a little too protective. Learn as you go...

3 Escapees

My habit, in the winter, has been to not bother closing the outside gate when I push the wheelbarrow in the yard. Summer would be a different story, but with a thick snow covering there's no food supply outside of the fenced area. Well this morning, all three decided the world looked too interesting on the other side of the gate and meandered through. Didn't lose my cool, just went to the grain immediately and rattled the can (I put the day's ration in a old nut can). Just like training a dog or cat. Sure enough, Luigi and Fran turned around and scampered (and yes I do mean scampered) back in. I gave them their grain and called for Gabs. After waiting a beat I went to look for her and the gate had closed just enough that she wasn't comfortable with the space left for her to go through. After I widened the gap she also scampered in. And the whole while, one of the horses next door is silently watching the scene unfold.

" Stubborn as..."

The donks have a pretty standard routine when it comes to eating. I throw a flake of hay in the yard to get them started, then it's pooper scooper time in the yard and shed, then throw a flake in the shed, then grain in their 3 separate dishes. Luigi is always first. Gabriella takes the middle bowl and Fran is on the far left. But sometimes they get a bit greedy and try to snatch bites from other dishes. I'll push them away and steer them toward their own bowl. Those little donkey bodies can stand firm. I can push my 1,000 pound horse and get him to move, but not those little donks. Those feet stay planted, and no by golly, they are not moving!

A Red Letter Day

Holy moly, two exciting events. Firstly, Gabriella allowed me to snuggle head-to-head tonight for the first time. This IS a red letter day. Fran stepped forward as if to say, "Hey, wait a minute, that's my job!" As with most animal owners, I'm trying to acclimate them to touches everywhere so they won't be skiddish if a medical emergency requires holding or touching in odd places.

Second exciting event -- a fellow miniature donkey owner from Missouri found me via the blog. Her blog is much more elaborate -- I'll get there! Her two cuties, Rubie and Gracie, look stunning in their millinery finery! What fun!