AND THE BEAT GOES ON........ (WHY WE'RE NEVER BORED....!! )

NIGEL LOOKING FORWARD TO STEAK..!!  THANKS, LINDA

Have you ever wondered when the merry-go-round was going to stop?  I've given up on that, might as well enjoy the ride I guess..........LOL

Miss PennyPacker is doing good, still in her pen until tomorrow after breakfast and her last penicillin shot.  She is such a pain to catch and work with, that we've left a halter on her.  There is no way I would let her out in the brush with a halter on, so she's had to stay in the pen.  Talk about a cranky girl.  During the day she has the run of all the pens on that side.  If she sees anyone out, she immediately runs to whichever pen is closest to the humans and starts pleading her case to get out.  

But she is eating well and seems to be healed from her dental appointment, John, Lynn and I will be almost as glad as she is when the shots, twice a day is over.  Actually she doesn't mind the shots, it was the banamine by mouth that caused her to have a hissy fit.

Lynn is strong enough to stay with her and hang onto the halter, until we can get a lead on her.  She hasn't had to have banamine for a couple of days, so it's been going better.  She'll let us walk up to her, pet her and usually get hold of the halter.  She'll even let you stand by her holding the halter without much fuss as long as you don't try to lead her or try to take charge, before someone shows up with a lead.

We were putting her in the redneck squeeze, but the last couple of times, she's let me give her the shot with Lynn holding her with the halter and lead.  The squeeze was absolutely vital when we were putting something in her mouth, for our safety.

Remember Casper the little hellion with attitude that is being fostered by our neighbors, because they have a fence like this rather than barbed wire?  Although he doesn't seem to care for other equine, he does like to visit thru the fence. Linda got this picture of Leddy and her 3 dogs checking up on the latest neighborhood gossip, I guess. 

Lynn has cleared out another ATV/Golf Cart path over here on the 10 acres, it even has a roundy-rounder, so you can go 3 different directions if you follow the circle.  We always enjoyed in Europe and the Middle East, having less traffic lights, with the circles the traffic kept moving.  Of course in the Middle East the traffic lights would have just been a suggestion for most of the people anyway.........LOL  They did really good in the traffic circles though, it was amazing. 

We've been trying to find a little ATV,  just my size, but so far Craigslist hasn't had it.  And I'm too cheap to buy a new one.........LOL  I want to get out and try out Lynn's trails.  It should be much easier to find wayward fly masks and polo wraps with the trails and an ATV.  Even if the missing items aren't in the path, the ATV will make me a little higher, so I can see farther.  Just got to find an ATV, before fly season.

Fly season must just be around the corner.  My 1st shipment of fly predators should be here Friday, poor little guys.  The days are nice and sunny, but the nights are still getting cold.  I guess they will burrow down in the poo pile, otherwise they'll be rather short lived, I'm afraid.

Now as to why we are never bored...........   Linda found out that Tombstone is having a St. Patrick's Day parade as a salute to the military and it's free to participate.  She's been looking for races or something to get Leddy out in public, and even though this isn't a race, I'm sure it will give him lots to look at..........!!!

Well you can't just take one donkey, so we decided to also take Justin, since he's been in "training" for racing.  Then we decided to also take BlackJack, since he's an old hand at this impressing people with how neat donkeys are.  So now how do we decorate them?  Linda's good at ideas, I'm mostly the nod my head in agreement type, artistic I'm not.

A friend of Linda's is coming over tomorrow to see about sewing blankets for Leddy and BJ.  Leddy will be 1st in line, and his blanket will probably have a rainbow and a pot of gold on it.  Then Justin will be following him, dressed as a leprechaun.  Well you can't just have one leprechaun, so Pepsi has been added to the party.  So 2 little leprechauns will be following the pot of gold.  BlackJack will be following with a St. Patrick's themed blanket, with Forever Home Donkey Rescue on it.  At least that's the plan at this time, we'll see what the seamstress comes up with.

A good friend of Lynn and Linda's is coming down from Colorado for a few days and was suppose to get here on the 19th of March.  The parade is on the 18th, so now he is going to come in early.  He's an older man and wants to participate in the fun, so now there will be a golf cart all gussied up, leading the donkey rescue part of the parade.  So now we've got to figure out how to decorate the golf cart.  Thanks goodness we have 2 golf carts, otherwise we'd have to decorate the cart after chores that morning, and I'm sure we'll have enough to do without that.

The last couple of days Cisco has been limping on his right front.  Hoof is a little warm, doesn't bother him to poke and prod it.  His legs are so arthritic, that was my first thought, but doesn't look like it.  Could be an abscess I guess, just have to watch him.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Cisco, from a few years ago.  He still loves to eat cactus at certain times of the year.  We can tell when he's been "snacking" when we put our hands on his face.........OUCH.......!!

LOTS OF PROJECTS GOING ON RIGHT NOW

 Justin in training and everyone else coming along for the adventure

Very little gets done around here without "help".  They remind me of cats, anything going on or anything new on the property, gets their full attention, until they ALL check it out. 

LYNN IS TRYING TO WORK ON HIS QUAD AND PEPSI IS "HELPING", WHICH OF COURSE MAKES THE PROJECT TAKE MUCH LONGER, THAN IT WOULD "WITHOUT" HIS "HELP".  

We've all learned to work around our helpers, otherwise we'd never get anything done.  This morning Lynn was digging a trench in the pens on the west side.  We've used hoses ran along side the pens for years to fill the water buckets.  Last year Lynn, ran water to each pen on the east side, so this year he's completing the job on the west side.  

He said Pepsi checked out the trench, jumped over it, which is not something they all would do.  I guess you never know when a snake or some type of monster might be in that trench and jump up to grab a donkey......!!!   Lynn said when Pepsi got thru checking everything out, he peed in the trench.  We're trying to figure out just exactly what that means.........LOL

Some friends of Lynn and Linda came out a couple of times on their way to Florida.  They had a lot of fun with the donkeys and as usual the donkeys did their best to be entertaining.  BlackJack is always available for letting kids sit on him for pictures.  He was raised with a little boy and probably would let kids ride on him, but we've never let anyone try.  

Years ago a church got in touch with us, for a donkey to use in a Christmas play.  They wanted Mary to ride in on a donkey.  I told them we'd get back with them and we started trying to figure out who would be the best candidate.  We decided on Cisco, I got on his back, he took 2 steps and locked up big time.  I don't think anyone had ever been on his back in his life and he wasn't interested in learning to be ridden, so no one went to the Christmas show unfortunately.  

  

We're not exactly sure what Cheyenne was trying to do to Ted, but he was a good sport about it.....!!!  

Lynn has made a 7/10's of a mile trail over on Burroland that is wide enough for a golf cart or his quad.  It's really going to be neat, especially when looking for donkeys, fly masks or leggings.  We can drive around and see much more than stumbling thru the mesquite like we've always done before.  

He's taken everyone for rides and it's pretty exciting, in some areas, the mesquite are "real" close, so you better be paying attention....!!!  His best time is 1.46 minutes, which is an average of 17mph.  That might not sound very fast, but believe me, things zip past pretty quick on a lot of the trail and some of the turns are pretty tight.  

So now I'm in the market for a small quad so I can be lazy and ride instead of walking or stumbling over rocks and dead limbs the donkeys have pulled off the trees.  We found one on Craigslist in Tucson, but it was too big.  Years ago John bought me a Big Bear, and big was right, my little legs could just barely reach the pegs and it wasn't very comfortable for me to wrestle.  Hopefully we can find one that's my size.....!!! 

Linda took all the pictures this time, except for the quad picture, which was about 10 years ago.  We traded it for a retired U-haul car trailer, that we use to take my Hornets to the track.  Hope the people that traded got as much use out of it, as we have out of the trailer.  It was a couple and she was quite a bit taller and heavier than I am, so she probably didn't have a problem with it.  

It's starting to warm up at night, so we're probably going into spring, although it will be awhile before the mesquite trees bud.  That's when spring starts according to the old timers.  

We've also got a crew putting a new roof on the garage, and carport.  The shingles don't hold up well out here in the desert sun, so we've decided to put on a metal roof.  Metal roofs are really good in the desert and we don't want to have to do it again in a few years, although the shingles lasted about 25 years, so I guess we really shouldn't complain too much.........!! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE.........!!!

 

After tomorrow hopefully the stores will return to normalcy,. and stop trying to get people to spend more than they should.  Well actually I guess they do that year round, but this time of year, they really push for lots of spending.  There was a spot on TV the other day about the best way to return unwanted gifts.  Really?  Christmas isn't even here and people are thinking about gift rejection.  

We spent 10 years in Saudi Arabia, where we couldn't even have a bible or Christmas tree, and that gave us time to reflect on what Christmas is about.  Oklahoma in 1907 was the last state to recognize Christmas as a holiday.  Alabama was the 1st in 1836.  For 100's of years people had celebrated Christmas, in their own way, for their own reasons.  Somehow I don't think the primary objective was to buy presents for people, for them to return to the store.  

Well I guess that's my little rant against the commercialization of Christmas, now on to donkey stuff.  Well maybe a slight diversion.  Linda e-mailed yesterday from California and said they are about done.  She also sent a picture that shows just how close to done they are.  

Can't sell trees, if you don't have trees to sell...............LOL  That's a good thing.

Not sure when they will get back here, they plan on going thru Las Vegas to visit Linda's grandmother and might find some other places to see and do on the way.  

Unfortunately this morning I had to e-mail them that Leddy their donkey is 3 legged lame.  I noticed yesterday he was favoring a front foot, this morning he's just barely putting it on the ground.  I hate abscesses, until they pop they are elusive and impossible to find and treat.  You can soak the foot, the idea being to soften the hoof and sole, so the infection can get out easier.  But the jury is out on if that actually helps to quicken the process.  He is moving around, staying with the "herd" and I think most people that have dealt with abscesses agree, movement helps to hurry the process.  Once the abscess gets to the surface, or gets close enough that you can get reaction by pushing on the hoof or coronet, or sole, it can be opened up, which gives them instant relief.  So far I haven't gotten any reaction.  A vet or farrier usually have testers, which is a torture tool, to clamp on different areas of the foot, and hopefully get a reaction at the spot where the abscess is trying to get out.  Then they can use a knife to open it up.  

As usual animals get sick on week-ends or holidays, Christmas coming on Sunday, makes it a double header, I guess.  But I'm not sure at this stage testers would even find it, so we'll give it a couple of days and see how it goes.  

Everybody else seems to be doing good. Unfortunately we had a wind storm a week or so ago, and Rosie's shelter paid the price.  

Making shelters out of pallets and cattle panels, covered with tarps, might work good where the sun doesn't rot the tarps in a couple of months.  This is the 2nd tarp that's been on this shelter. We had talked about using fiberglass panels to cover it, just hadn't gotten around to it, BUT, I think we've decided to go ahead and take down the cattle panels, and make it into a shelter like the others.  

Rosie is a wood eater, she doesn't crib, she actually eats wood.  So I hope John will agree to use pipe instead of 4x4's for the uprights.  Otherwise our little beaver girl will probably have them chewed up in no time.  

We moved her to an open pen, which is always traumatic.  They know their pens and will fight to get back in it, when you are trying to introduce them to the new pen.  She does enjoy having a shelter, and has one in the new pen.  But that doesn't mean anything when the, stupid people are trying to put her in a pen, that isn't hers.  It's always fun to watch their minds work, keeps us on our toes.  BlackJack is about the only one that won't fight for his pen.  He's been moved around so much, by the second move, he's fine with it.  

I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas and that you get to celebrate it in your own way.  Hopefully you won't feel obligated to return any gifts you receive.   LOL

CHRISTMAS PARADE WAS A BIG SUCCESS..........!!!

JOHN AND BLACKJACK WAITING FOR THE PARADE TO BEGIN

 I think a good time was had by all.  One of the local RV parks had invited BlackJack to be the Grand Marshall of their Christmas parade thru the park.  We found out that who the Grand Marshall was going to be, had been kept a secret.  I think a lot of people were surprised and really seemed to enjoy seeing BJ and interacting with him before and after the parade.  

The people had really  decorated their ATV, quads and side by sides, so we worried about all these flashing lights "chasing" BJ and his thoughts on the subject.  I was going to lead him and John was  following with a bucket and broom, in case of sanitation cheanup being needed.  No  need to worry, BJ was a perfect gentlemen, both with behavior and not causing John to have to use his bucket and broom.  

I don't think the "things" with the flashing lights following him bothered  him as much as the really elaborate decorations in some of the yards.  I could tell when he really wanted to not go by some of the really scary ones.  But, he trusted me enough to not put him in danger, so he'd slow up a little, ears up, and focused, but still moving.  

The biggest problem was him seeming to want to  get this over with.  BJ is usually pretty lazy when it comes to moving around.  We call it the BJ "mosey", he doesn't expound much energy to get from point A to point B.  But for some reason he seemed to think we were in a timed event.....LOL  I had to keep reminding him that we were not in a race and he'd do pretty good, and the next thing I know, we're picking up the pace again.  

When it was over, we stood by the Recreation Center, while the people gathered for refreshments and singing carols.  Everyone got to see BJ up close and personal, he really enjoys the attention.  

One of the ladies made the blanket and flashing light collar for him.  It turned out great, fit him perfectly and she hadn't measured him or anything.  She insisted we keep it and now John is talking about doing parades.  Benson usually has a couple of parades a year, and we've talked about John and BJ participating as a miner and his donkey, but was always a little hesitant.  Since he did so good last night, maybe now it will happen.  

BLACKJACK DOING WHAT HE DOES BEST, SOAKING UP ATTENTION

BLACKJACK IS GOING TO BE IN A PARADE

A few weeks ago a group came out to see the donkeys from one of the local RV parks.  They all had a good time and before they left one of the woman asked if we'd be interested in having one of the donkeys in their Christmas parade of ATV's thru the park.  

Sounded like fun, so I said sure and planned on taking one of the minis, less poundage to work with, if he decided he didn't want to be in a parade.  Most of our donkeys are easy to get along with, but when she told me they were going to hang lights around his neck and put a blanket on his back, I rethought who might be the best victim to take.  Justin was my mini choice, BUT, Justin can also be a "I don't want to" type of guy.  Whenever we are going to do something horrible, like worming or putting a halter on them, we have to do him first and even then it doesn't always go well.  If he gets a chance to see the others being "mistreated" you better have your running shoes on, until you either wear him down or get him in a corner.  Cornering him doesn't always go well either......LOL

So my 2nd choice was BlackJack, he is usually pretty mellow about change in his daily routine and has been taken up to the movie site enough times that he enjoys getting out and meeting people.  And he doesn't seem to mind having "stuff" put on him.  

We got a wreath to hang around his neck with the lights and years ago I made some Christmas hats with ear holes cut out.  This morning we decided to dress him and see how it would go.  

Do you think he would "pose"?  Of course not, and he knew John had cookies in his pocket, so they were dancing down the driveway.  He did just fine with all the Christmas stuff on him, but he had cookies on his mind as long as John was trying to walk with him.  

I finally tied him to a tree and he just stood there like a big old fuzzy grump, no pride at all.  I'm going to have to exchange the wreath, they had 2 sizes and this one is really too big and floppy.  But at least he didn't mind having it hanging on his neck.

LYNN, LINDA, LOLA, LENNON, LUCY, AND LEDDY HAVE ARRIVED....!!!

They pulled in just at dark, and unloaded Leddy, so we haven't really seen him yet.  We had put hay and water in his pen, which he seemed to appreciate.  We'll see him in the morning.  From what I saw he is a little bigger than BlackJack.  The 3 dogs came in like they had never left and started playing with Saddik, and picking up sticks for us to throw, just like normal.  

They drove from Santa Fe, New Mexico today, which is a pretty long drive.  Last spring Lynn and John set up a spot for their RV with utilities, but it was too dark tonight to set it up, so they are dry camping in the driveway, until tomorrow...........LOL It's good to see them again, it's like they had never left. 

Talked to Dr. Voss about Rosie today.  They are trying to wean her off the COB and alfalfa and I guess she isn't impressed.  She is also off of insulin and IVs, so they are basically just observing her.  I think we have all had a shock, she does NOT have fatty liver disease, I would have bet my life she did, and I'm sure everyone that has seen her obese body, thought she did too.  So why is she so fat?  Her numbers aren't out of whack, her liver and kidneys are healthy, and she has been on 3 pounds of hay a day forever, of course she self feeds on the acreage, but I can't imagine that she eats that much "wild" food, there isn't really that much available.  And for most of the day she and Gigi stay close to the house, waiting for something to happen I guess.  

They will call in the morning and decide whether we should go up tomorrow to pick her up or to wait another day or so.  They did find something interesting when they x-rayed her.  She seems to have a slight impaction, nothing alarming, in fact she is pooing just fine.  She also has what looks like a piece of baling wire in her gut.  I have no idea where that came from, our hay is tied with nylon hay string and we are pretty diligent about keeping stuff like that picked up.  Dr. Voss thinks she will pass it, I'd be curious to "save" it, if and when she does.  I'd like to know if it's been in there for a long time, I assume it would be pretty corroded if so.  

BlackJack is still coughing off and on.  Dr. Jeremy suggested wetting his hay to see if the dust in the hay might be part of the problem.  We started that tonight. He doesn't have a temperature, so I'll just keep doctoring him for about the next week.  SMZ's are really bitter, so I try to "doctor" it up with molasses.  So far he seems to approve of my efforts............LOL

NEW UPDATE ON ROSIE

Talked to Dr. Voss this morning.  Because she went in on Saturday, they could only do in-house blood tests.  The really important one to run on an obese donkey is the lipid test, to see if the liver is damaged, in a fattie's situation, to see if they have fatty liver disease.  He mentioned also Cushings, which of course we're familiar with.  I don't think they've tested her for Cushings at this time, that was just a SWAG, (Scientific Wild Ass Guess) thrown out for thought.

So the plan of attack at this time, is to get the results from a lipid panel.  They have Rosie on insulin that is keeping her glucose around 120, 100 would be better.  Dr. Voss said she REALLY likes the alfalfa they've been feeding her, but not interested in the grass hay.......... Somehow I'm not surprised.  They were going to take her out to the grassy 1/4 acre pasture they have.  I'm sure she'll enjoy that...!!  LOL

At this time it looks like we'll go up Wednesday to pick her up.  I know Gigi will be happy to see her again.  She's upset that Rosie isn't here, which is understandable.  The people originally had 2 pregnant jennies, that had babies.  Somewhere in the 11 years they were in that pen, Gigi lost her mother and Rosie lost her offspring.  So they aren't mother and daughter, but they are very bonded.

Lynn and Linda their 3 dogs and Leddy the donkey should be on the road from Colorado, headed for SE Arizona.  Don't know how long it will take them, probably 2 days if they push, 3 if they don't.  Quilla got moved last night, so Leddy can have the larger pen, since he's a larger donkey.  We didn't want to move Quilla after Leddy got here, not only would he get moved out of what he has come to believe is his pen, but he'd see someone else in it.........!!!  This way he will have a couple of days to realize he is still getting fed and the routine hasn't changed, only where he is in the line-up.

BlackJack is still coughing even though he's been on SMZ's for 3 days, although not as much.  He'll get SMZ's for7-10 days and then I guess we'll re-evaluate if he is still coughing.  Dr. Jeremy said he had lung sounds on one side more so than the other.  BJ is never sick, so this was a surprise.  We'd throw him in the trailer to take him up to Gilbert Wednesday, when we pick up Rosie..........BUT........we left the trailer up there...........LOL 

COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE

Tula has been with us for about 10 years.  She came in distrustful of people and to this day, hasn't changed much.  We can work with her in the safe corner of her pen to put a fly mask on her, but she isn't comfortable, and if you want to get touchy feely, her skin crawls and she will usually take off at speed.  In the last year she has started taking animal crackers from visitors, if they are on the other side of the corral panels, which is a giant step for her.  

Earlier this week, we noticed she was drooling, but still eating and taking treats, then she stopped taking treats, so it was time to call the vet.  We've never had a vet for her and because of her issues and really hoped we'd never have to.  

E-mailed Jackpot Equine my "go to" vets, in the evening and Dr. Lindsey was here the next morning at 10am.  We've had both Dr. Lindsey and Dr. Karla out and they are both really caring and compassionate vets.

I had given Dr. Lindsey a head's up in my e-mail, so she was aware of the limitations working with Tula.  We got her in a squeeze, and she got a happy shot.  Then she got another one.  Donkeys can be very hard to get cooperative even with drugs sometimes.

She has never been dangerous, she doesn't kick, rear, or strike out with her front feet like some do.  She just wants to get away, but finally the drugs took effect and we could take the squeeze away, so Dr. Lindsey could get to work.

 1st she got her mouth flushed out. 

 Frijolita is trying to figure out what is going on with her friend, Tula

 Tula had some hooks, but this is about when Dr. Lindsey found a hole in the top of her tongue about half way back.
Thanks for the pictures, Linda

She used a hemostat to poke in the hole, which was about 3/4's of an inch deep.  Didn't find any foreign matter, so she probably poked it with a mesquite thorn or cactus spine.  It probably was in there for a couple of days when we noticed the slobbering, and then worked it's way out.   

It got flushed and she is on antibiotics for the next few days.  She seems fine and no more slobbering.  She also got her teeth floated, I would imagine for the 1st time in her life. 

What I find interesting is, after we have "controlled" her like this, you would think she would be stand offish for awhile.  It's almost like she knows it needs to be done, but she just can't bring herself to participate.  When it's all over her behavior is just like it was before we corralled her.  No better or no worse.  

Coquette had an ACTH blood draw for Cushings.  She has been heavy every since we got her about 3 years ago, which is probably more Insulin Resistance than Cushings.  We've got some weight off her, but not much.  She has excessive hair growth and she is always hungry.  So while the vet was here I thought it might not hurt to get her tested.  Quilla and Daisy are already on pergolide, one more wouldn't make that much difference, but I hope she isn't.

Everyone is wearing a fly mask now except for BlackJack.  The flies don't like him very well.  We aren't having much of a fly problem so far, BUT, they do like to get in the donkey's eyes.  Buddy has already lost his mask.......somewhere........!!!!   

110* DEGREES THIS WEEK-END...!!

PANCHO AND I THINK SELENA.....DOUG NEEDS TO UPDATE HIS CAMERA DATE....lol

I sure am glad I'm not racing this week-end, it is suppose to be a scorcher....!!!  They say (which I always take with a grain of salt) that our El Nino this year will be very strong for the first time in 10 years or more.  If so it should be a good year for lots of rain.  

When I race I have to sit in staging before my race for as long as it takes for the race before mine to get finished.  When it's hot it is really hot in the car, with a fire suit and helmet on, even if the race ahead of mine is efficient.  Our good friend Larry will be racing, hopefully once the sun goes down it will cool off quick.  If it's humid it won't.......!!!

The donkeys are all doing pretty good, I can't get over how little doctoring I'm having to do, so far this year.  I only have about 5 that I have to doctor every day, and even then, no bloody sores and bandages like in the past.  Just places I have to keep covered with thuja zinc oxide.  I finished the 3 treatment, 2 weeks apart on the three I suspect might have neck worms.  Rosie is the worst one, she has 4 places on her belly that have to be doctored all summer every year.  I'm sorry to say her belly is still icky, but I don't think it's as bad as it has been in the past, so maybe the extra worming is helping.  

I finally broke down and bought cordless clippers.  So many times I run across mats or something that needs to be trimmed and it's not worth dragging out the "industrial" strength massive heavy duty clippers.  I usually just grab a pair of scissors and whack away.  On the long haired ones, like BlackJack he ends up looking rather moth eaten.  I've put it off, most clippers are for dogs or if they advertise for horses, they say for bridal paths, whiskers and fetlocks.  In other words probably not up to getting thru, sweaty matted donkey hair.  I went on e-bay and picked out 5 or 6 for John to read about and decide which one to try.  Of course he picked the most expensive one.  I don't know if he actually read up on each one, or just figured the more it costs the better it will work.  LOL  Anyway when the clippers get here, my first victim will be BJ.  The little bit of Poitou background he has makes his hair long and very fine, so of course it mats easily, especially in his armpits.  I really hate to go under there, with a pair of scissors, it's too easy to gather up skin.  He's really very good to work with and even forgives easily as long as there are cookies to be had, but I hate to hurt them if it isn't necessary.  

Salena and Falena have settled in really well.  It was almost like they remembered the routine.  Unfortunately right now we have no routine.  The beans are going into full ripen and fall mode and getting them to come in and eat hay and mush is a battle.  They are only getting about 3 or 4 hours access to Burroland each day, which they seem to think is unacceptable.  They get out about 1-2pm and are expected to show up for feeding around 5pm.  NOT HAPPENING..............!!!  John has to go over there 4 or 5 times and find a few at a time.  I've tried to show him how to do it effectively.......LOL  I go over with a riding crop, find Tula, start swinging the crop, jumping around like a mad woman, screaming at the top of my lungs.  She and all the ones with her, know it's time to go to the pens, and they take off at a rapid rate.  Along the way the others usually catch up, so I end up with the whole herd, running like their lives depend on it.  It's up to John and Doug to get them in the pens, because I've usually shot my wad on finding Tula and doing my "I'm going to kill you" dance, and end up slowly following them.  If I have to go find them, they better get moving.  John will find them and tell them to go.  So they go, but at their chosen speed.........maybe.  If we have to get involved in making them do, what they know they should do, from my point of view, it shouldn't be on their terms, they need to "fear" for their lives...........LOL

FIRST ANNUAL DONKEY RESCUE WALK

Last Saturday was a lot of fun.  We hauled the above loud mouth aka Beau one of our alumni down to Tombstone so he could be in the race.  None of us including Amy his "mom" knew how he would behave, because behaving isn't really his favorite thing.  He seemed to think challenging Zeke was what he needed to do.  When we left the race start area, Amy was looking for a tree to tie him too, her arms were getting tired.  We made jokes about all the yucca, cactus and rocks along the race route, that he could drag her thru........

We headed for Tombstone to set up our "kiss an ass" booth.  Mike at the Doc Holliday Saloon let us set up right in front of his door, which was in a high traffic zone for tourists.

Taken by one of the Tombstone Vigilettes

Taken by Grandma, Tina Eden
 

Pedro, costume winner, Tombstone Vigilette's picture

Zeke and Pedro in costume contest, by Joanne Rummel

A lot of people said they would bring their donkeys, but didn't.  We all had a great time, but it would have been even more fun with more participants.   Of course Beau would probably have lost his voice.  Maybe next year. 

Amy said he did just fine once they got moving, the race was about 3 miles, they said 2 1/2, but I'm pretty sure it was longer than that.  He came prancing into town leading the race and really seemed to enjoy all the attention.  

Cheyenne's little friend was with Cheyenne most of the day.  She's go off for a little while and pretty soon, she'd be back to pet Cheyenne and Cheyenne seemed to enjoy it as much as the little girl.  Pedro's outfit was a little more than Cheyenne could handle.  I think it was the chaps on his front legs............LOL  When she first saw him, she put her head under the panel and "escaped"  I wasn't there, but I guess she went to the middle of the street and just stopped, didn't know what to do.  John put his arms around her neck and someone came with her halter and she was OK to go back to the pen.  No more problems, I guess she decided he wasn't that bad.  

BlackJack had his admirers too.  We took Cheyenne because a lot of times children are afraid of the larger donkeys.  Cheyenne is only 32 inches tall, they are more comfortable with her.  I don't know how many people asked how old she is and were shocked when we said about 22 years old.  One of BJ's friends has a private donkey rescue just across the New Mexico state line.  Most of her donkeys are mammoths, even larger than BJ.  She said she has to stay off Craigslist, I think she has 26 which is more than we have.  I had heard about her, she seemed like a very nice person.  She said her husband usually says, "what's one more" when she finds one that needs a better home than they are in.  I've heard that from John a few times too...!!!  LOL

Still got Saddik, the dog that adopted us.  Saddik is Arabic for friend, and he is about the friendliest dog you could ever meet.  I doubt that he's 6 months old, smart as he can be, learns what's allowed and what isn't really quick.  We've got out feelers to rehome him, but aren't holding our breath.  He is such a good dog, I can't imagine why anyone would dump him, but I guess they did.  He doesn't seem to care, he's having a great time, running around, "helping" us.  He's not real sharp about the donkeys and has had a couple of close calls.  As far as the donkeys are concerned he doesn't belong here yet, and he blunders around in their space, much to their disgust.  They take after him and have kicked at him a couple of times, but so far he's been able to get away.  If one of the younger ones decides to really go after him, he better find something to hide behind or under, or we'll have a vet bill. 

BOOFER AND HIS NEW "DOO".........!!

Those of you that have been out here since last fall, might remember Boofer, the neighbor's dog that adopted us a few years ago.  It's a lot more exciting over here, there's always something going on, so this is where he stays 99% of the time.

This is a picture of him "helping" with one of the Open Houses a couple of years ago.  Rather hairy type cattle dog of some kind.  

Last fall he got into a massive amount of stick tights, that completely covered him below the ribs, front, back and everything in between.  He managed to pull out the ones he could reach, but his belly and rear end were so tightly matted, we wondered how he could even go to the bathroom.  Sometimes we could tell he could go, because that would also get caught up in the mess.  UGH!  

You might ask, "well why didn't we clip him?"  Because he is about 2 steps from being feral, never had been socialized or worked with, so all interaction with him, is on his terms.  He likes to be petted, and grin at you, but if you tried to control him or let him see something like scissors in your hand, he was gone in a flash.  

We gave up during the winter, because it gets too cold to clip him since he is an outdoor dog.  John started working with him a few weeks ago in preparation for warmer weather, by getting him to come into the garage.  Last week started out warm, so we made an appointment with the vet and borrowed her catch pole.  He use to be a growler and sneaky type, although we haven't seen that type of behavior for awhile, he certainly could revert under stress.  We figured the garage would help to contain him if necessary, while we got him in a crate.  John got him in the garage I waited outside until he yelled.  In I went and John had hold of his collar, but couldn't stuff him in the crate by himself.  We turned it up on the end and dumped him in.  

I had warned the clinic, so they were prepared to gas him in the crate and muzzle him before his date with destiny.  They called late in the afternoon, we went to pick him up and they said he was the sweetest thing, even set in laps while someone clipped him..............  WHAT......????  Maybe he knew they were helping him, or maybe being in a garage, crate, truck, clinic with strangers, put him off enough that he didn't know what to do.  I'm pretty sure if we had tried to clip him on his home territory, someone would have probably got hurt and it wouldn't have been him.  We took our large crate, you could put one of the mini donkeys in it I think and he rode home in the bed of the pick-up barking all the way.  Jumped out and seems to be enjoying his haircut. He sure looks different.......!!!!   

Of course as usual the weatherman was wrong and the next 4 or 5 nights were in the low 30's.  He won't go in the hay barn and he sure won't go in the garage for awhile, so he just laid out in the open and shivered until the sun got up.   Hopefully this year we can deal with it better.  

Yesterday we went down to Tombstone to plan for the Tombstone Annual Donkey Rescue Walk, May 9, 2015.  This the the 1st year of what they hope will be a yearly "party" to pay respect to donkeys/burros and maybe help the public realize how special they are. There will be a donkey race, which should be interesting.  One of the rules is the runner and the donkey have to cross the finish line together, not sure the donkeys will cooperate, but we'll see.  There will also be a fashion show, as in dress your donkeys up to be judged.  We are going to haul one of our alumni Rambo aka Bo down for that.  We tried to talk Amy into doing the race, but she tried working with him on leading and decided the fashion show might be easier.............LOL  

We are going to set up a kissing booth for anyone that would like to "Kiss an Ass Today".  We will take BlackJack and Cheyenne, one of the minis.  Sometimes the kids get intimidated by the bigger donkeys, but she is pretty little, so maybe they will be more comfortable with her.  Right now we're trying to figure out how to contain them.  They will be out in front of Doc Holliday's Saloon between the pavement and the boardwalk on a strip of dirt about 9 feet wide.  They can't be on the pavement or interfere with the stagecoach rides.  We were going to haul in corral panels, but they don't look like Tombstone, so we're talking about maybe making a pen with cedar fencing.  We'll check with Home Depot or Lowe's this week and see if its feasible.  There's a hitching post in the next block, but none where we will be.........SIGH...!!  

It should be fun, BlackJack especially has a soft fuzzy mushy muzzle everyone likes to play with and he likes it too......!! 

TODAY'S THE DAY.........!!!

DON'T KNOW WHERE OR WHEN, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE WORD WENT OUT THAT A PICTURE WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN...!!

My computer will be going to the "doctor" this morning.  He knows I want it back ASAP, but I would imagine that is the usual request by all his customers...!!  LOL  I don't know how long he will have it, he stays busy on calls during the day, and assume re-formatting gets done at night.  So it will take as long as it takes, I guess.

Everyone except BlackJack have on fly masks now.  It's still getting into the high 30's at night, so it will be awhile before I body clip Daisy and Quilla.  I hope their pergolide comes in the mail today.  I'm out for both of them, Daisy as of today and Quilla as of yesterday.  We only get mail 3 days a week, so if it doesn't come today, it will be Wednesday before the next mail delivery.  

Everyone else seems to be doing good.  This week-end is Earth Day and we will be sitting up a booth at Kartchner Caverns Saturday.  Of course it starts early for us, that have lots of hungry mouths to feed before we go anywhere.  So Doug and John are going to load up the boys, Ruger and Wister, along with all the "stuff" that goes with a booth and I will come later after feeding everyone else.  Actually I think feeding will be easier than set-up, so maybe I got the best deal after all.......!!!

I'LL BE BACK.........HOPEFULLY SOONER RATHER THAN LATER  

INTERESTING WEEK.........(aren't they all)......!!!

Doug is finally getting settled in, the sewer is the last to be installed and hooked up and they should get that done today.  Well except for internet, I have DSL with our land phone.  He doesn't need a land phone he like most people in the 21st century has a "carry round".  He's been told by the company that he gets his phone from, that we're in a dead zone, no signal.  They have extenders and different ways of boosting the signal I guess, so I have the local computer geek coming out Monday to see if he has any brilliant ideas.  

I was afraid Doug would get bored out here, but he says he doesn't think it will ever get boring. I think he's saying it's somewhat like a 3 ring circus...........LOL

Got Gus and Quilla home and they just fell right back into the routine, Gus lays down in his favorite dusting place in the afternoon and by the time John goes out to do round up, he's standing in his pen, wanting to know where supper is.  Quilla is Quilla, nothing fazes him.  I guess Vaska, one of Claire's horses was pretty upset, cried all night and laid down by the gate they went out when they left.  Haven't heard if he has settled down yet.  

Doug is really a lot of help, I have to hurry making up my feed pans, between him and John rounding up donkeys, it now takes less time and they end up having to wait for me.  Didn't take him long to figure out the routine, and who goes in what pen.

Janice is out this morning grooming donkeys.  She comes about once a month and usually gives everyone a "lick and a promise" at least.  Today she's probably going to have to spend more time on Rusty the mule.  He is really shedding a lot. If you touch him there is an explosion of white hair everywhere......!!! The white or light colored ones seem to start shedding first.  Well except for BlackJack, he doesn't shed much at all, must be that Poitou blood.   The donkeys, well most of them really appreciate getting groomed, although Gigi, Rosie and Penny can be stand offish.  I think she can usually groom on Penny a little bit.  Gigi is really evasive, unless you are outside the pen, with a cookie, then she's usually pretty friendly.  

Yesterday I noticed 2 of the cats were in the spa room, "observing" something right outside the window.  I also was hearing a squeaking sound about every 3 or 4 seconds, but couldn't really tell where it was coming from.  In my infinite wisdom and a lifetime of living with cats, my assumption was the squeaking sound was coming from where they were looking.  

This is a rock squirrel.  Yesterday afternoon,  he was just sitting there squeaking at the cats inside the window.  He wasn't in any hurry to leave, I went over to see what was there, went ALL the way to the other end of the house to get the camera, came back and he was still sitting and squeaking.  He finally saw me after I took the picture, and ran up a 4 inch pipe just to his left behind the wood.  Unfortunately for him, the other end of the pipe is buried in the ground......in other words no escape.  I went out the door to see if I could help, and the pipe was doing a little dance.  By the time I got back in the door, he had figured out how to back out and left at "warp" speed, I didn't even see which way he went. 

HAY DAY TODAY.......!!!

 One of BlackJack's relatives, look at those ears......!!! 

Today we got hay delivered.  I was really surprised it only went up about 60 cents a bale.  This time of year can really sock it to you, in price sometimes.  A truckload is lasting us about 5 months.  Amy that cleans pens, gets hay to feed her critters, so if that wasn't happening I guess a load would last us about a year.   Chris doesn't mind driving her squeeze out here to unload a split load, which is 1 trailer, out of 2 trailers, so that works out great.

Haven't heard from Diane on how Ruthie did without the boys, last night, so I assume no news is good news. I think I heard Wister bray a couple of times last night.  He hardly ever brays, so we aren't sure it was him, but it wasn't a bray we recognize.  This morning he was busy playing with Pancho before John went out, and later on he was playing with Ruger, so I don't think he is too traumatized.  Ruger might be a little shocked though, last night John saw Wister attempting to nurse on Ruger.  John said Ruger took off in a hurry........LOL

ODD COUPLE

 This morning before we went out for chores, the dogs were barking like they do, when the donkeys are running or playing.  Looked out and low and behold, it was Pancho and BlackJack........!!!  For one thing BlackJack doesn't usually play, it takes too much effort and for another, Pancho usually plays with Ruger or Wister.  I came in to get the camera to record this unusual occurance and of course as soon as they heard the door open, they quit.  I thought perhaps Pancho was the instigator, but BJ was going after him, if he quit.  At one time Pancho had hold of BJ's rather large jaw and was hanging on for all he was worth. 

 Resting up for round two

If you will notice, this cholla has some bright spots on the one upright twig.  I don't know how they do it, but right now quite a few of the donkeys are eating cholla.  Adding it to their usual diet of greasewood i.e. creosote bush, and prickly pear cactus.  When we first starting getting donkeys the vet told us nothing eats greasewood.  She should see what our one time abundant greasewood, looks like these days.  The bushes will struggle to survive, putting out fewer and fewer leaves until they just finally give up and die.  We love the smell of the greasewood after it rains, smells like the desert.  

I think this is Ruthie chowing down on a tasty cholla.......!!!! 

PEARS............????

One of the neighbor's gives out lots of fruit boxes to employees and clients and had a lot of pears left over this year.  He brought a few down a couple of times after Christmas.  Yesterday he called and asked if we'd like some more.  BlackJack is the only one that doesn't like them.  Of course he's the one that will eat chicken nuggets and pizza if given the chance.  He was raised with a little boy, consequently his eating habits needed a little tweeking when we got him. Everyone else thinks they are just fine. They are a little messy to put in their feed bowls, since the bowls are piled on top of each other for ease of carrying and ripe pears are rather soft. 

This time Larry brought probably 25 pounds of pears in assorted stages of ripeness.  I fed them last night and then remembered a friend has a pig she is fattening up for......... well you know.  I have a bet that this is not going to happen, she keeps talking about how cute he is and when it got cold I told her he needed a blanket.  So now he has a blanket.  Does this sound like she is going to be in charge of his murder and then eat the body........??  LOL

She will be here today, so I'm going to see if she thinks the piggie would enjoy the pears, I'm pretty sure he will, pigs don't turn down anything that can be eaten.  I guess I'm a terrible mom, not willing to go thru the mess so they can have a little treat.  Since they all should be on a diet if it wasn't so cold, I don't really feel too bad about cheating them out of a few goodies. Well, not much anyway.....!!!

Janice and a couple of friends are here today grooming and leveling out some dirt in the pens.   I don't know where the dirt goes, I guess it gets picked up with poo and pretty soon you have an indentation that has to have dirt hauled in with the tractor.  However it happens, I hate to step in the holes.  I was going to mention the "pee ponds", and actually did mention it a couple of days ago to John.  Didn't get a "that's a good idea" back.  They have to dug out with the backhoe until you get to a level that hasn't become saturated with pee.  Then it all has to be filled back in with fill from the wash.  Sha'ba and Max the horse had terrible pee ponds, I don't think either of them ever went anyplace else on the property. 

  Most of the donkeys have very good potty manners, at least for peeing, pooing not so much.  Frijolita is a prime example.  She has a pee pond right in the middle of her shelter, which isn't very big.  If we try to put her bunk in the shelter she will throw it out, because that's where her potty place is.  She will hold it till she gets to her spot.  Road apples, she's not so fussy about, she can string a line of poo 60 feet or more..........one at a time.  I've told John walking probably makes the system work better, he thinks she does it just to be irritating......!!!  LOL

THE SHOOT IS OVER.......!!

 MORNING PREPARATIONS

ALL DECKED OUT AND READY TO GO

 Well at least John and the donkey's part.  This group have been real nice, started on time, even if it was early, did the miner and donkey part early and it's not even noon yet.  John just brought BlackJack home and went back over to have catered lunch and to bring Cisco home when lunch is over.  I still don't know exactly what they are doing,  when I took Cisco over after I did chores, there were a bunch of people in western dress, running out of the church.  

 WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN

I was really impressed, when John and BJ came home I didn't know they were here until John came in the house.  He said he was going back over and I assumed he had left BJ tied at the feed room.  Imagine my surprise when I checked and BJ was wandering around and all the trappings were on the porch of the feed room.  Guess John was paying attention when I was bumbling thru putting the saddle on, at least enough to get it off.  I haven't checked yet to see if the straps and buckles were taken off on the left or right side.  For some reason John mentally, doesn't retain which side you work from on equines.  Thank goodness donkeys are really forgiving...............LOL

We went to watch our son run at the asphalt track in his modified last night.  He managed to finish the race, which sometimes is about the best you can do.  He is having "fun" getting the suspension set up.  Asphalt is not as forgiving as dirt when setting a car up, and to be competitive you have to get it right.  They have 2 more races before their season is over.  Hopefully over the winter he can get it figured out and have a good year next year.  He's actually in 6th place for end of the year points, so it hasn't been a total loss, even though it gets frustrating to go out there and not have the car set up properly. 

I don't race again until the 11th of October.  I think we have 6 more race dates.  I've dropped to 3rd for end of the year points.  I've got a good chance to take back 2nd, but first is pretty much unattainable.  Catching fire last race night and not having a good finish, really put me down on points.  It was going to be almost impossible anyway, I told John I wish the 1st place car would not be able to start the main some night, that would really help my position......!!  LOL  He seemed to think I would jinx myself, if I thought of that.  So I guess I just won't tell him what I'm thinking until the season is over............LOL

GOING TO THE MOVIES?

Well John and BlackJack aren't exactly going to the movies, they are going to be in a movie, tomorrow morning starting at 7am...........!!!  Why can't they start at a decent hour, like after chores are finished, chores are much more fun if two are doing them and only half the work.........!!!  LOL

BJ is the only one of us that has had experience packing, but it's been a long time, at least 15 years.  The pack saddle is not that old, but the straps are dried out.  There is nothing more frustrating than trying to work with leather straps that have the flexibility of a piece of metal.  John soaked them in water for 2 or 3 days and then slathered on as much Lexol as he could.  But it hasn't made much difference.  Of course all the straps needed to be adjusted since the last time it was used on obviously a larger animal.  

When I say he's the only one with experience, that is really important information.  Some of you know John was never around large animals until we got BlackJack.  He still has creative ways of putting on halters sometimes... and we won't even talk about tying a quick release knot.........!!!!  I had horses as a girl, BUT, that has been a LONG time ago.  My experience was with riding saddles, not even sure I ever saw a pack saddle up close. 

But the show must go on.  We put the saddle on BJ last week, but without all the "stuff" that hangs on it, like shovel, ditty bag, you know all those things miners use.............or at least to give the perception of things miners use. 

I wouldn't say BJ was the most patient victim, but then again it took us forever to get the straps adjusted and all the other donkeys were out doing donkey stuff and he knew it.  

I really surprised myself....I still remembered how to tie the cinch straps.  I would imagine most saddles now have buckles.  John was impressed, so was I............BJ.........not so much, I'm sure.  

Hopefully they will only be needed tomorrow, one movie that John, BJ, Cisco and Buddy Brat were in was only suppose to be one day, ended up 4 days of mostly standing around waiting and waiting some more.  

We were told it was going to be a Western, Zombie, Comedy............I don't even know what that is, although I said something to JR our grandson and his wife and they both laughed and seemed familiar with the concept.  I didn't even ask if they watch them, don't want to know.  But the latest we heard it's going to be a heavy rock video.......!!  I don't know anymore about that than the other, I'm afraid......!!!  LOL

Have a woman coming out to visit with Pepsi and Pancho next week, keep your fingers crossed.  Also had someone else interested in them, but they have 80 acres which would be a lot of acres for 2 little miniatures or in Pancho's case almost mini.  So I'm going to see if they might be interested in Ruthie, Wister and Ruger.  Eighty acres for 3 donkeys would be like donkey heaven, they wouldn't even need to be fed except for something to have them come in once or twice a day and check in.  The people have a large stable for their horses and some boarders, that all stay in stalls and paddocks, so all that land is going to waste from my point of view..........LOL

Doctoring is getting almost boring............YIPPEE....!!!  No leg wraps on anyone, the flies are respecting the Swat or Thuja zinc oxide. 

LOOKS LIKE AUTUMN IS FINALLY GETTING HERE

How do I judge that?  That lack of stable flies in my fly trap.  For some reason those particular flies seem to have a season.  I don't know if they need the protein for reproduction or what, but that would be my WAG if I was guessing.  With the reduction of stable flies, I'm starting to remove leg coverings and using Swat or Thuja Zinc Oxide instead.  I think we're all looking to the day when the fly masks get washed and put away and no more doctoring.  Not there yet, though.  

This time of year we have plants that have seed pods we've always called stick tights, probably because they travel around by sticking tight to anything they come in contact with.  We have at least 3 types and each one seems to have their own time to be a nuisance.  Obviously there is something tasty where this type grows, it might be the plant itself, I don't know.  Reba has had her nose buried in them for quite sometime, judging from the vast number of the little monsters on her mask.  The fuzzy material obviously is a great gatherer.  They have to be picked off..........one.....at a time..........SIGH!

This is one of the new masks Michele brought out to see how they will work.  The material is really slick and hopefully not as "friendly" to the stick tights.  So far, so good, she comes in with a few, but nothing like with the other mask.  The mask had ear covers, but I had to cut them off.  Reba has more ear than a horse would.........LOL  Besides she's not a fan of having her ears messed with, I would imagine at some time in her life her ears have been used to control her. Love the design..........thanks Michele.

Have a woman interested in coming out to visit with Pancho and Pepsi.  She recently lost a donkey she had for 15 years and said not only does her family miss him, but the neighbors too.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Right now Ruthie, Ruger and Wister are out on weed control duty, but the way our weeds are drying up, it probably won't be long until they come home.  So if we find a home for the 2 boys, we won't have to put up another pen, right now the pens are full. 

Pancho and Pepsi, dropped right in the herd, like they had never left.  Pepsi actually moved in with the other 3 minis.  They were a herd for years and he remembers.  Pancho hangs with them sometimes, although he also hangs out with some of the jennies.

Speaking of jennies, this morning Pepper was up on Penny trying to figure out what he was doing up there.  How the old buzzard can even get up there is amazing.  I asked John how he got down, we're always afraid he's going to fall and break something.  John said he just sort of slid down and his legs held him up.  He's in a good time right now, eating good, moving good for him, laying down on his left side, so he can get up.  He is such an interesting study, lately he's been coming in almost every time with the "A" team.  That's the fast movers with Tula in the lead.  It's a loose knit group, always Tula, Frijolita, Daisy and usually at least one of the boys, BlackJack, Boaz or Quilla.  It's amazing that Pepper can keep up, he's usually in a rear, but he hangs in there.