Donkey Faces to Charm

(photo courtesy of my son who was filling their water trough and caught this)

From left to right:  Luigi, Francesca, Gabriella

Update to the Bedding Debate

On April 7 of this year I voiced some thoughts about the pros and cons of pellet bedding.
I have found that where I live (southeastern Michigan) there's a small window of opportunity to use the bedding before the cold temps don't allow for effective breakdown of the pellets. (I don't use bedding in the summer months since they don't need a cushion from the ground temperature.) Case in point, about a week ago the temps were mid-to-high 20's and it took longer for the bedding to transition to a fine material.  I thought, OK, it's time to switch to shavings.

It happened that our local Tractor Supply was having a sale so I made sure to swing by to purchase more bags.  I caught the eye of a salesclerk to ask about fine vs flake.  Turns out she's a horse owner and said she puts the pelleted bedding underneath the shavings to allow for better urine soakage (yea, just made that phrase up).  I must have had a quizzical look on my face because she said, yup, uses that method for all eight stalls.

Well, I did not get more bags of pellets because I wasn't convinced it would be a very comfy bed situation.  Those pellets are hard!

Anyone out there tried this personally.  Would be very interested in your opinion.
But for the time being these three donks will be sleeping on shavings.

More Hay Comin' In

Our hay supply was running low.  A quick trip down the road to our hay supplier was in order.

Its about time to put in a big order to last most of the winter, but that will have to wait a bit.

Denali, a next door neighbor, was quite curious and viewed the entire unloading procedure.

I have no idea how this photo appeared but thought it had some pizazz all its own. 

Donkeys were allowed to roam while we cleaned up.

Fran asked for, and was granted a close-up.  

Mud, Mud Go Away

Oozy, slippery, boot-sucking mud.
Right in front of the barn.

Nobody likes it, not me, not the donks.

I kept waiting for it to dry up, but no dice.

I tried to provide remedial relief by throwing soiled shavings, but that was like throwing a thimble full of water into the ocean.

Rick says, "Gotta dig it up and move it out."  OK.

Mornings

Since I'm usually the earlier riser in our house, my first job upon descending the stairs is to fight off two black dog-beasts demanding breakfast.  Occasionally I make them wait for me to start my tea, but its easier to get them out of the way, literally.  After they've had their morning ablutions, we all sit down for some quiet reading time.  I love the quiet of the morning to delve into a book.

Then its time to feed three bellowing donkeys.  Into the mudroom to don coat and boots as two dogs sit and stare.  The next step is tricky.  No matter how many times we review, Gunner forgets.  You have to sit and wait for me to open the door, get outside and give the command that you may follow through after me.  Dudley was introduced to this concept in obedience school a few years ago and usually listens well, but Gunner...sweet Gunner, ah well.

Once the command is given, one dog promptly rushes top speed out the back garage door to investigate who-knows-what, while the other rushes to the cat's litter box.  Sweet delights it contains. Finally everyone gathers at the front of the garage.  I swing my bike into action to cruise down the driveway to three awaiting donkeys who swear they're starving, every...darn...morning.