Trials of First time Donkey Ownership:

What NOT to give your Donkey to play with!

I repeat NOT!

I had 2 of these noodles.

As you can see, I have 1 and 3/4 of them left.

I only had put one in the pasture, thinking Star wanted something to play with.

Both had been in the pasture for months with Libby and Poncho and they never touched them.

So I did not think twice about it.

(Hit self on head, "THINK")

 As I come home the next day, 

I see Star carrying it around and throwing it about.

I "thought" How cute!

Until I went out to pick it up!

 YOWZAAAAAA!

For three days I have been watching her!

Like a HAWK!

The pieces below is all I could find of the missing parts.

As you can see it is not nearly enough to make the thing whole again.

Star has had Diarrhea as you can see in the above picture.

Below is, One of Libby's (the bigger) and One of Star's.

She finally took a normal poop today! YEAH!

I put them side by side for comparison.

As I was doing this, 

Of course Libby, thought they were COOOOKIES!

Till she got a whif!

PeeeUEW!

Then I got to thinking.

I read where Donkey's digest and use up most of what they eat, and their bodies utilize most of the moisture from their grazing...

ummmm....

YEP!

I smelled them!

Star's had no odor whatsoever,

where as Libby's were pretty stinky!

I still did not find any green foam in there, 

but they were nicely shaped,

So I am hoping against hope that 

the foam got digested!

You would think they would make them digestible anyway.

They are for kids,

Anything made for kids, can be eaten!

Right?

I went an bought two traffic cones. 

So far she only sniffed at them.

Yesterday she was very skittish of me, and would not let me touch her.

So I took my bucket and went out into the pasture and SAT!

with my back to her.

Libby stood to the right of me.

I finally saw Star's shadow come up to mine.

She sniffed me all over.

She worked her way to my left.

Finally I looked at her and asked if I could pet her.

Her eyes said yes.

I got my Donkey kisses.

Once I start to pet her, 

she just melts and I can pet her all over.

It is getting that first touch in.

I have been doing the
"Donkey Cram" on the internet.

Trying to learn all there is out there.

I learned that Donkey's REMEMBER things.

They also have a thought process where instead of using the

Flight method like a horse, they will study the situation first.

Star does study a lot.

When I go out to visit with her, 

she will not let me touch her right away.
She shys away from me.

This bothers me.

So I spend a lot of time with my back to her, and let her make the first move.

I know I am the one that took her away from her home.

She might be holding a grudge.

I do not give her chocolate donuts like her other mom did.

Maybe she thinks I don't love her.

So today I went out with Whinny power!

I figured if this doesn't break the ice, 

I would be back at square one!

So off I go, with Two Whinny Cookies in hand.

Of course Libby knew exactly what I had.

I broke them into 4 smaller pieces each.

Makes them last longer.

Star gobbled up each of her 4 pieces.

She could not get enough of them!

I was her best buddy today!

She followed me all around.

She let me pet her right away.

So I got my donkey hugs and kisses today.

 I have found that Star is not very cool with the camera.

She is not sure what it is.

Even though I have let her sniff it.

She does not like the noise it makes.

So I keep snapping pictures,

because if you live here,

you have to learn to be a STAR!

 Libby is a camera hog!

 Star: "Does this thing produce cooookies?"

Libby: "No Star, but I bet she has some extra's in her pockets!"

 Star following me.

 Star still not sure of the camera.

Maybe I will let her see the images next time.

Today I was her best friend.

After a few scratches and pets,

I would turn away and walk.

She would follow.

Yesterday felt like I was loosing the battle.

Today I felt like I made progress with her.

 I love the shadow image.

More handouts?

After I spent about an hour out there,

It was time for me to go in, because I was quite cold.

Star laid down to rest.

I just love the cross on her back!

So in my trial of new Donkey ownership,

I pray that I take good care of her.

I just asked her to guide me along the way.

.

Poor Mouse:

I read something cute on Why Not Nikker's blog

Which reminded me of this:

 Yes it is a mouse.

A "BABY" mouse.

 Poor little guy has a bloodied up nose.

 He was not moving very fast.

 Probably in shock!

 I am sure Screechy HAD SOMETHING to do with his condition.

 So I took him to the leaf pile.

 And scooted him along.

He ran into the leaf cave.

Where I hope he recovered.

My heart tells me otherwise, though.

Star Gradeeated....

Star willingly walked up to me today, even got up from napping

to come to me.

So she got lots of pets and rubs.

 "Hey Star: You passed the test!

Do you want to know what your reward is?"

Star: "What a Chocolate Donut?"

"No Star, you get your halter off today!"

 

Star is so mellow!

Such a sweet thing!

And since she is so short, 

I had to get on my knees to take these pictures!

She let me kiss her velvet soft muzzle!

.

Then she had to smell my hair!

 Libby even got a kiss or two.

Then it was time to go out and play in the big pasture.

Star is a bit nervous in the big pasture yet. 

She kept looking up to see where I was.

"Yes, Star. It is ok!

Go play and wander around.

Eat a bit of grass and follow Libby.

She will show you the boundaries."

I sat and watched them for 1/2 hr or so,

In the FREEZING COLD (31 degrees) mind you!

And I will be back out there within the hour, just sitting and watching them.

As cold as it is, I felt warm inside just knowing that 

they have each other.

Star seems to always be on guard.

I don't know if it because she is still not use to all

the different sounds out here or not.

I will give her the winter to settle in, and get use to the routine

around here.

But come Spring, we are going to have lots of adventures!

One other thing I have noticed:

Libby sure wants more attention than she use to!

She is not as standoffish as she use to be.

She could take or leave my company at any time.

Now she HOUNDS me!!!! :))

She can't get enough of "ME"!

Makes my heart sing!

Frost, Possum and Star update.

We were fogged in all last week.

Mother Nature sure did her job at making everything nice and white!

 This is frozen cow hair!

 This is frozen baling twine.

 This is my rose.

 Our Gate.

Then last Thursday I after my walk around taking pictures, 

I noticed Sydney and Sassy zero'd in on something.

I look at the other side of the fence and I found a little visitor.

Never before have I seen a possum on our property.

Isn't he just a cute little thing?

I don't think he was well for a few reasons:

He did not run.

He was hissing at the girls.
He let me put a bucket over the top of him.

(Note how close he is to the fence.)

I called fish and wildlife, 

they told me to euthanize it and bury it
because they are considered an invasive species!

NOT! 

I DON'T THINK SO!

As I was on the phone, I looked out the window

and the girls were back in the corner 

and the dirt was flying!

I knock on the window and they obediently come running into the house.

I grab my kitchen garbage can to put the little fella in

so the hubby can do the dirty deed when he got home from work.

As I get closer, the girls beat me to the corner.

I glance and see something in Sydney's mouth!

AAAACK!

They had dug just enough dirt out under the fence so that the little guy
could escape right into their gaping jaws.

 

I holler and she drops it.

I scoop the poor fella up with grandson's toy rake and put it in the garbage can.

He is still breathing, but very weak.

I don't know if Sydney injured it or not,

but alas, he passed away within the hour.

I felt really bad,

 I gave him a proper burial in a sack and put him in the garbage can.

I did read that they are actually good to have around as they eat all kinds of insects and dead animals, like mice and such. But I know their poop is harmful to horses.

Star is settling quite nicely.

The weather has been so cold and miserable that I have not been out with the camera.

She is quite camera shy right now.

But that will change, teehee....

She does let me pet her if I ask her.

Her and Libby do not stray far from each other.

Today after work I opened up the big pasture to let them get some exercise.

Once again, I did not have my camera.

Libby galloped around, kicking and bucking like those professional broncs.

She looked so pretty and awkward all at the same time.

Star thought she was nuts.

Libby did show Star around. I thought that was totally to cute.

The neighbors chickens came into the pasture,

and Star chased them out!

Libby looked at her, and could not believe it.

She thought it looked like fun, and joined in the chicken chase.

No chickens were harmed and they all made it to safety.

Star gives me her feet when I ask her, which is really neat.

She loves back rubs, and neck massages.

This morning when I went out to feed,

she recognizes the food wheel barrow, and does not shy away from it as much,

and I even got a weak, whispered bray this morning.

She sounded like she has laryngitis.

I hope it will get louder.

At least two more months of winter!

UGH!

Before I can start to really get into playing

with my ass, with Star!

I am taking this time to work on gaining her respect, so that by spring time, we can get to work

playing with different objects.

Here is Libby,
Getting off on the wrong foot!

Libby Meets Star!

Lonely Ghost Horse

We have been fogged in for a week now!

No sun!

We do look like a winter wonderland though.

We managed to get Star home today.

Star did very well on the way home,

and hopped right out of the trailer.

Star and Libby meet.

Libby kept giving Star Kisses all over!

Star is checking out the noise at the neighbors,

and looking at the goats out yonder.

 Libby explaining what the goats are.

Never far from each other.

Libby turned and looked

DIRECTLY into my eyes,

and I could hear her whisper:

"Thank You!"