He is Such a Good Boy!

He loves to roll, get all dirty, and lay in the sun!
What a cutie bug!
We have been trying to play in the outdoor arena lately. Sometimes it goes well, and sometimes....it just goes. We have been playing the catching game. I attempt to "hide his hiney" and once he puts two eyes on me I relax into "neutral." Hopefully, he comes over to me and when he does he gets a treat. Then, hopefully, he will "stick with me" and we will go and do different things.
So, sometimes it goes well and he is interested and SO playful and then other times he sort of shuts down like he is afraid. So, we have decided to let that rest for a while and just take long walks around the property. THAT, he really seems to enjoy. So that it shall be.
I have always said that I hope to really find Diesel's joy. I think I have. He is so content to be with this herd, get treats out of my coat pocket, lots of scratches and love, a nice pile of hay, and a good long walk. So that is what we will do.
Until, he changes his mind and decides he would like to do something else!
And that is just fine with me.
Along with Scott and the girls, he is my joy! My only goal is to return the favor!

Exciting News from the U.K.

I met a wonderful woman on the Parelli Forum named Sharon. I sent her a brief private message regarding donkeys and mules. Her picture (avatar) on the forum was of two of the cutest donkeys ever. So, thinking she might own donks, I was hoping she could help me.
Well, I came to find out that she is a donkey foster mom, and works for a donkey sanctuary in England. How amazing is that!
I was really trying to find more information about "how donkey's/mules think!" There just isn't much information out there! Well, not only did she send me donkey behavour PDF's, but then she offered to mail me a whole packet about donkey's and mules.
What a wonderful gal! I learned more from her than any Parelli instructor, vet, professional, etc.!
So, a huge thank you to a lovely lady I have never met, but jumped right in to help me out with more information into the amazing world of Diesel's mind!

Doin' Amazing!

Well, we have been playing only a couple of times with the help of our resident professional, Lea! Diesel and I go out to our outdoor arena and play "catch me" and "stick to me." He is so interested and really seems to like it. I wish there were more days in the month. Lea pitches in and plays with him when I am busy with "life" chores or at work. I wish I had more time!

I am feeling SO confident that we are truly finding Diesel's joy! That has been my heartfelt wish since the day we got him! (Which our one year anniversary is quickly approaching at the end of this month!)

Diesel has become such a wonderful part of our farm family! His confidence grows each day and he is starting to become more interesting in playing with us and much more willing. And on days that he is JUST NOT INTERESTED one little bit, he just makes us laugh and love him more!

The weather is quickly approaching temperatures when he can get a bath. And boy does he need it! I can't wait. The last bath he had was last spring/early summer when he first came here. And quite frankly, we were all pretty unsure how he would react! This year it will be so much easier and thorough! Since he was very afraid to have his "back half" even touched, much less bathed....well, you get the picture. He is a dirty little mini hinny! Soon!

Lea is keeping a keen eye on his feet and keeping them trimmed up nicely. Don't think Mike our trimmer will ever get close to him again. Being a 6 foot-something extrovert..well, that just doesn't mix well with Diesel's personality!
Nice Job Lea!