Welcome to my blog - a diary about living with donkeys, notes about care, my training sessions and the absolute pleasure of donkey companionship.

I continue to be amazed and enchanted by donkeys, since I got my first two in May, 2002. I'm not sure why! I mean, why not llamas or pot bellied pigs for instance? For awhile I thought maybe it was because of some connection to an ancient time, a past life, a wandering through desert lands ... maybe I knew a donkey way back, maybe the donkey and I shared some amazing experiences ...?

Well, I have given up on trying to unravel those fantasies and now am just happy to have fallen down this rabbit hole where my whole life has been redefined somehow by the presence of donkeys.

But, like any life-changing experience, it hasn't always been easy! I've been kicked, bitten, knocked over, jerked around, bullied and intimidated sometimes. Stepped on... did I mention "stepped on?" Other times I have been charmed and amused, delighted and totally absorbed, my heart almost breaking with love and compassion for these critters.

My mother used to ask, sweetly "why donkeys?" She was always amused (of course I never mentioned being kicked, bitten or stepped on!)

I won't tell you that donkeys are the perfect family pet, like so many web sites want you to think. They live a long time, they get sick, they have "issues" ... maybe, depending on whether or not they were raised lovingly, with respect and care, or abused, neglected and misunderstood as many donkeys are.

But, my oh my, donkeys are charming! Maybe it's the ears, I don't know. My donkeys and I have embarked on a lifelong friendship. This blog is a way for me to write about this journey.

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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Great progress today on leading training with Siog

Back to kindergarten for Siog and lead training ... baby steps and a high rate of reinforcement.
Today I took her on a long walk - about 2 hours - and carried my small click stick with me.
It really worked to have the target stick to focus her and she only stalled once, which is not bad.

She threatened to get stuck a few times on the way back which was uphill for the first half of the walk, but I found she responded well to the target stick.  Much better to this than my outstretched hand.

But I know I should be working a bit every day in the paddock or a small space, however the days are filled to the brim with so many Fall tasks like stacking firewood, picking plums, apples, tomatoes, etc.  A walk out with a donkey is a real treat!
Posted by at 4:39 PM

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