A Special Day in Donkeydom

Kathy has asked after the burros, so I thought I would feature them this evening. Spring is our donkeys' favorite time; the grass gets long and goes to seed and we tether them outside of the usual fenced pastures to feed and enjoy this special season. The weather is still mild, otherwise being out in the sun would be pretty intense, even for a donkey.

This week, DH rigged some barriers to give the four used to being outside of the fences a chance to roam about the back side of the property, under his occasional supervision. Donkeys are herd animals, and like to keep tabs on each other, but could also just as easily stage a mutiny together and head up the road to so-called greener pastures; luckily his system has proven effective so far.

He was unable to coax April, our semi-wild burro from the Sheldon Wildlife Refuge to join the rest, until today. She is not halter-trained yet, although approachable and finally over her year-long shyness of us. She was very intimidated by the fencing (which is usually electrified at the top) and even though she had seen the others go in and out of gates time after time without harm, would not try until today. I am a bit nervous to let her out, but very proud of her bravery, and how she simply followed her stablemates, her son Assteroid and buddy Rose, back into the pen this evening. April is the only chocolate-brown burro, and the shaggy little one, her son Assteroid, was born here shortly after her arrival and will be two years old next week (I think this will call for some carrot cake!).


Rose in front with April behind her


Everyone enjoying the spring greens


Assteroid munching on spring grass