(Submitted to M.D.T.) 

HERE ON THE HILLSIDE

 Well, Ed finally has a temporary job babysitting "Dygmy Brianna By Mork".  A long handle for such a little girl.  We call her "Brie".  Brie is really special.  She is the first miniature donkey born from an AI breeding with cooled semen by Judy Ames.  Ed was recruited for his job when Brie's little buddy, "Cajun" went to his new home.  Since Ed was living with but not a part of the Brie/Cajun pair, it didn't take Brie long to transfer her affections from Cajun to Ed.  Ed does have his good points and it sure is handy having a big gelding around who just plumb gets along with anybody.  I sure was glad Ed was there when I looked out the window to see two dogs attacking Bev's rabbit cages the other morning.  We had heard dogs barking close throughout the night but didn't pay much attention.  There are a lot of free roaming dogs around here but due to the woven wire fences and the large donkey population they never come onto the farm.  Mostly, the dogs are down by the creek hunting coons.  Not this night.  Apparently they came in under the fence where a little creek runs through right next to the rabbit cages in the petting zoo area.  They must have been harassing those poor rabbits all night.  The doe was so stressed out that she was in shock and the buck was not much better.  Trying not to panic, I scanned the area for Ed and Brie.  Bless Ed's spotted heart!  He had Brie in a corner as far away from the dog/rabbit commotion as he could get her.  Now those rabbits were of no concern to him, but Brie was.  Ed was on alert crossways in front of Brie and you could tell by looking at him that those dogs would have to come through him to get to Brie.  If just Brie or Cajun and Brie had been down there alone, there is no doubt in my mind I would have had two dead or two severely chewed up foals.  Looks like Ed has earned his keep again!!  The rabbits are fine.

 Now everyone that knows me knows that guard donkeys are one of my passions.  I think that they are great and should be considered by anyone in the sheep/goat or small equine business. I even know a few "good ole boys" around here that have a big donkey in with their cattle to keep the dogs and coyotes off the calves.  Guard donkeys are also one of my pet peeves, as to size - make sure they are big enough to do the job and NO JACKS ALLOWED!!!

 After sermonizing about these wonderful creatures for years, I'm always as thrilled as the first time when I make another convert.  Last year I went to an equine breeding short course at Ohio State University. There were about 150 people attending.  Everyone was requested to stand and state their breed.  Every breed was represented with Paints and Quarter Horses in the lead.  Of course, I was the only donkey breeder.  Everyone had a giggle and we proceeded to the first lecture of the morning.  During our first break, Dr. Walter R. Threlfall, head of the Equine Theriogenology Department stopped and asked me if donkeys really protected sheep.  Boy did he ever push my favorite button!  Dr. Threlfall got a 20 minute short course on the sterling qualities of a good guard donkey.  He told me the damage to his flocks was getting so bad he thought he would have to get out of the sheep business!  I told him I had proven guard jennets who would solve his problem that came with a money back guarantee and that I would send him a copy of my article "Donkeys on Duty".  With that he could find or rescue his own donkey for a fraction of what my jennets would cost.  Walter and I had several phone conversations over the next few weeks.  I was now his "Donkey Expert and Advisor".  He called and said someone wanted to give him two donkeys.  They were 15 years old, a jennet and a gelding, been together all of their lives. I asked what was wrong with them?  He said that nothing was wrong, they were healthy, lead broke, loaded and gave their feet.  In my experience, two donkeys will be content with each other and not bond with their charges.  I told him that and that I would not want to be the one to separate two lifelong friends.  Also that I had recently read an article by a gal who had pairs of donkeys on duty.  It was working for her and I sent him a copy.  My last phone conversation with Walter went something like this:  the two donkeys stood and watched the dogs walk by and commence to kill six lambs.  By this time Walter had lost enough sheep and lambs to pay for 3 of my "high priced" guaranteed jennets.  Oh well, I thought, and forgot about it.

 I went back to Ohio State University late last Fall for another equine breeding short course and got an opportunity to ask Walter how his donkeys had worked out.  Well, he beamed like a proud parent!  He couldn't say enough good things about those two donkeys!  He had separated them; one to a flock and they solved his dog problem right quick!  Walter was still in the sheep business and planning to stay in.  He was thrilled with and loved his donkeys.  I was thrilled that two older, unwanted donkeys got good jobs at a great home where they will be properly cared for, hopefully for life. Not to mention all of the good press someone in Dr. Threlfall's position is going to give these under-appreciated standard donkeys!

                     From The Other Side Of The Mountain,
                                                                                  Leslie

 

(2/4/98 Submitted to Miniature Donkey Talk)

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