DONKEY BRUSHING DUTIES

After four lovely mornings in a row at the Refuge, yesterday I decided to stay home and reintroduce myself to my comfy desk chair to catch up on some bookwork.  Of course, just because I wasn't at the Refuge didn't mean that there weren't visions of donkeys dancing in my head.  Oh, I think I'm hooked.

Marion, Sara's Refuge "mommy", headed up to do whatever needed done yesterday, be it a day in the Shoppe or gardening or ..... lucky her (seriously).... brushing the mini donkeys.  She and I had a brief conversation about whether or not to halter the little cuties before brushing them and remembered that trying to halter them might start a mini rodeo in the mini paddock so we concluded that whoever came forward to be brushed would get brushed and for any laggers, c'est la vie.

Rob concurred so off to the mini paddock went Marion.  Of course, Tiny Tim was first in line for his brushing and others soon followed.  They are not the most patient bunch but those who wanted brushing got their wish.  We now have three donkeys that at first glance look like Tiny Tim so it could well be that he got brushed three times and Penelope and CocoPuff missed out.  You can never be sure with Tiny Tim.  He's a sneaky little guy.



Tiny Tim - he is about 36 inches tall (90 cm)

I remember last year when I started at the Refuge and finally was allowed to go in to the herds on my own.  I went in to the mini herd, determined to pat/hug every single donkey in there.  Of course, Tiny Tim was first, followed by all of the others, even the very shy ones.  Penelope was particularly shy for me so I was thrilled when she came up at the very end for her pats.  It was going famously until I went to pat her underbelly and discovered bits and parts that didn't belong on a female donkey.  Yes, it was Tiny Tim for a second time.  I never did pat Penelope that day as she was so timid.  What a difference a year makes.  She is so friendly and so much more confident that she is safe with us.

Often, I think our visitors might wonder why a particular donkey is with us.  Their physical scars or signs of abuse have been treated and have long since disappeared, but the horror of what has happened to them is carried on the inside in their hearts and minds.  It takes years to restore their faith in humans and to feel safe.  Doing that for them is our greatest challenge and biggest reward.
The fact the Marion was able to safely go into the mini herd to brush the donkeys, and have them come to her willingly pays homage to the thousands of hours that Rob and Shirley, and other volunteers have spent with them, often just sitting close to them, to relieve their fears and restore their faith.

The more I think about donkeys, the more I come to realize how similar they are to so many people who have suffered at the hands of those they loved, and how that pain and fear is internalized, perhaps never to be relieved.  Donkeys suffer in silence, just like the most frightened people often do.  How very sad!  Thank goodness for the Donkey Refuge.

Oh, I think I need a donkey hug.