ONE SMART COOKIE

This is Madie this morning looking over the courtyard wall into the "den of all things good", the house. 

She went out yesterday morning for the 1st time, already knows to go in her pen at feeding time, & obviously figured out where we hang out when we aren't outside.........!!!

COULD BE BETTER....COULD BE WORSE........!!

The good news........don't have to have surgery.  Bad news......... I have to wear a cast for  4 weeks.  I never realized how important a thumb is, it's amazing how much we take for granted.  I'd like to say I'll appreciate my thumb in the future, but I'm sure once I get the cast off, it will be just another digit......!!!  LOL

Madie the new girl got to go out today.  She has some feet issues but they didn't seem to keep her from roaming all over the place all day.  At least that's what John said, I was in Tucson most of the day.

Not a very good picture of her, but she is one of those that you can't get far enough away from to take a picture.  I took this one this morning before I left for town.  

When it was time for round-up this afternoon, she was over by Tucker & Mocha.  John said she watched the round-up of the others, & when John said "come on", she headed for her pen.  So far she seems to be a very cooperative, mellow type of gal. 

My thumb put a halt to the clicker training to get a fly mask on Thelma.  You can do just about anything with her...........except..........put a halter or fly mask on her.  So this morning Vic decided he'd get a mask on her & by golly he did.  First he threw it over one ear.  I had tried that, but I guess I throw like a girl.  She threw it off.  When he & John brought in the hay, he stood between her & her hay, held the fly mask up & she basically walked into it. Rather than immediately grabbing for the latch, he ignored her for a few minutes & then latched it.  I doubt that John will take it off anytime soon...... !!!!  I know I won't.........!!!

Yesterday John & Larry a good friend went up to  Queen Creek, southeast of Phoenix to look at a race car for next year.  My poor little Toyota has just about had it.  I didn't know until a couple of weeks ago, it started out as a motocross car over 6 years ago, so it hasn't had an easy life, been rolled at least twice.  A couple of weeks ago, I slammed into the wall with it, which certainly didn't help it any.  

This is what they brought home.

It's a Kia Sephia, been raced less than 10 races, so it has a few dings, but nothing like the Toyota.  And it has a lot more horsepower, so hopefully I can do better next year.  Actually I finished in 6 place for points this year, so I really can't complain. 

The first thing is to change the color, green on a race car is bad luck.  In fact I bought a gallon of white paint today, so our son can paint the whole thing white inside & out.  Then John will do the orange. 

WELL, I GUESS I'VE DONE IT AGAIN...!!!!!!!

Tomorrow I have to see an orthopedic surgeon, to have a broken thumb wired together.  Last night's racing didn't exactly go as planned, & we ended up in the emergency this morning with the radiologist running out to the parking lot to see the race car..........!!!  They all seemed quite happy with having the extra entertainment in the early morning hours.  But there wasn't anything they could really do for it, except wrap it up & give me some phone numbers.  Guess I'll go back to the clinic that just released me & my broken leg a week or so ago, they know me there...........  LOL

This pretty girl was delivered this morning to become part of our little group.  Her name is Madie, she is a BLM donkey about 13 years old.  She's had a good home, but foundered a year ago & is still ouchy.  She also has front legs like Quilla's although she does still have some hair on her legs.  So I would imagine she has or has had fatty liver disease, which is one of the causes of sun sensitivity.  She's very friendly, I haven't even seen her face yet. The flies are getting worse every day i think.  I'll take a face picture, if & when the flies finally give up for the winter.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Burros-in-the-cross-hairs-2220989.php

This is an article from San Antonio, Texas about the killing of the Big Bend donkeys.  As usual the donkeys don't have a voice, except for grass roots organizations that try to bring this disgusting display of governmental power to the attention of like minded people.  These donkeys have done nothing but what they have been doing for 100's of years.  

But some bureaucrat somewhere in the system has decided that they need to go.  Nothing is better for these abuses of power than the light of day.  Much like going after rats or cockroaches.  If you can get involved please do so.

The vet is coming out Monday to draw blood from Tucker & Jenny.  Last time they had a heck of a time getting blood from Tucker, probably because he is so small & also wiggly.  He's grown a bit, & is still wiggly, although he'll usually stand real still if you scratch him, anywhere on his body.  

Today he & Mocha have access to the mini pen.  It doesn't have chicken wire on it to keep him from going thru the corral panels, so I hope he behaves himself.  I thought he might have fun doing some exploring.  

Thelma & I have been trying to get her fly mask back on the last few days.  I'm trying clicker training with her, but she is really stupid, or has already figured out what I'm wanting her to do, & doesn't see a need to participate.  Since I already know she isn't stupid, not by a long shot, it's the latter.  I can rub the fly mask all over her body, I can run my hands down in her ears, I can even get her to touch it as a target...........BUT.....when it gets down to the nitty gritty of putting it over her ears.........NOPE..........NOT GOING TO HAPPEN......!!!!  She will stand her ground & move her head around & around.  That is actually progress, from the whirling & showing me the bottom of her hind feet we were doing a few days ago.....!!! LOL  She had the silly thing on for weeks, of course we weren't taking it off because the flies get up earlier than we do.  The flies are still out there although it's getting down in the 40's at night, when it warms up in the morning they really get busy, I guess they know winter is coming & they want to complete their life cycle.  John said when I took it off that it probably would be a battle to get it back on, guess he was right...........!!!  

Tomorrow we will be getting in a new girl, named Madie.  I haven't met her but it sounds like she & Quilla have a lot in common, bad feet & sun sensitivity which makes bloody sores on their legs.  It will be good to see someone in Sha'ba's pen, it looks very empty right now. 

While we were gone to the walkathon Wednesday, Thelma let Mocha & Tucker out of their pen.  Thelma has learned Gate Opening 101 very well.  

Michelle was here & said the dogs were barking like crazy.  She went out to see what was happening, & saw Rusty the white mule, chasing Tucker & of course Mocha was in the middle of it.  Michelle said just about the time she figured out what was happening, Mocha ran into Rusty or Rusty ran in to Mocha & she ended up getting pushed into a cactus. 

MIchelle managed to entice Mocha back into her pen & of course Tucker went with her.  But she did have some stickers in her & in fact I pulled out a couple the next day.  Tucker didn't seem any the worse for wear, thank goodness.  

I don't think Rusty was trying to hurt him or anything, I would imagine he was fascinated & wanted to get a closer look.  Of course that wouldn't set well with Mocha & she was probably trying to get Tucker away from him.  Of course while all this was going on, Tucker is having a ball running around looking at all the new stuff he's never seen before, so she's also having to keep track of him. 

In fact this morning, when John went out, Rusty & Quilla were standing outside Mocha & Tucker's pen, & Mocha, & Tucker were standing on the other side.  Thelma was standing as close as she could in her pen.  John said they were all just standing there enjoying the early morning sun, in a herd.

It seems like I'm getting a call or e-mail almost everyday from people trying to find a place for their donkey, for one reason or another.  But no calls from people wanting to adopt.  Wonder if & when things will be better?

The Sierra Vista newspaper wrote a real nice article about Zeke & Mike's walk yesterday.  Here's an online link...............!!!!

DONKEY APPRECIATION DAY...............

Zeke & Mike were at Ft. Huachuca this morning bright & early to start their walkathon to Tombstone, to raise awareness about donkeys & raise money for the donkeys in our sanctuary.

They got off to a fast start, & Patti called us when they were about 4 miles from where we were to meet them, to let us know they were ahead of schedule.  We had just gotten thru with feeding, so we hurried & hit the road.  Got there just as a newspaper reporter got there with a photographer to cover the walk.  We hadn't even got BlackJack unloaded & here Zeke & Mike came with Patti, following in her truck.  

This was the boys first meeting.  I don't think either of them was very impressed with the other.  Zeke "woofed" out a couple of challenges, which I think BlackJack tried to ignore.  BlackJack likes to present himself as a big tough guy, but if he runs across someone that might actually be one, he usually tries to find something else to do. 

After a rest Zeke & Mike headed on down the road.

Patti spent most of the day driving back & forth from where they were on the road & Tombstone, where we & BlackJack were hanging out at the information table Teresa set up by the Helldorado Show area. 

Georgette met us at the Charleston stop, & she ended up walking the last 4 miles or so into Tombstone with Zeke & Mike.  John walked part of the way & I even walked a mile or so, unfortunately I waited to walk until the last part which was all uphill........!!! 

Somewhere along the way, they picked up a Cochise County Sheriff.  He said someone had called in to dispatch that they were afraid they might get hit by a car.  That was never a problem, most of the people slowed down when they saw them, probably because they looked like they just stepped out of the 1880's.

Later on when they got closer to Tombstone, they even picked up a city policeman.  Georgette & I were walking, Patti was following & we had 2 police cars.  Excuse me, but we were starting to look like a circus, & there were certainly more targets if someone started gawking at one target & hit another.........!!!! LOL  

But we made it to Tombstone, over an hour early, which unfortunately threw off the people that had planned to walk the last 1/4 mile down Allen street, dressed in period dress.  A few of them got the message & made the walk though.  John & BlackJack met the weary travelers & walked the last 2 blocks down Allen street with them.  

I think a good time was had by all, Zeke is a love, you will notice he started out packing, & finished being ridden by Mike.  He has a real nice steady walk & only behave like a donkey a couple of times, even then he wasn't really being an "ass", it was almost like he wanted to be "asked" rather than told.

 "Doc Holliday", Zeke, Mike behind Teresa

BlackJack got to eat some of the bermuda grass growing around the buildings where the information table was set up, so he was happy.  He doesn't get a chance to eat real grass very often.

A special thank you to Patti for all her coordinating & making sure things went smoothly.  Thanks to Georgette for her continuous upbeat coaching.  With her around you never have to worry about anyone getting tired or at least admitting it, she won't let that happen.  Thanks to Dee for finding us & helping to get the ball rolling.   Teresa put her heart & soul into this walk, as did Mike, but he also put his legs & feet into walking & riding over 20 miles, for nothing except the satisfaction of accomplishing what he started out to do, & helping make people aware of donkeys & how special they are.  How do I thank Zeke?  He didn't know they were going for an all day ride, or that they were trying to educate the public about donkeys & some of the problems donkey have because of ignorance or in some cases cruelty.  All that "people" stuff wasn't important to him. I think he just had a great time, being out with his best friend, for the day enjoying a lovely autumn day in SE Arizona.  We should all be so lucky.

Courtney was out a few days ago, to do some trimming.  Poor Jenny has been fighting abscesses for weeks.  Courtney seems to think she is fighting some type of systemic problem, & suggested I get her blood tested.  I know she has had a sore on her back leg for most of the summer & we haven't been able to get it to heal.  

Tucker's blood test came back with elevated white blood count, so they both need to have blood drawn.  Tucker needs to wait a couple of weeks, so I'm trying to figure out how to get them both done, because I want to get Jenny done ASAP.  I'll probably end up hauling Jenny & having the vet come out to do Tucker.  SIGH!  

Today Georgette & I headed to Deming, New Mexico to check out a rescue over there we were going to visit when we went to Texas last month, but came home early because Tucker went to the vet clinic.  

They have a lot of land, but not a tree in sight.  I think the woman said they have 31 horses & donkeys right now & with the price of hay aren't taking in anymore right now, they are paying $20 a bale............YIKES!  Right now in Benson both bermuda & alfalfa are about $17.50, & I was told it won't be long before it probably makes it to $20.  

I am getting e-mails almost every day, from people looking for a place for their donkeys.  One woman has 11 she needs to rehome, had a message waiting for me tonight when I got home, 2 nice jennies, mother & daughter...........divorce, selling property, etc.........!!!   It's been quite awhile since I have been contacted by someone wanting donkeys, & with the price of hay, I seriously doubt if there are many people out there wanting to add to their family.  

It's time to start thinking about the Open House, Dec 3rd & 4th the 1st Sat & Sun in December.  As usual we'll will need volunteers to help show people around.  So if anyone in the area would like to help, please let me know. 

TUCKER LOVES HIS BALL........!!!

Went out this morning to visit with Tucker & of course Mocha & he was playing with his ball.  Before I started filming, he was running it up & down, back & forth & really making it move.  Once I started filming, the action slowed down.  He's such a little ham, but hasn't figured out when we stand with our hands up to our face, it's "SHOW TIME".........!! 

He got his little nose popped yesterday.  He's been running up behind & bumping into us.  I told John that behavior needs to stop, while he's still small enough to not knock us down.  Last night he not only ran up behind me, he acted like he was going to nip me.  POP......!!!!  So far this morning he's not interested in running up behind me, although when Vic was cleaning pens this morning, he had to wrestle Tucker at the gate.  Tucker managed to get his head out the gate, before Vic corralled him. So we're going to have to watch him, I guess he sees a whole big world out there & wants to explore it. 

BACK AGAIN, TILL NEXT TIME.........!!!

I got back from my trip to Missouri for my 50th high school reunion.  Had a good time, got to see a lot of people I hadn't seen for quite sometime.  Found out one of the boys had a crush on me in the 1st grade.  I told him "good grief" I had the thickest glasses & the knobbiest knees of anyone in school, but he said he thought I was kind of cute.  Very weird.......!!  

The committee that put the reunion together did an outstanding job, we had some great food & it really was a lot of fun.  One night we had some really good German food, outstanding schnitzel & spatzle, one night great -BQ, & a really good breakfast the last morning before we all said good-bye & went our separate ways.  

Of course I couldn't be gone that long without doing something donkey orientated.  A few years ago the plight of Ebenezer came to the attention of some people in my home town.  He had survived for 30 years in a field, by himself, without any shelter, or much attention, if any from his owners.  As the owners aged, they were even less involved in his life.  

EBENEZER HAVING SUPPER

It's quite a story about how involved people became with him, & how much his life has changed.  

EBENEZER'S NEW SHELTER

  

I happened to drive by when his caretakers were there & they invited me in to see the old guy & share donkey stories.  Once he was thru eating, he was ready to go out in the field.  Shirley was making him wait & we were standing there talking.  I had been petting him & all of a sudden he reached down & acted like he was going to bite my leg.  It wasn't done with malice, he cut his eyes at me, right before he did it, & he didn't really bite, just acted like it.  I think he was testing me to see if I'd flinch or run away.  Later on after she allowed him to go in the field, he came over to the fence where I was standing & put his muzzle where I could pet it.  I think the old curmudgeon wanted to get a reaction from me, & when I didn't jump back, he decided I was OK. 

Zeke & Mike's walkathon next Wednesday, Oct 12 is falling into place.  They will start at 6am at the gate of Ft. Huachuca & hope to finish up 12-14 hours later in Tombstone.  We will meet them about half way to take some pictures & if Zeke & BlackJack get along OK, we'll probably walk with them aways.  With BJ, it will all depend on how he feels about the situation.  He can be the biggest wooly bear, or he can be a real pistol, if the mood hits him.  He is usually nosy enough that if it's interesting, he'll join in with what's happening.  Of course what we think is interesting, doesn't necessarily mean it will be interesting to him.......!!!! 

Tucker is growing like a weed, although we're still having a hard time getting a fly mask to fit him.  We'd like to let him & Mocha out to roam on the property, but I'm afraid he might get hurt on the cactus or mesquite, or who knows what.  He runs around & around in circles in their pen.  While I was gone, John said he was trying to run around, but Momma Mocha was standing where he wanted to run.  He had to stop, turn around & run the other way.  Of course she was still there when he came around again.  John said the 3rd time when he had to stop in front of her, he reached down & bit her on the leg.  I'm not sure that's a real good idea, to be biting the leg that feeds you........!!!  She has started acting like she's going to kick him, if he tried to nurse while she is eating which doesn't seem to deter him very much.  

Thelma still hasn't shown any signs of having a baby, so maybe she isn't PG.  I'd rather she wasn't although it would probably be easier to have 2 little ones, rather than one, trying to find someone to play with.  She has started following John around all over the property during the day.  At least it gets her out of her pen, we open the gate & most of the time she doesn't go out.  I would imagine her feet bother her, although they've been trimmed, it will take awhile for them to hopefully shift around so she will be comfortable.