Texas: Let me begin by telling you a bit about myself. I am an older / middle aged, mostly grey mother of several grown babies. I spend most of my days hanging out in and around the barn with a few horses. There are usually dogs running around and a radio playing quietly in the corner to keep me company. My name is Blossom. How I came to live at this barn is really an amazing story. It is the story of my life and it makes my ears tickle with happiness to tell it. My early memories are of a place, somewhere in the hot, dry part of the |
world. I remember being in a pen that was full of other donkeys, mules and horses. Some were mean, some were scared (I felt most sorry for them), some were really thin, some had babies at their sides and some, like me, had them in our bellies. The smell of fear and death was all around us. We were thrown hay once a day but some of the others were really fast to get to it, they bared their teeth swung their butts towards the rest of us. When I got really lucky I would sneak quietly around them and grab a mouthful but most of the time, I only got the bits that blew my way. Water was scarce too but being a donkey, I was used to going without much water, the horses were the ones that were the thirstiest. I remember men shouting numbers and one of them put a halter on me. I was scared to move so I just set my little hooves in the hard earth and pretended he wasn’t yanking on me. He got louder and grabbed my ears and pulled them, I had to go with him. I’m glad I did because he passed me over to a nice man who could talk donkey talk. In a kind, gentle voice he said “you are going on a long ride on the truck, a place that will be very cold but there are really nice people and lots of hay to eat.” I quickly jumped onto the truck.
Maine:
We drove for days it seems, stopping only to get a drink and a flake of hay. My legs ached from standing; my belly was getting bigger by the day. All I wanted was to lie down and rest. Finally the truck stopped one last time and the man opened the doors. The world was white, causing my eyes to squint, but I heard from somewhere in a faraway field other horses and donkeys talking, and they sounded happy. I didn’t want to get off the truck for a while, the white world scared me and when I’m scared I tend to plant my feet but I couldn’t resist the smell of fresh hay. Slowly I walked off the truck into the white stuff, my breath froze to my whiskers and the tips of my ears were cold but I kept going towards the sounds and the warm soft yellow lights of the barn. Finally, after weeks trying to survive, of trying to keep my unborn baby safe, I stepped into a big box stall, full of straw and fresh water and I felt safe.
In the days that followed I ate, slept and visited with all the other animals there. We had all come from different places, some not so great, but now we were all happy. I was introduced to white bread, yup, white bread. Never, in my entire life had I had anything that tasted that good. The people in this strange world were always busy, feeding and watering all the animals that would come through the barn. Some stayed, some left on trailers with people who seemed excited to give them treats and rub their necks.
As the days got warmer and the snow turned to mud, my belly got BIG. I felt like I had swallowed a barrel, my tiny hooves sunk in the mud from the weight of my huge girth. Late one night I snuck out of the barn into the field and alone, by the edge of the woods, Flower was born. The people at the barn found us the next morning, they gave me white bread….lots of white bread and hay and all kinds of treats. With Flower close to my side, we walked back to the barn and rested in a stall with lots of straw and water and smiling people looking over the side of the rail. (and they kept giving me white bread.
Flower and I spent the summer grazing in the fields and hanging with a few wild mules that kept to themselves. I would have been completely happy to stay, however, Flower was starting to get bigger and she was becoming quite the sassy ass. It was early fall, the leaves where starting to turn bright orange and yellow, and a trailer pulled into the yard. Two girls got out and headed our way. The people at the barn tried to catch Flower and I but I could tell something was up….. I knew where there was a hole in the fence on the far side of the field. Flower and I slipped through and everything got a little crazy. People were chasing us and laughing and trying to lure us both in with treats. Finally I ran in a fence and the gate was quickly closed and a hand reached out with white bread, damn that white bread. I couldn’t help myself and the halter got slipped over my nose. The Two girls led me towards the trailer, they were nice but didn’t know any donkey language at all, they spoke to the horses but horses and donkeys have a totally different language. I followed and could hear the laughter and wildness continue as they chased Sassy Flower around the field with the wild mules. I got on the trailer and the door closed…… Flower had won, they didn’t catch her.
We drove for a while, the roads got really windy and I was getting tired when the trailer stopped and one of the girls put a rope on me and led me into a huge stall filled with shavings. There was water and hay in the corner. It was quiet; there were no other horses or donkeys, no sassy Flower pestering me. I took a deep breath and sighed.
Finally, I was home.
We drove for days it seems, stopping only to get a drink and a flake of hay. My legs ached from standing; my belly was getting bigger by the day. All I wanted was to lie down and rest. Finally the truck stopped one last time and the man opened the doors. The world was white, causing my eyes to squint, but I heard from somewhere in a faraway field other horses and donkeys talking, and they sounded happy. I didn’t want to get off the truck for a while, the white world scared me and when I’m scared I tend to plant my feet but I couldn’t resist the smell of fresh hay. Slowly I walked off the truck into the white stuff, my breath froze to my whiskers and the tips of my ears were cold but I kept going towards the sounds and the warm soft yellow lights of the barn. Finally, after weeks trying to survive, of trying to keep my unborn baby safe, I stepped into a big box stall, full of straw and fresh water and I felt safe.
In the days that followed I ate, slept and visited with all the other animals there. We had all come from different places, some not so great, but now we were all happy. I was introduced to white bread, yup, white bread. Never, in my entire life had I had anything that tasted that good. The people in this strange world were always busy, feeding and watering all the animals that would come through the barn. Some stayed, some left on trailers with people who seemed excited to give them treats and rub their necks.
As the days got warmer and the snow turned to mud, my belly got BIG. I felt like I had swallowed a barrel, my tiny hooves sunk in the mud from the weight of my huge girth. Late one night I snuck out of the barn into the field and alone, by the edge of the woods, Flower was born. The people at the barn found us the next morning, they gave me white bread….lots of white bread and hay and all kinds of treats. With Flower close to my side, we walked back to the barn and rested in a stall with lots of straw and water and smiling people looking over the side of the rail. (and they kept giving me white bread.
Flower and I spent the summer grazing in the fields and hanging with a few wild mules that kept to themselves. I would have been completely happy to stay, however, Flower was starting to get bigger and she was becoming quite the sassy ass. It was early fall, the leaves where starting to turn bright orange and yellow, and a trailer pulled into the yard. Two girls got out and headed our way. The people at the barn tried to catch Flower and I but I could tell something was up….. I knew where there was a hole in the fence on the far side of the field. Flower and I slipped through and everything got a little crazy. People were chasing us and laughing and trying to lure us both in with treats. Finally I ran in a fence and the gate was quickly closed and a hand reached out with white bread, damn that white bread. I couldn’t help myself and the halter got slipped over my nose. The Two girls led me towards the trailer, they were nice but didn’t know any donkey language at all, they spoke to the horses but horses and donkeys have a totally different language. I followed and could hear the laughter and wildness continue as they chased Sassy Flower around the field with the wild mules. I got on the trailer and the door closed…… Flower had won, they didn’t catch her.
We drove for a while, the roads got really windy and I was getting tired when the trailer stopped and one of the girls put a rope on me and led me into a huge stall filled with shavings. There was water and hay in the corner. It was quiet; there were no other horses or donkeys, no sassy Flower pestering me. I took a deep breath and sighed.
Finally, I was home.
Donkey Talk
The next few weeks were spent trying to teach this new person Donkey Language! Holy Hooves, she just can’t get the hang of it. Every morning she would lead me to my pasture (which by the way had some really awesome grass) and every evening she would lead me back to that huge stall, full of shavings and hay in the corner. |
Except for white bread, a fresh bed of shavings to roll in is probably my favorite thing to do in life. I Love to spread it all out, the smell of pine tickling my nose hairs, and when I get it just right I lower by great big barrel of a belly and roll and roll and ‘sigh’ roll.
So back to this person, this lady that leads me and feeds me and gives me the shavings (and sometimes some white bread), she knows horse talk (a little) but she just can’t get the hang of donkey talk. When I am scared or unsure of anything, I plant my feet and don’t move. Well, evidently, a horse (which is a much simpler animal – might I say not quite as smart?) can be tricked to move or go where they are told. |
If a donkey doesn’t want to move for whatever reason, a donkey doesn’t move. I think I have heard the word ‘stubborn ass’ before but stubborn has nothing to do with it. Why on earth would I go somewhere that I didn’t want to go? There were times when we would get half way to the pasture, and I would give her a lesson in donkey talk. I planted my feet and looked at her. She would yell at me… nope… not moving. She would move my head side to side… nope… not moving. She would yank on me…. Yea, nope….. not moving a foot. She even would put a carrot in front of me ….. Really? Yea… not moving. Sigh…. How long before she gets it?
Eventually she would give up, turn around and just stand there. Finally! I would follow as long as she didn’t pull or turn around and look at me. Just walk and I will be behind you. |
Her lessons continued in the afternoon when she wanted to catch me in the pasture. First she would try to walk straight up to me…. I walked away. Then she tried chasing me… she can’t run very fast. Sometimes she tried hiding the lead rope behind her, hehehehaw really? Does that work with horses? Then she gave up and sat in the middle of the pasture with some white bread in her hand…..There… you’re getting it.
Her lessons continued and she slowly learned. Don’t tell me…. Ask me and I will do anything.
As the days went by we would hang out on the front lawn and eat grass and she would take this funny thing and rub it all over my body… mmmm that felt good. I had never felt a brush before. She always had some white bread in her pocket and that made me prick my long ears forward when I saw her coming. She laughed at me a lot, I’m not sure what was so funny but as long as she kept the white bread coming, I guess I could handle the laughing.
One day a man drove onto the yard and pulled out some tools and headed my way…. Ummmm what’s happening now? He could speak a little donkey so I let him pick my feet up and tickle my toes… He was a nice person and I decided I liked him… until I heard him say ‘you shouldn’t be giving her white bread anymore. She will get fat.’ WHAT? Ok mister, you can put my hoof down now and leave.
As the days got shorter and the nights got colder, I started to get a little lonely in my great big stall. I had started calling my person Mumzy. I liked having her all to myself; I looked forward to seeing her every morning and every evening. Sometime she scratched me all over with that tool of hers. I even let her pick my feet up and tickly my toes even though she knew I could kick her in the teeth at any time, she was starting to trust me a little and I was starting to kinda like her too (especially when she snuck me a piece of white bread even though that man told her not to) fat? Pishawwww! Not me.
One day Mumzy came to put me out in the morning and I could tell she was acting different. She kept telling me something that I just didn’t understand. ‘You just wait; you’re going to be so happy’ Huh? What was she jabbering on about? Was I going to get more white bread? Was she going to give me a bag of shavings to roll in? After she had cleaned my stall (it was a cold day so I stayed inside for a while) I watched her hang a second bucket of water? Gee I didn’t think I needed that much water but ok. Then she put an extra flake of hay in the corner. Can never have too much hay I guess?
Then I heard it, tires coming into the driveway, a big door opening and the sound of 4 tiny hooves hitting the driveway..
Her lessons continued and she slowly learned. Don’t tell me…. Ask me and I will do anything.
As the days went by we would hang out on the front lawn and eat grass and she would take this funny thing and rub it all over my body… mmmm that felt good. I had never felt a brush before. She always had some white bread in her pocket and that made me prick my long ears forward when I saw her coming. She laughed at me a lot, I’m not sure what was so funny but as long as she kept the white bread coming, I guess I could handle the laughing.
One day a man drove onto the yard and pulled out some tools and headed my way…. Ummmm what’s happening now? He could speak a little donkey so I let him pick my feet up and tickle my toes… He was a nice person and I decided I liked him… until I heard him say ‘you shouldn’t be giving her white bread anymore. She will get fat.’ WHAT? Ok mister, you can put my hoof down now and leave.
As the days got shorter and the nights got colder, I started to get a little lonely in my great big stall. I had started calling my person Mumzy. I liked having her all to myself; I looked forward to seeing her every morning and every evening. Sometime she scratched me all over with that tool of hers. I even let her pick my feet up and tickly my toes even though she knew I could kick her in the teeth at any time, she was starting to trust me a little and I was starting to kinda like her too (especially when she snuck me a piece of white bread even though that man told her not to) fat? Pishawwww! Not me.
One day Mumzy came to put me out in the morning and I could tell she was acting different. She kept telling me something that I just didn’t understand. ‘You just wait; you’re going to be so happy’ Huh? What was she jabbering on about? Was I going to get more white bread? Was she going to give me a bag of shavings to roll in? After she had cleaned my stall (it was a cold day so I stayed inside for a while) I watched her hang a second bucket of water? Gee I didn’t think I needed that much water but ok. Then she put an extra flake of hay in the corner. Can never have too much hay I guess?
Then I heard it, tires coming into the driveway, a big door opening and the sound of 4 tiny hooves hitting the driveway..
Here Comes Flower
When Mumzy opened my stall door and I saw Flower, my heart soared! There stood my sassy little baby, all grown up and fuzzy from the cold weather. It was late in the afternoon, still really cold out so after we touched noses (and I gave her a little hoof when she tried to nurse), Mumzy tucked us in for the night. It was so nice to be able to chat about the last month as we stood close to each other for warmth in our thick bed of shavings and piles of hay.
Flower had spent the last month at our old home, learning to be a grown up donkey, not needing me for food or protection anymore, but she still had a lot to learn before she could be on her own.
When Mumzy opened my stall door and I saw Flower, my heart soared! There stood my sassy little baby, all grown up and fuzzy from the cold weather. It was late in the afternoon, still really cold out so after we touched noses (and I gave her a little hoof when she tried to nurse), Mumzy tucked us in for the night. It was so nice to be able to chat about the last month as we stood close to each other for warmth in our thick bed of shavings and piles of hay.
Flower had spent the last month at our old home, learning to be a grown up donkey, not needing me for food or protection anymore, but she still had a lot to learn before she could be on her own.
Her lessons started first thing in the morning when Mumzy led us out to the pasture. Flower had a halter on but she obviously didn’t know what it for, thank goodness I had taught Mumzy a little donkey talk because Flower didn’t know Mumzy talk at all! Instead of planting her feet and standing, Flower flew into the air and swung her head around and tried to get free (oh she hadn’t changed that much! Still the spoiled little girl she always was!) But Mumzy held on as I stood in the pasture and just waited for them to figure it out; knowing it had to happen all over again when evening came and we got led back inside. Once in the pasture, Flower had a bit of a run around, it was nice having the company but wow, she already was making me tired. I had warned her about the fence, it bites, don’t touch it. One of the first things she did? Got a good bite off that fence. Told you! That sent her into another fit, bucking and running into me as she flew around the pasture
In the afternoon, Mumzy brought the yellow things with her when she cleaned our stall and filled it with shavings. I told Flower, they are nice, don’t bother them and they won’t bother you. The first thing she did? Sneak up behind one of them and sniffed! That yellow thing turned around, barked and ran as fast as it could, and Flower chased it. Sigh…. So much for leaving them alone.
Our days were filled with munching on grass, Flower learning to be led, getting brushed all over (another one of my favorite things) and watching as Flower learned all about donkey life. We went for long walks over the hill, Mumzy leading us both. I made sure to behave myself on those walks because Flower didn’t; I had to walk steady to keep her balanced. One day, when we were way down in the lower pasture, eating (the snow had melted a bit that day) I noticed a black area in the pasture. I went to check it out and was I ever happy when I found it full of black dirt! It was an old fire pit that had black coals and sand. One thing Mumzy didn’t know yet about donkeys, but was soon to find out is we LOVE to roll in sand. Clean sand, dirty sand, white sand or black, I really didn’t care. Flower came over and we had ourselves one heck of a nice dirt bath (in old fire pit sand)! When Mumzy came to get us that afternoon, she didn’t laugh, she wasn’t even smiling, she even seemed a bit mad. Still not sure why she was so upset but Flower and I got extra brushing that night…. We must have done something right.
Our days were filled with munching on grass, Flower learning to be led, getting brushed all over (another one of my favorite things) and watching as Flower learned all about donkey life. We went for long walks over the hill, Mumzy leading us both. I made sure to behave myself on those walks because Flower didn’t; I had to walk steady to keep her balanced. One day, when we were way down in the lower pasture, eating (the snow had melted a bit that day) I noticed a black area in the pasture. I went to check it out and was I ever happy when I found it full of black dirt! It was an old fire pit that had black coals and sand. One thing Mumzy didn’t know yet about donkeys, but was soon to find out is we LOVE to roll in sand. Clean sand, dirty sand, white sand or black, I really didn’t care. Flower came over and we had ourselves one heck of a nice dirt bath (in old fire pit sand)! When Mumzy came to get us that afternoon, she didn’t laugh, she wasn’t even smiling, she even seemed a bit mad. Still not sure why she was so upset but Flower and I got extra brushing that night…. We must have done something right.
Short Story… Mumzy is busy
Since Mumzy is really busy lately (at least she says she is – not really sure what she is doing all the time) She doesn’t know what busy is : I have to eat all day, walking from pile to pile is tiring, walk ALL the way up the field to drink water, lay in the sunshine and poop… THAT is busy. She is probably sitting around eating white bread! Anyway, she had time to write a short story about me, Flower and this person they call Mimi.
It was mid-winter and really cold out. Flower and I had been in the stall for most of the day – even though the stall was big enough for Flower to trot from one end to the other, it was small compared to the pasture. Mumzy had filled the floor from side to side with soft yummy shavings because she knew we were bored. It was dark outside, we had already had our supper and I decided to lie down to take a nap. Hit the hay so to speak. Those shavings felt particularly good that night, I remember the smell of the pine and the softness under my belly. I couldn’t help myself so I started to roll. I rolled and rolled and rolled some more, not noticing that I was getting very close to the wall.
Before I go any further, let me tell you about a funny thing that happens to horses and donkeys. Occasionally (and this has never happened before to me but I have heard stories) when a donkey (or horse) lays down or rolls (both of which I just did), we can sometimes position ourselves with our legs so close to the stall wall that we can neither get up or reposition to roll the other way. This scary occurrence is called being cast. Most horses panic when they find themselves cast in their stall but donkeys (being the smarter species) stay cool and collected.
Back to me, that night, rolling in the deep shavings….. Yup, I found myself cast. I couldn’t roll over far enough to use my legs to push up but I was too far to roll back so my legs would have more room. I was stuck, I was cast and I was a little scared. Flower was no use at all, between giggles, she would ask if she could help in any way….. I’m sure I looked rather funny, kinda like a turtle on their back except I was a donkey, my legs flailing around and my big barrel of a belly keeping me flat on my back.
I know Mumzy wouldn’t be back until morning, she hadn’t been gone that long so that meant it was going to be a very long night. I tried, I tried hard to push myself away from the wall far enough so I could push up… nope, couldn’t do it. I tried to roll back over but I was just too wide. I was getting tired and hot, even though it was cold outside I was working very hard to right myself.
Since Mumzy is really busy lately (at least she says she is – not really sure what she is doing all the time) She doesn’t know what busy is : I have to eat all day, walking from pile to pile is tiring, walk ALL the way up the field to drink water, lay in the sunshine and poop… THAT is busy. She is probably sitting around eating white bread! Anyway, she had time to write a short story about me, Flower and this person they call Mimi.
It was mid-winter and really cold out. Flower and I had been in the stall for most of the day – even though the stall was big enough for Flower to trot from one end to the other, it was small compared to the pasture. Mumzy had filled the floor from side to side with soft yummy shavings because she knew we were bored. It was dark outside, we had already had our supper and I decided to lie down to take a nap. Hit the hay so to speak. Those shavings felt particularly good that night, I remember the smell of the pine and the softness under my belly. I couldn’t help myself so I started to roll. I rolled and rolled and rolled some more, not noticing that I was getting very close to the wall.
Before I go any further, let me tell you about a funny thing that happens to horses and donkeys. Occasionally (and this has never happened before to me but I have heard stories) when a donkey (or horse) lays down or rolls (both of which I just did), we can sometimes position ourselves with our legs so close to the stall wall that we can neither get up or reposition to roll the other way. This scary occurrence is called being cast. Most horses panic when they find themselves cast in their stall but donkeys (being the smarter species) stay cool and collected.
Back to me, that night, rolling in the deep shavings….. Yup, I found myself cast. I couldn’t roll over far enough to use my legs to push up but I was too far to roll back so my legs would have more room. I was stuck, I was cast and I was a little scared. Flower was no use at all, between giggles, she would ask if she could help in any way….. I’m sure I looked rather funny, kinda like a turtle on their back except I was a donkey, my legs flailing around and my big barrel of a belly keeping me flat on my back.
I know Mumzy wouldn’t be back until morning, she hadn’t been gone that long so that meant it was going to be a very long night. I tried, I tried hard to push myself away from the wall far enough so I could push up… nope, couldn’t do it. I tried to roll back over but I was just too wide. I was getting tired and hot, even though it was cold outside I was working very hard to right myself.
Suddenly, the door to the barn opened. It was the door that was connected to the really warm barn next door, that barn would whoosh warm air in when the door opened and it smelled like people food and I always wondered what animals lived in there. I found out that night. It was Mimi! Mimi was kinda old, she didn’t have a lot to do with Flower or I but she was always around. I would see her get in her car, and when she came home at night I would give a big holler, hoping she would give us some carrots (which she did once in a while). Anyway….. It was Mimi. I hoped she would see my predicament and call Mumzy but she didn’t. Instead she came in the stall and grabbed my hoof. She pulled, she pulled hard – pretty strong for such a little lady but I was too heavy. I was careful not to hit her with my hooves, I was afraid I would hurt her. Flower came over and Mimi said, not now Flower, you go over there and stay out of the way. Mimi got a rope and tied it to my front hooves. She was a pretty determined old lady. I stayed very still and after she was done tying she said, ok Blossom, you gotta help me help you. When I say go you need to try with all your might to roll over. One Two Three Go….. She grunted and I grunted and Flower giggled in the corner, I’m sure we looked pretty comical. I wasn’t sure it was going to work but with one last tug, Mimi pulled my legs over and I was free of the wall. I quickly stood up, kinda wobbly, I was so tired! But I was up and that’s all that mattered. Oh thank you Mimi! She gave me a pat, threw me some hay and left through that door into her own warm barn. I ate a little hay until I wasn’t shaking, took a little drink and locked my knees and closed my eyes. No more laying down for me that night. Flower was still giggling in the corner, I told her, Flower be quiet, stop laughing and go to sleep. She said, I love you Mama and I’m glad you are ok but that was kinda funny
Sweet Honey
As the days got warmer and the grass began to turn green, Mumzy made our pasture bigger little by little. She told us that if we had the whole field at once it wouldn’t be good for my figure. Huh, who cares about my figure!
Flower made friends with the neighbors; they would come to the fence and feed her carrots and apples. At first I didn’t dare go over, what if they were mean? What if it was a trap? Flower didn’t know any of these bad things happen to donkeys but I do, I remember. It takes me a long time to trust someone, to know they aren’t going to hurt me. Oh but those carrots looked good! And Flower always came back happy….. Slowly I started to get closer to the fence. They were nice, they didn’t hurt me. They threw carrots and apples over to me so I didn’t have to get too close but eventually I went right up to them and got my share before Flower could hog them all. By late summer I was watching to see when they came out on the back porch and when I saw the door open I would HOLLER HEEHAWWW (actually more like a bellowing honk)
One afternoon Mumzy made the pasture bigger, much bigger! Flower ran around and kicked up her heals; I put my nose to the ground and ate that luscious green grass. Mumzy must think I was getting too thin. It wasn’t long before I realized why we had gotten so much pasture added at once; it wasn’t my starving waistline after all. A trailer pulled into the driveway. Who could it be? Were they nice? Were they big, small? Horse? Donkey? I was pretty excited to say the least.
As the days got warmer and the grass began to turn green, Mumzy made our pasture bigger little by little. She told us that if we had the whole field at once it wouldn’t be good for my figure. Huh, who cares about my figure!
Flower made friends with the neighbors; they would come to the fence and feed her carrots and apples. At first I didn’t dare go over, what if they were mean? What if it was a trap? Flower didn’t know any of these bad things happen to donkeys but I do, I remember. It takes me a long time to trust someone, to know they aren’t going to hurt me. Oh but those carrots looked good! And Flower always came back happy….. Slowly I started to get closer to the fence. They were nice, they didn’t hurt me. They threw carrots and apples over to me so I didn’t have to get too close but eventually I went right up to them and got my share before Flower could hog them all. By late summer I was watching to see when they came out on the back porch and when I saw the door open I would HOLLER HEEHAWWW (actually more like a bellowing honk)
One afternoon Mumzy made the pasture bigger, much bigger! Flower ran around and kicked up her heals; I put my nose to the ground and ate that luscious green grass. Mumzy must think I was getting too thin. It wasn’t long before I realized why we had gotten so much pasture added at once; it wasn’t my starving waistline after all. A trailer pulled into the driveway. Who could it be? Were they nice? Were they big, small? Horse? Donkey? I was pretty excited to say the least.
Flower and I watched as a pretty sorrel horse with flaxen mane and tail backed off the trailer. I could tell right away she was scared, her eyes bulged and her head was high, looking for hints of danger or signs of something familiar. Mumzy led her to our pasture and let her come in to meet Flower and I. We ran, we ran really fast. I ran because I didn’t know this horse and Flower ran just because I did, she really wasn’t scared. This little mare, she wasn’t very big, walked round the pasture and checked out all our poop, grabbing mouthfuls of grass as she went. I could tell she was hungry, she had ribs sticking out and a dull coat. She settled in pretty quick which gave me a chance to watch her and see if she was dangerous. As I was eating and watching her out of the corner of my eye, I realized she had a bad leg. She wasn’t bending it at all and when she walked or trotted she had a very bad limp. Her knee was completely fused and she couldn’t bend it at all. She had a lot of scars, a lot of damage to her whole right side. This mare wasn’t going to hurt us, I could tell.
Mumzy had split our huge stall into 2 sections with Flower and I on one side (thankfully the side with the door so we could escape if we needed to) and this mare they called Honey on the other side. I soon realized why they called her honey, not only was she the color of honey but she was the sweetest friend I have ever had. I lifted the board Mumzy had separating us (did she really think I couldn’t figure that out?)and we ended up talking all night; Flower fell asleep shortly after Mumzy fed us supper.
Honey had come from the same hot place that I remembered being at. The place that had loud men and not much food, the place that made me have nightmares when I thought about it. The difference between Honey and I is that she had her baby at the horrible place. She had to spend weeks trying to protect her baby, trying to eat enough to be able to feed her baby, she had it much worse than I did since Flower was still in my belly then. She couldn’t remember when her leg got hurt, it had been a while back and she hadn’t been able to walk well since but she was proud of the fact she kept her baby safe. She and the little one were loaded on the same trailer that I was. They too headed north for a very long ride. When they finally made it to this northern land, she was able to relax and know her baby was safe. When the baby was old enough to eat, she went to a new home and Honey was relieved to not have to worry about her anymore. I kinda knew how she felt, Flower was getting ready to move on too and I hate to say it but I wasn’t feeling too bad about that. She was so sassy and I was very tired! Honey told about her last trailer ride; the one when Mumzy and a pretty pregnant blonde girl were driving the truck. She said they had to stop on the side of the road for a very long time and finally a man came to do something with the tire of the trailer… She said she thought Mumzy was a crazy lady when this happened. I reassured her that Mumzy was a bit crazy sometimes but she meant well and was very trainable. The barn was a peaceful and I am glad that Honey and I became friends.
Mumzy had split our huge stall into 2 sections with Flower and I on one side (thankfully the side with the door so we could escape if we needed to) and this mare they called Honey on the other side. I soon realized why they called her honey, not only was she the color of honey but she was the sweetest friend I have ever had. I lifted the board Mumzy had separating us (did she really think I couldn’t figure that out?)and we ended up talking all night; Flower fell asleep shortly after Mumzy fed us supper.
Honey had come from the same hot place that I remembered being at. The place that had loud men and not much food, the place that made me have nightmares when I thought about it. The difference between Honey and I is that she had her baby at the horrible place. She had to spend weeks trying to protect her baby, trying to eat enough to be able to feed her baby, she had it much worse than I did since Flower was still in my belly then. She couldn’t remember when her leg got hurt, it had been a while back and she hadn’t been able to walk well since but she was proud of the fact she kept her baby safe. She and the little one were loaded on the same trailer that I was. They too headed north for a very long ride. When they finally made it to this northern land, she was able to relax and know her baby was safe. When the baby was old enough to eat, she went to a new home and Honey was relieved to not have to worry about her anymore. I kinda knew how she felt, Flower was getting ready to move on too and I hate to say it but I wasn’t feeling too bad about that. She was so sassy and I was very tired! Honey told about her last trailer ride; the one when Mumzy and a pretty pregnant blonde girl were driving the truck. She said they had to stop on the side of the road for a very long time and finally a man came to do something with the tire of the trailer… She said she thought Mumzy was a crazy lady when this happened. I reassured her that Mumzy was a bit crazy sometimes but she meant well and was very trainable. The barn was a peaceful and I am glad that Honey and I became friends.
Lotsa Changes
Honey, Flower and I had a great time when the first snow began to fall. Flower and I had lived at the barn for a year now and Mumzy had learned a lot about donkeys. She would take Flower out onto the lawn and they would practice walking with a halter on. Flower was so sassy but Mumzy was determined to help make her into a good donkey. Her chances of having a happy life and not ever ending up in the horrible hot place that Honey and I remember so well depended on her being a good girl. We would tell Flower these stories at night, munching on our supper, hoping she would realize how important it was for her to learn. She was doing pretty well but like every youngster she had her moments.
One of Flowers favorite games was to sneak under the fence to explore and sneak back in before Mumzy realized she had done it. She got away with it for a while, until one day she was caught on the other side. She had slipped under the fence and was exploring the woods beside our pasture when Mumzy walked up past the spot. Oh my goodness, I knew she had been caught and I giggled a bit, waiting to see what would happen. Flower snuck back into the fence when Mumzy went to the barn and pretended nothing had happened. Mumzy moved our fence to include the woods after that. I suppose she thought ‘if I cant keep her in I better let her have the woods to explore’. It didn’t help, after that Flower became even more sassy and would slip under the fence in the field and wait for Mumzy to walk toward her and then she would slip back in. I could hear Mumzy mumbling under her breath… what a brat! She went straight to the barn and brought out a metal box. When she was done messing with it, all we could hear was click… click… click….. I knew what that meant but it didn’t stop Flower. With her fuzzy thick coat she didn’t even feel the snap of the fence, or if she did she didn’t admit it. She would slip out several times a day until Mumzy started walking toward her, then she would scamper back in.
Honey, Flower and I had a great time when the first snow began to fall. Flower and I had lived at the barn for a year now and Mumzy had learned a lot about donkeys. She would take Flower out onto the lawn and they would practice walking with a halter on. Flower was so sassy but Mumzy was determined to help make her into a good donkey. Her chances of having a happy life and not ever ending up in the horrible hot place that Honey and I remember so well depended on her being a good girl. We would tell Flower these stories at night, munching on our supper, hoping she would realize how important it was for her to learn. She was doing pretty well but like every youngster she had her moments.
One of Flowers favorite games was to sneak under the fence to explore and sneak back in before Mumzy realized she had done it. She got away with it for a while, until one day she was caught on the other side. She had slipped under the fence and was exploring the woods beside our pasture when Mumzy walked up past the spot. Oh my goodness, I knew she had been caught and I giggled a bit, waiting to see what would happen. Flower snuck back into the fence when Mumzy went to the barn and pretended nothing had happened. Mumzy moved our fence to include the woods after that. I suppose she thought ‘if I cant keep her in I better let her have the woods to explore’. It didn’t help, after that Flower became even more sassy and would slip under the fence in the field and wait for Mumzy to walk toward her and then she would slip back in. I could hear Mumzy mumbling under her breath… what a brat! She went straight to the barn and brought out a metal box. When she was done messing with it, all we could hear was click… click… click….. I knew what that meant but it didn’t stop Flower. With her fuzzy thick coat she didn’t even feel the snap of the fence, or if she did she didn’t admit it. She would slip out several times a day until Mumzy started walking toward her, then she would scamper back in.
Mumzy told us one morning at breakfast the Flower was going to a new barn, one that would teach her to be a good donkey. I was a little sad but excited too; I knew she was bored with Honey and I, two old ladies that just wanted to eat, sleep and occasionally give her a playful nip. She needed friends. The trailer pulled into the door yard and Mumzy took Flower out to get on. We had said our goodbyes and everyone was excited for Flower, except Flower. She braced her tiny little hooves off and there were 3 people trying to coax, push, pull and at one point pick her up to put her on the trailer but Flower held tight…. And she won. Ugh what a stubborn little ass she was. When Mumzy brought her back into the stall I could tell she was mad; she was sweaty and when she slammed the barn door and left without scratching an ear I was certain she was not happy with Flower.
A couple of days went by and another trailer pulled into the yard. This time when the door opened a huge brown mare got off and Flower walked on, no fight or fuss at all. I was so proud of her and excited that her life was starting a new chapter. Since that day Mumzy has kept me updated on her and from what I’m told she is still a sassy little donkey but is happy and doing well at another barn. (I think she said something about wooden fences!)
Back to the big brown mare….. Mumzy put her in a new stall that had been built beside ours and took her halter off…. Honey and I watched as she turned her back and that mare simply walked out the door… out the door and down the road and then she just kept going… where did she thing she was headed?! Oh Mumzy was not happy! She left the barn with a halter in one hand and a bucket of grain in the other, when they got back they were both sweating but Mumzy got her back in her stall, closed the door and walked out – (she left her halter on for days). That night Honey and I got to know this big brown mare…. Sunny. She was hungry and was happy when she got a bucket of grain and lots of hay for supper.
Sunny was only with us for a few months. She was a bit of a bully in the pasture, not wanting to share her hay with anyone but the ribs under her winter coat showed she must have had to fight for her hay at her last home. She loved when Mumzy took her out and brushed her. She told us that she had come from a pasture and hadn’t had anyone play with her for many years. She limped when she walked but she never complained. I also saw her one day yawn and when she did, I noticed she had broken teeth and a crooked jaw. She may not have been to the hot place of Honey and my nightmares but she had lived through her own nightmare. She never talked about it but when she got cranky in the pasture, Honey and I knew it had something to do with her past.
A couple of days went by and another trailer pulled into the yard. This time when the door opened a huge brown mare got off and Flower walked on, no fight or fuss at all. I was so proud of her and excited that her life was starting a new chapter. Since that day Mumzy has kept me updated on her and from what I’m told she is still a sassy little donkey but is happy and doing well at another barn. (I think she said something about wooden fences!)
Back to the big brown mare….. Mumzy put her in a new stall that had been built beside ours and took her halter off…. Honey and I watched as she turned her back and that mare simply walked out the door… out the door and down the road and then she just kept going… where did she thing she was headed?! Oh Mumzy was not happy! She left the barn with a halter in one hand and a bucket of grain in the other, when they got back they were both sweating but Mumzy got her back in her stall, closed the door and walked out – (she left her halter on for days). That night Honey and I got to know this big brown mare…. Sunny. She was hungry and was happy when she got a bucket of grain and lots of hay for supper.
Sunny was only with us for a few months. She was a bit of a bully in the pasture, not wanting to share her hay with anyone but the ribs under her winter coat showed she must have had to fight for her hay at her last home. She loved when Mumzy took her out and brushed her. She told us that she had come from a pasture and hadn’t had anyone play with her for many years. She limped when she walked but she never complained. I also saw her one day yawn and when she did, I noticed she had broken teeth and a crooked jaw. She may not have been to the hot place of Honey and my nightmares but she had lived through her own nightmare. She never talked about it but when she got cranky in the pasture, Honey and I knew it had something to do with her past.
One afternoon, a man came and Mumzy led Sunny down in the field. She never came back. Honey and I both knew she never would. We were sad but Mumzy told us that night that she was sick, that she had something wrong inside her that couldn’t be fixed. I was glad that Sunny wasn’t in pain anymore, that she didn’t end up in that hot scary place that I knew a lot of old horses go to. She was happy when she was with us, she loved her supper, she loved being brushed and she was a friend I will always miss.
The barn was quiet with just Honey (an old mare with a broken leg) and me (an old donkey that loved her barn) |
Life on Blossoms terms
I will let Mumzy tell this story because it is too sad for me to talk about but….Next Sunday be ready for the stories to become more fun and less sad…..
If something amazing can come from such a bad day... this is it. This past week I had to make the horrible decision to put Honey down, Long story short... emergency call late in the evening to the vet and he and I together made the decision that it was time. Walking back through the field .... bawling my eyes out.... I look up and see Blossom on the front lawn... augh.... not a big deal, she has gotten out and if its supper time - which it was.... a little rattle of the grain can and she comes right back in. Hmmmmmm.. shes no dumby..... something was wrong and she knew it. I shook the can - she looked at me - and started walking.... away from me! ok, the sun is setting, my husband has the backhoe humming in the background, my cheeks are dirty with dusty tears. So most of you know this already but if a donkey doesnt want to be caught, they wont be caught. There was no way to get around her to turn her around... so we walked, Blossom leading the way and me simply walking behind. Across the road, over the hill, through the woods, into the blueberry field. The sun was just peeking over the end of the field and Blossom was silhouetted against the sky... just walking. I very casually made a wide circle around her... nope, i dont want to catch you, just walking by....... got in front of her and she stopped. Looked at me. we are miles into the woods at this point, and the sun has set. I sat on the ground in front of her and simply cried, I cried for Honey, I cried because I didnt know what to do with Blossom, I just cried. and Blossom just looked at me. I got up, walked by her, i could have touched her but didnt because there was no use, she didnt have a halter on and i wasnt going to get her. I had visions of a ferrel donkey living in the middle of town for years to come, my great grandchildren would hear stories of how a donkey named Blossom lived for years on her own. As i walked home i heard hoofs clicking behind me, i didnt turn around... just kept walking . At the top of the hill - we were almost home , the hoof beats stopped. I froze - very slowly i turned around and Blossom was standing in the dark above me - then she rolled...yup - just rolled and rolled and rolled. - got up - shook - and we continued home. No halters, no rope, Back home safe and sound - i tucked her in and gave her supper (only a little because she had eating alot! on her travels) and said goodnight.
When i got Blossom from Brogen, I told her, i know horses but not donkeys - she said, Blossom will teach you donkey - dont worry. Yup - she has. Life on Blossoms terms - thats the way it is :)
Mumzy and I will always remember Honey, our sweet, gentle friend who asked nothing from anyone and was so happy to just live on our hill and tickle Mumzy with her whiskers.
(sorry everyone, didnt mean to make you cry :)
I will let Mumzy tell this story because it is too sad for me to talk about but….Next Sunday be ready for the stories to become more fun and less sad…..
If something amazing can come from such a bad day... this is it. This past week I had to make the horrible decision to put Honey down, Long story short... emergency call late in the evening to the vet and he and I together made the decision that it was time. Walking back through the field .... bawling my eyes out.... I look up and see Blossom on the front lawn... augh.... not a big deal, she has gotten out and if its supper time - which it was.... a little rattle of the grain can and she comes right back in. Hmmmmmm.. shes no dumby..... something was wrong and she knew it. I shook the can - she looked at me - and started walking.... away from me! ok, the sun is setting, my husband has the backhoe humming in the background, my cheeks are dirty with dusty tears. So most of you know this already but if a donkey doesnt want to be caught, they wont be caught. There was no way to get around her to turn her around... so we walked, Blossom leading the way and me simply walking behind. Across the road, over the hill, through the woods, into the blueberry field. The sun was just peeking over the end of the field and Blossom was silhouetted against the sky... just walking. I very casually made a wide circle around her... nope, i dont want to catch you, just walking by....... got in front of her and she stopped. Looked at me. we are miles into the woods at this point, and the sun has set. I sat on the ground in front of her and simply cried, I cried for Honey, I cried because I didnt know what to do with Blossom, I just cried. and Blossom just looked at me. I got up, walked by her, i could have touched her but didnt because there was no use, she didnt have a halter on and i wasnt going to get her. I had visions of a ferrel donkey living in the middle of town for years to come, my great grandchildren would hear stories of how a donkey named Blossom lived for years on her own. As i walked home i heard hoofs clicking behind me, i didnt turn around... just kept walking . At the top of the hill - we were almost home , the hoof beats stopped. I froze - very slowly i turned around and Blossom was standing in the dark above me - then she rolled...yup - just rolled and rolled and rolled. - got up - shook - and we continued home. No halters, no rope, Back home safe and sound - i tucked her in and gave her supper (only a little because she had eating alot! on her travels) and said goodnight.
When i got Blossom from Brogen, I told her, i know horses but not donkeys - she said, Blossom will teach you donkey - dont worry. Yup - she has. Life on Blossoms terms - thats the way it is :)
Mumzy and I will always remember Honey, our sweet, gentle friend who asked nothing from anyone and was so happy to just live on our hill and tickle Mumzy with her whiskers.
(sorry everyone, didnt mean to make you cry :)
Blossoms Barn
Part 9
The way it Was
The days grew longer, the grass greener and the blackflies hungrier. The peepers would keep me company as the sun set behind the barn and I munched on my flake of hay. I was alone in the barn. I enjoyed it most of the time, but there were moments I missed having someone watch my back while I slept in the sunshine. I missed the chats over a flake of hay in the evening. I missed hanging out in the oak grove, my favorite place in the whole world, with friends to stand beside. Mumzy didn’t lock me in the barn anymore and I had the run of all 3 stalls and the entire pasture – day and night. One of my favorite things to do was hide in that oak grove during the night and watch while Mumzy left – it would be dark and she would always try to see me but in the Oak grove I was all but invisible. On these days Mumzy didn’t get home until late and when she did she smelled like fish – not my favorite smell. Sometimes she came home and smelled like dirt – sometimes, on those days, she brought me different vegetables that she had collected during her day. There were days when Mumzy and I would go for walks over the hill. These were my favorite days. We would walk along a dirt road and if I was lucky there would be muddy roots that I could eat.. yup.. that’s another one of my favorites J
One day Mumzy came up to check on me and she was babbling on about something. I could only understand a word or two…. Horses..company…three… what was she so excited about? A pasture was built in back of the barn (did she think I needed more space?) 3 stalls and 4 acres of pasture for one little donkey seemed enough but if she wanted to give me more I was all for it. She piled hay in the loft – more hay then I could eat in a winter – hmmmm – she had my attention now. My whiskers tingled with the excitement she gave off whenever she came up and puttered around in the barn.
One one particular evening, long after the blackflies and been replaced by mosquitos and the nights were a welcome relief from the hot days, Mumzy put me to bed later then usual. The doors were never shut so I could see through the dark when someone came to visit. I hung around the barn and didn’t venture down into the oak grove on this particular night. The fog was thick as pea soup and the heavy air was cool on the tips of my ears. As I drifted off to sleep a truck drove into the door yard, the lights rudely waking me up from a sweet dream of clover and white bread. I yawned and shook my head, my long ears flapping against my cheeks…. Who would be driving in this time of night? I could hear voices but the fog was too thick for me to see anything. There was Mumzys voice, Mimi’s voice and a man and women I didn’t know. They spoke with a funny accent - I had heard it before - but where? I searched back in my memory to a place I seldom went anymore, a place that I never wanted to go back to. That is where I had heard that kind of talk…I was still half asleep, thinking this rude truck had nothing to do with me and I was wishing they would just go away and let me get back to my tasty dream.
Then I heard it… my ears flew straight forward, I was wide awake now… straining to hear that sound.. clippity clop, clippity clop…. I was on my tippy hooves trying to see over the stall door…. Oh why did Mumzy make my stall so tall?
I caught a quick glance at one as Mumzy led him by, he was a great big grey horse (I was hoping for another donkey but I know those clompy hooves belonged to a big horse) – He didn’t notice me peeking over the side of the stall – Here comes another one! Mimi was leading this one and he was smaller – red and really skinny - he looked like one of the baby deer that visit me during the night in the oak grove. He turned his head as he went by and he saw me – he looked tired but Im pretty sure he winked at me.. he was kinda cute. The last one was a brown mare – she was really skinny and looked like she was going to fall down she was so tired. These 3 had been on a long journey and I couldn’t wait to hear their story. It would have to wait till morning because Mumzy put them in the new back pasture so they could sleep and eat for the night. I stood by the stall door listening but they didn’t talk much that night. They ate and ate some more, they drank the water and they slept. I couldn’t wait till morning when I could get a better look at these new friends of mine J
Part 9
The way it Was
The days grew longer, the grass greener and the blackflies hungrier. The peepers would keep me company as the sun set behind the barn and I munched on my flake of hay. I was alone in the barn. I enjoyed it most of the time, but there were moments I missed having someone watch my back while I slept in the sunshine. I missed the chats over a flake of hay in the evening. I missed hanging out in the oak grove, my favorite place in the whole world, with friends to stand beside. Mumzy didn’t lock me in the barn anymore and I had the run of all 3 stalls and the entire pasture – day and night. One of my favorite things to do was hide in that oak grove during the night and watch while Mumzy left – it would be dark and she would always try to see me but in the Oak grove I was all but invisible. On these days Mumzy didn’t get home until late and when she did she smelled like fish – not my favorite smell. Sometimes she came home and smelled like dirt – sometimes, on those days, she brought me different vegetables that she had collected during her day. There were days when Mumzy and I would go for walks over the hill. These were my favorite days. We would walk along a dirt road and if I was lucky there would be muddy roots that I could eat.. yup.. that’s another one of my favorites J
One day Mumzy came up to check on me and she was babbling on about something. I could only understand a word or two…. Horses..company…three… what was she so excited about? A pasture was built in back of the barn (did she think I needed more space?) 3 stalls and 4 acres of pasture for one little donkey seemed enough but if she wanted to give me more I was all for it. She piled hay in the loft – more hay then I could eat in a winter – hmmmm – she had my attention now. My whiskers tingled with the excitement she gave off whenever she came up and puttered around in the barn.
One one particular evening, long after the blackflies and been replaced by mosquitos and the nights were a welcome relief from the hot days, Mumzy put me to bed later then usual. The doors were never shut so I could see through the dark when someone came to visit. I hung around the barn and didn’t venture down into the oak grove on this particular night. The fog was thick as pea soup and the heavy air was cool on the tips of my ears. As I drifted off to sleep a truck drove into the door yard, the lights rudely waking me up from a sweet dream of clover and white bread. I yawned and shook my head, my long ears flapping against my cheeks…. Who would be driving in this time of night? I could hear voices but the fog was too thick for me to see anything. There was Mumzys voice, Mimi’s voice and a man and women I didn’t know. They spoke with a funny accent - I had heard it before - but where? I searched back in my memory to a place I seldom went anymore, a place that I never wanted to go back to. That is where I had heard that kind of talk…I was still half asleep, thinking this rude truck had nothing to do with me and I was wishing they would just go away and let me get back to my tasty dream.
Then I heard it… my ears flew straight forward, I was wide awake now… straining to hear that sound.. clippity clop, clippity clop…. I was on my tippy hooves trying to see over the stall door…. Oh why did Mumzy make my stall so tall?
I caught a quick glance at one as Mumzy led him by, he was a great big grey horse (I was hoping for another donkey but I know those clompy hooves belonged to a big horse) – He didn’t notice me peeking over the side of the stall – Here comes another one! Mimi was leading this one and he was smaller – red and really skinny - he looked like one of the baby deer that visit me during the night in the oak grove. He turned his head as he went by and he saw me – he looked tired but Im pretty sure he winked at me.. he was kinda cute. The last one was a brown mare – she was really skinny and looked like she was going to fall down she was so tired. These 3 had been on a long journey and I couldn’t wait to hear their story. It would have to wait till morning because Mumzy put them in the new back pasture so they could sleep and eat for the night. I stood by the stall door listening but they didn’t talk much that night. They ate and ate some more, they drank the water and they slept. I couldn’t wait till morning when I could get a better look at these new friends of mine J