Sunday, October 09, 2011

Four legged friends

So Joni's been living with us for a couple of weeks now.  So far, so good!  She spent the 1st week or so tethered near a big grass pile.  But I was worried that she was a little lonely there.  I know I was anthropomorphizing, but I just felt like she needed a few friends.

So on a rainy day, GB, Luka and I went down to retrieve the goats from the lower property.  
Luka did a fine job leading them up the hill

GB and I took Joni on a walk to meet her new friends.  Sometimes the walk is a bit of a struggle.  I think GB had taken over for me at this point.  There's just so much yummy food to eat along the way...
 Taking a little snack break while Luka rides up and down the driveway.
 Meeting the goats!
 Hmmm.... Joni seems a lot more interested in me than in the goats.  Loki, however is VERY curious.
 Back to the tether for one more night!  Ducks come out of their enclosure to see the large friend.
We did end up moving Joni in with the goats the next morning.  They've been together there for about a week so far.  At first, Loki maintained his status as the alpha male.  But after a few days it seemed like Joni's got the upper hand.  She stomps at the goats when she doesn't want them around and they scatter!  I suppose it's smart to respond to an animal that's several times larger than you!

Joni doesn't seem all that interested in the goats.   She's there with them, but unless they're in her way, she doesn't pay them too much attention.   Perhaps she likes other donkeys more?  Or maybe she's just a people donkey!

In any case, it's nice to see Joni in the pasture where she can run!  Tethered, she can't really exercise her legs.  Seeing her running is so nice!


Mark and Kassie just sent us some pictures of our dear donkey, dressed in a saddle, with ribbons in her hair.  Isn't she so pretty?!?
 



Typical goat play-- up in the air, butting heads