My new tactic of getting the dog to sleep outside of the kitchen on the landing was a spectacular fail. After not getting to bed til late I was woken at three (again!) by her barking from the kitchen. It seems that Angus had come down to get a drink in the night and couldn't get her out of the kitchen (not sure how hard he tried) so yet again a bad night's sleep (OK I know I am going on about this!)
Anyway, it was a beautiful day. Clear skies and cold but without the biting wind we have had recently. The perfect opportunity to start Joey Boy's Palm Sunday training. (He and I have been asked by the vicar to lead the procession around the village and into the church for the Palm Sunday service.)
I filled a bag with cut up apples and carrots and we headed for the church. He was as good as gold, going straight in without any hesitation. I don't think I was spotted by anybody, disappearing into the church with a donkey. Who knows what they would have thought if I had been.
There was a slight moment of worry when after walking up the aisle he started pawing the carpet with one of his hooves. I don't suppose that he has ever seen carpet before and I was worried that he was going to lie down on it and roll. Most importantly there was no pooing, but he was very interested in a wicker basket containing the left-over posies of flowers from the Mothers' Day service.
All in all, a success. Hopefully he wont be stricken with stage fright when the day comes.
After the church I walked him up to the pigs' field. It was the first time he had seen them since they were a few weeks old and he charged over to them eeyoring. Only the second time I have heard him doing it properly - usually he doesn't manage anything more than a noise that sounds like broken bagpipes. His braying soon escalated and the three donkeys that are kept a few fields away, and our other three all kicked off. Seven Donks all braying at once, now that's a LOT of noise! A friend of mine who lives at the furthest point of the village from where we were contacted me to see if everything was OK because she could hear them all from her house.
I like the woolly coat your donkey has and I think he did really well on his practice run! The pigs looked really pleased to see him too! You must have a wonderfully interesting life with your animals. Lovely capture
That was a great story, I really enjoyed reading it. I hope Sunday goes well and if Joey Boy makes a mistake, I am sure it will just delight the children. The shot is so cute, they all seem the best of friend's.
They are brave dh, but if they are scared they react completely differently to horses and ponies. Their natural reaction is to freeze and weigh up the situation (which is where their reputation of being stubborn comes from) rather than head for the hills like horses and ponies. A lot of horses and ponies are terrified of donkeys too @dh
@happypat Thanks Pat it's so nice of you to say that, I do worry that I am a bit 'overly-wordy' these days, but as I am going to be 50 at the end of this year I am using my project as more of a journal this year to look back on as a record of my 50th year. And anyway, people don't have to read all the drivel if they don't want to do they?
@jantan I love the ''drivel'' but do tend to go on myself a bit about personal stuff but I like to know about people I follow! I treat my posts like a diary too & t's very useful if you can't remember what you did that day!
I love hearing about the donkeys and miss the hoo haahing over the countryside that I used to hear. The donkey people have shifted away and so have we! Good luck for Palm Sunday - donkeys are so important!
A delightful shot , and accompanying story --love your stories and a view of all your Animals . The pigs & your donc seem to be in earnest conversation !!
Gorgeous shot -- love the fur of the donkey and he and pigs really seem to be communicating. I also love the idea of his being a part of your Palm Sunday service and the story about training. Love it.
Fascinating to see them looking so interested in one another, nicely captured. I do hope the real event is as successful as the trial run, I'd hate your donk to get stsge fright.
Don't stop drivelling I love reading your narratives.........such fun!! Sounds a very noisy area what with the dog and donks!! Wonderful story, I love his furry coat, so sweet and congrats on your first trial run!!
Wonderful. Seven years ago, I was on Ascension Island and there is a sign on the church door there that reads something like "Everyone Welcome. Please keep the door shut to stop the wild donkeys from getting in" so obviously donkeys like churches!
Beautiful shot and fantastic reading... you really crack me up.... ever thought of writing a book..... Got to fav the shot.... love your piggies and donks. I am sure Joey Boy will be the star of the day, bless his darling heart!! ♥
Yay for Joey Boy. I'm glad the trial run went smoothly (although I have yet to discover how the real event turned out...I'll get there).
I love the inquisitiveness between the pigs and your donk. I would love to know what goes through their minds when they encounter other species.
Too bad we don't have the audio to go along their visit. That must have been something! No wonder your friend was concerned.
very nice capture
I love the inquisitiveness between the pigs and your donk. I would love to know what goes through their minds when they encounter other species.
Too bad we don't have the audio to go along their visit. That must have been something! No wonder your friend was concerned.