Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Donkey Tale - Good News!

Even knowing this is an off-topic (no stitching or beads involved) tale, I just had to tell you the good news about Don-kee-oti, otherwise known as Sweetie.


Here we are three months ago when Don-kee-oti was pastured on the corner of Beaverton Valley and Egg Lake Roads, across from the painted rock. My "wasband", Robert, after discovering her by the fence one day, decided to ask her owners if he could feed her carrots. Receiving their permission and buying 4 pounds of carrots, which he kept in his pickup, he started feeding her two carrots each time he went to town.


Soon I joined in the fun, feeding her one of the carrots whenever we went to town in the pickup, gradually being allowed to pet her nose, then her ears, and finally her face and neck. Knowing the sound or look of both our vehicles, she would run to the fence every time we pulled up.

One time, Robert got out of the truck, held up her carrots, but, because of traffic, didn't immediately cross the road to give her the treat. Slowly, she started to work up her breathing and lungs, until after several loud "hees," she let out an earth-shaking bray. "GET OVER HERE, NOW!" she was saying.


Other than her adorable personality, we noticed that she didn't seem to be very healthy. Her coat was caked in mud, she had several skin lacerations. Then one day shortly after I moved 7 miles away to my new home, she disappeared. We feared something might have happened to her... and we missed her terribly. Kept in the truck with the hopes of her return, the remainder of her carrots rotted.


Fast forward to a week ago. There's a walk I enjoy from my house down a dirt road, one that turns into little more than a path through the woods and brush, one that climbs up and up, until it reaches a lookout, high on a ridge, with a nearly 360 degree look over the island and all the way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Olympic Mountains.


Last Thursday, taking a slight wrong turn on my walk, I came face-to-face with a beautiful, well-groomed donkey standing in a fenced pen with a small shelter, located about 50 feet from a home. Reminding me of our pal from months ago, I queried, "Don-kee-oti, it that YOU?" Her ears jerking up and forward, she turned toward me and came to the edge of the pen as close as she could get to where I was standing, staring fixedly at me, and (I swear) smiling.


But this donkey looked younger, much more healthy, much lighter in color. How could it be she? We looked at each other for a few moments, until, fearing I was trespassing on somebody's property, I turned and walked on up the road.

A minute or two later it started, first the heavy breathing, then the repeated "hee," and finally the same sound-barrier-shattering HEE-HAW Robert described from when he delayed crossing the road. "WHERE ARE MY CARROTS?????" I knew it then. It must be Don-kee-oti! But how did she come here and how could she look so different?

Last night I got the answers to these questions by knocking on the door of a stranger, introducing myself as someone who loves donkeys, words tumbling fast from my mouth, about her braying, about the carrots, about how I thought she recognized me. The gentleman at the door, a little nonplussed at first, eventually warmed up enough to tell me about her.


They had gotten her 2 months ago, he said, and begun the process of cleaning her up... trips to the vet, a bath, daily brushing, a healthy diet low in sugars. His grandchildren, when they come to visit, ride her. "She's a gentle, sweet gal," he told me. "Yes, I know that," I replied and told him more about feeding her and our worry when she disappeared.  He gave me permission to give her 2 carrots every time I walk up that way, which of course, I'm now even more motivated to do! And to think... there she is, just a five minute walk from my front door! Don-kee-oti is back!

38 comments:

  1. What a great story..nice that there are people out there willing to take this on..lucky donkey..
    Give her a carrot for me..
    I sell at a weekly craft market in Chemainus BC with a tourist cart and hoirse ride located behind me..I love feeding that gentle giant carrots, too..
    Cheers

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  2. What a wonderful story, Robin!!! Thank you for sharing. I'm glad you live in such a beautiful place!!!

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  3. Such a wonderful story. I'm glad you finally found out what happened to the dear old donkey. I'm even more glad that someone now has her who loves her and looks after her properly. Have fun with your trek to going to see her and I'm sure there are many more carrots in her future.

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    1. Thanks for telling your friend about this post. Rest assured, there will be many carrots headed up the hill... but just 2 per day... we have to respect her middle age donkey diet. :>}

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  4. Thank you, Robin. This donkey tale made me smile all over. I'm so happy she found a good home with people who care for her - and that you can still give her carrots.

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  5. Now that was a sweet story, thanks

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  6. Thank you for sharing his lovely tale. Scratch Don-kee-oti's ears cor me next time you see her.

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  7. David2:28 PM

    And the lesson for you is....????

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  8. Dear Robin, that is a great story! I'm glad Don-kee-oti is so close to your home now. love, Lies

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  9. Dolores sent me your blog site as soon as she saw your Don-kee-oti because she knows I love donkeys.. I'm so happy somebody found your little girl and truly loves her now.... I'm crying because it makes me happy....

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    1. Welcome to Beadlust, BumbleVee... I'm glad you liked the story and agree about the blessing of her now having really good caregivers.

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  10. A happy story. You must research how the Donkey Totem relates to this time in your life. You know that DonKEE oti lead you to find him, don't you! AND what a lovely purpose to have a daily walk!! This is the Universe at work for you, I am sure. Gosh I love this story SO MUCH!!
    xx, Carol

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  11. What a lovely story, I enjoyed it. I hope the bonding over carrots continues for a long time.

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  12. What a wonderful story! It was meant for the 2 of you to meet.
    I wonder who he was in a former life?
    Kate

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  13. What a great story! I loved it and thanks for sharing!

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  14. Awwww. I take in cats, don't have room for donkeys.

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  15. how wonderful to run into an old friend! such fortuitousness and she has such a nice wubbly nose too!

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    1. "Wubby nose"... that's so perfect!

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  16. What a wonderful turn of events! She now has a home that cares for her and you have your friend back.

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  17. How marvelous for all involved! So many rich messages are woven in this tail...ahem...tale

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  18. OK. I'm sure you've already done this but I couldn't resist taking Carol's advice about the Donkey totem. Here's just one thing I found...


    Donkeys are domesticated animals trained to carry people and other things. They are known as "beasts of burden." Donkey as a totem represents service, work, and fortitude. They help to carry our burdens. When a donkey, ass, or burro shows up as a totem you have a trusty companion to help lift your burdened spirit. Donkey reminds us that we do not have to shoulder our responsibilities alone. Help is available. It may be a time to delegate your work load. A helping hand is available to you.

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    1. Thanks so much, Susan... I loaned my copy of Animal Speak to a friend, so hadn't had the opportunity to check. I'll do a little internet research too. It's not that I have a big load right now, but both Robert and I have had quite the load through our last few troubled years and the divorce. Maybe she's been helping us all along ;>}

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    2. Thanks so much for posting that, Susan ;>]]

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  19. Oh dear, I'm such a mush... I'm almost in tears because I'm so happy for this gentle creature, that someone finally is giving her love and care. And she KNOWS you, and it will add joy to her life when you come with your carrots.
    Love this... thank you for sharing about it.

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  20. Lovely story. And "wasband" is so much better than "ex". That's the beauty of language, it's always evolving.

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  21. Awwww, what a touching story! Give her an extra carrot from me!

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  22. What a lovely story, and the best is that it has a happy end. Donkey-in-luck.

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  23. Awsome story...thanks for sharing & bringing a warm smile to my face. I just love animals.

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  24. I forgot to say:

    Even looking at your pictures superficially, there is one detail that clearly tells the difference between the donkey's former owner and her present caretaker: The wire of the fencing. Rusty barbed wire never tells a good story.

    Actually, I don't think this story is altogether an off-topic: I am sure it will somehow find its way into your work.

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    1. Yes, Sabine, I noted the fence too. I'm happy she doesn't have to lean over rusty barbed wire anymore to get the carrots. And, yes, I bet she will be in my work one of these days.

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  25. OOOH, I can't even express how much I LOVE reading this story!!! What a nice outcome for Sweetie and how absolutely PERFECT that you should come upon her again in just that way. Oh my gosh, this made my day!

    ... and then there's the talk about the totem which is ringing very, very true.

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  26. What a happy wonderful story thanks for sharing!

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  27. Been on holiday so only just found your lovely, lovely tail of a donkey, Robin. I'm sure Sweetie will wave a magic carrot over you and Robert and do her best to help the healing process.

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  28. How INCREDIBLY cute, you've captured these donkeys in their element!

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  29. Hi What a cute Donkey story. a nice story to start the day and give a smile to start the day.
    And really good pictures you have take there.

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  30. Anonymous1:00 AM

    this is a beautiful story!!! i grew up with a donkey as part of our farm animals and have a very strong love and appreciation for donkeys. he will be loving you for ever.

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Thanks you for joining the discussion on this post today!