Donkey Snow Days

We are linking with Angela at WV Treasures for Show and Tail Tuesday. There are many animal posts shared there and you won’t want to miss them.

Thoughtless Thursday

Donkey Days

The blue skies and abundant sunshine this past week provided some quality outdoor time for the donkeys who altered their usual habit of feeding in the lower pasture, for a day in the vegetable garden--the last vestige of summer, and in its current condition, a harbinger of winter. It's a win-win situation. The donkeys will eat the garden remains and simultaneously help clear it for the winter. 

Elmer and Cherry Cola
I'm pretty sure they weren't thinking anything of the sort when the forbidden garden gate was opened, cautiously approaching it, as if they couldn't believe their eyes. "The gate is open. Is this for real?" 

Andy enjoying weeds and withering zinnias

They wiped out two rows of corn this year when the garden gate was mistakenly left open. And the husband was none too happy about it when he returned and found them having a field day, lazily munching on the corn and stomping tomato plants. As Samuel Donkey and his cohorts were rushed from the garden, that day, Sam was caught leaving with a corn stalk in his mouth. Nothing like take-out. Corn stalks to go. 

Otis enjoying a donkey salad

Samuel Donkey, does that taste good?

Does anyone see Cherry Cola?

It was a great day for the donkeys and a great day for us.  They got to enjoy the leftovers while doing the lion's share of the work and we got lots of donkey love and great pictures.

They ate until late in the evening and went to sleep that night with full bellies and happy hearts.

Today we are linking with Angela at  West Virginia Treasures.  Check out all the wonderful animals shared on her Tuesday Show and Tail.  She has a wonderful blog about a Wild and Wonderful State.

Hee Haw, 

A Barn Is Reborn

My husband and I moved to Verde Farm in 2007.
One of the intriguing features of the property was an old barn we eventually restored. We knew with some attention we could shore up its foundation, strengthen its floors, put glass in its windows, and sturdy its walls.
With some work, the barn soon began to shine in the daytime under a fresh coat of paint, and in the nighttime under new barn lights. Its transformation was literally something to see.
But the transformation wasn't complete, we thought, if we couldn't hear our barn. So, it soon became living quarters for a bunch of chickens, donkeys, ducks, guineas, peafowl and cats. And, again, with some work, the barn began to teem with the sounds of life--crowing in the morning and cooing in the twilight.

Our barn also brays, and oddly at feeding time.
One day I was watching a Martha Stewart segment about gardening and I noticed these chickens running around pecking and scratching. How beautiful. She then teased she would be showing her Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys after the break.  "Miniature Mediterranean Donkey, what is that?" I was hooked.  Sure enough, after the commercial, Martha brought three beautiful mini donkeys into her studio. They were adorable!  She shared how easy it is to care for them and how their miniature size means they don't require as much land as a horse. That sounded great. Stewart's donkey segment demonstrated their love for people and how much they enjoy being brushed and petted. What's not to love? It wasn't a hard decision to make. These donkeys are adorable, they don't require a lot of land, they're easy to care for and they love people. We must have one. 

Andy and Otis

I immediately went to work researching and reading everything I could find. Soon, we were ready to make a purchase. I found this great site on the web called "Got Donkeys" breeder list, http://www.gotdonkeys.com/. I contacted Buck and Doe Run Farm in north central WV. They had a little jack for sell. After talking with  Carol Pippin about how much she loved her herd, I purchased the little jack named Otis.  

Little Otis after he was born

In spring of 2008, Otis traveled south from Buck and Doe Run to Verde Farm. My husband and I could hardly wait. The truck pulled in and we knew our little guy was in the back. When they opened the trailer we saw the most adorable, little, dark chocolate creature we had ever seen. That mini donkey melted our heart.  

Otis was an only child for a very short time. As you quickly learn with donkeys, "a lone donkey is a very lonely donkey." We now have five Miniature Mediterranean donkeys and couldn't be happier. How lucky I was to watch Martha Stewart that day. I will always be grateful.

Otis and his best buddy Samuel D. (D. for Donkey)

We are linking with Barn Charm at Bluff Area Daily. Check out all the wonderful barn posts there, you will love it!