Pre-Party Frenzy

The woman is the one in the frenzy, not myself. In fact, I keep trying to waylay her with questions about my party and she keeps saying "Not now, Sheaffer, I'm too busy." She's certainly moving fast but I'm not sure how effectively. She has bits of glitter and icing stuck to her person and moves all sorts of thing from her vehicle into the house and back again. Even worse, I'm still not sure what I will be wearing but the things she's been suggesting do not auger well. A hat with candles on the top? A fake tail of purple vinyl hair? Not if I can help it.

I promised to find out about the PrimRose residents who are greatly in need of homes and I have finally extracted the information. Blue and Lollipop are two standard jennys in their twenties who came from a very loving home and have no issues, emotional or physical. Their former owner is a long-distance driver of one of those very long truck things. He arranged for other humans to care for his two donkey friends when he was away and unfortunately it didn't work out. Rather than return home to empty feed bowls, scummy water troughs and distraught, hungry donkeys, he placed them with Sheila.

Finnegan and Cheyenne are the next pair in need of a home. Finnegan is a small standard mule who was rescued from a meat auction. His humans had allowed his halter to grow into the bones of his face and as a result he is a tad head-shy. He is only eight years old and has a full life ahead of him. His close friend Cheyenne, a ten year old mini-horse, must wear one of those dreadful grazing muzzles when on grass, otherwise he develops podiatry problems. The boys are looking for a home together where they can take their own humans under their wings, so to speak.

There was a third resident looking for a home but he seems to have chosen a person himself. His name is Theodore and he is a fifteen year old small standard donkey. Sheila received a call last winter that a donkey had been found tied to a dumpster and beaten nearly to a pulp. He was still alive, barely, and Sheila rushed to his assistance. He has come a very long way but still has worries about any implement with a long handle. Recently the sanctuary had a mother and daughter drop by and the woman told Sheila a story of how she had stopped a cattle conveyance on it's way to the slaughter house. This woman had seen horse hoofs on the top deck and asked the driver to stop and sell her the horse. She increased her offer until he pulled over, unloaded the cows and gave her the horse. That much-loved horse still lives with them. Theodore, who is normally quite reserved, decided he wanted the woman's daughter as his own human. He glued himself to her on the first and subsequent visits. Obviously he could tell that compassion for animals runs in their blood. He will go to live with them shortly. I do love happy endings.

We've been asked if Sheila's place is a recognized charity and the answer is yes. The number is 866707706RR0001 just in case that's of use to anyone. She will bring a book of receipts to the party for those who should require them. I plan to eat the rest, as there is virtually no donkey food from the sounds of it. I will do my best to update you on the proceedings but am currently hostage to the growing atmosphere of pre-party hysteria. I know how the Queen must feel.