Creating Monsters

We've had a bit of a breakthrough in our donkey trekking activities - Tanner has started to come with us.  This may not sound like a lot, but it is actually a big deal for him and the donkeys.  At first Tanner would not come with us at all, meaning he had to stay home.  Since I ALWAYS take Tanner out walking in the woods each day, this meant taking the donkeys out required a separate walk.   That may be well and good for my exercise program, but time wise - not so much.   

A few weeks ago, I took the donkeys out on the trail behind the house and after about fifteen minutes they started telling me there was something lurking in the woods.  It was Tanner, very, very sneakily following us.  At first, Tanner hated it because the donkeys made him nervous.  The donkeys hated it because he made them nervous.

I decided to see if we could possible work through this and every time Tanner got close enough to see, I threw a cookie in the woods for him and gave one to Emma and Ramsey as well.  Nothing like food to bring people together right?  Eventually, little by little, the donkeys stopped worrying about him and he got better about them and everybody got lots of cookies.

We have all gone out together every day for the last two weeks now and it's working!  Tanner still keeps a safe distance, but he is relaxed enough to explore, play and chase chipmunks; the donkeys are no longer bothered by the wolf in the woods.  Although, I do always keep Emma on a lead instead of switching off between her and Ramsey as I don't absolutely trust Emma not to chase the "wolf" off.  Otherwise, it's great.

There is just one little problem.  Well, two actually.  It only took two or three days of continuous walks for the donkeys to start expecting an outing.  Now, they are not just expecting, but demanding!  After going all summer without hearing a single bray, they have both started, alternately, crying pitifully or demandingly just as soon as they hear me start moving around in the morning.  Sometimes, I even get a duet.  They want OUT and the more we go out the more they want out.

"WE WANT OUT!  WE WANT OUT!  WE WANT OUT!  WE WANT OUT!.........................."

They especially want to get out and sample the 4D's (Delightfully Delicious donkey Delectables).  These include such delicacies as well aged and seasoned tree stump or rotted log.

The oh-so-succulent wonders of moss and lichen...

and the truly marvelous Combination Platter...

along with the absolutely, scrumptiously delicious, beech tree dessert.  YUM!

It is well worth the effort, even if it means getting one's feet wet.

"HEY, WAIT FOR ME, DON'T EAT IT ALL BEFORE i GET THERE!"

Yup, I've created monsters.

Now, if I could just figure out how to bring Tessa along without everything devolving into utter chaos, we'd all get some much needed exercise.