2013 IS JUST ABOUT OVER......!!!

This year has gone by so quickly, but I guess it's time to get ready for a new one.  This year has been a good one, no big crisis'.  I just wish we could get our numbers down, unfortunately most of the donkeys and mules we have left aren't really adoptable for the most part.  The brothers Ruger and Wister are adoptable and actually are starting to hang out together, which is what I was hoping for.  

Their mother Ruthie would be adoptable, but we don't have anyone to go out with her.  It would be nice if Boaz could go with her.  But I'm afraid his knee would be a deal breaker for someone wanting to adopt.  

This is what his leg looked like this morning when I was changing bandages.  I've been using the balm and powder from Source One Naturals and it's looking less angry and seems to be drier, so I'll continue using it for awhile.  I sometimes think medications work and then seem to lose their effectiveness. 

Boaz and Ruthie have been together for at least 4 or 5 years and would be a good pair.  But that probably isn't going to happen for the above reason.  

Of course there is also Jack and Molly the mini mules.  They will take a special home that really wants them.  They've settled down a lot and really are a lot of fun to be around, but when it's all said and done they are MULES.  

Coquette would be very adoptable, she has been worked with and likes people.  BUT, she and Penny are totally and completely bonded, at least from Coquette's point of view.  Last night starting at about 1am, Coquette had lost Penny.  She kept calling and yelling, John finally got up, went out in the cold to make sure nothing was seriously wrong.  She was standing out in the pen area, yelling, no one else in sight.  It went on until about 4am, when we assume she finally found Penny, because they came in together for breakfast.  They like to hang with Pepper for some odd reason.  We think, Coquette was busy doing something, when Penny and Pepper went someplace else and Coquette didn't get the memo.  Penny would be a hard sell, and we won't separate them.

This morning we looked out the kitchen window and saw Buddy Brat and Cisco play fighting.  Not that unusual, except Cisco  was a roping donkey in a school that taught roping and was loaned out for the students to take home and practice on.  Needless to say his legs are shot.  He usually moves at a slow steady pace rather than grabbing neck and pushing and shoving.  I had wondered who had been slobbering on Buddy's neck, now I think I know.  He is on CosequinASU, which is an outstanding joint supplement and it seems to be working for him.  This is what makes rescue worthwhile, when they once again act like donkeys.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE...!!

LOW KEY TIME RIGHT NOW

A LITTLE LATE, BUT PRETTY DARN CUTE...!!

For some reason, all the "fur" kids are doing really good right now, even old Energizer Bunny, Pepper.  I'm doctoring Boaz's knee daily, but other than that we don't have a lot of extras to do.  One of the pleasures of winter and a good reason not to complain TOO much about the really cold mornings.  

We are going thru a change with Mother.  She has lived with us for about 1 1/2 years now and it's really been pretty easy..........well except for that eating thing.  I know older people sometimes don't eat much, but she is a challenge.  

A few days ago she fell and was on the floor for sometime before we found her.  She doesn't know how long.  Since then her confidence level has dropped considerably.  The only time she would get out of bed before was to use her bedside potty chair, but that isn't going to happen now.  I really don't blame her, I'm sure that was really scary, but it certainly puts a cramp in my style.  I don't have a social life, but I do need to go to Benson quite often, Tucson occasionally and really need to go to the races.  Well maybe that last one isn't a "have to", but it sure is fun.  

We've hooked up a baby monitor in her room, so we can hear any noise and she has always had a call button that makes a noise like a cuckoo to let us know if she needs something.  So between the two she's pretty well covered when we're here and in the house.  

But we are trying to find someone to come in and be here when we aren't.  lf we lived in town it probably wouldn't be that difficult.  But we don't.  If there were "normal" people living in our area I'm sure we could find someone.  Most of our neighbor's are anti social at best and a little crazy at worst.  I like to say we are the only normal ones, but then again..............are we really........?????  LOL

So the hunt is on.  Just started and actually a couple of "normal" friends that live in the area came by yesterday and had a suggestion that might work out if the young woman is interested.  She's to call me if she is.  She lives less than a mile from us on the next road north, so it would really be convenient. 

The going to town a few hours or an afternoon won't be too bad, but we don't get home from the races until about 2am usually, so we'll have to see if that's works for her.  

Wish me luck.......!!!!

Merry Christmas to everyone.....!! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO WISTER.....!!!

We're waiting for our son and Lisa to get here so we can eat "fresh ham" and pumpkin pie....!!!  Not sure what other people call a ham that isn't cured, but that's what we always called it.  

This morning we found Mother laying beside her bed.  She said she got up to use her bedside potty chair and ended up flopping around on the floor.  Couldn't get to her call button and couldn't figure out how to pull herself up.  Nothing hurt, but unfortunately everytime she has something happen like that she is less willing to do for herself.  I guess at age 90 she's entitled, but she did get up to use her chair by herself this afternoon, so she hasn't quit trying.  

We also have an ailing mule.  Rusty has been "off" the last 3 days.  I've always said if they are going to get sick, it will be either a week-end or holiday.  We now only have one local vet and she will be gone until the 6th of January, sooooooo.......!!!!  He acts like there is something going on in his mouth and he also has goopy eyes.  He is 34 and has pretty good teeth, but they are on borrowed time at his age and it certainly wouldn't be a surprised if he started losing teeth.  I put him on Tucoprim starting yesterday and if he hasn't perked up  by tomorrow we will call Dr. Shamis in Tucson and ruin his holiday.  He doesn't think much of my "throw aways", but he will treat them, and he is a very good vet.  

Of course today is Wister's first birthday.  I guess he is celebrating being a big boy.  This morning was the first morning he hasn't ran over to Ruthie when John lets him and Ruger out of their pen, to plug in for security.   He sauntered over to the Ritchie waterer for a drink instead......!!! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS.......... have a great day....!!!!

THINGS ARE GOING WELL

Wister is trying to be obnoxious with his brother Ruger.  John put the "kids" in a pen and Ruthie and Boaz are eating in another pen.  So far, so good no one seems to be copping an attitude.  I was hoping the boys would hang around together, but so far, Ruger is staying by himself and Wister is finding his usual play buddy, Justin to play with.  Last night when John let everyone out at bedtime, he said Wister ran out of the pen, straight to Ruthie and started to nurse.  That is the longest he's ever been separated from her.  He will be a year old tomorrow night, and we keep telling him he's too old for such behavior.  She's been dry for quite sometime, and he really gets upset when nothing comes out of the spigot, he stomps his feet and butts her like it's her fault.  She puts up with his nonsense, like a good momma does.  Very rarely does she chastise him, when he's acting silly. 

The people that had Ruger and Pancho and now have Pepsi, sell a balm and powder for a company called Source One Naturals.  They swear by it and asked if I wanted to try it on Boaz's knee.  I've tried just about everything else and am always open to the idea of something that might work.  Judy even had a vet friend of hers call me to see if I had any questions.  I just started with it this morning so we'll see how it goes.  I know one thing, trying to smear the balm on his knee when it is cold doesn't work very well, I should have warmed it up first I guess.  I finally smeared it on the bandage rather than the knee, worked a little better.  

I'm anxious to see what it looks like in the morning.  The vet said not to leave it on longer than 1 1/2 days between bandage changes.  I had been leaving the bandages with the mupirocin on for 2-3 days, I'll have to load up on brown gauze again.  

I sure hope this works, he has put up with me doctoring him for almost 2 years.  I'm sure he is as tired of it as I am, although he does enjoy the accompanying  animal crackers. 

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! 

BANQUET OVER, ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS

The banquet was pretty good, nice steak dinner, and then on to the important stuff, like handing out plaques and money and everyone congratulating everyone else.  Of course some of them weren't speaking to each other at the end of the season, but I guess time heals old wounds and "there's always next year" to "get" them.  

Before we left for the banquet John let all the kids out that were thru eating, which was about half of them.  When we came home, we left the courtyard gate open on the way into the house.  I went down to fill Mother in on all the happenings and show her my plaque, and when I came back, John was standing in the great room, commenting on the fact I had left the gate open.  Really.............how did he know?  Perhaps because there were mini donkeys and mules roaming around in this forbidden area.  I opened the door and suggested they vacate the area, which they all did quite nicely.  Someone did leave a message concerning my narrow mindedness I guess.  

 

Didn't see the culprit, although when I opened the door, Jack the mini mule was standing in the neighborhood, and he's real easy to blame......!!!  LOL

BlackJack was one of those left in because he wasn't done eating in the afternoon.  John had left BJ's pen unlatched, so he could push it open.  Usually if nothing is happening and he is stuck in the pen, he will start banging on the corral panels hard enough to move them and the thought was once he figured out it was moving he would continue to bang until he could get out.  

That didn't happen, instead of banging on the corral panels he decided to dig a hole to China.  This morning when John was filling the cavern in with a rake he noticed this:

 Not the ballpoint pen, but the pot shard.  We've found them before on the property, even found a corn grinding rock called a metate when they were digging the laterals years ago. One time we found a shard as big as a hand that had been charred, probably was a cooking pot . 

Did find out the track plans to have the Hornets race for 6 race days in January.  They are having big money races for the Modifieds and Late Models two week-ends in a row.  They use us for cheap filler, so the "real" racers have time to work on their cars if needed.  

We have a slight problem, my car is laying in pieces in a friend's garage.  Had to pull the motor and transmission to get to the differential to lock it.  John and I have been discussing this ever since we found out last night.  His answer was to run the Toyota, you know the slug he drove the last race night and I lapped him......!!! LOL  

I go out every race to win, not to "have fun", which is what John said I would have.  DON'T THINK SO....!!!   

In 52 years I have learned, if I dig in for my position for awhile, and then give up, I usually get my way.  So now John is talking about trying to get the Kia back together by January 11th, and he said if he did, then he'd take the Tojo and race it.  Guess he didn't mind me lapping him while he was "having fun"......!!!!  We'll see, besides the locking and getting it back together, the front end needs some beefing up before I go back on the track.  The fan shroud is pushed back into the radiator from contact with assorted items, like cars and tractor tires and one more "contact" would probably get the radiator.  That will take some engineering and welding, which John can't do, so we'll have to beg time and effort from guys trying to get their cars ready.   We'll see how it goes.........!!

I HAVE A PROBLEM

A very nice woman named Marion came to the Open House and took a video of Boaz "singing".  Actually he was begging, he's found out if he flaps those lips, people pay attention to him and might give him a treat.

I can play  videos, I can play DVDs, I can get sound off my computer..............BUT...........for some reason I can't play the sound from this link.  Actually I have another one of Jonathan Winters doing a comedy routine about a stick I can't hear either.

Let me know if you can or can't use either of these links.  I know just enough computer to stay out of trouble most of the time.

Everyone has forgiven us I guess, they are coming in at feeding time like they usually do.  Unless Tula decides they don't need to come in........!!!! 

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......!!!!

WELL I THINK WE'RE READY......!!!

QUILLA INVITES YOU TO THE OPEN HOUSE

We're ready and the donkeys are always ready.  Hopefully the weather will be nice like today, lots of sunshine, no wind and almost 70 degrees.  Of course last night it got down to 21 degrees, John had to break ice on the water buckets this morning.  

The donkeys love to have tours, so I hope we have lots of people show up.  Since the donkeys have to stay in their pens, if there isn't a lot of action, they get bored pretty quick.  

Kathy Dean of Longhopes Donkey Shelter in Bennett, Colorado is also having an open house tomorrow. I e-mailed her this morning and it's below zero up there.  Fortunately they have a huge building that can be heated, so I'm sure they will have a good day, even if they have to go inside.  People in Colorado are use to weather, people in SE Arizona, not so much. 

Looking forward to everyone coming out to meet the donkeys. 

DARN, LOST ANOTHER MOBILE VET..........!!!

This has been around for awhile, but I think it's cute..!!!

Found out Dr. Megan has left for the Prescott area.  Her husband works for the DEA or one of those organizations and got a promotion, so off they went.  I don't think they had been in their house a year.

I really hate to lose her, she was bright, caring, and very good at what she did.  Don't know if Dr Nancy plans on getting someone else or not.  She tries to go it alone, which really makes it difficult for emergencies.  If you have a problem when you get up in the morning and call, she probably has a full day of appointments.  So at best your emergency is going to have to wait until after hours.  

I hope we'll have everything done for the Open House, this Saturday.  Now the weather is trying to make it difficult.  Tonight and tomorrow night are suppose to be really cold, and the high in Tucson for Saturday is suppose to be in the 50's, which means probably in the 40's out here.  Most of the time the weatherman isn't right, hopefully this will one of those times.  

All the donkeys are doing real good right now, even old Pepper is "up and at them", this morning he was pawing at the stall mat in front of his gate, until we could smell rubber burning.  The mat has to be there or he will dig a hole big enough to fall in.  He's eating real good now.  He's still very thin, but compared to earlier this summer, he looks pretty good.  

Boaz's knee is getting some scar tissue around the edges, so the open area is getting smaller.  Hope this continues.  At one time I had it down to about the size of a dime stretched out, in the middle.  Maybe over the winter I can get it healed over. 

GETTING READY FOR THE OPEN HOUSE.....!!

There isn't a whole lot to do, but it would be nice to clean up and tidy up a little bit.  Someone came up with the brilliant idea of putting the info sheets for the donkeys on a clipboard attached to their pen.  Always before we've just put the sheet up with a piece of cardboard behind it in the document protector.  You can probably imagine where this is going.......... donkey in pen.....bored between people coming by with pellets...........need something to occupy said donkey.....!!!  Hmmmm........what is this hanging on my pen, wasn't there last night......!!!  We're hoping clipboards with cut down on the amount of personal involvement to keep the info sheets up and readable.  

Some of the donkeys really get into "reading" the info sheets.  Big old Gus, one year kept all of us busy, we finally tried stapling the info page to the outside of his shelter.  That added to the fun of reaching around and ripping it off.  I didn't realize how long his neck was until I kept moving it down the outside of the shelter and he kept being able to reach it.  I think we finally stapled it to the tree outside his pen, otherwise it was going to be so far down the shelter, people wouldn't know if it was for him or another donkey.  We didn't mind them eating the sheets, but tried to keep as much of the plastic page protector as possible, from going down their gullet.  Of course once it's torn down, and has been shaken as much as possible, it is also fun to paw and stomp it. 

We don't have enough clipboards for all the pens, so we'll make sure all the boys have a clipboard, since they seem to be the ones that get "bored".  

This afternoon John is going racing with our friend Larry.  Larry has a Factory Stock and they are racing in a big end of the season show.  Afternoon races are really hard for us to make, we'd be late feeding.  John said he will come home right after Larry's main event, but I'm staying home to start chores on time, whether he makes it or not.  If history is any judge, I'll probably be done with chores before he gets home, even leaving early.