JORGE AND THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

Yesterday proved to be even more exciting than I could have imagined.  My primary objective at the Refuge was to meet our newest donkey, Jorge, so when I arrived I headed straight to the paddock to meet him.  He is a beautiful, sweet boy.  His colouring is quite unique - spotted red.  And that is exactly what he is.  The red is quite subtle but lovely with big white spots on him and a whitish face.  Shirley was right on the button when she said he looked like he could be Hoss' brother as their colouring and markings are so close.  Jorge is very approachable as long as you take your time and let him get comfortable with you.  It will take a while for him to get used to having all the hugs and pats that our donkeys get at the Refuge.  But he will soon be up to the fence waiting for his turn.
Surprisingly, he is not a quiet donkey.  The fact that he was braying and rolling in the dirt are really good signs that he is already feeling good about being at his new home.
Jorge was rescued from an auction about 8 months ago by a very kind family who soon realized that they were not equipped to care for a donkey.  They contacted us as we were the only alternative to a trip back to the auction where he would be sold for meat.  As I have said before, it takes courage to do the right thing and I thank the previous owners for doing just that.
HOWEVER, we now have 30 donkeys to feed and house and the Refuge is almost at capacity.  Another day, another dilemna.
Now, you would think that meeting Jorge would be enough excitement for any day at the Refuge.  Not so.....  You will recall that the Refuge leases a portion of the farm owned by Rob and Shirley, and that Rob and Shirley have a small farming operation in addition to working at the Refuge 24/7.  Well, yesterday was get the new piglets day for the farm.  I wanted to be there when the little guys arrived.  Unfortunately, the three little piggies did not want to be there and made quick work of the pig "corral", escaping within moments and heading up onto the mountain.  Hanna, one of the farm dogs, found them although she looked more surprised than they did.  They started to make their way back to the pig pen but were herded back up the mountain by the other dog, Abby.
Thus began an entire day of pig wrangling and pig pen modification.  The last email from Shirley mentioned an attempt to escape by one of our brave little piggies by swimming half way across Phillips Lake.  At 5:30 they were all back in the penitentiary grade pen but by 7pm they were back on "the lam" having escaped yet one more time.  Rob was out adding another layer of "escape-proof" materials to the pig pen so I will be interested to see the fortress this morning when I go out to the Refuge.
On the good side, I finally did the "Shirley Trail", a beautiful walk outside the fenced areas of the Refuge and farm.  I did however, spend most of the walk looking on the ground for little piggie prints in the mud.  "They went that way...."
Have a great day, everyone.