UPDATE

One of the things that seems to be a rite of passage in the spring for the donkeys, is destruction of cactus.  The prickly pear they dig up and actually eat some of it.  Some of it they drag around and we have to move it out of the paths where we walk.  They might not mind walking on it, but we do......!!

This poor prickly pear has had quite a bit of damage, it's about half the size it was.  The next morning I caught Leo digging and eating it, although I doubt that he is the only one. 

This cholla has been by the feed room for years and this is what they are suppose to look like.  A few feet away was another one, in the picture below.  I don't know if they ate it or just destroyed it.  Cholla is really sticky and I've learned how to pick it up without paying a price, but it has to be done VERY carefully........!!!

This last week-end we took a dozen donkeys to Cochise Terrace RV Park.  This is the park Lynn and Linda were parked in before they decided to come out here and help us with the donkeys.  They still have friends there and we were invited to come out for the people to meet the donkeys and take them for walks if they wanted to. 

A lot of people came by to take pictures, talk about donkeys they've had in their lives and walk them.  I don't know who had the most fun the people or the donkeys.  There was green growing Bermuda grass in the area, so some of the "walks" were kind of a start and stop process.  One person stood for a long time, letting their donkey just eat.  I think it was Frijolita, and I'm sure she enjoyed getting a chance to eat real grass.  A good friend, Claire told me one time that hay is "equine jerky" and I've never forgotten that........!! LOL  Most of our donkeys have probably never had access to grass, and have always eaten hay.  

This Thursday will be the Tucson Rodeo Parade.  This will be the 3rd year we've tried to participate.  We have yet to finish.  This year instead of representing the rescue, they will be representing the Burro Buddies, Lynn Linda and Suzanne's sideline.  They will be doing burro events, which could be just about anything, photo sessions, pack burro rentals, Beverage Burros for special occasions, such as weddings and children's parties.  They will also have Burro Buddies Boot Camp, for boarding, hoof care and training.  It's rather exciting and probably will keep them busy once they get up to speed.  The parade might be good advertising, we'll see. 

John and I won't be walking in the parade.  It's about 3 miles and John and I have gotten to an age, that we have to think about choosing our "battles."  As John's aunt that raised him said, "getting old isn't for sissies".  If we want to continue doing things like playing with donkeys and racing cars the days of just doing it, are over.  We have to invest time in planning more than we use to.  And making sure we have time to rest up afterwards.  The last couple of years after a night of racing, it usually takes both of us until Tuesday or Wednesday to recuperate...........LOL  So we will be on the sidelines rooting for our favorite group.   

Picture of Coquette aka Avery in Colorado with her new beau Briggs.  She's getting along just fine, and they've already started training for the pack burro races this summer even if there is snow on the ground.