Readership Responds to Donkeys Request

Well I guess that people are reading my reports after all, which is good for me and bad for the goats.  I heard the farm people talking and there are now over 100 likes on that facebook thing I don't really understand AND there are over 1058 hits on my blog on the website, whatever that means, AND (yes, there is more) they said there are nearly 2000 youtube hits about the farm.  Now I really don't have a clue at all what that is, but it sounds most excellent!  

Anyway, I think my job is safe at the moment because those sound like really big numbers to me and it sounds like we have some fans and that I have some statistics to prove that I am a reporter-worthy donkey. So I'm going to breathe a little sigh of relief that my job is safe, at least for now.  

Thank you everyone for helping me out...   Just so you know, the goats are a little bummed, but I don't care... 

Love,

Donkey

Donkey Reporter Must Improve Statistics

OK.  So I don't really know at all what Facebook is, but I heard the farm people talking and they were saying they only had 34 "likes" about the farm and my blog.  I don't get it.  I know that way more than 34 people came to our party in the rain and that way more than 34 people like us, so what's up with that?


So I think this is not good news and I am now feeling a little worried that my editor-in-chief might give me the boot and give the goats a shot at the blog.  This has never occurred to me before.  Being demoted would be worse humiliation than wearing bunny ears for a day, I just know it.  What if I get canned because there are only 34 "likes"?  And I don't have any negotiating power because I barely have any blog comments either, so I don't even know if people even read my reports. Oh, I think this might be terrible...


So please help me prove that I am a worthy little donkey.  I must preserve my very important position of mascot and reporter.  I simply cannot let the goats take over.  I'd never hear the end of it.

I'd be eternally grateful if you can help.  I'll keep you posted on how things go, assuming I still have a job...


Love,


Donkey

Reflections on Our Party in the Rain

I know I already told you a lot about our party.  You know, about all of the special things for the children and all of the food and all of the hard work.  But I think I need to say a little bit more to make sure you really, really understand how special these people are and what very special things they did to help us.  Not just anyone would go out of their way to do these things,  I promise. 

I know for sure that some farm people didn’t sleep and some got up way before they really wanted to so we could get ready for our company. 
  Some people gave up sleep.

I know for sure that some people took the day off work to help. 
   Some people sacrificed their paychecks.

I know for sure that someone re-scheduled her Senior picture appointment so she could help.   
   Some people put off important things they
   have been looking forward to for a long time.

An art teacher had her elementary school students draw pictures for our drawing contest. She talked to her students about our farm and how we help save the horses.  This teacher doesn’t even know us and she came out in the pouring rain to bring us the her student's wonderful artwork. 
  Some people went out of their way to teach children 
  about us and to make a special deliveries. 

Our teenagers and their friend gave up the entire day to help us, plus they spent time before Saturday baking and decorating beautiful cakes, cupcakes, and more.
  Some people willingly did nice things that added a
  touch of class to the place.

A bunch of strong men gave up their day to put up tents and wrestle them down from the top of the barn when they almost blew away.  
  Some people gave us their strength. 

A bunch of the farm people spent the day talking to our visitors and paying close attention to make sure all of the children had a good time.  I'm pretty sure none of them ever sat down, took a break, ate, noticed it was raining, or complained one bit.   
  Some people put others first and didn't
  mind doing so. 

A bunch of people who came to the party said they want to come and help the farm people take care of us.  
  Some people will give us their time. 

Other people who came to our party made donations so we can pay the animal doctor and help more horses get better. 
  Some people gave us their money.

So like I said, after thinking about it the past few days I thought I should tell you a little bit more about these people.  Some of the things they did may seem simple, but these things mean the world to us.  See, this place is special.  We are very, very loved animals and we really, really do understand that people go way out of their way to love and take care of us.  

Just thought you'd like to know...  and thank you everyone... 

Love,

Donkey

  

Our Party in the Rain

If you remember, I said awhile back that I thought the farm people were planning something special.  And that I thought it might involve baths and bunny ears.  Remember?  Well, I was right.  Yep, this little donkey is pretty smart and can figure things out, let me tell you.  I suspected that something was up when all of the farm people showed up on Friday evening.  They kept bringing table after table into the barn and they walked around with clip boards and paper and pens and they seemed pretty worried that it was supposed to rain on Saturday. Then, when I saw the pink, satin bunny ears I knew something important was going to happen.

In a previous post I clearly stated my position on bunny ears.  So you can bet that while I was in my stall watching and listening to all of this, I was counting how many pair of those ears they had and trying to do math in my head to figure out how many of us were going to get them.  You can bet your bottom dollar I was praying that my new halter was not going to be touched…    I’m quite sure that I even stopped eating my hay for awhile because of the suspense, and because I was doing math in my head, and it’s hard to do all of that and eat too.  Well, I am pleased to report that all of the boy horses all got bunny ears and that -- drum roll, please -- Yours Truly did not, which is very important because it proves that, indeed, I have some real clout around this place and that I undoubtedly have the best ears on the farm.  So I was elated when my brand new halter was not touched and that last extra pair of bunny ears went back in the plastic bag that said Michaels.  I knew at that moment I was going to be spared emotional pain and public humiliation.  My buddies, however, were not so fortunate. Oh well, they should have taken a stand much earlier.  They should have followed my lead and listened to me.  Maybe someday they’ll learn that I know a thing or two, even though I’m short.   

We were up half the night, wondering what was going on.  On Saturday morning all of the farm people showed up again.  They put up tents and signs and they filled up all of those tables.  There were things for sale (remember the stuffed rescue horses?) and you just knew that someone worked really hard to get all that stuff ready.  And there was food, food and more food.  Honestly, someone put a lot of time into cooking and baking, that’s for sure.  There was chili and popcorn and fancy, specially-decorated horse cookies and the most beautiful cupcakes and cakes in the entire world!  And then… when all of the work was done…. We had a party!!!!!!!

Why, oh why, can't donkeys have cupcakes?

Or cake?

We had lots and lots of company in the pouring rain and it was very awesome and wonderful and no one seemed to mind even a little bit that it was quite soggy out.  Lots of wonderful children came to meet us and eat hot dogs and get their faces painted and look for Easter eggs in the barn and ride the horses when the rain drops slowed down a little bit.  People came and asked questions about the farm and what we do, and many of them wanted to know how they could help us.  Yep, there sure were lots of nice people that showed up.  Some of them even drove from far away, just for us, imagine that…

Our new friends

Cowgirls can wear purple

So it was a great day and a great party and everyone who came thought this was a great and wonderful place.  The farm people were very, very happy because all of their hard work paid off and the people who came to visit seemed to have a good time, even though it was raining like it did when Noah built his ark. And we were all happy because we had a very interesting Saturday, hanging out in our warm, dry stalls and meeting lots of new friends. It sure was something.  Maybe we’ll do it again sometime.

But first, we all need naps…

Love,

Donkey 

Who Dunnit?

For those of you who might not know, farmers use hay feeders in the pasture to keep big round bales of hay in place. These rings help keep the animals from stomping on the hay and dragging it around and using it as bedding (except for those goats), which is wasteful.  When you see hay rings in the pasture they look like this.

Notice proper position of the hay ring and, oh, notice who is inside?

A closer view

But here at my farm, the hay ring sometimes look like this.


None of the farm people have any idea how this happens.  As you can imagine, none of us claim responsibilty for flipping the ring and none of us claim to have any information which might implicate a suspect or suspects. 

Nope, didn't see a thing...




Maybe it's the new boy. We don't know much about him.

These guys certainly don't know anything.  

So I say it has to be those goats... 

 

All I know is that I'm not talking because it's really fun to keep them all guessing... 

Love,

Donkey

Sad and Glad

So Tess, one of our girl horses, just went to her new forever home.  She is a cute, fuzzy-eared girl with ears almost as good as mine.  She was adopted by a very nice lady, with a very nice daughter, who simply adore her and were over-the-moon excited to get her.  I hear they don’t even care that she can be a twit when she eats – now that’s love…

We are all a little sad because it’s hard to say good bye to our friends, but remember, that’s what this place is all about. And we are also really glad because Tess has a brand new family. You see, it’s both feelings at the same time.

So good bye sweet Tess.   We’ll miss you (the sad part) and we are glad you have a brand new family (the glad part).

Bye Fuzzy-Eared Girl.    

Love,

Donkey

The New Boy

So we got a new boy a few weeks ago.  He’s pretty skinny and quiet, but he seems alright.  I’m pretty sure he has never seen a donkey before, or goats for that matter, but we all know he hasn’t missed anything there.  I can tell he’s a bit unsure about this new place, but he’ll get used to everyone and until then it’s my job to be his friend because that’s what a good mascot does.

Well, because of my important position I was the first one allowed in his pasture the other day to visit.  It didn’t go as well as expected.  The timing was off because when the farm people sent me in the new boy was busy making eyes at the girls who were right next door.  And those girls were very busy making eyes right back at him… They couldn’t stop looking at him and they were showing off like crazy, shamelessly prancing around and running back and forth trying to be the one that he liked the most.  Hasn’t anyone ever heard of subtlety?  They were just goo goo over him.  It was kind of an uncomfortable situation to walk into, with all the flirting and showing off and all, but I had a job to do.      

 




The Approach

 

 

Now I like the girls well enough, don’t get me wrong, but I like hay much more.  And there were beautiful flakes of hay right by the fence line which is where all of this nonsense was taking place.  I wandered over to the hay but the new boy thought I was challenging him and wanted to take his place with the girls, so he was instantly annoyed with me, spun around, and ran me off.  Because donkeys tolerate misunderstandings quite well and are known for their persistence, I didn’t hesitate to wander back over to the hay.  I wanted him to know that I didn’t care a bit about the girls and that I was just hungry.  Well, he spun around and ran me off again… and again... and again.  He really was not getting it… not at all.




I see the pinned ears, buddy.  I get it. 

 



He's spinning and I'm getting out of the way.  Hey, he's bigger than me!



Now I have a lot of patience for a little donkey but I admit I got fed up (with irritated feelings, not with hay) so I let him have it.  Yep, I blasted him with my braying and I told him in no uncertain terms that I did not appreciate him charging me like that and that he best knock it off.   I wish you could have been there because I sounded awesome, let me tell you!  It was some of my best vocal work, really…  I rocked the pasture and I’m quite sure they heard me into the next county, which is pretty far away.  I told that new boy loud and clear that he needed to stop being so bossy and let me get to the hay, that he was new kid on the block and he was not in charge and he should at least respect my higher rank in the farm equine pecking order.  Well, despite my best work I am embarrassed to say he didn’t actually listen to me and because he would not stop running me off and because he is much bigger than me, I had no choice but to wander back in the pasture and sulk – without any hay at all.  You know once in awhile I wish some of the other horses would take over this Wal-Mart greeter job.  It can be pretty tough... And I can assure you I don't get paid enough for this degree of hassle...



Communication 101 in the donkey world





Giving it another try...



And another... (oh brother, look at those two)



Sadly, things didn't go quite as planned.



Well since then I am pleased to report that the new boy and I have become friends. He eventually realized his mistake and he now understands that I care much more about hay than romance.  He has stopped running me off and I have decided he is alright.  I have shown him around the place and told him all about the important stuff, like the dry erase board, the feeding schedule, and which farm people might give you some extra carrots or treats if you look especially sweet (that would be all of them, actually).  I think he’s gonna be just fine when he settles in. 

The things I do around here…

Love,

Donkey 

New Artwork For My Stall

I'm framing this for my stall...

And this...

And then I'm gonna do this.

And if you don't know what I'm talking about, you are not keeping up...

Love,

Donkey

Thank You, Farm People

Yesterday was very interesting around here.  We had a work day and a bunch of the farm people came to work on all sorts of farm projects.  I'm pretty sure they had other important things to do, or maybe they had a long week and wanted to relax at home, but they didn't.  They came to help us out because they care about us.  Boy, if that doesn't warm a little donkey’s heart, I don't know what does.  But if you remember at the very beginning, I told you this is a special place.  And if you don't know what I'm talking about then you didn't read my very first post and you should because it's really important. 

Plus some new helper people came to work too!  We hadn't even met some of them before!  They just thought it would be nice to come out and do what needed doing.  It sure was nice having them around...  

The biggest news around here is that we are getting new stalls in the back barn!  Now this is very cool and we are really looking forward to it, but it means that some old, old concrete needs to come out before stall-building can start.  So yesterday there were a lot of people who claimed they didn’t care if they got dirty, who claimed they weren’t bothered by the loud, awful jackhammer noise, who claimed their backs didn’t hurt, and who claimed they were happy to haul chunks of concrete out of the barn all day.  They worked really hard, let me tell you, and I’m pretty sure that they all went home and went to bed early last night.  They had to be tuckered out at the end of the day. I know I would be.  

There was also lots of barn cleaning and painting and wheel barrow dumping, and sorting and stacking and raking and spreading old straw out in the low spots in the pastures.  Some of our favorite teenagers were here with their friend, and they did a ton of work too. One of them actually got stuck in mud way out in the pasture and had to be rescued by her friends.  They probably didn’t know it but I was watching and ready to come and pull her out if they needed help.  But they got her unstuck just fine and kept on working.  Not one complaint out of any of them.  Boy, those are some great kids, let me tell you.   

So while people were buzzing around here all day, we were hanging out in the pasture watching everyone.  And maybe they didn’t know it, but all of us knew they were doing these things because they love us.  So all of us want to thank our special farm people, those we have known for a long time and our brand new friends too.  You make this a great place to live and we all agree on this one, even those goofy goats…  

Love,

Donkey