ALMOST THE NEW YEAR............

Since I last updated Jacque and Sugar have come out to participate in a New Year's Day run, the Burro Buddies, aka, Suzanne, Linda and Lynn have planned.  Some of the runners are coming out the day before for a sleep over  and potluck.  I hope the weather gets better, it's been cold, windy and rainy the last few days.  I'm sure everyone will have a good time, BUT, they could have just as good a time with it a little bit warmer........!! LOL

 Jacque and Sugar's family aren't into running, but Jacque and Sugar really like to run, so they spent last summer in Colorado, being pack burro racers and did really well.  So they are out here for the New Year's run, it seems like there is always more people wanting to run, than there are donkeys.  Some of the people coming are bringing their own donkeys also.

Last week-end the Burro Buddies took 15 donkeys to Tombstone for the day.  They would bring 3 donkeys at a time to the Good Enough Mine for the visitors to pet.   When the donkeys weren't on display they were all running around on 12 acres of "donkey heaven", really rough terrain, lots of rocks and steep hills.  This is Sugar and Jacque on high ground surveying the available area, trying to decide what to do next.  When Georgette saw the picture, she thought they had "escaped", but they were just having fun being wild burros..........!!

Some of their adoring public..!!

Loki working the crowd....!!

 

The minis waiting for the next group.......!!

Link with a new friend......!!

Lynn's new friend's hat matches Lynn''s halter.....!!

Escorting guests down to the Good Enough Mine tour......!!

AND SO IS CASPER.........!!!

Doesn't he look angelic?  I had a tour this afternoon and the donkeys were out on the 10 acres.  One of the women couldn't walk all over looking for donkeys, although in reality, most of them came up to us to see what we were doing.  I took her around in the golf cart.  

We had seen most of the donkeys, but Link the mammoth was missing and I figured he would be down below the house.  

Before we found Link, I noticed a small white equine just outside the perimeter fence..............guess who..........!!!   

I pointed Casper out to the tour, and then yelled at Casper to get back inside the fence.  He just looked at me, walked along side the fence to where a small wash goes under the fence.  He knelt down, wiggled a little bit and popped up inside the fence.  He just stood there and looked at me like, "Quit yelling at me, I do what I want"......!!  The people on the tour thought it was funny.  Well, I did too, but didn't want Casper to know.  Between him and Big Gus it is never dull around here, that's for sure......LOL

Last night we did a Christmas parade at the Butterfield RV Resort in Benson with 13 donkeys and handlers from the park.  Most of them have either been out to see the donkeys on a tour, or have come out to groom or do some maintenance although there were a few new faces.  

I think everyone had a great time, we've done enough parades, Linda's figured out how to organize getting ready, so it isn't as chaotic as it could be.    

John resurrected his Dept of Sanitation outfit from the 4th of July parade up on Mt. Lemmon.  It's suppose to be cute, BUT, he stayed pretty busy with what the donkeys left on the street, so it's a good thing he really had tools..........!!!  

BlackJack doing his thing, there wasn't any grass or weeds along the route so he behaved himself. 

This place was really decorated, quite a few of the RVs or Park models were all lit up with decorations.  Most of the donkeys had probably never seen anything like that before, but it didn't seem to faze them at all. 

My dream has always been to have the donkeys organized.  Last night we had 13 donkeys, so we could have had BlackJack and his blanket with the name of the rescue on it out in front.  Then we could have had 4 rows of 3 behind him.  As you can see it's rather a loose operation, donkeys do what donkeys want to do and it doesn't have much to do with the handlers and what they would like to do.........!!! If you accept this, your parade will be less stressful........!!!  LOL

I think I'm getting shorter, either than or the rest of the gang are getting taller......!!! LOL

COCHISE IS OUT AND ABOUT.................!!!

Yesterday Lynn and Linda spent quite a bit of time with the new guy.  As you will see in the videos he's a lover.  Emily said he liked to be scratched, that seems to be an understatement......!!! LOL  I know every time I walk past his pen, he comes over and lines up next to the corral panel, so I can start at his withers and scratch all the way down his back. He is very personable and really enjoys attention.  

This morning after he finished breakfast we let him out for about an hour by himself, so he could learn the property, without nosy noses in his business.  

Headed out for a day of adventure.  He just wandered out when the gate was opened, and even after we let the others out, he was really mellow, even if some of them weren't...........!!  

Early in his outing when the others went out, some of the guys took turns chasing him.  But it was in play and he seemed to take it all in stride.  At least with the guys.  

Tula who is the head jenny, let him know in no uncertain terms that if he had any ideas about being in charge to get rid of them.  It didn't seem to upset him and after running at him a couple of times she just ignored him.  

Bunny is still behaving like a good girl gone bad..........!!!  Today she, Lobo and Legend stayed in the Burro Barracks, tonight they will get out and Cochise will stay in his pen.  If all goes well, tomorrow they will all be out together.  Cochise was only gelded a couple of weeks ago.  He shouldn't still be able to be a daddy if he fell to her charms, but stranger things have happened.  The way it was explained to to me it wouldn't be impossible, but highly unlikely.  She's been chasing him ever since he got here, and he's very interested in her, so who knows what will happen when they get on the same side of the fence.............LOL

This week-end we will be taking most of the donkeys to one of the local RV parks for a night time parade thru the park.  A few years ago we were invited to do the parade with BlackJack as the Grand Marshall.  It was just BJ, John and I, this time there's going to be about a dozen donkeys with their walkers.  Should be a lot of fun, most of the walkers live in the park.   

That's the last parade on our schedule, but New Year's Day there will be a 5 kilometer race out here.  Some of the runners will camp out the night before, so it's probably going to end up like a big sleep over..........!!

STAYING BUSY

The movie people and the horses are gone.  They were here about a week, and it was interesting to see the process.  It takes a lot of people, and time before a movie or video is ready for public consumption.    This week they are shooting over at another movie site over in Mescal, just a few miles from here, but with different buildings and vegetation.  The name of the movie, if they don't change it will be, The Righteous Twelve and if I was guessing, I'd guess it will not be in theaters, but will be a video for purchase.  

On the final day they were shooting they finally asked John to come up with BlackJack for their part.  This is John and BJ walking up the road from our place to the movie site. 

John and Blackjack walked from one side of the street to the other with this mountain man and an Indian, while the 12 Righteous Twelve people rode towards them on the horses.  John said at one time the director stared the horses early and John and BJ ended up in the middle of the street surrounded by a dozen horses with riders.   

The same day they finished shooting here, we took 15 donkeys to the Tombstone Light Parade.  We had volunteers to walk 10 of the donkeys.  It really went well, most of the volunteers had never done  anything like that before, and 3 of the donkeys had never been in a parade.

Headed up the hill to the parade

Some pictures taken before the parade, everyone had a smile on their face.........

 Waiting for it to get dark enough for the parade to start....

Yesterday Suzanne, John and I picked up a donkey south of Sierra Vista.  His owner had called me a few weeks ago, but he was an intact jack and we don't take jacks.  She said she would call me when she had him gelded, which was a couple of weeks ago.  

He's really a nice boy, although Bunny one of the jennies is trying to make his life miserable.  Last night at bedtime when the donkeys all get to go out except for the new guy, she sauntered by him and gave him "the look" I guess.  Next thing he's up and over the cattle panel.  Most of the pens are corral panels, this one just happened to be a flimsy cattle panel.  Linda said it was no problem getting him into another pen, they just led Bunny and he was more than happy to follow.  We were thrilled this morning to find him still in the pen.......!! LOL

He should be shooting blanks by now, but we'll keep him in a few days to give him time to acclimate, he's not been around other donkeys, just horses.

 This is the welcoming committee whenever the stock trailer comes in and there is someone in it. 

 He's a good boy, has manners and seems easy to work with.

 His name was Brutus which none of us really cared for.  We tried a few other names and the winner is Cochise.  Suzanne said his mane looks like a war bonnet.  He's been rolling in mud, so his mane might not be quite as yellow after a bath or the passage of time.  But it is gray like his body up by his ears and down by his withers, so it is a rather festive mane and Cochise seems to suit him. 

IT'S BUSY AROUND HERE.....

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I guess you could say the donkeys are "nosy" neighbors.  They like to "participate" in any and everything the movie people try to do.  I don't think any of them have been around donkeys before, or if they have, not a whole herd of them that are loose on the property and insist on knowing what's going on. 

One of the wranglers getting to know Link....!

What's really funny to us is when they are moving the horses back and forth from Gammon's Gulch, they have been asking, if Casper is in his pen.  The little devil has them buffaloed I guess.  

I think Linda took this picture yesterday, when Casper was in his pen and one of the movie guys was trying to make friends.  He went in the pen and squatted down to Casper's size and did all the things people do to get an equine to come to them.  He left disappointed, this was about as involved as Casper got.  The green paint rubbed off on his neck where he's been sticking his head thru the corral panels to "get" the horses, shows up pretty good..........LOL

Here's a nice selfie Mindy took during the Open House

Boaz doing his thing during the Open House.  He has learned over the years the people love to see him "talk".  He has perfected his technique over the years and gets a lot of attention.

That's Tula in the background wanting the people to hurry up and come to see her.

Big Gus having a SNIT FIT..........

Mindy took this video of Big Gus showing his displeasure that supper isn't on time.  He's such a fun animal to have around............IF.......you have a sense of humor and appreciate his particular way of looking at life.  Otherwise he's just a big pain, we do get irritated with him sometimes, but overall he's one of a kind. 

All the horses for the movie they are shooting up at Gammon's Gulch finally arrived last night about 8pm.  The movie is the Righteous Twelve and they only have 11 horses.  So today they are trying to find another horse, which isn't as easy as you might think in this area.  I don't know if they will be able to shoot today or not, it is really foggy this morning.  Unless the sun comes out to burn off the fog, it will probably be a wasted day.
 

Of course the donkeys have been involved in vehicles coming and going, horses being unloaded and put in the Burro Buddy Barracks, on the other side of the wash.  When they saw Linda coming over to see the horses, Bunny had to lead the parade.  Wonder if she was excited to show Linda what she had found........!!!  Donkeys are so easy to put human thought with their actions.

Of course Casper took this opportunity to show what a "big bad dude" he is.  The reason we ended up with him, was because of him attacking horses.  He's not a coward either, if there was no fence he'd be right in the middle of their business, especially if he could get them to run. 

The buckskin isn't impressed......LOL  This morning Casper has a green circle around his neck.  I guess he spent the night with his head thru the green corral panels, trying to entice the horses to fight with him.....!! 

Thanks for the videos, Linda

OPEN HOUSE IS OVER ON TO THE PARADES.......

Saturday was a nice day, we had people coming in a few at a time all day to visit with the donkeys.  Sunday was a little cloudy and cooler, so we had less people coming in to visit with the donkeys.  I think we all had a good time, and everyone that came left with a smile on their face, although a couple of women got their fingers in the wrong place and got bit.  We tell visitors how to feed the donkeys, and almost all the donkeys are very careful when taking something out of hands.  Obviously a couple of them need some remedial training.......!!!  

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Balloons to get people attention as they drive down the road.  I don't know how many times people coming out to see the donkeys say they drove right past the road to our place in spite of the sign.  Lynn was creative about putting up the balloons, usually out here people just tie 3 or 4 balloons in a bunch.  This was nice, it even looks like he evenly spaced them.  

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All neat and tidy, seemed like everyone had been cleaning and organizing for days.  

 Mindy and her mom came down from the Phoenix area to help with the Open House.  Mindy comes down a couple of times a year to get her "donkey fix".  She really enjoys being with the donkeys. 

And she brought cookies, she made them from her mom's recipe and they not only look good they were really tasty.  

Cheyenne doesn't mind dressing up, but didn't want to be the photo donkey.  So Justin had to step in and save the day.  

This is Justin, with, John one of the volunteers.  We weren't overly busy either day, but we couldn't have done it without the people that came out to help.  Evie from Fuzzy Focus took pictures on Saturday, we really appreciate all the really neat photos she took. 

I was sitting at the entrance table and who walks up but a dear friend of over 50 years.  In fact Ellyn was our bridesmaid, when we got married over 58 years ago.  She still lives in Missouri and winters in this area in the winter.  For about the last 4 years she has threatened to come and see us while she is out here, but you know how life gets in the way of plans a lot of times.  But she made it this year, we were glad to see her even if it was a short visit.  

Tonight there are 11 horses on the property.........!!  They are shooting a movie called The Righteous Twelve, up at Gammon's Gulch, the little movie site just east of us on the road to our place.  A couple of weeks ago the director came down and asked if they could keep their horses on our property, for the week that they will be shooting.  He even wants John and BlackJack in their mining outfits to be in the movie.  

Over the years John and some of the donkeys have been in 2 or 3 movies or videos up there.  Believe me movie making isn't near as glamorous as the end product.  It's a lot of waiting around for your part and then doing it over and over, until they are satisfied with the results.  I guess if you are a big star, and have a RV or something to go hide in until it's time for you to show up, it's not so bad.  Nothing John has been in, has had enough budget to furnish a RV for the star.......LOL  They don't mingle with the extras like John though, so don't know where they hide out.  

When they came in with the 1st load of horses this afternoon, they had to deal with Big Gus, he is bound and determined they need his help to get settled in, the people that is.......!!  Linda, Suzanne and I were in the house and we watched one of the guys trying to get away from Big Gus.  He was roaming around by the house, trying to escape Big Gus and Gus was having a great time keeping up with him.  Should be a very interesting week, because the donkeys are loose on the property.  And being the nosy critters they are, they will want to "help" the movie people do whatever it is they are doing, whenever they are doing it, whether they want the help or not.   

We have 2 parades before Christmas to walk in.  They are both at night, so all the donkeys will be lite with strings of lights.  BlackJack is the only one that has done a nighttime parade with lights, so it should be interesting hopefully it won't be a big deal to some of the donkeys.  They usually are willing to go along to get along.  

JASPER WORKING HIS MAGIC

Frijolita use to be our "helpful" gate opener, but Jasper has taken over the job.  He's really very good at it......

We've tried chains, which he's learned to open.  We've tried lacing the chain thru a hole drilled in the bottom of the drop and people didn't like that one, although it did deter him, if we took the time to do it.  We have one gate between his pen and Penny, that has so many "this will stop him" items, we don't even use it anymore.  It's too complicated............

So the new idea that will hopefully contain him is number combination locks, we will need 3 of them for the 3 gates into his pen.  We will try only changing one number at first, hopefully he'll not figure out the combination..........!!  LOL

Getting ready for the Open House is starting to speed up, the rest of the week will probably be a blur.  Unfortunately the donkeys will probably have to stay in Saturday night, otherwise all the decorations would probably end up as toys.  

The last time we did this a few years ago, Sunday morning John had to go around and retrieve all his signs everywhere.  They ate some of them, and stomped others so I had to make more.  This time there will be more goodies to play with, like a decorated Christmas tree..........won't that be fun..........!!  So they will be in donkey prison for the week-end.  They just did weeks of solitary because of the mesquite beans, so they will be just fine.  

During the day isn't a problem, because they will have people with red solo cups of pellets to entertain them.   But the nights might be a little boring.  Wish us luck.........LOL

THANKSGIVING IS OVER, ON TO CHRISTMAS.........

I'm not the most holiday orientated person on the planet, but with Linda and Suzanne around, I don't have much choice........!!!  I just try to stay out of the way..........!!! LOL  This week-end is the Open House in conjunction with the 39th annual Community Cascabel Fair here in the valley.  If all their plans fall into place, it's going to be busy around here.  They are setting up a photo booth, so people can take pictures with a donkey.  They are going to have packs on a couple of "beverage burros" carrying sodas to sell.  Of course all the pens will be full of donkeys for people to interact with.  

 

Leo is inviting everyone in the area to come on out and spend some time with him and his friends

Today they are visiting with a couple of BLM donkeys and their new family.  The people are so excited to have the donkeys, BUT are new donkey parents and wanted to get some ideas of the best way to train them.  

Lynn Linda and Suzanne are in the process of setting up a business called Burro Buddies, and one aspect of it will be training.  Both for just the basics,  but also teaching the owners how to work with donkeys.  If a donkey can be haltered, led, stand tied, allow all 4 feet to be picked up, and be trailered the battle is half won.  People need as much training as the donkeys in fact usually more.  If donkeys are easy to work with or have training for a job, such as pack burro racing, they have a better chance of getting a long term good home.  If the Burro Buddies can help people with their donkeys, or if the donkeys have a specific issue such as picking up their feet and they work with the donkey, the people or both, it's a win win for everyone.  

We will be getting in a new member of the family soon.  His owner called me a few weeks ago and wanted us to take her donkey.  He had a small problem, he was an intact jack, which we no longer accept.  She said she would get him gelded and this morning was his date with destiny.  I told her to call in a few days when he has recuperated and we'll come get him.  Haven't seen him, he's about 4-5 years old, who knows he might be a good racing candidate..........!!! 

We've had a lot of rain the last week or so.  Sure hope it's nice for the Open House.  The weather people are saying partly cloudy, 60s and 70s which would be pretty nice.  But, they aren't always accurate...........!! LOL  We always say if they got paid for being right, they'd starve to death.......!! 

Casper the little white mini mule is finally behaving himself again.  For some reason he took a personal affront to 5 of the donkeys Lynn and Linda brought down from Colorado.  What is really weird is one of them is Bunny a jenny and the boys usually don't chase the girls except for one reason and his mind wasn't on romance.  It got so bad, we started having him in his pen and them out, or them in their pens and him out.  This went on for days and I asked my herb expert Claire if there was anything we could give him to make him less reactive.  It took a few days, but he finally settled down with a little help from herbs and peace reigns again, thank goodness.  The reason we ended up with him in the first place was because he didn't play well with others, and he would try to kill full sized horses.  He's like a little buzz saw when he gets focused on a victim. 

If anyone would like to volunteer to help during the Open House, we'd love to have you come out.  Just let me know.....!!!

WENT TO LAS VEGAS FOR THE WEEKEND.........

My first (and probably only) selfie.  Those closeups are too revealing.......!!! LOL

 
Never saw a slot machine or the strip..........But..........John and I did see some good races at the 1200 acre NASCAR Motorplex.........  Linda, Suzanne and Linda held down the home front and took care of all the animals, while we were out goofing off.

Unfortunately our friends from Tucson that went up there to race in the truck series didn't do very well.  The #2 truck just races when it's convenient, the #50 raced enough this year to finish in 2nd place for the season.  They race at different tracks all over the west, including California so there is more traveling involved than just racing at a home track.

 The infield was a little wet.  They had rain last week and enough of it to flood the infield.  Thankfully no one lost control and ended up in the "lake".

 Some of the competition, all sitting on jack stands waiting for tires and wheels

John talking to Gary while waiting to go out for time trials

Gary's motor gave up in the main event, so he didn't finish.  The #50 finished, but he was nursing a cracked transmission case and hoping it didn't explode if it came apart.  

We had a great time, knowing we didn't have to worry about the donkeys. The only thing it could have been a little warmer.  You would think Las Vegas would be warm if not hot.  We went there to watch races in the spring and thought we were going to freeze.  This time wasn't much better, but we came prepared with Arctic gear.......!! LOL  

Our next racing outing will be in January for the Wildwest Shootout up in the Phoenix area.  It goes on for a week.  Last year it paid $14,000 to win the last night, wonder if it will be more this year.  Lots of cars show up, not only does it pay good to win, but that time of year there isn't much racing in the rest of the country and racers get bored during the off season.

The donkeys are all doing good, right now it is cooler than humans like.  But I think the donkeys like it.  They are all putting on a heavy winter coat, so I wonder if we are going to have a "real" winter this year.  

Linda got some pictures from Rambo's family.  They were in the Moab, Utah area, not sure if they were hunting or camping, but Rambo was earning his keep. 

  

Rambo is the darker donkey.

Family shot including the dog.  I'm so glad he has a home that appreciates his particular personality.

Thanksgiving is in a couple of days and then on to the Open House the 7-8th of December.  Linda and Suzanne have been busy gathering up decorations for the event.  If they get everything done they've talked about it should really be decorative.  I can't wait to see the snowflakes in the mesquite trees........!!!! LOL

We've also got a couple of parades in December, which should be fun.  Lately we've been keeping busy with tours, I guess we've been discovered as something to do if you are in Benson.  People always leave with a smile on their face after a visit with the donkeys.  

Today we had 2 tours, Suzanne did one and I did the other.  The donkeys were suppose to be in their pens, but when I got ready to go out, I noticed Rosie and Gigi were out.  Oh well change of plans I guess.  Actually Jasper had let himself out of his pen, and he knows Gigi leaves hay scraps,  he let them out, so he could eat her leftovers.  There was a chain and a bungie on his gate..............no problem, he's gotten very good at opening gates.  And we aren't learning very fast how to keep him in his pen. 

WASN'T MEANT TO BE...........!!!!

This morning at about sunrise, Rosie aka Zoe left us.  Although she had only been here a couple of days, she was one of ours.  

Animals do not get to choose their people.  If they did a lot of people wouldn't be involved with animals.  Why people neglect or abuse animals I will never be able to figure out.  Why not feed an animal, make sure they have water, make them as comfortable as possible. 

It doesn't matter how much or how little people have, it depends on their mind set.  Rich people can neglect their animals and many people with nothing will do without to make sure their animals are taken care of.  

We got the results of the blood tests taken Friday and there is nothing in it, no red flags or any "that's it" information.  This morning early when I got in touch with Dr. Jeremy he offered to come out and do a necropsy.  At that time, I thought she had organ failure and figured the blood test would show that.  Now I wish I had him do an necropsy.

She could have had a wonderful life here, and we would have done whatever it took to make it happen.  But just wasn't meant to be...........!!! 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES...........

Yesterday Zoe was walking all over her pen, very alert, eating everything we brought to her.  We actually were only feeding her chopped hay, plus a few animal crackers of course.  

This morning, she was down.  Tonight she is still down.  Dr. Jeremy thinks her system is so weakened because of her poor body score, the trip from up by Phoenix and yesterday used up what little energy she had being alert and moving around so much was very hard on her.  

Linda and Suzanne are her nurses

Lynn is doing nursing duty too

Being down isn't a huge problem, but making sure they don't dehydrate is.  She's interested in eating anything and everything she can get her mouth on.  We have to be careful to feed her small amounts throughout the day, so her system doesn't get overloaded.  But drinking enough liquid can be a problem.  So far she isn't drinking as much as I would like.  In this video she is drinking out of Linda's hand, but she won't drink out of a pan.  

Suzanne and Linda have gone to Walmart tonight to buy a couple of watermelons.  That's always been my "go to" for hydration and I'm sure she'll eat it, she's eaten everything else we've put in front of her.  

She's bright, alert, ears up and watching everything going on around her.  Tonight I passed her by with the mush buckets and she brayed at me and watched me walked past and walk back past.  So I got her half an apple........LOL  

She's been being turned from one side to the other all day about every 2 hours, to help with circulation, and pressure sores.  Lynn says he's sleeping out with her tonight.  So we'll just have to wait and see how she is tomorrow.  

John and I weren't here most of the day.  A dear friend Mike Benjamin died a couple of weeks ago.  Mike was known as Miner Mike. Thousands of tourists have pictures of Mike  and Zeke on the streets of Tombstone as a remembrance of the "town too tough to die".  

 

Thank you Margaret Bota for the video of Mike's Walk Down today.  This is how Tombstone pays respect when one of their own continues on their journey of life.  It was really interesting to see so many people in circa 1880 dress. 

https://www.facebook.com/margaretbota/videos/10217677965635688/

Zeke waiting for something to happen

 Teresa asked if we would transport Zeke to Tombstone, so he could lead the Walk Down, so we did. 

Some of the people that came to show their respect and do the walk

Zeke leading, followed by Mike's family