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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Thursday, December 15, 2011

Spending time with animals can change your mood!

The dark, wet and chilly days of winter can put a damper on anyone's mood and such was the case the other day.  I was feeling tired and not interested in my work and sitting in front of the computer was giving me a headache.

Bundling up in coat, scarf, gloves and boots, I forced myself to go outside and visit the donkeys and then decided to head out for a walk along the road with Siog.  She was keen to go, so after settling Deenah and Dorica in the barn paddock area with some hay, Siog and I headed down the driveway.

We were gone for about an hour and the experience was such a powerful mood and energy changer that I felt I had to write about it.  I came back enlivened and uplifted.  What had appeared gray and dull from inside the house looking out, became sparkling, crisp and fresh when outside. 

Taken July, 2011 by Mitsue Nagase
Siog and I wandered down a dirt road, jogged a bit together, headed up a trail through moss and ferns and checked the mailbox before coming home.  She was a terrific companion.
Posted by at 8:38 AM

2 comments:

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