Thursday, July 31, 2008

TJ Update

Well, they finally did it. They got in their conveyance and went to see how dear little TJ is faring at the PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary. I'm not sure what posessed them or why they would want to re-enter the dangerous world of the mini-mule but then again they often do things that are a complete mystery to me. At least they didn't ask me to accompany them.

I will reconstruct the visit as best I can from the woman's babblings. When they arrived TJ was in a small paddock with four other donkeys, including Wilson. "OoooooTJ, it's me", said the woman. TJ squinted at her and barged his way through the group. He snatched a carrot and retreated to the far corner, cheeks bulging in chipmunk fashion. The others all received carrots and though TJ tried to purloin those carrots too, the others stood their ground. It would seem he has acquired at least the rudiments of basic herd manners and has the scars and scrapes to show for it. Wilson the two year old donkey got very excited and began putting TJ in headlocks and grabbing his hocks and yanking on his tail. At last, someone who can stoop to TJ's low level of social interaction and who operates at his high level of energy.

The humans had a lovely tour of the sanctuary and met all twenty or so donkey residents. The woman was particularly taken by an ancient, dignified and exteremely hirsute donkey called Amos so I have included a photo of him with his equally ancient white friend Brennan and a blind younger female donkey called Patsy whom they watch over like elderly guardians. A young upstart called Charlie began chasing Patsy and the two older gentlemen rushed (slowly) to her rescue and cut off the hoodlum, placing Patsy between them. Charlie was banished to another paddock - maybe TJ should be in there with him - kind of a donkey Alcatraz.

Jack and I were both concerned that the woman would return home with TJ strapped into the back seat but even she seems to realize that he is where he needs to be, in a group setting with lots of activity and Jack is where he needs to be, in a small group where things move along at a tranquil and orderly pace. "Upon my word", Jack said "if she hada returned home with that youngun in tow, I woulda needed a whole keg ev nerve tonic." Amen to that.

14 comments:

the7msn said...

And they all lived happily ever after.
I'm so glad that the great mini-mule/donkey swap of '08 worked out for all concerned.

billie said...

I'm so relieved to read that TJ is okay, learning some manners, and that you and Jack are safe from the return of the terror.

I don't know if even a whole keg of nerve tonic could help - TJ would just find a way to blow it up!

This is one of those things that turned out perfectly in the end. Can you imagine life without Jack?

billie said...

Sheaffer, I have given you the Brillante Award - you can pick it up over at camera-obscura!

Buddy said...

Thats great news that TJ is in a great place and has learned some manners.

So whats new with Mollymylove????

ponymaid said...

I believe that in the exchange of TJ for Jack that we came out very much the winners - Sheila is extremely polite and says she enjoys having TJ there, but I'm sure it's just her inanate good breeding showing itself.

billie -another award? Good heavens, how incredibly wonderful! We tried to access the site and it shows a box with a big red X and evicts us immediately. I am very grateful for your support and endorsement and will keep trying to view the site. Thank you very much indeed!

buddy - Molly is enjoying rude good health - her ankles are clearing up and she and the woman are preparing for a 25km ride on Sunday to raise funds for cancer research. You'd think they're climbing Kilamanjaro from the planning and size of lunch they're taking. Molly would like her tattoo done by then but the woman is not onside for some reason.

Buddy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Buddy said...

Sorry about deleting my last post but I made a major error and didn't know how to edit after it was posted - these big hoofs you know.

Thanks Sheaffer for the Molly update - that seems like an awful long ride she is going on - me - I would like a nice stroll around the block!

Have a great weekend!

Dougie Donk said...

How-do-you-do, Sheaffer?

My woman is just learning that that the ways of we wise donkeys are much better than the racehorses she makes me live with, so I am very glad that she has found your blog to contribute to her education!

I'm also very jealous of your heatwave, as here in Scotland, the precipitation just keeps on falling.

Kindest regards

Douglas

robert5721 said...

Sheaffer,
what tj needs is as SOON as he is 4 years old, he needs to start pulling a cart or as Jack would say it, "Doing a job of work". Having something to work at every day would really calm him down, and I bet he would really LIKE doing it, unlike your intelligent self. Your mind is so busy with pending worries that you can only do that sort of thing occasionally..like myself..AHEM..
Mr Gale

robert5721 said...

P S. welcome sir Douglas....great to have a old world minfluence here!
Mr Gale

Dougie Donk said...

Hello MR gale

"Sir Douglas" has a ring to it that I could be come accustomed to, but that upstart of a young racehorse just laughed & charged off at an unseemly speed when the woman shared your suggestion with us.

Humpf! I just stayed behind & consumed a few more Polo mints.

p.s. I am "Dougie" to my friends & would be honoured to count the users of this blog amongst them :)

ponymaid said...

Mr. Gale, I very much like the idea of TJ as an indentured serf, pulling heavy loads day and night. I must see what I can do in that direction. You're quite right, I see myself as more of a "thinking man's donkey" and will tow around herself occasionally but only under duress and with continual sighing.

Dougie, welcome indeed! Very pleased to have a new friend from the land of tartan and whiskey and haggis and other things Scottish. I know what you mean about racehorses - not quite my choice for companionship, but what can you do...We once had two AQHA racehorses here to help chew down the paddock and they were just appalling. They left after two days of collateral damage to my nerves and the paddock in general. I feel very badly to hear of you being beset by rain - we donkeys are made for hot, dry environs with lots of lovely dust for bathing. The only thing worse is having snow past the bars on your ears...

Dougie Donk said...

Thank you all for being so welcoming to a youngster like me - I will be 4 this year, so the upstart racer is tolerable for the odd game now & again, but I DO wish he would learn when enough is enough!

The rain is truely dreadful, but fortunately my woman has invested in a full wardrobe of rainsheets & warm rugs of various weights. That plus a field shelter & collection of large trees mean that I am never cold or wet. The absence of dust to roll in is satisfactorily replaced by the Scottish equivalent of a mud wrap - deeply satisfying to hear the squelchy sound & then the woman yelling about "nice clean rugs" - I'm told they are called "blankets" in your side of the world?

Snow is horrid - fortunately she lets us stay in our rooms when the snow is forecast. Hopefully, it is still a good 5 months away from that!

Buddy said...

Hay Dougie - Scotland you say - wow - thats far away from Nevada in the good ole US of A. Nice to have equines from around the world here to chat with. Yes we call them blankets here - although I didn't wear my last winter as it didn't get cold enough - thank goodness - I hate blankets - cramps my style!

Hay Sheaffer - give Molly my love!