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. 

NOT MUCH HAPPENING AROUND HERE, AND THAT'S A GOOD THING...........!!!!

ZEKE AND MIKE PENCIL DRAWING BY  LOCAL ARTIST, Clement Scott

I really like the boredom of one day being just like another.  We don't race tonight, so that cuts down on the kinetic frantic getting ready.  Actually John does all that getting ready stuff, I don't think he would trust me to do anything on the car, any more than I trust him in my kitchen.....!!!  LOL  We learned many years ago, to stay out of each others areas and to not try to work together.  We're still married and having fun, so it's worked.

Usually in the morning after we feed, I come in to take care of Mother and hide out while John and Lysa do the work......!!!!  This morning John was picking up poo, and I actually made the effort to go out and help him.  That's one thing we can do together, neither of us cares how it's done as long as it gets done.  The first thing I noticed was the flies and sun have gotten to Quilla's bare front legs.  As I moved along, picking up poo and refilling water buckets I checked out Cisco's sheath, just for fun....!!!  I've had him on Benedryl since January, hoping to get ahead of his allergies.  Well, obviously a fly has landed on his sheath in the last day or so, because he's managed to scrape it into a bloody wound.  Sigh....!!!    I was so hoping that we could keep it at bay without having to put Thuja Zinc Oxide on it every other day.  I'll have to keep an eye out on his legs, he gets sores on his legs with lots of serum oozing down the legs.  Makes a mess and is much easier to deal with if I catch it early.  

So while John continued picking up poo, I got my medical kit and headed out.  I doctored Quilla's leg and went ahead and wrapped both front legs.  Although only one was bloody, the other one wouldn't be far behind, I'm afraid.  

Over the years I've wrapped legs with just about everything.  Most things work, some are more labor intensive than others.  Since I put a bandage on the sore area, and wrapped that in brown gauze, I just went ahead and wrapped the other leg in brown gauze too.  If it holds up OK, I might try it on the others.  This morning he was trying to impress Coquette, with his manliness, so we'll see how well the gauze holds up under fire.  I know Boaz's doesn't hold up very well, when he's entertaining the girls.  The gauze would be great, it's lightweight and breathable, which would be nice when summer gets here.  

Wister and Ruger were also involved in the "orgy"...........!!!  Wister leads a very interesting life, one minute he's nursing off Ruthie, the next minute he's on Coquette, actually showing the others how it's done......!!!  Who knew, you would think getting gelded at age 4 months would curtail that behavior, guess not..!!!

Gigi is really walking good with her new shoe.  She seems to be comfortable and I never see her laying down, except when she's enjoying one of the sandy bathing areas.  I am really impressed with how she is doing.  Just wish both her and Rosie would be a little more cooperative.  John is putting on and taking off fly masks now.  Rosie will "allow" John to put on and take off without being in the redneck squeeze, but lets him know it isn't her idea. 

Gigi has to go in her squeeze.  She sees him coming and goes in the squeeze to wait for him.  We've tried closing the squeeze and hoping she would go stand "beside" outside it.  NOPE!  There has to be a corral panel between them, then she will just stand there and let him put on or take off.  

Neither one of these girls are afraid of us, but any interaction so far is on their terms.  If it's dark John can do just about anything with Rosie, in daylight, not going to happen. 

NOT EXACTLY WHAT I EXPECTED

MIKE AND ZEKE ON THE STREETS OF TOMBSTONE WITH AN ADMIRER

TERESA AND ZEKE ON THE STREETS OF TOMBSTONE

TOMBSTONE ZEKE WILL BE HAVING HIS EYE SURGERY NEXT WEEK.  A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED PUT THE FUND RAISER OVER THE TOP.  HE'S WORTH IT.........!

Yesterday we finally got an experimental cat box ready for use.  A friend of mine had a storage container with a hole cut in it for a cat box and it cuts down on cat litter being dragged all over the house.  With four cats, 3 of which like to sneak up on the other one and make her run at the most opportune moment makes for a lot of kitty litter EVERYWHERE.  Kathy said it actually works, so we figured to give it a try. 

As you can see Nigel took to it immediately, unfortunately not in the way intended.  I have taken the top off, to see if that helps them figure out how to use it.  

Most of the donkeys now have fly masks on.  The flies aren't that bad, but even a few usually go for the eyes, which has to be irritating.  We haven't put masks on Wister and Ruger.  We did put one of Ruthie and haven't seen it since, which is one of the reasons we haven't bothered with the boys.  I'm sure they won't stay on very long.

Boaz's knee is still looking good, I sure hope this time it heals.

 Yesterday I received a summons for jury duty.  This has always been something I've wanted to do, came close a few years ago, managed to make it into the jury box, but the druggie didn't show up.  I told the guy sitting next to me, that we should have just went ahead, found him guilty and the next time the sheriff picked him up, he could go straight to jail.  Wish I had a picture of his face, he seemed to think I was a little judgemental I guess........!!!   I'd love to be on one of those big ones, but I have a feeling neither side would want me, especially the defendent.  LOL  I'm a little too black/white in my opinion of right and wrong to be swayed by a bunch of lawyers jabbering I'm afraid.

Unfortunately with Mother being bedridden, there is no way I can go down to Bisbee and play with the system.  I got in touch with them and explained Mother is bedridden and I am her primary care person, actually her only one.  So I have a call into her doctor for a "get out of jury duty" letter.  I hope he doesn't want to see her, she is so frail no telling what a trip to town would be like for her and for me.  Hopefully he'll take my word for it and write the letter. 

TOMBSTONE ZEKE NEEDS EYE SURGERY

Mike and Zeke have done walk-a-thons the last few years to raise awareness and money for donkeys in rescue.  

Now Zeke is in need of a little rescuing of his own.  Years ago he lost the sight in his right eye.  Recently it has started to bother him and the recommendation is to remove the eye and sew the eye socket shut.  It's rather common surgery, horses have a propensity for getting in medical trouble rather easily.  The surgery isn't cheap, $1200-$1500, which is a lot of money to come up with when you weren't expecting it.  

Mike and Teresa aren't rich and want what is best for Zeke.  Mike and Zeke have raised money for many worthwhile causes, so maybe it's time for them to receive.  If you have a little extra money that would go for a wonderful cause, you couldn't find a better recipient than Zeke.  There is a link to "Fundrazr" under New Stuff on the right side.  If you can help that's great, if not please keep Zeke in your thoughts.

UPDATE ON MINI MULES......!!

 

Well, it looks like the little darling's foster home will become permanent.  Doesn't sound like they've worked at behaving themselves and fitting in very much though.  Terry and I have been comparing alternate names we have for them, she has quite a list, and I added a couple to her list she hadn't thought of......!!! LOL

Terry is an animal person, anyone that has 6 pot bellied pigs and geese, obviously isn't put off by behavior that is a little out of the ordinary.  I guess everyone including the neighbors are thrilled with them, except for George the donkey and 39 year old Zeke the mule.  Zeke has given up to the enviable of the little beasties being there.   I would imagine George, who is very sweet and gentle like my Cisco is put off by Jack's "busyness".  Cisco never liked him either and didn't want to be around Jack at all.  Unfortunately Jack could care less and just presses on with his agenda, if he ends up in their face, so be it.   

From what Terry says Jack and her big horse Leo are bonded.  We knew Jack liked horses, whenever there were horses in the neighborhood, he would do all he could to get as close to them as possible.  He'd try to talk to them, not sure that squeaky little piggy voice wasn't a turn off.  I never saw any of the horses get excited over what he had to say.  

This will be an excellent home for them, and they will keep everyone, human or animal on their toes.  

This morning we checked the bandage on Gigi's hip.  It was such a mess when she came in I haven't really been paying much attention, just changing the bandage when needed.  I gave it a good look this morning and there's no sore there, it's just an area about the size of an orange, that is completely bare of hair and I don't see any hair growing in.  I would imagine over the years she's had bed sores on that hip from having to lay down so much, and eventually it destroyed the hair follicles.  Right now the winter hair is covering the bare spot, but I would imagine this summer it will be bare.  

I also noticed the knee on her worst front foot, the one with the elongated shoe is getting chewed up from her laying down in the sand.  So I put a knee cover left over from Pepper and Daisy having the same problem on her.  Let me say, she does NOT appreciate any touch below her back.  So to get the cover on tight enough to stay on was a lot of fun.  John was shoveling animal crackers in the mouth and I was trying to get the Velcro done.  She's getting better, but there's a long ways to go.  

I wish I had more time to work with her and Rosie, but don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.  ANY VOLUNTEERS..........???   LOL

THE GIRLS ARE OUT........!!!!

We let Gigi and Rosie out this afternoon.  It's went pretty well so far, although I did go out with animal crackers to see if they'd either come up to me or let me come up to them............!!! NOT going to happen.  Everyone pretty much ignored them, although Cheyenne one of the minis did run at Rosie a couple of times.  John told Cheyenne to leave her alone, as fat as she is, she could have a heart attack if she starts running around.  

Gigi will probably need some bute tonight.  The pen they were in was flat, level and soft, so our ground is a lot different.  

 Rosie telling John "what for", before she went out

I hope getting them in their pen tonight isn't a problem.  After the experiment with animal crackers and how it went, it might get interesting.  

Gigi is on the extreme right headed towards the other donkeys.  Rosie is between Boaz and a behind Penny on the left.  Everyone seems to be getting along just fine. 

John is busy this afternoon covering the shelters with chicken wire to hopefully cut down on Rosie's shredding of the boards.  She's keeping us in kindling that's for sure.  

Heard from Terry on how Jack and Molly are fitting in.  She said everyone seems just fine with them being there............except of course for crotchety old mule, Zeke.  Terry said Zeke is still sore from his evening of trying to intimidate Jack or he has decided it isn't worth his time.  Either way he is ignoring the "midgets" as her neighbor calls them.  

She said Jack came out with both barrels and everyone learned real quick that he had 2 rear feet he was more than willing to use.  I guess he got into a posturing and threatening contest with Leo the big horse until they finally settled down and started running and playing.  The donkeys even got involved in running around for awhile.  This morning she said Leo and Jack were napping in the sun together with Molly on guard.  So I would say they are fitting in nicely, well except for poor old Zeke.  Terry said they are making sure he gets extras during this transition, not sure that will make him any happier......!!!

MINI MULE UPDATE

Terry says they have settled in nicely, know when carrots are coming out of the house and know where the gate is, so they can be ready, when the carrots are offered.  I guess Zeke the cranky old mule spent last evening trying to intimidate them.  I hate to tell him, but both of them are pretty much intimidate proof.  Terry said he either wore himself out being "mean" or has given up and accepted that change is inevitable, because this morning he's not quite as in their face.  She hasn't put everyone in together yet, so it will be interesting to see how that goes. 

In the name of organizing, we moved BlackJack into their pen.  His pen doesn't have a shelter and we are working towards separating Gigi and Rosie into different pens  to eat.  Rosie is too big an eater for Gigi to compete and since Rosie needs to lose a lot of weight, she needs to have less access to more food than she needs.  They are really doing good with being weaned from alfalfa.  John is on the last bale and it looks like we won't have to buy anymore to continue the weaning.  Gigi is still improving and tonight she didn't get any bute.  We'll see how she is in the morning.  If she's OK, we'll probably try letting them out of the pens Sunday, we should be here all day.  Can't wait to try to get Rosie back in the pen.  I have a feeling it's going to be "interesting".  Hope it doesn't turn into a marathon.......!!!! 

Had 2 different couples show up today for tours, one right after the other one.  John wasn't here and since I wasn't expecting anyone, some of the donkeys were in pens, some were already out.  The donkeys have gotten real good at mingling with people outside their pens.  We don't give the people pellets to feed them, like we do when the donkeys are penned.  But they still like to come up to the people and get petted.  Some of them seems to really think there should be a treat involved, but they don't get pushy, they just makes sure they are available, just in case...........!!!

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! 

OPEN HOUSE UPDATE

SOME GUESTS MAKING RUTHIE AND WISTER HAPPY

 Saturday was a beautiful day and we had a steady stream of people coming to see the donkeys for most of the day.  Mike and Teresa came up from Tombstone and presented us a nice check from Mike and Zeke's walk-a-thon in September.  They say this is the last walk, but Mike was talking about what a wonderful time he had, meeting so many people and said he'd never laughed so much.  So I'm not sure that is his last walk.  We'll see.....!!! 

Sunday was cold and windy.  We almost had more volunteers to show people around than we had guests to visit with the donkeys.  Since there weren't many people to show around, we all came in the house, ate chili and vegetable soup and had a great visit.

BOAZ TRYING TO GET PEOPLE'S ATTENTION

Unfortunately while we were inside having fun, the donkeys weren't appreciating being in their pens with nothing going on.  

We didn't realize how unhappy they were, until this morning when John went out to round them up.  Some of them were within sight and weren't the least bit interested in coming in, others weren't even around. 

We think that 2 days of being "confined" with the 2nd day being rather "slow" was too much, they decided that if that was how it was going to be, they'd just as soon not cooperate.  They got out today, so hopefully tomorrow morning they will be more cooperative. 

Reba the big red mule, figured out the game really quick.  John put Coquette and Penny's bunk close to the fence, so people could put pellets in there.  Coquette gets a little excited sometimes and fingers have been known to suffer.  Penny because of her missing teeth and her distrust of people, has a hard time picking pellets out of a hand.  She does much better with an animal cracker held by thumb and finger.  But they both did great, Coquette didn't eat any fingers and somewhere along the way Penny figured out how to take pellets out of a hand.  They also thought it was a fun game and made sure they were standing by the fence when the people came by.  

Jack, the mini mule was obnoxious as usual.  He wants all the attention, all the treats, all the "oxygen" and Molly can just stand over there someplace out of the way.  We've seen her double barrel kick him, but unfortunately she doesn't do it often enough from my point of view.  He loves to put those short little ears back and act silly.  What's funny is, if I yell at him, the ears come up and he looks like a perfect little angel............brat......!!!!

JACK IS SURGING AHEAD IN THE BATTLE OF WILLS

Poor John, I'm not sure he's really up to this battle of wills.  He's at a disadvantage because the fencing is barbed wire that has been up for over 20 years on T-posts.  T-posts over the years don't always stay in place which means the wire gets loose.  Plus there is the added feature of the large wash the fence goes across.  And Jack knows very well he can get thru the fence, if he just finds the right spot. 

We let them into Burroland yesterday afternoon, took an hour and 15 minutes to get them all back over here.  That's a lot of exercise for John and I, much more than we wanted.  We managed to get back with no major wounds.  Trying to keep up with donkeys in the mesquite and brush, not to mention all the dead limbs on the ground trying to trip us.  Wouldn't be so many limbs, but when they are trying to reach the beans, they break off limbs.  A lot of the limbs on the trees hang at just about eye level, but we managed to survive those too.  It's not very effective for 2 "mature" humans to try to round up a dozen donkeys on 20 acres, that have no intention of cooperating.  Our only trump card is to just keep at them, so they know we are behind them, until they finally give up.  What gets me is you can tell when they are ready to go to the gate.  Before that if you manage to get them in the gate area, they just go past it like it isn't there, usually at a high rate of speed.  Once they make up their minds they head for the gate by the shortest route at a walk.  I had a whistle I blew once, won't do that again.  It took us forever to even find them after that......!!!! LOL  Rusty the white mule was under a tree eating beans like a Hoover, ignoring me.  When I blew that whistle, I found out just how fast a 34 year old mule can move.  Of course all the others left too, at warp speed. 

I guess Jack isn't satisfied with the rationed time over in Burroland, so this morning when John rounded everyone up, Jack was missing and Molly was standing by the fence looking into Burroland.  John's already found out where Jack wiggled thru, just has to fix it.  I've always heard "if your fences won't hold water, don't get goats".  That might be a good thought for little black mini mules too......!!! LOL

Yesterday morning Daisy came in with a bloody nose on one side.  Equine aren't known for having nosebleeds, there is usually a good reason, gutteral pouch,  and ethmoid hematoma are a couple of reasons you really don't want.  Of course there is the exercise reason well known in the racing industry.  I doubt that Daisy would ever have an exercise nose bleed, not her style.  I cleaned her nose out and it felt like there might be a scratch in there.  I put some Vaseline in her nostril and this morning it isn't draining, so hopefully that's what it was.  She probably stuck a stick up her nose.

Mike and Zeke are home.  I haven't heard how the parade in Kingman went this week-end, I hope they made it.  Zeke picked up a piece of wire in the sole of one of his feet and went lame.  They were within about 20 miles of Kingman, but Zeke's health and well being, is more important than pressing on.  I hope he doesn't get an abscess, which is pretty common with a sole puncture, the place closes over because it's such a small opening and traps dirt and bacteria. 

THE WALK CONTINUES.....!!

Good news for Mike and Zeke, it's only 97 miles from Ash Fork to Kingman, so their trip will not take as long, hopefully by the middle of next week, they will have finished their walk.

SELIGMAN, ARIZONA, taking a break....!!!

Along with that good news on their 2nd day, some men came by and asked them to join the annual Andy Devine Parade in Kingman this Saturday.  Of course they won't have walked to Kingman by then, but where there's a will there is a way.

They will walk until Friday afternoon.  Mike will trailer Zeke to Kingman, where they will be honored guests at the parade and Mike will stay in Kingman for the week-end visiting with people, letting them meet Zeke and hopefully getting lots of donations for the Wounded Warriors.  

Andy Devine was raised in Kingman before he left for Hollywood and it's really nice that they still remember him.  He was always one of my favorites, sort of like a uncle that talked a little funny and was always fun to be around.  I would imagine he was just about like he came across on the screen.

So after a busy week-end, Mike will trailer Zeke back to where they left off the walk and continue until they make their goal of Ash Fork to Kingman.  I know Teresa will be glad to have them home, and also Gypsy Rose, Zeke's favorite girl.  

MIKE AND ZEKE ARE ON THEIR WALK......!!!

It's official..........the walk from Ash Fork to Kingman along the old route 66 started this morning, which is also Mike's birthday.  It's about 130 miles and they plan on about 2 weeks to complete the walk.  I hope they meet a lot of generous folks along the way, that will appreciate what Mike is doing for the Wounded Warriors and open their hearts and wallets, to a wonderful gentle man that is always thinking of others.  Over the years Mike and Zeke have walked in Arizona and also in Colorado to raise donations for  different organizations.  Because of Mike's health this will probably be the last walk.  Please like and share their facebook page, we'd like for Mike and Zeke's walk to reach as many people as possible in the next 2 weeks. 

Things around here have been exciting this morning.  I was in the feed room fixing my feed pans for tonight and John comes in to get me to help get a baby rattler out of the hay barn.  Quite frankly I was happy doing my pans, really didn't need anymore entertainment, but "duty calls".....!!!

John said he was coiled up asleep beside an overturned bucket in the loose hay.  Sure enough, coiled up about the size of a hamburger pattie.  I told John to walk softly and maybe we could use a rake to "rake" him into a hay bucket.  Obviously walking softly means something different to John than to me, maybe it's his lack of Indian blood....!!! LOL  As he tramps into the hay barn the little snake woke up and went under, either the bucket he was beside, the bucket beside that one..........or.......our hopeful choice, out the side of the hay barn.  We stood there for a minute deciding what plan B was.  I used the rake to turn over one of the buckets, nothing happened.  John decided he'd turn over the other one and told me to go outside and see if the snake came out.  When he turned the bucket over, the snake plopped out of the edge of the bucket.  I ran back in the barn, grabbed the rake a just barely managed to start rolling him around in the loose hay and straw with the rake to keep him from going under some of the other junk piled up in there.  I'm yelling for John to get a bucket and for some reason he's standing there fascinated with watching me "play" with this snake.  Jeesh...!!!  My inner sailor came out, language wise, which seemed to get his attention, he grabbed a hay bucket, and in went the snake.  Poor little thing probably wondered what in the world happened to his little world.  John put him in one of the piles of tree trimmings we leave for the little critters to have for shelter.  He wasn't much more than a foot long, had one little tiny button on his tail, which means he had nothing to rattle, even if he wanted to.  

That is the first snake we've seen on the property this year, but does bring up a burning question?  Where is his brothers and sisters?  Did momma live bear them in the hay barn?  If so, where are the rest of them?  According to John's info book, there can be as many as 23 babies born, 9-14 inches long, born in the late summer.    Hmmmm........... sounds like he is pretty new to the world.  John says he's going to be pretty careful in the hay barn for awhile.  

I go back to doing feed pans, came in to water my tomatoes on the courtyard and there is a little mouse running around bouncing off the courtyard walls.  I tried to get him out the courtyard gate, but he kept going back to the tomatoes..........hmmmm...........me thinks I know where the bite spots on some of the tomatoes are coming from.  He acted like he knew where he belonged, he just didn't want to get a bath.  I've been soaking the tomatoes, but now that it's cooled off a little I was going back to spraying them.  Guess he didn't like it....!!!

TOMBSTONE NEWS

This is from the Tombstone News covering Mike and Zeke's upcoming walk. 

Today we are going up to the Oracle area to help the couple we hauled the 7 donkeys for a couple of months ago.  

They lost one of the jenniess because of massive internal infection, but still have 3 jacks and 3 jennies, of course, that are probably pregnant.  I found out yesterday they have in fact adopted all 6 and are no longer just fostering them.  WOW, I don't know if I'd take on 6 feral burros at once.....!!! LOL  

Anyway we're going up to build them a "redneck" squeeze to help them work with the burros.  They have no small area or anyplace to isolate one to work with it.  Not sure how it will go, but we'll give it a try.  I've never tried the squeeze with jacks.  Two of them are pretty young and hopefully malleable.  The other one is probably responsible, not only for the 2 younger jacks, but the jennies being pregnant, although he doesn't "look" very old.  Jacks as they get older usually get more opinionated on being "messed" with and can really make their point, if they want to.  But we're hoping since they haven't been "cowboyed" at least since they were captured, for cooperation on their part.  

If there are no updates, to my blog you will know, it didn't go well.........!!!!!   LOL

NEED A LITTLE TRAVELING MUSIC I GUESS..........!!!

I got a call from Karla this morning.  Karla and Rodney have Boaz, Ruthie and Wister for weed control for the next month or so.  It seems they had company last night and when the man left, he didn't close the gate.  I'm sure you know where this little story is going.  

When they went out this morning not a donkey in sight.............PANIC..........!!!  Karla called and about the only suggestion I had besides trying to find tracks to see which way they went, was to put up flyers at the local convenience store and call the sheriff's office.  

John and I were suppose to deliver some brochures to Teresa and Mike in Tombstone.  Tombstone is having a big get together this week-end and they will set up a table to let people know about Mike and Zeke's walk for Wounded Warriors and Zeke's fellow donkeys, starting the 24th of September starting an Ash Fork, AZ ending in Kingman, AZ.  

John said he'd take the trailer and go help them find the donkeys, and I could go to Tombstone, which is what we did.  Went to the bank and the teller ask me if I knew my driver's license expired today?  No actually I didn't, who keeps track of this stuff......!!!!  So that got added to my list of "things to do today".  

I was gone longer than I had planned, cringed when I opened the mailbox and the mail hadn't been picked up, but I perked up a little when I noticed the gate was unlocked.  Came in, asked John if they found them.  He said it took less than an hour.  They found some tracks, so they had a direction to go, but John decided to drive around in ever larger circles and Karla went with him.  They came across a man that asked them if they were looking for 3 donkeys......!!!  What would be the chance of 3 other donkeys being out there roaming around, so they knew they were on the trail.  They headed the direction the man said the donkeys went, and came across Boaz by himself headed back for the house.  They called Rodney, who was keeping the home fires burning, so to speak, he went out to the gate to herd him in, but John said that wasn't necessary, Boaz knew where he was going.

They went out again, Boaz had come off of some state trust land with grass about waist high, EVERYWHERE.  John said you couldn't hardly see the ground.  He said he looked way off in the distance & saw some ears.  Unfortunately Ruthie wasn't all that excited to see them, but she finally let John put a halter on her.  Got a halter on Wister and headed back to the trailer.  Ruthie wasn't interested in going in, Wister hopped right in, so then Ruthie thought she better go in too.  Back to the house, and John headed home, said he didn't even get to pet Boaz.  I guess once Boaz went in the yard and Rodney closed the gate he started braying and trying to get Ruthie to come to him.  John said you could hear him real good, but all Ruthie did was raise her head and look that direction.  That's usually what the jennies do when the guys get all excited about something. 

INFO ON T-SHIRTS

 This is the information Teresa has on her Facebook page:

New info on our T's. We have made an arrangement with Outlaw T's and you can order your T right from them. You can contact them at 520-457-2209, and use your credit card right through there store. They are such great people. The store hours are 9-4. The T's will be ready to ship in about a week and a half. The sizes run from Med. to 2x. Can do special orders for 3x, but they cost a little more. The T's are $10.00 + shipping and priority mail is $6. You can also get them through Mike and I. We ordered a bunch today. Outlaw T's is located on 5th St, stop by and say Hi. Thank you all.

Mike and Teresa are such good hearted people, and always wanting to give to others.  At one time Mike wanted to walk with Zeke from Minnesota to Tombstone to help educate people on the plight of the donkey, one of the most misunderstood animals on the planet.  Unfortunately Mike's health isn't the best and this will probably be his last walk for charity and Zeke isn't getting any younger, he's 23 years old.  Mike wants to raise enough money to buy as many all terrain wheelchairs as he can, I hope he can buy a dozen when this is all over.  

Please help pass the word about Mike and Zeke's walk to everyone you know that would like to help Wounded Warriors, and Zeke's fellow donkeys.

DONKEYS HELPING SOLDIERS.........SEPT 24, 2013

  

Got this from Mike's wife Teresa this morning.  This is the logo on shirts they've had made up for the Walk in September.  They are in white only, this will be on the back and Tombstone, AZ will be on the front.  They haven't figured out the postage cost yet, but the shirts will be $10.  I'll put out a link once they get the total cost, in case anyone would like to get one.  The money will go towards buying all terrain wheelchairs for veterans, that want to be able to go out away from the sidewalks and enjoy nature as they did before becoming wheelchair bound.  The chairs cost about $15,000 each, Mike and Zeke would like to raise money for as many chairs as they can, and also a few bucks for Zeke's fellow donkeys.   

Speaking of fellow donkeys, it's amazing how much more interested they are in coming in at feeding time, now that they are "trapped" on the 10 acres.  There are beans here, just not quite as many.  John checked Burroland today and the cattle haven't "discovered" the open gates yet, so he sweetened the deal with piles of salt in the middle of each gate opening.  It shouldn't take them long to find the salt and hopefully all the beans too.  John said you can't imagine how many beans are on the ground over there, not to mention how many are still up in the trees.  This has really been a good year for beans, for some reason.  Last year we didn't have very many at all.  

This afternoon Jack & Molly the mini mules were doing their running thing again.  They sure get those short little legs moving, I don't see how they keep from running into trees or rocks, as fast as they go. 

TOMBSTONE'S ANNUAL DONKEY/BURRO RESCUE WALK

Mike & Zeke are going to be doing their walk again this year, unfortunately this might be the last time.  Mike's health isn't the best, but he has wanted to do a longer route & it looks like he's going to go for it. 

If anyone would like to help I'm sure it would be very much appreciated, Teresa & Mike are the best & of course Zeke is VERY, VERY special. 

GLAD I'M NOT A FLY WITH LOTS OF EYES......!!!

JEFF, BRIANNA, ZEKE, TERESA & MIKE IN TOMBSTONE

The first eye went so well, they are doing the other one next Thursday........!!!!!  Seems rather quick, but I can't get new glasses until they are both done & healed.  So the sooner the better I guess.  Just wish it was later in the day, or we lived closer to Tucson........... Or they did house calls.  That's not going to happen, they have their cataract surgery down to a well ran assembly line.  And they still manage to make you feel like you're the only one they are interested in.  At least until you go into the twilight zone, after that who knows what happened.......LOL

Tomorrow morning we are taking either the 4 little minis, or Buddy Brat & Pepsi down to Sierra Vista for the Care for the Horses Rummage Sale.  Ann has been having this for a few years & it has become quite a happening, they usually do really well not only with donated items, but make money to continue their good work.  We've taken donkeys down before, for the people to pet if they want.  I think last time it was BlackJack & Chester.

Speaking of BlackJack we are going to bring him & Boaz home Monday.  Karla called & said the weeds are pretty much gone, so the boys have done their job & it's time to come home.  They might be disappointed when they get here, the donkeys that weren't picked for weed control, have made sure no weeds survived here, so there isn't much to browse on.  

Still working on Jenny's foot with the proud flesh, & it seems to be doing pretty good.  Proud flesh can grow into a monster almost overnight, but can take a long time to control & get rid of.  

Last night I used a rag to clean off some of the stuff the Equaide had destroyed.  One rather large piece about the size of  a half dollar, (if anyone remembers what they looked like) came loose real easy..............and started bleeding all down the front of her foot.  At least it wasn't a sprayer, but it didn't want to quit.  Equaide is great stuff, BUT, it doesn't stop bleeding like Wonder Dust.  Sigh......!!!  So for a couple of days I guess we'll use plan B, Wonder Dust.  Hopefully if I don't mess with it for awhile it will stop being such a problem.

I've been putting off having Courtney come out because Jenny's foot is compromised right now & her other feet seem to be doing OK, in boots.  The other one she comes out for is Gus.  For the last 2 or 3 weeks, he has been walking pretty normal & willing to walk fast, chases John down for treats when it's time to go in the pens.  It seems like usually he gets ouchy after a trim, so I've been putting it off.  But, I'm sure if his feet get a little too much growth, he'll slow down & not be as comfortable. 

Had fun at Mike & Zeke's annual walk-a-thon for charity.  This year they walked for Care for the Horses in Sierra Vista & for us.  I actually walked the 1st 4 miles along with Ann Jost the founder of Care for the Horses, as the horse riders left us behind.  Zeke stayed with us though, I guess our pace was pretty close to donkey speed.  

He did have an affinity for the goodies growing along the side of the trail, going from side to side to try to snatch a mouthful.  I looked back one time, & Mike had dismounted & just turned Zeke loose.  Zeke was having a great time, wandering & eating, didn't seem to bother him, that we were getting farther & farther ahead of him.  Mike finally climbed aboard again, & actually for the final few miles, Zeke stayed up with the horses.  For a donkey he has a pretty fast walk............if he wants to.  

Tonight is my last night of racing.  For some reason the "powers to be"  seem to love to "mess" with the Hornet races.  They have made us run the opposite direction, which is really interesting.  Last race night we race half the main event one direction & halfway thru, they stopped us & had us run the other way.  Actually I didn't finish the race, my motor said, "I'm done", right after they stopped us to make us go the "wrong" way. 

Tonight they are adding laps to the main event, so instead of running 15 laps we'll be running 25.  And they are going to invert the field by points.  What that means is the higher you are in the points the farther back you will start the race.  Oh! goodie this should be interesting, I am in 5th place for points, so I will start in the 3rd row from the back, with the hotshots all behind me.  John said to let them pass me, & then get on their bumper & let them make a path thru the other cars.  Sounds great in theory.........BUT........sometimes those "paths" close up real quick, or 2 or 3 cars try to fit into 1 space.  I just hope I can finish, & hopefully have a decent finish.  I'll be driving the poor little underpowered Toyota from last year.  John hasn't started working on the Kia motor yet, so it's me & the Toyota.  Wish me luck............!!!!

Went down to Tombstone as planned to do some further planning with Teresa this afternoon.  I think Teresa knows everyone in town, as we walked up the street, she kept stopping to introduce me to someone.  She started to introduce me to one dirty looking "miner", & then said "oh you guys already know each other".  HUH?  Didn't look like anyone I knew, until he started talking about how well the donkeys were getting along.  He is Thelma's "Dad", but I had never seen him "dressed" for Tombstone before.  

He said they are getting along just fine, Eeyore is smitten with her & follows her everywhere.  They call her Roo, I think he said the name is from the movie with Eeyore in it, but I'm not sure.  To say I have been out of the movies for years & years is an understatement............!!!!  LOL  Especially cartoons, although I guess they don't call them cartoons anymore.  There I go, dating myself again.  

Where the donkeys, probably Cisco & Buddy Brat, will be on display is inside the wooden fence where they have the big shootout shows 3 times a day for half an hour.  Lots of shooting & screaming & shooting........!!!!  Teresa was worried about the loud noise.  Cisco had a guy shoot a rifle over his back in the Gundown movie a couple of years ago & didn't even flinch.  

When I got home I told John we were going to have to shoot off a gun probably the 16 gauge shotgun.  So after we got everyone in their pens, John first shot in between the 2 sets of pens.  The only one that freaked was Ruthie, she wasn't impressed at all.  Frijolita looked around like she was interested in what made the noise ears up & curious.  Unfortunately Frijolita does not "enjoy" people for the sake of people, only if they have treats.  Otherwise she would stand in the corner & just stare at them, wondering where the treats were. 

Then he went down by the minis, Cisco & Buddy.  As I thought, Cisco didn't even wiggle, Buddy kinda looked around, but no big deal.  

Then we went down by Chantilly, she's the only one in that row of pens that would even be a possibility to go.  Rusty & Jack are mules, Tula is wild as a March hare, & Gus is just getting over 3 different bacterial infections, so he's not going out where there might be some other kind of bacteria for him to catch.....!!!  I'd love to take him, he absolutely loves people, especially children, a perfect ambassador for donkeys,  but don't want to take a chance on him picking up something new.  

Wasn't no big deal for Chantilly either, but she can get a little nippy, especially if she thinks people should have treats & they don't.  She's such a pretty girl, & is looking for a Forever Home, but we'll probably leave her home. 

There is one tiny little glitch we hadn't planned on.  We have to be down to Fairbank for the start at 9am, which means we will have to start feeding about 5am probably.  The donkeys will not have time to finish eating, so we can let them out.  Lysa usually comes on Friday, which would work out just fine, she'd come, clean pens, & let everyone out before she left.  BUT, she told John today her & the family are planning on going to the Grand Canyon for the week-end & plan on leaving either Thur or Fri.........!!!!  I think we'll probably feed as planned, drive down to get there at  9am as planned, set the donkeys up as planned, but then one of us will come back home & let the donkeys out.  It won't take that long, but I hate to miss anything.  I had planned on going back & forth between walking with Zeke & Mike, & sitting at the table with the donkeys.  But with the change in plans, we'll just have to see how it works out.