CASPER IS BACK IN SOLITARY AT THE NEIGHBOR'S

Yesterday morning, a neighbor left a message on my phone asking if Casper was missing.  No, he wasn't he was here with the donkeys when it was round up time for breakfast.  She came by on her horse and told John that earlier, like about daylight 2 cowboys in a pickup were trying to catch him on the main road.  She said he must have spent quite a bit of time outside her fence, because there were little bitty foot prints all over the place.  Needless to say he outsmarted the cowboys and escaped to head home.

Casper fights horses.  When Kris's 2 mares were here, he thought Apache was cute and he and Mel went at each other thru the corral panels.  Always before he had only been around geldings as far as I know, but he and Mel sure didn't get along.  Of course Kris said Mel was a drama queen and she did seem to want to be in charge of everything around her.  She certainly wasn't going to be in charge of Casper, if he had anything to say about it......LOL   

So I have no idea why he was trying to get into an area that had 3 geldings in it.  As I said he was here for roundup, so we are left not knowing how long or how far he has been traveling.  We had caught him a few times hanging around outside our fence, and we'd yell at him and he'd scoot under the fence.  The neighbor is probably not a mile away by road, who knows what route he took to get there.  

He may be standing still, but you can bet that little mind is whirling.......!!

So we called Vic and he said bring him over.  Talked to Vic this morning and he said Casper is "pissed".........LOL  He won't have anything to do with them, won't take a cookie and is spending his time running the fence line looking for a weak spot.  If the little devil ever finds out how good mules can jump, I don't know what we'll do........!!!   I'm trying to find a little molly mule or mini mare that needs to be rehomed, but haven't had any luck so far. 

Doug's son Conor was here for a few days for a surprise visit.  He lives in Michigan and decided to drive down and surprise his Dad.  He left this morning, heading back to Michigan.  Not the best time of year to come to Arizona for a visit, it was hot the whole time he was here, but I think they had a good visit. 

We actually got 1/2 inch of rain last night which is much appreciated.  We are hoping for a good monsoon this year it's been so dry for almost 10 years the desert is starting to look rather bleak especially the prickly pear cactus.  They say a good chance of rain the rest of this week.  If we got 1/2 inch every night that would be great.  

I like the night rains, otherwise it usually rains at chore time, which adds a new dimension to chores.  Night rains also cut down on access to mesquite beans, because when it rains the donkeys hold up with their butts turned to the rain.  They aren't eating when they are standing, so that's a good thing.  They only have access to the 10 acres right now.  Hopefully we'll get enough rain to turn the fallen beans in Burroland black and the donkeys won't eat them.  Sure wish there were a lot of range cattle like there were a few years ago, so we could open the gates and let the cattle clean them up.  

Heard from Linda in Colorado, she actually sent pictures of Lynn's foot after he had a chain saw accident and sliced thru his heavy boot.  Not a good thing to do, especially when you have races with dog, and burro races planned.   Hope this doesn't mess up all the fun things they have planned for the summer. 

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

PEPSI AND LYNN, THANKS DOUG

I have no idea, where I've been or what I've been doing.  I only know I looked up and it's been a week since I added to the blog...........I think that's a record.  We've been busy, but not anymore than usual, so I guess I have no excuse...........LOL

It's getting cool enough at night in the 40's that John is taking fly masks off now.  When it's cool like that we get up before the flies, instead of the other way around for a change.  Probably by the middle of November, fly season will be over except for a few hardy souls that always winter over.  

Doctoring is going well and is easier every day.  I don't think John and I will miss doctoring, but the "patients" probably will.  There are 7 that get doctored everyday, and know that they get 2 animal crackers when it's over.  Unfortunately there are "hanger-oners" that also know there are cookies being handed out, they just don't know why.  But they make sure they are available for handouts.  I can't get past Gi-gi without "paying" on my way to Rosie for doctoring.  Gizmo and Boaz escort us to the next patient thru about half the pens and fully expect pay for their diligence.  

Casper, the little white mini mule, the neighbor's are fostering doesn't have his goat buddies anymore. They got the 2 goats about the same time Casper went to live with them.  They also had chickens and ducks and in fact Casper got credit for running off a coyote that was shopping for a chicken dinner one time.

Unfortunately lately Casper's batting average had slipped and they were losing chickens.  Vic said he thinks the coyotes were watching for Casper to be elsewhere on the 10 acres before they came in.  Recently they had seen a bobcat stalking one of the goats.  I don't know if a bobcat could take a goat, but they didn't want to take a chance and found them a home.  They lost so many chickens in just a few nights, there weren't very many left, but they also found homes.

Vic says he doesn't think Casper even misses the goats, although the goats were bonded with him.  That just adds more info to the idea that Casper might not have been with other equine or maybe even other animals before we got him.  He definitely is an independent little guy

The other night we heard shrieking and thumping on the back porch, where the dry cat food is.  Went to see what was happening and there were 2 skunks locked in a wrestling match.  We turned on porch lights, opened the door, yelled, clapped our hands and they paid absolutely no attention to us.

Have you ever seen those dog or cat toys, you wind up and they flop around on the floor.  They usually have a big fluffy tail.  That's what it looked like except this "toy" had 2 fluffy tails, and the longer the flopped and squealing went on, they were starting to smell funny.......LOL

Finally with us getting involved from 2 different doors, complete with porch lights flashing off and on, one broke away and the other one chased it around the yard.  And they were smelling stronger.  Even the next morning you could still smell them.  I must be getting immuned to the smell, it doesn't bother me near as much as it use to........!!! 

I REMEMBER A MOVIE, DECADES AGO, THE LONG HOT SUMMER, I THINK IT'S HERE

Whew........it's hot.......!!  We raced last night and it was miserable until a couple hours after the sun went down.  Thought I was going to have a heat stroke.  Actually I think I was hoping for one, so I could go home...........LOL  We took lot of water and tea, so when I wasn't on the track, we were drinking. 

I did OK I guess.  Had my best finish of this year a 7th.  We ran a chicane, in other words a obstacle course of sorts.  Certainly added a new dimension to racing and I hope they don't do it again.....!! LOL  They manage to mangle 3 of the 4 corners of my car, well one of them I did on a good friend.  He squirreled and I was "right" there.  The other 2 were undeserved, anytime I get damage to the rear of my car, I'm not happy.  John let one of them know he wasn't happy and I took care of the other one.  He's a new driver, but that doesn't excuse him using the back of my car for a brake.  

Poor John now gets to try to pull out the dents.  He'll get them out, but my car won't be quite so "purty" in the future. 

Doug got to feed by himself.  It's really good to have him here, to feed when we go racing.  Otherwise we'd have to feed them about 1pm and they would have to stay in their pens until we got home about 1am.  It doesn't hurt them, BUT, they think it does.   Years ago, when we use to come in late and they were still in their pens, you never heard such pitiful braying, when I'd get out to open the gate.  We raced about 130 miles from our gate, so we got in REALLY late and they let us know it.  He said everything went smoothly, which is always good to hear.  

Talked to Casper's foster "dad" today.  He said Casper is getting friendlier with them, but is still trying to attack Gizmo, the "good" little mini mule thru the fence.   He certainly doesn't give up..........!!! LOL I guess the other day one of his 2 goat buddies, went after one of their dogs and Casper slammed the goat.  Jeesh, I guess he doesn't want anyone attacking anybody, except him.  Should have named him Enforcer, I guess............!!

We had enough rain the other day to flood some of the pens that need sand/gravel brought in.  John has the tractor and bucket, and Doug has a shovel and rack.........but it is just too hot right now to be grooming pens.  Felena and Selena's pen was relatively dry and empty, so we moved Quilla into that pen, his pen was a mess, almost completely flooded.  The girl's pen has a real shelter, and is much more spacious than his pen, so we might just leave him there.  His pen is actually a temporary pen we set up years ago, and it's been in constant use every since.  I'd like to take it down and make the alleyway between the east and west pens wider, but sure as I do, we'll get an emergency call, for a donkey than needs to be rehomed, right now...........!!!!  Sigh   

 Gus in his favorite sand bathing area by the dog pen, thanks Doug for the picture

CASPER'S CONTINUING ADVENTURE

Casper now has 2 goat buddies.  The neighbors brought home two free wether goats and threw them in with Casper on 10 acres.  At first he tried his attack mode and I guess they weren't very impressed.  Goats have quite a bit of personality of their own and usually pretty much run the show.  Lara said after a little while everything settled down, and after a couple of days he is letting them eat with him, although I guess the relationship hasn't become close.  But I have high hopes that this will be another species he can be with, as long as the  fencing isn't just barbed wire.  I haven't given up on finding someone with a mare to see if his problem is only with male horses or mules, that will run from him, when he is in attack mode.  I have to admit I don't blame them for running, he puts on quite a show of intimidation, for someone as little as he is.  I'm surprised some larger equine hasn't cleaned his clock.  LOL

Yesterday I got an e-mail, that is sent out to the equine rescue groups in Arizona, when there is a crisis situation, somewhere in the state.  It concerned an ad in the Phoenix area for a mini mule being advertised for roping, and the call was put out for help.  Quite a few rescues jumped in with money, trailer, hauling, whatever was needed, so I basically just watched the e-mails.  About an hour after the 1st e-mail I got a call from woman that needed a companion for her mare, who had just lost her 2 horse buddies.  We don't adopt out horse companions unless there is already a donkey in the family.  But a mule is a wonderful companion for a horse, so I e-mailed her all the info I had.  I know they got the little molly out, but haven't heard anymore.  Hopefully the woman followed thru on the information.  

She looks like she might be a little larger than Casper.  No matter where she ends up I'm really glad she's in safe hands.  

As of last night we are leaving the fly masks on 24/7.  The flies get up in the morning before we do,  and this works out pretty well.  We take them off a couple of times during the week to make sure they aren't rubbing or have some foreign material stuck in them.  But other than that, they will have masks on until late Oct or early Nov.........well except when they lose them.  Right now they are trying to reach the mesquite blossoms in the trees, so we have to look up instead of down, when searching for missing masks.  

Heard from Falena and Selena's foster home.  They were going to foster the girls for a month to see if they wanted to adopt them.  It's been about 3 weeks and they are ready to sign papers, the girls have wiggled their way into the center of the family.  When the girls were in foster for 3 years they were called Momma and Squeaky.  If you ever heard Squeaky bray, you would know why........LOL She sounds like a Model T Ford, trying to start and not doing too well.   Anyway Doug had told them about the name change and they have decided Momma and Squeaky works for them.  Momma has to wear a shoe on a rear foot, because of a contracted tendon, which turns the foot under.  Tim wasn't the least bit put off by the idea of having to make sure she wears that shoe as needed.  I think it will be a wonderful home for these girls, he even wants to use them for overnight packing trips.  With their personalities, they will be more than willing to go out and see new things.  They will also be great ambassadors for donkeys, with any people they meet while packing.  WIN, WIN.......!!

LAST CLIP JOB DONE......!!!

I guess we saved the best for last.  Daisy just patiently stands when you clip her or anything.  She had very good training, unlike most of our gang.  Quilla is just as good, not because of training, so much as he is just a sweet boy.

When Linda was here she helped clip Daisy to learn and then did Quilla by herself.  That left darling Coquette to be done.  Coquette isn't bad, but she is opinionated on where on her body you can clip without a fuss.

John and I got our "toys" together and headed out for battle.  She was actually pretty good about most of her body on both sides.  Equine are right brained/left brained, which means just because one side is easy to work with, doesn't mean the other side will be as easy.

One hind leg was OK, the other one, not so much.  Also under her jaw on the right side.........have no idea why.  She threw a couple of warning kicks which is really irritating.  So I tried a simple version of scotch hobbling, and forgot that donkeys are really quite agile on 3 legs.  As I said I wasn't in full scotch hobble mode, didn't really have a long enough rope, so we danced around and around for a few minutes, until the idea of using the redneck squeeze went thru my brain.  Got her in there and managed to get her finished, in between the pipe railing, with my hands still intact.  Actually except for under the jaw she stood still, so we got done pretty quick.

Doesn't look like the same donkey does it?  The flies are already starting on her legs, she is one of the fly magnets, that has to be doctored all summer or covered up with leg wrappings.

I'm waiting for the results of her blood test for Cushings Dr. Lindsey drew when she was out to see Tula about her mouth.  Coquette has long hair as you could see in the picture, but she might just be a long haired type of donkey. There are quite a few different breeds of donkey, from all over the world with different characteristics.  She's very likely insulin resistant at best, it's impossible to get the 25 plus extra pounds she is carrying off of her.  Our donkeys are fed a typical diet for insulin resistance anyway, but without putting her in a pen 24/7, we can't control what she browses off the property.

Talked to the neighbors about bringing Casper back to see if he had mellowed towards Gizmo.  John had seen them standing beside each other with the fence between them and thought maybe Casper had decided to be friends.  Lara said he still lunges at the fence, kicking and biting, so I guess not.  Unfortunately he couldn't stay here long term, unless he decided to respect our 4 strand barbed wire exterior fence, instead of doing a combat crawl under it .........LOL  Sure wish I could find someone that has no geldings, just a mare or two to see if it's all horses or just geldings.  He's OK with donkeys, in fact he liked to hide in the herd, when we caught him outside the fence and he had scooted back under the fence.  Guess he thought we'd think he had been there all the time..........!!! 

FALENA AND SELENA ARE TRYING OUT A NEW HOME THIS MONTH

Yesterday we took the girls into Tucson to hopefully their new forever home.  

This is the girls getting to know their new friend

The girls going into their pen, being googled by the "neighbors"  The mare with the highest head seems to think she is in charge of the world.  She's like this with the other horses and I guess she will bite you if you stand too close to her pen.  She romped and stomped and lunged the whole time we were there.  I wish the girl's pen wasn't next to her, hopefully she'll settle down quickly to just being bitchy..........!!  I would imagine the girls will just ignore her, donkeys don't do "drama" usually....  LOL

This is their Moab mare on the other side.  She is very sweet and seemed to welcome them to the neighborhood

The people will foster them for a month to see if it will work out.  The pen is smaller than we would like, but they will get 2 days of freedom in one of 2 arenas with their mare every week.  If they're adopted  they will be going to Colorado in the summer, along with the mare.  

A big plus to counteract the less than ideal pen size, is Falena's contracted tendon that requires a shoe.  Tim wasn't fazed at all, when he was told about it.  Most people want donkeys that require no extra care, especially if it costs money.  But he didn't see it as a problem, even though it will be a lifetime commitment.  He wants to train them to pack, which I'm sure will be easy, these girls are really easy to get along with.  

Lynn and Linda will be leaving this Saturday to head back to Colorado for the summer.  We are really going to miss them, they have become family.  For never being around donkeys, they have completely immersed themselves in anything to do with the donkeys.  It's finally warmed up enough to go ahead and body clip Daisy, so that's what Linda and I will do tomorrow, unless something more important comes up.  It's not too hot yet, so we can put it off for awhile, but Linda wants to try everything and this is about the only thing she hasn't done.  

This year instead of putting fly masks on everyone at the same time, we have been observing faces.  If a donkey has more than 3 or 4 flies on their faces or in Frijolita's case gnats, we just put a mask on that one.  I'm sure sooner or later they'll all be wearing masks.  Yesterday was time to put one on Gizmo, the mini mule.  I don't think Gizmo has ever had a mask on before, to say he was less than impressed is an understatement.  Had to put him in a redneck squeeze.  This morning he wasn't overly cooperative, but he did let John put it on without having to go into the squeeze, after they danced around the pen a few times.  John opened the squeeze as a threat, and he said Gizmo decided to give up.  Anyone that thinks these animals aren't smart and don't think, hasn't observed them very long.  

Speaking of Gizmo, he's dived right into the animal cracker way of life.  He presents himself at the front of the pack, whenever crackers might be available.  He has so much personality, and seems to really like people.  I don't carry crackers and he will still come up to me to get scratched.  Of course he usually doesn't stay long without the crackers. LOL  He also spends time over by the fence between Burroland and the 10 acres Casper is staying on.  They both have made a trench in the dirt from pacing back and forth one on one side, the one on the other. 

NOTHING IS EVER EASY I GUESS........!!!

Little Casper has been over at Lara and Vic's for a few days now.  For a little brat that doesn't like other animals, he sure has fretted, because he was over there and everyone else is over here. He has worn a path beside the fence that is close to a foot deep.  They said he wasn't eating or drinking and we've all tried to figure out how to fix the problem.  Someone mentioned getting him a goat, BUT, if he didn't like the goat, then what do we do, get the goat another goat friend.........LOL  I can see where this could turn into a real problem.  Since he tolerates the donkeys without trying to kill them, we thought about a donkey, but can't use any of ours, they know where home is, and it "ain't" next door.

I still have in the back of my mind the idea that he might get along with a molly mule or a mare.  Unfortunately I've racked my brain and all my friends that have horses or mules either have geldings or mares and geldings.  We already know he doesn't like geldings.  Kris that was fostering Rusty, has 3 aged molly mules, but I wouldn't want to put them into a situation, in case I haven't actually figured out an answer to the problem..........!!!

This morning John walked all the way across Burroland to check on the little guy.  John said he was actually away from the fence, but come just a running when he saw John.  John gave him a carrot and talked to him for awhile.  Lara came over and said he's actually settled down quite a bit and isn't hugging the fence quite as much, and is also eating and drinking.  So hopefully it's going to work out.

I'd still like to find someone willing to see if he will get along with a "girl", with no other "boys" involved.

This is a  picture of a rock squirrel, sitting in Julius' feed dish, packing his cheek pouches with cat food on the back porch.

We thought we had lost Julius this week.  He wasn't here for 3 days and nights, and finally showed up yesterday morning.  He was really spooky, John had cleaned up the back porch, we have friends bringing steaks to grill this afternoon..........YUM!  Julius took one look yesterday at the changes in his safe area and took off out of the back yard.  But this morning he was back and let John pet him, even came in the house for a few minutes.

John noticed someone had sprayed the back door screen, so we think a tomcat has moved into the neighborhood. John is going to set the live trap and if we catch him he will go to the vet for brain surgery.  Years ago when we were trying to catch Julius' mom Hobo, we managed to catch 3 tomcats before we caught her.  I don't know if they belonged to anyone or not, but if they did, when they went home they were walking different than when they left to explore..........!!!!  LOL 

AN ANSWER TO THE CASPER PROBLEM........HOPEFULLY.........!!

Yesterday was Casper's day to be out of the pens, and a couple of hours after everyone went out, we got a call from a neighbor, that Casper was down by their place in the road roaming around without a care in the world.......Grrrrrr.........!!!  

Lynn, Linda and I went to retrieve the little devil and as we spread out with a plan, we found out that he doesn't need to find a place he can go under the fence, he basically goes in and out wherever he wants to.  We got him to the pen area and he went in the pen no problem.  Of course we closed the gate on him, so we wouldn't have to spend anymore time rounding him up.  And Gizmo got to go out for the day.  

The neighbor's that tattled on him, came for a visit yesterday afternoon and we got to talking about Casper's little problem.  Actually it isn't his problem it's our problem.  We really don't like to leave them in the pens all the time, but he just doesn't see a need to stay within the property lines.  They have 10 acres that is fenced with horse fence, which is squares about 6 inches square.  Vic is a horse person and had an old mule named Chief, we helped him find a few years ago.  Chief is actually buried on our property.  They said they would be willing to foster Casper.  It's almost perfect, 10 acres, horse fencing, no other equines and they will let him do whatever he wants.  I don't think he'll be able to get out of the horse fence, unless he knows how to climb it, and that is a possibility I guess.  He's surprised us more than once already......LOL

Linda took this picture during yesterday's round-up.  I'm doing my best to look unassuming and not interested in what he is doing.  He's watching me, just before he takes off running past me towards Linda.  I guess he figured out I was probably interested in him after all.  He ran down the road, took a right hand turn, went under the fence and headed for the pen area.  Bad decision on his part, that's when we got him back in the pen and he had to stay there.  I sure hope this works out, it would be a good home for him.  

This is Frijolita and Daisy trying to figure out what the heck we are doing out there.  We hardly ever go down that side of the property especially outside the fence.  

So now little Gizmo can be out all the time.  Maybe he and Casper can visit thru the fence, they will be sharing between our properties.  

Gizmo is very sweet and loves people.  He's going to have to have a special home, where the people will him lots of attention and he has equine friends.  

Linda and I were going to body clip Daisy today, as you can see in the picture she is much shaggier than Frijolita, which is one of the symptoms of Cushings disease.  She has been on medication for years and it does control most of her symptoms, but every year I do have to clip her.  

The reason we didn't is this morning was jacket weather for some reason and the weatherman says cold nights the rest of this week.  I don't think she would appreciate losing her hair in middle of a cold snap, so we'll just wait.  

This is a picture Doug took of Rosie's new shelter, made out of pallets.  For right now they are just using a tarp, but eventually the plan is to cover it with fiberglass roof panels.   Most of the designs you see for these shelters use tarp, but in Arizona they only last one season, if you are lucky.  Sunny Arizona is good for a lot of things but tarp longevity isn't one of them. 

Spring winds have set in.............!!!

BlackJack, John and Cisco, doing their thing up at Gammons Gulch a few years ago.  There was clutter of vehicles behind them  and also off to the right.  Linda said she knew someone that could "fix" it, and I think it came out great......!!  The movie was      THE GUNDOWN

Spring in the desert is usually windy and today has REALLY been windy.  We went down to Sierra Vista about 50 miles away to find a 12 foot corral panel, with a 4 foot gate built into it.  Lynn is redoing Rosie's pen, so she can have a nice shelter to eat in and we can stand up in it if we want to.  Lynn figured out if we lengthened the pen with another panel, when visitors come to see the donkeys, we wouldn't have to let her out with Gigi.  Her pen is within Gigi's pen and didn't have access to where the people stand.

John had a doctor's appointment, and there are 2 places that sell corral panels in Sierra Vista.  But the 1st one didn't have panels with a gate.  The 2nd one did, but after checking inventory, paying for it and going to the yard to pick it up............they didn't have it.

Of course we were after the cheapest one to serve the purpose..........bummer.  They did have a better quality one that had a bent pipe and they said they would discount it.  I must say they were more than generous, it ended up only costing $6 more than the other one.  Believe me, it cost a lot more than that to start with.  Enough that I wasn't going to buy it............LOL

We should have taken the trailer, a 12 foot long panel, 51/2 feet tall, won't fit in the pick-up bed.  Thank goodness John always carries tie down straps, ended up tying it down on top of the bed and driving home very conservatively.   The wind added to the adventure, but we made it.  LOL

 Casper was out all day yesterday and all night last night and as far as we know didn't go outside the fence.  Either he's getting satisfied with being here or sneaking out when we don't know it.  LOL  Since he doesn't play well with Gizmo, and ignores the donkeys,  they are taking turns being out of the pens.  Each one gets 24 hours out of the pen, while the other one has to stay in the pens for that time.  So far it's working out just fine.  Just wish the little monster would behave himself.  Gizmo would still like to be friends, but Casper just isn't going to give up trying to fight with him I guess.....!!

You know how sometimes something happens that makes you think the world is getting smaller and smaller?  Well yesterday was such a day.

Lynn and Linda have some good friends staying in Tucson in their RV for awhile.  They invited them out for a visit and to see the donkeys.

We were all jabbering about this and that, really nice people and we ended up, guys talking military and gals talking about something, don't even remember what.  All of the sudden the guys come over and get in our space.  John says, "you're not going to believe this" and he was right, it was pretty unbelievable.  Russ and I are cousins by marriage, if you want to stretch the bonds of family...........!!! LOL I guess they were talking about where they had been stationed and John said he'd met me at Richard's Gebaur, AFB outside Kansas City and as they say, it all started falling into place that we were from the same little town, went to the same school, and shared relatives.

Not only that, he spent time with the aunt and uncle that ties us together and their 5 kids, and that aunt and uncle only lived about 2 blocks from where I lived, and we spent a lot of time with them also.  I'm from the aunt's side of the family and he was from the uncle's, and he is older than me, so we didn't run across each other in school, although we both graduated from the same school and I actually had heard quite a bit about his family over the years.  Even remembered after he left that his Mother was a nurse for the local doctor.    He actually remembered my uncle that was like my big brother, who was 2 years ahead of him in school that wasn't involved in any of this mess.  I even had a package of family pictures to send to Judy, one of the kids, which I showed him.

Russ and Patti looking at the family pictures, thanks Linda

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING....... ??  

WELL, THAT DIDN'T GO WELL........!!!

When it was time to let everyone out, I didn't get the memo that EVERYONE was going out as a group.  The 1st I knew that it was getting exciting outside, was dogs barking, people running, dust flying and in general chaos seemed to prevail.  I went out to see if I could add to the confusion and noticed Saddik was right in the middle of all the excitement.  I told Doug to take him in the RV, Saddik becomes absolutely deaf when things get exciting and he seems to prefer being right in the middle of whatever is happening.

By the time I got outside John had managed to get Gizmo into Quilla's empty pen.  We all stood around for a few minutes discussing what had happened and what was going to happen, and what we hoped happened.  

The donkeys were all milling and trying to figure out what was going on to their tranquil life.  Casper came by to harass Gizmo in Quilla's pen and happened to get into BlackJack's space.  BJ made a horrible growling sound he doesn't make often and Casper took an immediate left turn.  WOW, who knew he could be intimidated............LOL  

After everything settled down, we decided to try it again, this time they are racing thru the area where the donkeys had congregated to figure out what was going on I guess.  Gizmo came running thru, kicking back at Casper hot on his trail, biting Gizmo's butt if he could get close enough.  Donkeys started kicking as they flew by.  What a mess........didn't take long to decide it wasn't going to work.  I went to Gizmo's pen, opened the gate and he ran in on the next pass.  Then it took awhile to get Casper back in his pen for the day.  As soon as he was corralled I let Gizmo out and was a little surprised that he was more than willing to come out.    

WELL, NOW WHAT?

Gizmo enjoying some peace and quiet.......!!!

   l think Gizmo would like to be buds, obviously Casper has different plans for him.  This is the behavior that got Casper in trouble and certainly will cut down on available adoption homes.  He's personable with people and doesn't seem to attack the donkeys, so it will either be a home without horses/mules, or a home without any equine.  

Lynn and John finished running water thru the eastside pens this morning.  We had always ran hose on top of the ground to the individual buckets in the pens.  It worked, but look rather temporary.  Now they looked like someone had a plan and we won't have to carry water in buckets to the ones that didn't even have hoses.  Next project, Rosie's shelter.  She has a roof laying on top of the corral panels.  If you raise up when picking up poo or doctoring her belly, we are all taller than a corral panel.........LOL

Lynn dug the trenches by hand, but for the west side we are going to rent a ditch witch for him.  We are really going to miss them both when they go back to Colorado.  They've been waiting for it to quit snowing at home as their primary reason to head back, is to start their garden.  We're still trying to figure out how to adopt them..........LOL

TODAY IS THE DAY..........!!!

 LINDA BEING MUGGED FOR COOKIES, QUILLA, CHEYENNE, JUSTIN AND FUZZY DAISY

Everyone is here today, so we will let Casper out, while Gizmo is out with the donkeys and see how it goes.  I hope he behaves himself, better than he has while they are separated.  Mules can be a challenge, that's for sure.  

Here is an article about a little mule named Muffin and I think this is a pretty common story for mules unfortunately.  Although Casper going thru the auction 3 times since January and being handed off to someone else that handed him off to us, doesn't seem to have put any fear into him.  He actually seems to be very adept at getting along and doing his thing.  But he is difficult to catch and without a redneck squeeze not sure you'd ever get him.  He's well behaved, even under stress he's never kicked at any of us, but he does seem to know how long a human arm is and also seems to be aware that humans can't run as fast as he can............LOL

Gizmo is quite a lovebug..............on his terms.  Since I took his halter off, I've been scratching his head and neck every morning when I go out.  He sees me coming and comes to the side of his pen to be scratched.  This morning I went in the pen and he was OK with that.  Jean said he is afraid of ropes because he was used for roping practice, so for now, no ropes are in his life.  Jean had him for 6 years, but mules never forget. I have a feeling getting a halter back on him, will require a squeeze. 

GIZMO IS OUT.........!!!

Yesterday morning I took his halter off.  He was pretty good about it, although the halter had been on him so long it was very stiff and hard to unbuckle.  He got impatient and took off, but came back and I got it off.  He has the shape of the halter outlined, on his face,  complete with bald spots because it was too tight, for a long time probably.  

He did very well, came out and went right to Casper, who was staying in his pen since he can't behave.  Of course he started sticking his head thru the corral panels, mouth wide open in a rather threatening manner.  Gizmo, spun and kicked at him, actually got him a couple of times.  So he's not going to be a push over. 

Since he ignored the donkeys and went to hang with Casper, my assumption is, he is NOT a hinny, but is a mule.  When we checked on him during the day most of the time he was in Casper's area, although he would go off and explore.  

At first he went in Tula's pen, which is next to Casper's.  I think he has always been in a pen, or at least for the 6 years Jean had him, he went in, rolled in the sand and acted like it suited him.  We closed all the pens, so he couldn't just stay in what looked like his comfort zone.  After all there is a lot to see and do on 10 acres.  We had Burroland closed, just in case we had to round him up at feeding time.  

He spent the day doing his thing.  Round up was not a problem, if you have food on your body.  He is more than happy to follow you anywhere.  I went out in the afternoon with animal crackers to see if he would follow me.  Not a problem, in fact he's like Penny, he'll run right up your back.........LOL

Today we are doing a home study, a possible home for him with a donkey gelding and a little mini mare.  I have a feeling we better find him a home quickly, or he might be here permanently.  I always accuse John of being a hoarder, but I kinda like this little guy............LOL  

He'll go out today and Casper will stay in like yesterday.  But tomorrow we will all be here all day, so we'll go ahead and let the little white tornado out and see what happens.  I'd like to think he will behave himself, but his track record isn't all that good and he has the scars to prove it.  Hopefully the 5 of us can keep the situation from getting out of control, if necessary. 

Poco Mierda Blanco Diablo!

Casper has a new name.........  If you know Spanish you might be horrified........!!!! LOL

Thanks for the pictures Linda, they show the natural progression of the little "darling".....!! LOL

Mules large or small, have a way of approaching life that doesn't necessarily bode well for the people around them.

We came home from town yesterday afternoon to a tale of Casper's adventures.  Thank goodness Lynn, Linda and Doug were here, so he might have been to Willcox by the time we got home.

There is a 2 strand wire fence around Doug's RV.  Hasn't been a problem, but if you look at the 1st picture, Casper is really close to Doug's RV.  Doug ran him out, and said he actually came back in right in front of him, as if to show Doug he could do what he wanted.

Then he stood out in the middle of the property, planning his next adventure I guess.  If you notice in the 4th picture you can just barely see him up the road, as he is headed for Gammon's Gulch.  They got him to turn around and head the right direction.  Linda stayed to open the gate, if he knew enough to turn in when he got there.  Couldn't leave it open or the others might have went on a hike too.

When he got close Linda opened the gate, told him to come in and wonders of wonders.........he did.  I'm surprised he didn't just keep on going.  It seems like he's probably been in trouble a lot in his life.  If he gets caught he gives up real quick.........LOL

Over the years our fences have been adequate, donkeys usually aren't fence challengers.  But they will take advantage of a weak spot in the fence, especially during mesquite bean season, when they can see all those neglected beans in the neighbor's yard.  The only other "challenger" was Jack the other little mini mule we had.  Maybe it's a mule thing.

He is still trying to get to Gizmo.  Today we will let Gizmo out to explore for awhile, then we'll let the donkeys out and I haven't decided what to do with Casper.  He'll probably stay in his pen for the day, that is if we can keep him in there.  He went under the corral panels, not long after he got here and took off. 

CASPER IS GETTING AN EDUCATON.....!!!

Well at least I hope he is.  This morning when round up was going on, for everyone to go in their pens for breakfast, Casper started "attacking" Gizmo in his pen.  John got the BB gun, stood on the porch of the feed room, which is at least 20 feet away and popped Casper on the butt.  John said he tucked his fanny and took off running............right into his pen......!!!   He's obviously not stupid.........LOL  From that distance it won't hurt him, but obviously he felt it.  

 Gizmo is a little stockier, but I have a feeling it doesn't matter with Casper, he didn't get all the scars he's carrying, by giving up, I'm sure.....!!

We haven't had to use the BB gun since Paladin was here, after a recent gelding and thought every jenny on the property was fair game, just had to catch one.  He was chasing Tula one time and she ducked under a large tree limb........he didn't.  He almost went down, and as it was had quite a nasty swelling open wound on his forehead.  Didn't even slow him down, unfortunately neither did the BB gun.  The only thing that worked was finding him a home with another gelding.......!!

BACK FROM OUR ADVENTURE

Made it up to ShowLow and back as planned.  Even took a side trip to Snowflake to visit with Christine at Equine WellBeing Rescue.  I had never met her in person, but we had ran across each other on the internet a few times.

 

Had a great visit, for an hour or so, met Larry her husband and had a great time.  She just got in a load of mini donkeys from the large hoarding rescue, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue did a few weeks ago.  They haven't had a lot of handling, but she's going to work with them and get them ready to be adopted.  Some of them are pregnant jennies, so the people adopting them, will get a "two-fer" good deal....!!! 

Spent the night in Showlow and went the next morning to pick up the hinny.  He seems to be willing to go along with what's happening.  The woman had him 6 years and her horse and mini mare both have died.  She is 81, has Parkinson's, and wanted him with other animals.  So many people don't plan ahead and when the time comes, without advanced planning the family doesn't know what to do.  

We went thru Globe and came back thru Springerville.  The Springerville route is highway 191.  Seems like everyone we've talked to knows not to go that way, unless you're ready for an adventure.  It's over 7,000 feet in quite a few areas, lots of switchbacks, and no a guardrail in sight.  One area has signs no vehicles over 40 feet because the switchbacks are so "close".  And we got to see rain, snow, sleet and freezing rain, for most of the mountain part of the trip.....!!!   LOL  We really enjoyed the trip, but John isn't comfortable hauling an animal, under those circumstances.  He said his left leg is sore today from having the foot up in the air prepared to put on the brake.  Saw a mule deer, and wild turkey, both by themselves, which is unusual.  

The little guy did just fine.  We haven't come up with a name yet.  No one likes my choice, so we're having a "conference" today, everyone can input their choice and then we'll have to decide which one  works.  

This video was taken this morning.  We thought Casper was trying to visit with the new guy and trying to keep everyone away from his new friend, which we all thought was so cute.  Until Casper started running at Linda, instead of the dogs and donkeys.  Now we're thinking this might be the bad behavior he has been accused of.  

Since taking the video he has tried to dig under the pen, and has stuck his nose thru the corral panel with his mouth open.  So it should get interesting in a couple of days when we let the new guy out.  We might put Casper in his pen, so he can't attack, if that's what he's planning.  This seems to be more involved than just a testosterone high.  I thought he might have been scared of the horses the people had, but he is initiating the confrontation.  So we may have to re-evaluate what to do with him.  He doesn't react to the donkeys at all, so he may have to either go with donkeys, or possibly as the only equine.  Dogs didn't seem to bother him, although this morning he was going after them too. 

We really had a good time, ate great Mexican food in Globe on the way up.  Monday night we found a great steak house in Showlow, biggest 8 ounce sirloin I ever saw.  On the way home once we got past Springerville, before lunchtime and after that there wasn't anyplace to eat or get gas until we got to Morenci and Clifton. They border each other and we drove thru slowly, and there wasn't a place to eat in sight.  Got to the city limit of Clifton and saw a sign for Tyler's Texas Bar Be Que, at a rather ramshackled building.  Looked like an old Mercantile store.  Went in and what a treat, the walls were covered with memorabilia from many different areas, we couldn't see it all.  John's brisket and my pulled pork sandwich were as good as we've ever had.  The waitress has a familiar accent, I asked her where she was from, she said Jal, New Mexico, born and raised.  I doubt that there are many people in the world that know where Jal is, or even care.  It is about 90 miles from anywhere in all directions, a few hundred people, in the middle of nowhere.  But it's close enough to west Texas for the accent to carry over I guess.  I ran out of gas there one time, actually about 20 miles out of town.  The men are gentlemen, they'll pick up a woman carrying a 5 gallon jerry can down the highway.......LOL  

We had our naming conference, everyone from Dillon that picks up poo to Suzanne sister of Michelle who has the weekly task of mucking out the house, got involved.  Not to mention our good friends, Marv and Bettie that came to visit for the afternoon.  We ended up with a tie between Scooter and Gizmo, so that's why Michelle called Suzanne to break the tie.........Gizmo won, so Gizmo he is. 

PROBABLY NOT CASPER'S FAVORITE DAY..........!!!

You would think going to the dentist was the most fun day to do today for the herd.  John drove the truck and trailer up in the driveway, came in the house and this is what it looked like when we went out to load Casper.  Not sure who is in the trailer, might be Boaz.  Linda is in the middle, not easy to see her.

 This is me taking a picture of Linda taking a picture of Dr. Debra working on the little man.  She is proud of the fact that she has never had to "drug" a mule to do their teeth.  Well, the little guy didn't ruin her record, he was pretty good, except for trying to crunch her hand in his mouth.  She has special gloves so it wasn't a big deal.

A woman came over and said Hi Tish..... I am terrible with names and faces, always have been and age hasn't helped the problem.  Actually we had never met, BUT, she was instrumental is saving Rosie and Gigi from being shot and buried, she called to see if we could save them a few years ago.  She said she has been keeping up with Casper's story too.  It was nice to finally meet her and get to thank her for getting involved.  Can't imagine not having these girls around.  

There was also a couple there headed home to California from a cutting horse show in Ft. Worth.  They had stopped off at the sale barn, where Dr. Debra works when she comes to Benson.  I think they would have loaded Casper up, when they left if we had said yes.  We were all teasing around, but I got the idea that they would have taken him.  He is a cute little bugger.  Mike Robertson owns the sale barn and said he remembered Casper and thinks every time he came thru the complaint was, he tried to fight with horses.  He's not even looked at the donkeys cock eyed, the only problem we have is going thru the fence to eat grass at the neighbor's yard.  Found out yesterday, that although he's been caught 3 times, he's been over there more than that.  But he seems to be making an effort to not upset us, by making sure to be on this side of the fence when we might catch him, otherwise...........!!!  LOL

This was one of their horses.  He might not look as impressive here as he did in person, but he was gorgeous.  Wasn't too impressed at having Casper where he could see him.  If horses have never seen a donkey or mule, or a mini, sometimes they will absolutely freak out.  This horse was jumping and bucking in a small pen.  Then he'd stop, blow and snort.  After a couple of minutes of acting like a nut, then he was fine.  In the same situation if a donkey saw something that was that scary, they would probably freeze and look at it.  

WHEW WE'RE STAYING AHEAD OF THE GAME.........SO FAR.......!!!

BLACKJACK AND JOHN RESTING BETWEEN "TAKES"..........THANKS LINDA FOR THE PICTURE

Sure glad Doug, Linda and Lynn are here this week.  John and I have been hanging out in doctor offices.  What that means is, you are there before your appointment and maybe, if you are lucky they come get you within 1/2 hour, put you in a room to wait, and wait, and wait some more.  So although we try to make appointments to get home on time, it doesn't always work out that way.  But when we got home,  the donkeys were taken care of, so we didn't have to rush so much.  Thanks guys........!!!!

Still not much problem with flies, which is really nice.  I started the predator wasps early this year, Spalding Lab  said start in February, so that's what we did.  I feel sorry for the little wasps that get delivered in cold weather I would imagine the freezing nights do them in pretty quick, unless they find a warm place in the poo pile with maggot eggs, that's what they parasite, and then the eggs don't hatch..........!! 

Little Casper is managing to stay in the doghouse.  One afternoon when we came back from Tucson, Doug met us at the gate with a story to tell and Linda as a witness.  

They were out by the pens which are close enough to the neighbor's place that a little white mule shows up really good if you happen to see him.  Doug saw him on the other side of the fence and yelled at him.  Doug said he came to the fence, got down on his knees and squirmed and wiggled until he popped out on this side.  The little stinker obviously knows where he belongs and also obviously doesn't care.........LOL  Doug said he was glad Linda saw Casper do it too, or we wouldn't believe him. 

 Actually, Casper isn't the first one to escape like that.  A few years ago, Jack which incidentally was another little mini mule (there seems to be a pattern) was upset because we closed Burroland during mesquite bean season to try to control the amount of beans they had access to.  Jack seemed to think he was being mistreated and went thru the fence more than once, in fact it was like a daily occurance.  He never went anywhere except Burroland, he wasn't trying to escape, he just wanted to eat beans...........!!! 

Here's another picture Linda took of us recently.  They had been staying at one of the local RV parks, before they moved out here. I guess they participated in a lot of the entertainment in the park, and were invited back after they left when something was going on.  

So Linda and Lynn asked us to go to a end of the season dance, they held, before all the winter visitors hit the road for home.  The guy doing the music usually plays somewhere in Tombstone and was really good.  I bugged John to dance, actually for quite awhile, before he finally gave in.  Then we tried to figure out the last time we had even danced.  We think it was prior to 1982.......!!!  We both survived the experience with our toes intact and didn't fall down, so I guess it was fun....!!!   Sure different than the old jitterbug days, when John use to do lifts with me.  I'm sure one of us would get hurt if he tried that again.....!!! LOL  Some things are just better as memories, I think. 

HE'S BRANCHING OUT........!!!

Well, Casper is expanding his world.  Just got a call from the nearest neighbor that he was "visiting".  John went out and sure enough, he was enjoying her grass.  There isn't a blade on this side of the fence, the donkeys have made sure of that.  

John loaded up with cookies and headed out.  He said when he got over there, Casper was more than happy to follow him back, and in fact showed John where he got thru the fence.  John said actually it was no problem, there are plenty of opportunities in the wash for a little guy to go thru.  So John has something to do this afternoon, try to outsmart Casper.......!!!  (My money is on Casper)  I'm sure this won't be his first escape, no matter how many places John fixes......!!!  

Had a tour this morning and another one later this afternoon.  The guys that were out here this morning have been out before.  They brought apples, carrots and bags of animal crackers.  Needless to say, the donkeys were thrilled to see them........and Casper too.  He's really figured this tour  process out, and starts squealing when we move onto the next pen.  They want to come out and do some grooming, which the gang will appreciate almost as much as the goodies. 

SO FAR, HE'S A LITTLE GENTLEMAN...............!!

GEORGETOWN, COLORADO SALOON

Little Casper, has not attacked anyone, has not tried to intimidate anyone, hasn't kicked at anyone.........I can't figure out why he was a 3 time loser at the recent auctions.  Supposedly it was for cause, cause he didn't play well with other equine.  He doesn't seem to have a problem with donkeys, he follows them around or is in the general area of where they are.  We'll give him sometime to get the testosterone out of his system, before I see if Stacy can have him at her place for a few days to see if horses stir him up.  

He's obviously been tricked to be caught, unless he is in the redneck squeeze he's not the least bit interested in being cooperative.  John is working with touching him and can now scratch his neck or butt.   This has been one of "those" weeks, something going on every day, but tomorrow except for a couple of tours we'll at least be home.  John says he will put Casper in the squeeze to get a halter on him and then use a curry comb on him to get some of the hair off.  He is shedding like crazy and that should feel pretty good, might even be worth having to have a halter on for a little while, who knows.  

Since he's going out except at feeding time, we put him back in the pen that he took the gate off the hinges a few days ago.  Figured he couldn't get too bored if he was eating.  He thought we had lost our mind when John tried to get him into that pen.  He kept going to the other pen.  I went out to help and he finally figured out what we wanted him to do, with a little pointing and tongue clicking.  Donkeys learn real quick that pointing means they are suppose to go "that" way.   It only took one time of taking both of us, now he goes in without a problem, and in fact about half the time he's already in the pen, waiting for a carrot.  

Last night John let everyone out at bedtime and about half of them usually wait on the path to the house for another animal cracker.  John said they were nicely lined up, so he was just going down the line sticking crackers in eager mouths.  Right in the middle of the herd was a little white mule, waiting for his cracker.  He's a smart little guy, that's for sure.   And seems more than willing to go along with what ever is happening.  We have 2 tours tomorrow and they will probably be later, so the donkeys will be out of their pens.  It will be interesting to see if he comes around when the donkeys are mugging the people for attention.  We don't do pellets or crackers when the donkeys are loose on the property, but they do enjoy all the attention and petting.  

Everyone is doing good, we've started putting a fly mask on Lynn, because of her watery eyes, but everyone else are OK.  Even though it's been pretty warm, and in fact the mesquite are leafing out, which is the start of spring according to the oldtimers, the flies haven't been a problem yet, thankfully.  

Daisy has been picky lately about eating her mush.  She has a problem with choking, which is why I soak her pellets, but she choked the other day on hay.  Some of my older donkeys get Nutrena Senior dry, which means it doesn't have so much molasses in it, that it's sticky.  Since she choked on hay, John decided to run her hay thru the leaf shredder, like Cisco's, Penny's and Cheyenne's.  I thought might as well try feeding Daisy dry Senior mixed in with her timothy pellet and beet pulp to see if she'd be more interested in her mush, it's a smaller pellet.  It's been a long time since she finished her mush and hay, but the last few days she's polished her plate.  I guess the mush tastes better with lumps in it........!!

CASPER IS OUT.............!!!

We let the little guy out this morning.  I had thought I'd brush him a little bit before hand, but we had a tour this morning and I didn't want to cheat him out of "out" time........!!!  I'm hoping being out will wear him out enough, or make him hungry enough to be cooperative this afternoon, when it's time to go back in the pen.  Hopefully he'll still be within the confines of our outer fence.  Doug shut Burroland, so he can get use to the 10 acres first.  Also it will be less area for us to chase him, IF, he decides he'd rather run and play than go in his pen for supper........!!!

 I think he is daring me to try to come close enough to catch him.  I have a feeling he doesn't get caught unless he is in a small contained area.  

Yesterday, John took the playhouse in 7 large boxes into our grandson's house in Tucson to assemble for the great grandsons, Hunter and Kyler.  Tony that usually comes out here to work on shelters on Sundays, said he would help.  With J.R. our grandson and his friend Cory that made 4 "engineers" to put it together, hopefully in one day.  I had read on the internet that some people had taken 3 days, but I didn't tell the guys that, figured that was more information than they needed going into the project.  

They figured they had about 36 man hours invested by 5:30, when the last nut and bolt was tightened down.  The 2 four year olds were suppose to help, but once the bottom part was useable, John said they sat at the windows trying to give away free do-nuts.  Pretend is great, who would have thought of do-nuts....!!  

Someone put a picture of the great styrofoam explosion, when our son wrecked his car at the races Saturday night on the internet.  

A video would have been more spectacular, but if you use your imagination, imagine all these little white pieces in the air at the same time, including the big ones.  That isn't our son's car, this is the one that became a flying projectile.