BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, on a regular basis........!!!  Donkeys have a way of showing you your limitations, which is what makes them such wonderful souls.

 

We're going this afternoon to do Pancho's home study.  I'm pretty sure Boaz will not mourn his departure.   Pancho has always been very aggressive about the girls.  When one is cycling, he takes over everything going on outside.  He plants his little body right next to his "lady" and woe be any of the other donkeys that get close to them, especially the other geldings.  Boaz has never really accepted Pancho being the big guy, although in the last year or so, he's pretty much taken the "WHATEVER" attitude, when Pancho starts lunging and screaming obscenities, not to mention kicking with purpose.  

Yesterday when we were getting ready for evening chores, John noticed Boaz was dropped and his little buddy was bloody.  Too early for fly damage, and it looked suspiciously like someone had bitten it.  When we do tours we usually explain how jacks fight and will go for the neck, spinal cord, legs, ears, eyes, they pretty much fight to do as much damage as possible.  We usually don't talk about this particular fighting technique, but it is one they use, if their opponent is stupid enough to let it all hang out, so to speak.  I can only assume Boaz gave Pancho a opening and Pancho took it.  

I had always thought that going out with another gelding would be good for Pancho, but I've changed my mind in recent months.  I think him having his own girl with no competition might be best for him.  The couple spend a lot of time with their animals, and he is very people orientated, so he'll enjoy all the attention.  

The weather right now is almost perfect, cool nights with warm sunny days, wish it would stay this way.  Actually, I really hope this isn't the beginning of an early summer, when they start talking about 90 degrees, this early in the season, it's not that far to 100........!!!  

Yesterday I noticed mouse turds on the counter in the feed room.  Years ago we had trouble with mice coming in on a tree branch hanging over the roof, too close to a crack.  A very tiny crack, some of these desert mice probably don't weigh an ounce, they are tiny.  But all the tree limbs are cut, so we are trying to figure out how they are getting in.  One night a few days ago, the Dutch door was open after dark and we've always known that is a super highway into the feed room.  But that's been days ago.  John set the live trap and caught one last night, reset the trap and this morning a mouse had been in the trap, ate half an animal cracker and still didn't trip the trap.   I told you they are tiny.......!!!  So for the next few nights he'll set the trap and we'll make sure the Dutch door is closed at night, hopefully we'll clean them out again.  

We still have one in the van, have had for years.  I'm pretty sure getting in the van is a family tradition trained from generation to generation, and we have never been able to figure out how they get in there.  They don't live in there, but any time there is edibles left over night, they chew holes and eat whatever it is, usually feed of some kind. 

PANCHO MIGHT HAVE HIS FOREVER HOME......!!

A couple of days ago I received an e-mail that gets sent out to all the equine rescues in Arizona, whenever there is a special situation, like owner going in hospital, animals need rehomed, need emergency hauling, anything that might be helped by the rescue community in Arizona all knowing about it.  

Bonnie and Clyde were adopted from an Arizona rescue a few months ago and were doing great, until the woman went out a few mornings ago and Clyde had died in the night.  Probably his heart, this seems to happen with donkeys more than you would think.  We've had 2 and also a horse, basically drop dead or die in their sleep while laying down.  

Although the people have an Arab and a mini horse, Bonnie is very lonely, so the emergency call went out for a male donkey.  Hopefully, this is  Pancho's destiny.  He has been in foster care, he also was in a home and proved to be too smart for his own good, as far as escaping to go visit the neighbor's grass, and was returned to us a couple of years ago.   

The people came out today to see him.  He was really busy trying to keep the other boys away from Tula, but was friendly enough that the people want to add him to their family.  We will do a home study Tuesday and then we will haul him later in the week.  We could probably take him when we do the home study, but I'd rather not, even though it would save us a trip.  They gave all the right answers, I know their vet and they've had the same farrier for 20 years.  

Should be a great forever home for a very personable little donkey.  This will actually put us below our self imposed limit for the 1st time in a LONG time, makes me almost afraid to answer the phone.!!!  LOL

Courtney is coming out this week, to assess Gus' front feet.  He seems to be slowing down, so he might need the casting material put on again.  His heels have to be so "over the top" tall, he might just need to be trimmed a little bit.  I leave that decision to Courtney, she's kept him going when most farriers would have said they couldn't do anything else.  I don't think "can't" is in her vocabulary, she also kept old Pepper going for years, we ended up with John and I holding him up on 3 legs, when she would trim him, he was so frail.  It was just about this time last year when we finally had to say goodbye to the old man, his legs just finally gave out.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed about Lynn's tooth.  I don't worry about it falling out, I worry about it getting infected, as loose as it is, there's plenty of gaps to get food caught around it.  We'll keep a close eye on her, until Dr. Debra comes back down the 1st week of March.  

Got to get her in "cuteness" shape.  Kartchner Caverns got in touch with me, to take donkeys out for Earth Day, April 16th. Last year we took Ruger and Wister and they were a big hit.  I had planned on taking BlackJack and Frijolita this year, but was requested to bring minis.  I didn't even remember talking about minis, but obviously someone in the park system did...!!!  We are going to take all 4 of the minis, so there will be no waiting to pet.  Actually minis are usually really popular, they are small enough to not be threatening to people that have never been around large animals.  Children especially are more comfortable around them. 

NO PICTURES TODAY

I'm not sure what is going on with my blog.  For some reason it won't let me download pictures from my computer, which is what I usually do.  Instead it wants me to sign in with Google and download from my on line account................HUH.........????  Didn't know I had one and that isn't what I want to do anyway.......!!!  So I'll just press on and hopefully I'll be able to figure out what is going on.  

After the Great Garage Caper, John did find some damage.  One of his racing posters disappeared except for the 4 thumbtacks at each corner and a little bit of the poster that was under the thumbtacks.  Who to blame, who to blame..............Rosie was there and she is our alternative eater of wood a paper.  What's really funny is she didn't leave a scrap, she at the WHOLE thing, about 2' x 3'......!!! LOL  

Actually weight wise everyone is doing pretty good right now.  Most of their mesquite bean access has disappeared, and the only ones still obese are the usual, the a fore named Rosie, Coquette and Buddy Brat.  I am going to continue trying to get weight off those 3, but I think it is a lost cause, unless I starved them, which I won't do.  It also would be dangerous because of hyperlipidemia, where the liver releases fat into the blood stream and basically suffocates them.  

Thursday we will take Penny and Daisy to have their teeth done.  Penny is going for a follow up appointment and Daisy has been quidding a little bit.  She's about 30 years old more or less and hasn't been checked for a few years.  We're trying to decide whether to take Coquette with us or not.  She is permanently attached to Penny as her BFF...... to the point of being absolutely skitzo if Penny gets out of her sight.  I can imagine what she would be like, if we put Penny in a trailer and hauled her out the gate.  John's afraid she will stress too much.  We've actually taken Penny a couple of times and Coquette was OK when we got home, so I don't see it as a problem.  We'll see how it plays out I guess.  

We are also getting ready to take Jake back to his home.  He's the young BLM ex-jack that had been a herd boss, until last spring, when he was captured, gelded and actually adopted by a couple along with his whole family of 5 jennies and 2 weanling jacks.  Of course the girls were PG and we were afraid the babies would get hurt if Jake had not forgotten his JOB...........!!!!  So he's been here about 2 months, while the 3 new little jacks, get a little bigger and stronger.  Jim says the 3 little ones, usually hang out as their own little herd, and not as attached to their mommas, as they would be if they were by themselves with just momma to play with.  Jim says the mommas don't even care if they wander off.  Jake actually isn't real hormonal, at least not as much as Pancho.  Pancho becomes a little tiger when the girls cycle.  Sometimes he and Boaz will spar a little, so far Jake just watches the show.  He's really a nice, well behaved young man.  We had waited for awhile because there is still one jenny that hasn't had a baby, but she isn't acting like she's going to.  I'm sure if she is PG, as soon as we haul Jake home she'll have her baby........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.......!!!! 

GRADUATION DAY FOR GIGI.........!!!

Well Tyler is giving it a try.  This is little Gigi's shoe off her right front foot.  It will be a year next month, since we picked her and Rosie up, to keep them from being shot and buried.  

This is what her feet looked like when we picked her up.

 This is how her feet look today

As long as she doesn't start trying to turn that right front foot backwards, she won't have to wear the shoe again.  The other 3 feet although they looked pretty gnarly last year, never tried to turn backwards or anything like that.  She still isn't a very good candidate for farrier care........LOL  Let's put it this way, every time Tyler comes he seems to think she should be friendlier.  I think that on a regular basis too, but so far she's not interested in giving up her independence.

This morning John almost had a mess.  Coquette is trying to entertain the boys and this morning when John was putting everyone in their pens, she came into Pepper's pen, which is beside her pen.  Pepper picked up on the subject and started trying to figure out his plan of attack.  Unfortunately Pancho was also at the ready.  John said it didn't take long for Pancho to decide to get rid of the competition, by lunging at Pepper with his mouth open.  John started yelling, I asked him if he threw himself in front of Pepper to protect him.  Guess not, looking at a mouthful of donkey teeth seemed to make him think yelling would take care of the problem, luckily it did.  Well except for Pepper, he was still trying to figure out his next move once Pancho left the area..........!!! 

MY NEW BEST FRIEND........!!!

Well, maybe not my best friend, but I've been watching her build a magnificent web, and catching snacks for her larder for the last couple of weeks.  She's on the courtyard, where I soak Cisco's hay every morning and night, so we have a lot of contact.  She doesn't even move when I'm in the area.  One morning I came out after a low of 41 degrees and she was hanging on the web, like above.  I touched her and she didn't move, so I was afraid she had gotten too cold.  But later in the morning after she had a chance to warm up, she was running all over the place.  I haven't seen her early in the morning again, so assume, she got caught out that night and is making sure it doesn't happen again.  

I think everyone is enjoying the cooler weather, less flies, less doctoring.......although the donkeys are still wearing their fly masks and need them.  Less flies doesn't mean, NO flies unfortunately.

This morning while I was languishing in bed and putting some thought into getting up, I heard a large bird run into one of the bedroom windows.  We've actually had less bird strikes this year than we usually have, which is good.  Large birds are REALLY loud when they hit.  I got up to look and right below the window was sitting a Sharp-Shin hawk.  As soon as he saw me he move away but stayed on the ground, so I assumed he had hit the window, which is unusual.  Birds of prey rarely strike the windows.  I stood real still, but he still knew I was watching him, so I moved to another window to sneak a peek.  He went back right underneath the window with purpose, picked up a dove, which was what had hit.  A Sharp-Shin is a small hawk, not much bigger than a dove, and he had a hard time getting off the ground, but he finally made it.  We've had hawks learn to fly birds into the windows, makes hunting a lot simpler for them, I'm sure.  One time John's sister was complaining about the prey birds hanging around where she fed the birds.  John's nephew told her "well it is a bird feeder you know".........she was not amused.............LOL

Had a lady come out to visit with Pancho and Pepsi.  She has a rescue heart, already has a "family" of them from what she said, including a blind weanling horse.  He was born with cataracts, has been checked, and there is nothing that can be done to give him even minimal sight.  She really liked the boys, but on second thought, decided her plate is pretty full, she also works.  I appreciate her putting thought into making a long term decision and deciding not to adopt.  Pancho has been in 2 homes in a little over 2 years, for no reason except people changing their minds, basically........no commitment to making it work. 

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. 

PANCHO AND PEPSI ARE BACK

 Pancho is a large mini or small standard and Pepsi is a pretty small mini

I got a call from Judy Saturday asking if we would take Pancho back.  Originally these people had taken Ruger and Pancho and after about a year, called to see if they could trade Ruger for another donkey.  Ruger had discovered dry dog food on the porch and was going thru their fence to get out and they weren't willing to improve it.  They came out and decided little Pepsi might be OK, so we traded Ruger for Pepsi.  

This time it took less than a year before Pancho started getting out and going over to the neighbor's.  Judy said she thinks he enjoyed the walk back home and the treats he got along the way.  Probably so.  They said they'd keep Pepsi, but I told them we would have to take them both back, because we never leave a donkey in a one donkey home and they agreed.  

They actually loaded pretty good considering there wasn't a small pen to corral them and it seems they have been allowed to get away with evasive behavior.............as in "I don't think I want you putting that halter on me"............LOL  But it wasn't too bad and once they figured out the "jig" was up, they pretty much gave up.  

They are in really good shape, not fat like everyone else on our property.  I'd like to find another home for them as soon as possible.  Unfortunately almost all my calls lately have been people looking for home for their donkeys, or people wanting one donkey as a horse companion, which we don't do, unless it's a donkey that has already been a horse companion and is confused about who they want as a buddy.  We've had 3 over the years that preferred horses. 

I raced Saturday night............!!!  Won my heat race, but the main event was a little rough.  Actually it was a whole lot rough.....!!!  LOL

On the 2nd lap there was a wreck in front of me and I had to stop on the track or plow thru it, which would have been really rude.  Because I stopped, I got plowed into which ruined the trailing arm on the left rear. 

This is the trailing arm, I might add trailing arms are usually straight.  John and some others had to take it off, just to get the car up on the trailer, because the wheel wouldn't go around.  I drove the rest of the race with the wheel and accompanying flat tire not rotating at all.  

Because I stopped on the track to avoid hurting or killing someone, they put me in the back on the restart.  I had worked my way back up to 7th, when something happened on the back straight away, haven't seen the video yet, so don't really have a clue.  I just know it was messy and my car ended up on fire.  The firemen got all excited, because I wasn't getting out quick enough.  I was afraid they were going to reach thru the window opening and drag me out, so I really tried to hurry, I really did. They have to realize I don't move as quick as some of those kids do......!!! LOL  Raised the hood gave it a couple of squirts with the extinguisher, and it was ready for the wrecker to haul it back to the pits. 

John hasn't had a chance to look it over, but so far besides the trailing arm, and tire, the radiator is u-shaped, which wiped out the 2 cooling fans for the radiator.  The fire was electrical, so it will have to be rewired, just don't know how extensive yet.  

As soon as John can get the front cut off, we'll drag it into our son to rebuild the front. 

 The white blob in the back window opening is actually the rear bumper cover.  I'm not sure when it got lost don't know if someone picked it up or if it was dragging.  When you are in one of these "adventures" you don't have a real good idea of what really happened, until you see the video.  The people that used to put videos on you-tube  aren't at the dirt track anymore, so I'll have to wait until Video Bob sends me a copy later in the week to figure it out.

RUGER IS BACK, PEPSI WAS CHASING THE DOGS WHEN WE LEFT

 FOR ANYONE THAT CHECKED THIS ENTRY, THE REST OF THIS "STORY" COMPLETE WITH 2 PICTURES WAS HERE YESTERDAY.  I GUESS COMPUTER GREMLINS ATE IT.  I'LL TRY AGAIN.........!!!

Doug and his son Conor, came over this morning as planned to go on our adventure of the day.  We got a late start, which isn't all that unusual.  Feeding, doctoring, trying to chase why the lights aren't working properly on the trailer and pretty soon the morning is gone....!!!  Pepsi wasn't really sure he wanted to get in that trailer, at the same time we were having to fight off Justin, Wister and Molly.  Justin has always thought a trailer was a toy.  Finally Doug and Conor, literally picked Pepsi's rear end and pushed him into the trailer.  We're lucky he isn't a mammoth I guess......!!!!  LOL

Got there and they had a halter on Ruger and he was ready to meet and greet.  From the way they had described his independence and not being cooperative, we weren't really sure what to expect.  But he was his usual friendly curious self, just like I remembered him.  

We just let Pepsi out in the yard, before meeting Pancho in the pasture.  Actually Pancho was off somewhere visiting with the neighbor's horses probably and wasn't even in sight.  

Got Ruger lined up with the trailer and he pretty much self loaded, while Pepsi entertained the 3 family dogs.  Not sure the dogs were too thrilled, but he was having fun lowering his head and running at them.  

Just about that time Pancho must have figured out something was going on, because here he came, running down the hill to the fence.

 This is Pepsi and Pancho getting acquainted.....!!!

 JOHN AND CONOR GIVING PEPSI A LAST ANIMAL CRACKER

Right now Ruger is in a pen by himself.  We had to put Boaz in with Ruthie and Wister last night.  Our extra panels have been loaned out for about 6 months and we were hoping they would come back before we needed them..............NOT...!!!  We talked about feeding Quilla outside by the feed room.  But he really likes his pen.  We've tried in the past to feed BlackJack outside, but he is entirely too helpful when it comes to delivering hay to everyone.  This arrangement worked just fine, Boaz had his bunk and didn't bother Ruthie and Wister's.  

We'll probably let Ruger out today, and the long term plan is to feed him and Wister together so they hopefully will bond.  They are full brothers, and would make a good couple to adopt out together.

SUNDAY MIGHT BE AN ADVENTURE

The couple that has Ruger and Pancho came out yesterday afternoon to see if they could find a replacement for Ruger.  I don't think the man is that enthralled with donkeys, but his wife seems to really like them.  She wants to keep Pancho and decided that little Pepsi might be a good fit. 

 

This is Pepsi looking into the courtyard trying to figure out if it's worth getting yelled at, to go into the "forbidden" territory.  

He's been here for about 6 years, he came in with Shag a beautiful little bay mini horse.  They were both overweight and 11 days after they got here, Shag broke a rear leg above the hock and had to be euthanized.  He had been born with a club foot and a weak rear leg, which is the one that broke.  He was having too much fun running around I guess.  

I think Pepsi and Pancho will get along very well, they are both pretty laid back and not demanding.  Very unlike Ruger probably has become.  It sounds like he's pretty well done what he wanted to do for the last year.  I thought they'd been gone for 2 years, but they went out the 3rd of Dec 2012.  We've taken back others from similar circumstances and it's like starting all over again, they don't really think you should be in charge, after so long of doing their own thing.  

The problem Sunday will be, if he hasn't had a halter on, he's not going to be the least bit interested in having one on.  I have called the people and asked that they put a halter on him, so we'll see if that happens.  They don't have a little pen available, so whatever we can do to not get him riled up will be a help.  I've walked them down before but I think the area he is in is about 3 or 4 acres, I'm getting too old for this..........!!!!!   LOL

Doug is up for another adventure after going out to visit Mike and Teresa the other day, I guess he said he will go along to help.  

Woke up to a drizzley rain this morning, and it drizzled off and on all morning.  So far we've had more drizzle than rain, but in the desert we'll take what we can get.  I hope by Sunday it clears up.  

This is what Ruger looked like when he left, I'm anxious to see what he looks like now.  Wister is more of a roan, even though they are full brothers.  Ruger better not think he should be in charge, because Boaz who is his daddy will put him in his place, real quick. 

GOT TO SEE SOME PRETTY DONKEYS YESTERDAY

Yesterday we went out to see the new girl in Zeke's family.  Mike and Teresa took Victoria out of a bad situation.  She had been in a small pen with 2 other donkeys since she was born 7 years ago, and wasn't being properly fed.  Lettuce is not good food for donkeys and food value wise doesn't do much for anyone.  The owner said they could have her, so they scooped her up and took her home to Zeke and Gypsy Rose.  

She's very thin, which they are working on.   She also has a popping noise in her hind legs when she moves.  My "WAG"  (Wild Ass Guess) is, because of a lack of exercise when she was a growing baby, her bones and ligaments probably didn't grow evenly.  Hopefully with adequate food  and exercise to build up some muscle, the problem will go away.  It doesn't seem to bother her motion and she can run.  She has some mammoth in her, although she's not 54 inches tall, so is classified as a large standard.  Mammoths sometimes have growing problems anyway, but her structure isn't all that bad.  Compared to Jenny's confirmation, Victoria will look really good once she puts on some weight.  

 

This is Gypsy Rose with Zeke in the background.  Gypsy isn't quite as gregarious as Zeke, although she did appreciate attention.  Mike said after all these years she still won't allow anything on her back.  

This is Mike, Zeke, Doug a good friend that went with us, Teresa, hiding behind the corral panels and John, all hanging out telling stories.  We really had a nice visit, Mike and Teresa are such good people.

This is Zeke giving Teresa a smooch, he can be quite a ham when he wants to.  I think they said he will be in Tombstone this week-end, so the tourists can see what wonderful animals donkey are.  They said he loves to go to town and see all the people.  Gypsy Rose is a stay at home type of gal, at least now with Victoria there, she will have companion when Zeke is "out and about". 

Our gang are all doing really well right now, I don't care for winter, but it certainly is a good thing for donkey health.  

Looks like we will be getting Ruger back.  He and Pancho went out to a "forever" home 2 years ago with an older couple.  We got a call this week, to see if we had any suggestions on how to keep him in the fenced in area.  They have 2 strands of smooth wire and 2 strands of electric fence.  He got out awhile back and discovered the dog bowls on the back porch.  For some reason dog food is like ambrosia for donkeys, they love the stuff.  Since then he won't stay in.  My suggestion was barbed wire.  The man won't use barbed wire on his property, so we are at an impasse.  Pancho stays in, he has a very mild temperment, and hasn't discovered the dog food I guess.  I have to call them this afternoon and see what we're going to do.  Obviously they haven't bonded with Ruger or they wouldn't want to give him up,  and I don't think his education has continued.  The woman said she gets after him with a fly swatter, but hasn't used it, because she doesn't want to hurt him............!!!!!!   Oh! dear!  guess who's in charge of this operation....???   She should see me cut a swatch thru the herd with a quirt or bat when needed.  We only have 2 geldings that could go out, but I'll have to find out if they really want donkeys in the future.  We may also get Pancho back.......................SIGH! 

This afternoon we  picked up Ellyn & Dick in Sonoita & headed out to do the home study for Pancho & Ruger "ie" Lefty. 

It's almost perfect burro country, about 3 acres of hilly rocky ground with a nosy Arab mare & 3 dogs.  So we headed to the other side of Sonoita to pick up the boys from their foster home.  Sonoita is basically an intersection out in the middle of grasslands, so going from one side to the other isn't very far.  In fact as a crow flies they are probably less than 2 miles from where they were.

Their foster mom has changed her days at work, & actually was home today.  Probably a good thing, since Pancho had a different type of day planned I guess.  Dick & Ellyn even got to tug & pull as we tried to get Pancho in the trailer.  For a little guy, he certainly was determined, but so were we.  Ruger was just a goofy little guy, pretty much ready to "go along to get along".  

We got them in their pen, & they got busy exploring the new territory, basically ignoring people, dogs & the silly mare.  She's a beautiful Arab mare, very friendly, loves people............BUT.........once the donkeys hit the ground, she totally focused on them, almost ran me down.  I tried twirling a rope to back her up, & obviously she had never had that rather "rustic" training method used on her, since it didn't even faze her........!!!  So I made sure I was close to a bush or tree, just in case, she came flying thru again.  

The dogs went out in the pen with the donkeys & everyone seemed to get along just fine, & before we left the mare & the donks had touched noses thru the fence, so I think they'll fit right in. 

Ruthie, John & the neighbor's dog Boofer entertaining visitors at the Open House this week-end

The weather was great, we didn't have as many people as we have had in other years, but everyone seemed to have a good time,  & the donkeys got lots of attention.  One man brought his own apples, which were a huge hit with the "fur" kids.  Jenny got to the point where she wouldn't take timothy pellets, if that's all they had to offer.  When the man brought out the apple, she had no problem taking that.........!!!! 

I want to thank, Linda, Georgette, Ian, Patti & Mae for all their help.  Couldn't have done it without you guys.  Besides we don't ever see enough of ya'll, it makes a good time to visit in between people coming to see the donkeys.  

Ruthie started yelling as soon as she saw people & Boaz learned to trot from one side of his pen to the other, as the people moved along.  Most of the people were more than willing to give him more treats or pet him, which he figured out real quick.  

One woman came that was here a couple of years ago, & got Tula to take a treat from her hand.  I think over the years Tula has done that 3 times, always from a woman.  But she wouldn't do it this time.  

I got a big surprise, when I looked up & saw a friend from Missouri, Ellyn & her husband Dick.  Ellyn was our bridesmaid when we got married 51 years ago......!!!  They've been out here before, but we didn't know they were coming this year.  They've gone on quite a few adventures with us, picking up donkeys or hay or whatever else we're doing.  They are more than willing to jump into the fray, so to speak.  Tomorrow they are going to go with us to do a home study for Pancho & Ruger.  If the home checks out, which I think it will we'll go pick up the boys & haul them to their new home, which is pretty close to where they are being fostered.  The people are horse people so they know what shelter & fences means,  I'm sure there won't be any problems.   

You might notice the blog looks a little different...............FINALLY.........!!  I have been ready to do some changes with the blog for a LONG time, but didn't know how to do it & was afraid to mess up what I already had.  After we got thru with the Open House, got the animals fed, & had something to eat ourselves, Patti, worked on my blog to bring it into the 21st century, so to speak.  I doubt that it will ever be "nifty neato", but it looks a lot more interesting now, & she showed me some things I can do to make it better.  

Everyone was glad to get out of their pens tonight, but I would imagine tomorrow they will be expecting more Open House with people.  It doesn't take them long to settle into a new routine, especially if food is involved, but I'm sure when the gates open, they'll be more than happy to head out for a day of munching on the mesquite trees. 

Well it looks like I'll be having cataract surgery on one eye next month.  If I like the results then I'll have the other one done later.   I've never been able to understand why things start so early in the morning, like wars & surgery.  Shouldn't doctor's get to do their work at a decent hour?  I remember reading war stories when the pilots met for their take off briefing at 4am.  Are they trying to sneak up on the enemy?  If so, why did they usually find planes from the other side flying around too.  A nice 7am wake up call sounds better to me. 

When I have to be in Tucson at  6:45am it's going to make doing chores a real challenge.  John's about decided to drive me in, come home, do chores, come back & get me.......!!!  The woman making the arrangements looked at us, & said "that's going to be a lot of driving".  REALLY......???  But she still put me down for 6:45am..............LOL

Heard from Pancho & Ruger's mom.  She said they seem to be adjusting just fine, & Ruger tried to go to work with her this morning.  I assume that means he was at the gate when she was trying to get out.  When we were there yesterday, I noticed the driveway gate might be a problem, so I told her not to panic if they do get out, because it's probably going to happen.  

Haven't heard from Karla how BlackJack & Boaz are doing.  I'll probably try to call her tomorrow & see if they've lifted their heads yet.  

We're trying something different with Buddy Brat & his weight problem.  We had been leaving him in the pens, & feeding him a minimum amount of hay.  If he's lost any weight it wasn't much.  

There is a train of thought, that if you cut too much food their body goes into starvation protection & hangs onto every calorie, & they really don't lose weight.  John got the idea of feeding him a bare minimum of hay, less than 2 pounds a day & we're still soaking it.  But let him out to roam & browse on brush, he will get exercise & hopefully not find enough to gorge himself.  We're watching his neck crest & if it starts to get harder we'll have to come up with another plan.  He is really a challenge, he needs to be on a complete dry lot, but if his body is clutching on what calories he's taking in, not sure a dry lot would even work.  

Jenny definitely has an abscess, hopefully that's all the problem she has.  I soaked it again this morning, I want to make sure it stays open, so it can drain.  So far it hasn't drained much.  She's putting a little more weight on it.  The more she walks on it, the faster the infection will work out, so hopefully she'll continue to improve.  

Something bit or stung Quilla on his sheath a few days ago.  His sheath & belly swelled up pretty bad, all the way to his chest, & about 3-4 inches thick, poor guy.  I started him on Tucoprim Friday.  Over the years I've had others that had the same type of swelling & the vet had me give them Tucoprim. 

Both Cisco & Gus have something going on with the front of their hind legs.  There's a serum type stuff oozing out of their legs.  If I comb thru the hair I end up with a gooey mess on the comb & they don't like me doing it.  I assume it probably hurts.  The gooey mess looks like skin that's been in water too long.  I'm using thuja zinc oxide on Gus & Ironwood Horse Medicine with baking powder on Cisco, to see if either will help.  If by tomorrow one or both isn't better, I'll call the vet & haul one or both for a "lookie see". 

Yesterday we took BlackJack & Boaz to their grass & weed control "job".  They both came out of the trailer, with their heads down & jaws moving.  I hope they slowed down after awhile, or we'll have to bring them home.  Karla & Rodney know equines & know what to look for if they start gaining weight.  They said the horses they've had before never had a problem, & came off dry lots & a hay diet. 

Today it was Pancho & Ruger's turn.  As you can see they know the drill, although they did spend a few minutes roaming around, looking to "see what they could see".  Then the heads went down.  I briefed Trina on what to watch for, in case they pig out.  Ruger is young enough he can probably get away with indulging, but Pancho is 9 years old & proned to being "fluffy".  

That gorgeous building behind them is a 7 stall mare motel, that Trina is probably going to sell.  Sigh!  I "really really" don't need it, but it sure is pretty.....!!!!!  LOL

This was the view we had as we left, I'm not even sure they knew we were gone.........brats........!!!  They were off to see what else they could find on 5 acres. 

Jenny is having some problems with her foot right now.  Courtney thinks it "might" be an abscess, I sure hope so.  Her foot is so compromised I'm afraid if she has anything go wrong with it, we won't be able to fix it.  

I've soaked it the last 2 mornings, & there is a soft spot below the coronet, so hopefully it is an abscess.  The foot itself looks really good, Georgette was out this morning when I was doctoring & saw it in person for the first time.  She said it looked much better than the pictures I put on the blog, & I have to agree, it's hardened off & wasn't bothering her at all until a few days ago, when she went 3 legged lame. Keep your fingers crossed or however you can send good thoughts for Jenny.

Pretty quiet around here right now.  Everyone seems to be doing pretty good, we're getting ready to haul Boaz & BlackJack Saturday & Ruger & Pancho Sunday.  Courtney is coming this afternoon to do some trimming, we'll make sure all 4 of those boys get trimmed if they need it.  

Of course Jenny will get trimmed.  Her front foot that has a big chunk missing, is breaking off more big chunks.  Could be why she is no moving around very much.  I would imagine it feels somewhat like having a fingernail really really short & into the quick.  Might have to put a boot on her for awhile, poor girl.  Seems like if it isn't one thing it's another.  

Had 2 real nice women come out this morning.  One of them has a store in Tubac, & the other one is an artist.  They took lots of pictures of the donkeys & already have plans to do some drawings & make some notecards.  They said they'd send me some, can't wait to see some of my "kids" on notecards..........!!!! 

I know this isn't very exciting to anyone else but me but, JOHN FOUND A KIA MOTOR IN TUCSON...........YIPPEE......!!!!  Actually found 3 of them, a friend that works on imported Asian cars, found them for us.  One of them was a great price, but had 250,000 miles on it.  John figured I'd blow that one up real quick, so opted for the more expensive, less mileage option.  It's in the back of the pick-up waiting to be hauled to another friend to help John change motors.  John has over 50 years experience with chevy V-8 motors.  I don't think he knows what the inside of a 4 cylinder import looks like.  So he wants someone that knows more about the subject to lead him thru the process.  

Anyone that thinks racing isn't a team sport doesn't know much about racing.  Our grandson destroyed the drive shaft on his Super Stock, Saturday night.  Two pits down from us was a guy that owns a driveshaft shop in Tucson.  They had one built by 1pm Sunday afternoon for J.R. so he could run Sunday night.  Reminds me of the time John loaned the gas tank out of his race car to another racer.......!!!!  LOL

POITOU (The dreadlock donkey)
 

This morning we changed Jenny's foot bandage in her pen for the first time, rather than taking her up to the garage.  John put down a piece of plywood, & she was still eating her hay, so she actually stood still.  

The foot is still doing good, although she seems to be moving slow & ouchy.  Can't really tell which foot or feet are bothering her, could be all 4, since all of her feet are compromised.  Courtney is suppose to come Wednesday to trim her & whoever else needs it, so hopefully that will make her more comfortable.  

We did home studies today for BJ & Boaz's foster home.  They will have a job description, grass & weed control.  As soon as the "mowing" is done, we'll go pick them up.  It looks like they will have a lot of variety in their diet, certainly won't need any hay that's for sure.  

Then we checked out Ruger & Pancho's foster home at Sonoita.  We had instructions on how to get there &  at the last turn, there was a gorgeous mare motel on the corner.  Imagine my delight to find out that is the property where they are going.  We got out of the van & headed straight for the mare motel for a "look-see".  The place was a foreclosure, Trina has only been there 3 weeks, so there is some neglect, but it's really a nice 7 stall motel with a huge tack room.  Trina said she's going to try to sell it, I would imagine it's worth a lot of money & she said she would never use it.  I doubt the donkeys would appreciate it anyway.  They will also have access to natural food, at least until the monsoons are over & everything dries up.  Lots of tumbleweeds , Trina was disappointed when I told her they won't eat them.   

Dragging my poor little race car to the track, went really well last night & I got points for starting the main event, even though I was a hazard........!!! LOL  I started in the back, I didn't want to get in the way.  My original idea was to just run one lap.   The rod was knocking, but only if I gave it enough gas to go above 3000 RPM.  So I put it in 3rd gear, (easier on the motor than 2nd gear) & decided to stay out until the first wreck or until they started lapping me, whichever came first.  The lapping came pretty quick, like the 2nd lap, the whole field of 20 cars "freight trained" me.   I knew they would probably lap me again within 2 laps, so as soon as they all "flew" past, I pulled off.  

Hopefully we can find another motor & get it put in before the 15th.  We've been looking on the internet & it looks like Kia Sephia motors don't grow on trees.  Glad the holiday is over, maybe we can find one locally tomorrow.  I found one in San Antonio & one in Covina, CA, but I'd REALLY rather find one locally, for a lot of reasons, one being not much time until the 15th.    

If you notice, Nigel's head is on my mouse-pad.  This is a rather common happening, he & Moogee, both seem to think I need their help to "computer".  I've tried "wallering" his head to hopefully irritate him enough to make him leave.  Hasn't worked yet, & don't have high hopes that it will.  

This is going to be an "interesting" week-end.  We race both Sat & Sun night..........well we race Sat night & hopefully the car will be in one piece for racing Sun... no guarantee.....!!!  Have a tour coming out Sun morning.  Monday we are going to do 2 home studies, one for Ruger & Pancho.   BlackJack & Boaz are going to go out for a couple of weeks of weed control.  I hope a couple of weeks away will give Boaz a chance to learn some manners.  He can make Frijolita run by chasing her.  She seems to be afraid of him at the time, but the next time you see them they are shoulder to shoulder, so I'm not sure what the game is. She has string halt, which usually doesn't bother her very much, but she doesn't need to be racing & crashing thru the brush trying to get away from a bully. 

Pepper except for his bum knee is back to "normal", in fact he has taken to hanging around with the Tula bunch.  How he keeps up with them, I have no idea.  

Jenny is a little slow these days, she has a big piece of hoof missing from one of her front feet.  Don't know if that is her problem or not.  Courtney was talking about coming out this week-end, if she does the week-end will REALLY be busy. 

Poor little Buddy Brat is having to stay in the pens 24/7.........!!  He & Honcho were returned after about 1 1/2 years with a family.  Unfortunately their diets weren't adhered to while they were gone.  Buddy I think has been insulin resistant since birth or soon after, he was fluffy when we got him about 12 years ago, & he is still fluffy.  His crest is really thick & even being in the pens is not making much of a difference.  The new hay is pretty low in sugar & starch, but I think we're going to start soaking it anyway, hopefully if will make a difference.  He understands he is being mistreated & voices his displeasure every chance he gets, poor little guy. 

As of 5pm this afternoon Mother's house is officially sold...........YIPPEE.......!!!!  It seems like John & I have been living, breathing the house & it's contents for the last month, so it will be great to no longer have to worry about it.  

This afternoon we moved the "leftovers" from the garage sale, (thank goodness for the stock trailer) down to Sierra Vista.  Care for the Horses has a rummage sale twice a year, that has become a "happening", & they usually do really well.  I thought that would be a good use for what was left.  Although I REALLY..... REALLY wish the 3 piece oak entertainment center & the OVERSIZED computer desk had found a new home at the garage sale & the new owners had moved them, rather than John & I having to load them this afternoon.  Brad is a good friend & bought Mother's house.  He knew we were going to be loading stuff this afternoon & being the good friend he is, was waiting for us when we drove up, so he could help load.  He sure made the job easier, at least from my point of view.........!!!!  LOL  Not sure he & John would agree.  

Pepper is back to what is normal for him I guess, doesn't seem to have any lingering problems from his "incident" last week.  

We changed Jenny's foot covering yesterday & the foot is looking good.  Now that we aren't using such a heavy bandage, her foot isn't as damp when we unwrap it, which I would assume is a good thing.  The next step will be to just cover the opening in the front of her foot that is growing out, with a gauze pad to keep heavy amounts of dirt, mud, etc out of it.  According to the vet, just put the gauze on, tape it to the hoof, put on a pantyhose, & super glue the panty hose to her hoof.  OK...........!!!  Sounds simple enough, but I haven't gotten to the stage of attempting it yet.  What we're doing now is working, so I'm in no hurry to do something that might not work as planned.  

It looks like Ruger & Pancho will be going into a foster home for awhile.  The family wants to make sure they are ready for a long term commitment, which is OK with me.  I'd rather do it this way, than have them decide later on, this isn't going to work.  We'll do a home study just like an adoption to make sure it's a good home.  

Ruger & Pancho play together & eat in the same pen.  We moved Ruthie to a pen of her own since we're pretty sure she's pregnant.  Ruger is still very attached to her, Ruthie to Ruger, not so much.  And when she has her new baby, poor Ruger will be drummed out of the family in a hurry.  So if we can get him "weaned" from her before then, it will be a good thing for him.  

I got a call from a friend I haven't heard from in a couple of years.  She has 5 acres that has turned into a jungle with all the rain we've had lately.  She was wondering if she could borrow a couple of donkeys, that would like to eat "wild" food for a couple of weeks.  John & I talked about it & I think we will send BlackJack & Boaz out.  I have to call her back to make sure this is what she wants to do.  The boys won't care, as long as there is food.  Karla was disappointed that they won't eat tumbleweeds.  When we do the home study we'll make sure there is enough "weeds" for them to eat.  If it's all tumbleweeds, this might not work.