INTERNATIONAL DONKEY WEEK

When Mike & Zeke did the walk-a-thons to Tombstone to raise money for our donkeys, Mike's wife Teresa thought Donkey Appreciation Day was October 12th.  But we were told by a newspaper they couldn't verify that date.  We tried to find information but came up empty handed.  

Today I got an e-mail saying that the Donkey Sanctuary in England, the largest rescue in the world celebrates donkeys for a whole week.  So maybe it isn't as important as Grilled Cheese Appreciation Day or some of the other important days our Congress Critters spend time designating to the general public.........but......donkey people know, & appreciate these wonderful creatures every day all year long. 

Below, is an e-mail Patti sent out that covers all the bases about the Walk-a-thon this year.  We all had a great time last year & this year should be even better.  We'd love for everyone that can to come help us celebrate these wonderful creatures.  You couldn't ask for a better representative than Zeke.

Tish

From: Patti

Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 7:04 PM

To: Patti Woodbury Kuvik

Subject: Mike and Zeke Rescue Walk October 12th

Mike and Zeke (Zeke is the cute one with the long ears) are hitting the road again this year to raise money for Forever Home Donkey Rescue in Benson http://www.foreverhomedonkey.com/ and Care For The Horses in Sierra Vista http://www.careforthehorses.com/. The date is October 12th, Donkey Appreciation Day which falls on a Friday this year.

The Mike and Zeke Rescue Walk Community Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/mikeandzeke (you shouldn't have to "belong" to Facebook to see this page but if you do belong, please share with your FB friends).

The Rescue Walk will cover about ten miles starting from the ghost town of Fairbank (near Route 82 and the San Pedro River) ending at The Good Enough Silver Mine, 5th and Toughnut in Tombstone.

We'll provide a ride from Tombstone to meet up with Mike and Zeke for anyone who would like to walk the last few miles with them. We'll also provide a ride back to Fairbank if you want to park there and walk the whole route with Mike and Zeke. (We don't advise bringing your horse to ride as the route is mainly on highway.) Or you can walk a shorter stretch in between. Check the FB page for final confirmation of the route and a map of drop off/pick up points. And don't forget to wear you "Old West" duds!

We're asking people to consider helping out with a dollar a mile - more if you can, less if you can't. You can donate directly at https://www.facebook.com/mikeandzeke/app_18015191938?ref=ts

Mike and Zeke have long been part of Tombstone's "Old West" atmosphere and when you meet them their devotion to each other is obvious. They have done an activity together to raise money for charity every year on "Donkey Appreciation Day", October 12 - and if that isn't an official day we'll make it one in Arizona!

Put October 12 on your calendar. If you can walk part of the Rescue Walk with Mike and Zeke it will help the miles pass more quickly. But if you can't make it, follow them on Facebook with your "likes" and contributions.

Patti K in Vail

(who will be driving the red truck to shuttle walkers joining Mike and Zeke)

MIKE & ZEKE ARE READY TO GO AGAIN....!!

Last October 12th on Donkey Appreciation Day you might remember Mike & Zeke walked from Ft. Huachuca to Tombstone, Arizona to raise money for our rescue.  It was a lot of fun, & Mike's wife Teresa called today to let us know they are going to do another walk-a-thon this year for us, & also for  Care for the Horses, a local horse rescue that help a lot of horses in the area.  Don't have any information yet, except it will be Friday, Oct 12, not even sure where Mike & Zeke will walk from this time.  But they will end up in Tombstone.  Last year we took BlackJack & he actually behaved himself, so maybe we'll take him again this year.  

Of course this morning he went on my "not favorite list".  He actually spends quite a bit of time on that list, although not as much as he did years ago.  He's learned what he can get away with & what he can't, & for the most part stays in the boundaries.  

This morning a friend was driving in the gate & BlackJack made a break for freedom........!!!  I was in the house, but John saw what happened.  The friend came in & told me, so I took off in the golf cart to see if I could help.  I found them, BJ  was eating mesquite beans as fast as he could stuff them in, & John was standing watching him.......!!!! Hmmmm, I asked what was going on & was asked if I brought a halter & lead.  It seems that BJ had staked out where he planned on staying until the beans were all gone & wasn't moving for any reason.  A 4 foot limb whacked across his rather abundant rump changed his mind about moving (John & I have different approaches to unruly donkeys), but of course he didn't go the right direction.  

I went back to get a halter & lead.  Came back & here is John & BJ sauntering down the road like best buds.  John said when BJ stopped he let John walk up to him, & John put his belt around BJ's neck.  By the time I saw them, no belt, but John was sharing treats out of the "treat" pocket, & BJ was more than happy to mozy along beside John.