Thursday, February 18, 2010

PrimRose Update

Imagine our pleasant surprise yesterday when who should show up but Sheila of the PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary, accompanied by three of her faithful volunteers. There was much debate beforehand about whether or not Jack would remember Sheila. Jack may have a heart murmer and "floaters" in his eyes but there is absolutely nothing wrong with his memory.

We watched the five women walking toward our barn and suddenly Jack's head shot up and he said "well, i'll be durned!" He barged past me and rushed to the gate, trying to open it with his prehensile nose. He did his best to climb into Sheila's arms and the two of them had a most touching reunuon. He wanted her to know that even though he is blissfully happy here he will never, ever forget that she saved his life. I somehow think she understood.

Things are going well at the sanctuary, which is bursting at the seams with needy donkeys. Amos is failing but still manages to guard blind Patsy. PrimRose herself may be of advanced age but is in generally fine fettle. Tabolinsky's feet continue to improve - and then there is TJ. TJ has changed his name to Virgil, which he feels suits him better. It makes him sound rather like a wild west outlaw, so I tend to agree. His volunteer, Laurel, has finally gotten him relaxed enough that she can brush him all over, halter him and even give him restrained hugs. That woman is a saint. She has been working with him for over a year and has never given up hope that he could learn to trust her. Of course in TJ/Virgil's mind, he has done all the training.

I finally have a date for my annual fundraiser/tea party/birthday event - it will take place on May 29th, which is a Saturday. Jack says he will consider attending but will decide closer to the day. I think he just wants to see Sheila again. Everyone but mini-mules is invited.

9 comments:

billie said...

LOL about the party invitation! What are you going to do when a certain mini-mule with a new name shows up on stilts?!

I am so happy to hear of Jack's reunion with Sheila. What a fairy tale story - ending with Jack as spry as a sprog and looking as handsome as he ever has, I'm sure!

Nachodonkey said...

Wonderful news about the party! I have the date recorded on my calendar. Hopefully I will have a trailer by then and will be able to bring both Nacho and Easter. After the fiasco last year, I wouldn't even try to walk them both to Ben's place.

It still makes me misty eyed when I think about how Jack must have suffered and how he still remembers the person who was so kind to him. You can tell by the pictures that Sheila has a very special place in his heart.

BumbleVee said...

Awww.. poor Jack ... and what he went through!.... and wonderful Sheila.... I'm not surprised he remembers her with great fondness. It would have been a special scene indeed....

Oh, boy...I better get busy... days fly by so quickly and it will be May before I know it. I need to get busy with something to donate for the auction. I wish I could come in person...but, it is thousands of miles from me...and expensive to fly.... I need to sprout some wings...

ponymaid said...

Billie! Mini-mules on stilts? Sounds like a nightmarish circus scene from a Fellini movie. I wouldn't put it past him. Jack is indeed very sprog-like these days -he broke the land speed record getting over to Sheila and trying to meld himself into her person.

Nacho and Easter coming to my party? Excellent news! And in a trailer - how very refined for a tea party arrival. I would love a chance to commune with Sheila but Jack simply refuses to share.

BumbleVee, are you sure you can't make it here for the party? You know you have a place to stay - perhaps you could stow away on a cargo plane? You are very kind to offer another auction donation. Tuffy was a tremendously popular bear last year.

Buddy said...

Hay Sheaffer - oh the love between Jack and Sheila is so evident - so nice to see he remembers that wonderful woman.

Sunny and warm today - waiting for you to visit.

Your fren,

Buddy said...

HAy Sheaffer - mom wants to know what kinds of things do you need for the auction???

Your fren,

ponymaid said...

Buddy, you would like Sheila very much indeed if you could ever get past the solid wall of Jack stuck to her person. We are having a snowstorm evem as Idictate - I too wish I could share in your warm weather. Regarding the silent auction, Molly suggests a life-size poster of yourself in that Superhorse costume. Please ignore her - she would just keep everyone else away from the bidding sheet. Anything small and easily mailed would be much appreciated - and of course with a snapshot of yourself as the gracious doner. Thank you my golden friend.

Gale said...

What a wonderful reunion for Sheila and Mr. Jack Joy! Of course they remember each other!

Now wait just a dad-blamed second here....TJ is now "Virgil"??? Nooooo way! He may be Virgil to Laurel (who certainly does deserve a halo) but he will always be "poor TJ" to me.

I'm sure we'll come up with something for the May 29 fundraiser. Advance notice is certainly appreciated by those of us who are on the slow track.

ponymaid said...

Gale, it was wonderous to see. For a codger of nearly 42 he certainly has a good memory. I admit, TJ will always be TJ to me - short for tiny joke, but he seems very puffed up with his new name. Can you believe my party is only one season away? I say this peering out from an ever-growing snowbank.