Seasonal Cycles

As I trooped out to the donkeys this morning, in the rain, to muck out the shed, I was thinking about the seasons of donkey care.  Now that I'm throwing straw for bedding, clean-up is not the easy chore of the spring, summer and fall months.  It means not only more time to shovel up, but more trips out to "the pile" with the wheelbarrow.  (I've now shifted to the bigger wheelbarrow to help cut down on the number of those trips.)  It's not a bad shift to a new season, just a shift.

This morning, for instance, the weather convinced the donks to wait for breakfast in the shed.  This would be unheard of in warmer, drier weather.  So I had to do my clean-up avoiding three beasts.  Trying to carry a shovel full of straw and unmentionables from the back of the shed to the wheelbarrow was a feat.  Total blockage by three beasts who were really not concerned about my endeavors.  Munching breakfast was all that was on their minds. I tried to slide past Luigi with just enough room between him and the fence partition and as I gently pushed past him, he "obligingly" pushed right back.  No Luigi!  Let me through!

Anyway, although this morning's routine was more labor intensive it gave me more time to chat to the three about this and that.  I have to admit, thought, I can't find much consolation in the boot-sucking muddy mess at the front of the shed.  Thank goodness I have hole-free boots to slog my way back and forth.  

SSSSS.....

Our pals the garter snakes are finding the donkey shed a spiffy place to take up residence.  Yesterday moved a plastic bag full of grass clippings (lip smackin' good) and, yup, there was a wiggly friend.  Threw a flake a hay out and, yup, a little guy slithered away (probably sulking).  Rick says, well sure, they're looking for mice.

A couple of days ago overturned a feed pan and there was a....... salamander. The shed is definitely not for the critter-phobes!

 I'd hate to peek under the pallets.  Who knows what we'd find.

Another Mess

I yelled at the donkeys this morning.  Not just a tsk-tsk, but a full-out yellin'.

Just a couple of days ago they had pushed and pulled their way through the fencing that holds/separates the hay in the shed, until they had achieved a full fledged hay mess on their side of the fence. I moved remaining bales away from the fence so they couldn't help themselves again - not an easy task may I add.  Well this morning, they had done the same thing to the straw!  I hadn't bothered to move the straw, because what donkey in their right mind would work so hard to get through to the straw.

Believe me these three are not so deprived that even straw should look good.  If you saw the recent photos, you'd have seen Francesca still has some nice Rubenesque curves.

So, this morning I wagged an index finger in their faces, yelled while I was moving the straw and cleaning up the mess, and threatened them with a real tirade if they did it again.  

I did not see any repenting.  Hrmph!

Dirty Screws

The donkeys were banging the front gate over and over just like jailbirds yelling, "Dirty screws, let us out to eat driveway grass!"

The Lovlies Are Getting Lovlier

Please note how slim and trim Francesca (foreground) has become.  Even Rick has remarked on more than one occasion that they're all looking healthier (read that as not as chubby).  Of course, Gabriella has never been a chubbette and we intend to keep it that way.

When living with her previous owner, Franny used to be borderline obese and was given special injections from the vet.  (diabetes?)  Now, she's looking sleek and fit.  Just lovely.

Biases aside, I surely think these cabooses are some of the cutest around.  I'm always patting donkey behinds affectionately.  Good thing they don't object.

Friends Next Door

Sweet Dolly, my favorite neighbor.  When I cajole her to the fence for a treat, that big nose comes toward me followed by a greedy big mouth.  She likes to kick and nip at those audacious enough to also want  a goodie.  I admonish her for being a bully but it appears to fall on deaf ears.

She is in her glory when hitched to the red wagon for a trip to the cider mill.

 
The 4-H calves on the left with multiple hens scratching around.

Good thing none of these critters are calling to me.  Two years ago I saw three little donkeys in this very yard next door and fell in love.

Adornments Begin

I have recently begun adding ornamentation to the donkey shed and nearby area. Of course, I wanted to share these new looks with you.

The two pictures above showcase "the lady" I garage-saled from Denise & Jamie.  In hindsight I think the arrangement overshadows her a bit, but we worked so hard to get them to stay, I'm not rearranging at this point!  Think I should name her??

And if you look to the left of Gabriella's cute little behind, you'll see St. Francis.  Dorene and I found him at a resale shop, although it took me a few weeks to decide whether he wanted to help safeguard the donkeys.

Next to come is a large scrolled hanging which will go on the end wall of the shed.

I'm sure the donks appreciate all the fall-der-all.