WE DID IT........!!!

This last week-end was quite busy.  Saturday morning we were up bright and early to load 2 stock trailers with 18 donkeys.  We were participating in the Salute to the Veterans parade in conjunction with St. Patrick's Day in Tombstone, AZ.

The last 2 years we have placed 3rd in the parade and this year we decided to go for 1st.  I don't know how many hours or how much money was invested in this endeavor  but we took home the gold, as they say..........!!!

We only had 17 donkeys in the parade, Coquette decided to have a meltdown and really threw a hissy fit.  So she had to stay in the trailer by herself until the parade was over.  

Two of the locals, watching us get ready.  Their "human" actually walked in the parade with us, but he said they don't have any training.  Being in a parade probably wouldn't be a good time to use for training, unless you want to have a train wreck....!  They sure were curious about all the goings on though........!!  Nice looking donkeys.

Lots of donkeys in that pen, eighteen to be exact. 

John and BlackJack, doing their thing

Linda P. and would you believe I'm not sure which donkey she is walking.

This "table" represents the POW/MIA table that is set in many chow halls and even some restaurants to show respect for the fallen and ones that haven't come home.  It was set on a 4 wheel cart and was pulled in the parade. 

Lynn the donkey and Sandy the walker

Linda as a WWII nurse.  She and Lynn (dressed as a sailor) did the kiss in Times Square when the war was over, right in front of the judge's stand........!! 

Me, Quilla and Rosie the Riveter aka Georgette

Lynn, me, John and Linda and of course our trophy

We had to load up and get home in a hurry, because about half the donkeys were scheduled for a 12 mile run, the next morning at Empire Ranch.  Unfortunately the vet check-in was Saturday nlt 5pm.  Rushed home, unloaded all donkeys, reloaded some of the donkeys and off they went, managed to get there about 3 minutes before 5pm..............

Suzanne our new helper left in the dark the next morning to make sure she got there in time to partner up with her donkey and not miss the start.  John and I fed and headed out.  Managed to get there just as the burro race was starting.  It was a 3 day event for horses, they raced over 100 miles in 3 days.  But arrangements were made for the burros to start an hour after the horses did.

The reason for that is horses don't always accept donkeys into their lives without a bunch of drama.  Heads up, eyes bugged, snorting, dancing and prancing are all things they do, if they've never seen donkeys before.  A lot of the horses were Arabs which are "squirrely anyway.

 THE START OF THE RACE 

(click for video)

Suzanne and Leddy

Some willing participants

Those ears look like he's ready to go......!!

Linda, Mely and Leo doing their thing

 

Indy and Pepsi, they finished really well

  

Lynn, Sugar, Jerome and Jacque finishing 1st and 2nd.  Oh yes, they are being followed closely by a horse that was fascinated with the donkeys......!!  LOL  Sugar is one of our alumni, she was adopted into a wonderful home about 11 years ago to be a companion with Jacque.  They both have turned into pretty good burro racers.

Loki taking a break

Happy people and donkeys, out enjoying a beautiful day....!!

That's about all the burro racing and parades for awhile, nothing else planned..............yet.  With Lynn and Linda around, who knows what might pop up.  They will be heading back to Colorado about the middle of May with their donkeys and some of our donkeys.  They take some of ours that have skin problems in the summer heat and they do better up there.  Quilla might not be going this year.  He is getting older and doesn't travel very well.  It's too bad because he loves the parades and Linda said the people are drawn to him, they will almost stand in line to pet him.