Yesterday was men's golf day (as most Mondays are), so I found myself rattling round the barnyard alone, (alone, with the exception of my entourage) working at a snail's pace - because - why not?
As I've said before... alone, but never lonely! Pete is always my shadow - constantly talking to me. He's the most vocal cat ever.
I walked the herd up to the upper pastures for a couple hours of lush grazing - quite the smorgasbord in this particular pasture. They love to graze here and let out an audible groan when their grazing time is up. Their mother is a bit of a tyrant... keeping an eye on the stopwatch so as not to let anyone eat too much and get too fat. (There's a thin line between enough and too much and I find myself teetering on this high wire on a daily basis.)
A carrot is usually sufficient to entice these five to stand still enough for me to tether them and walk them back to the barn. They have me well trained!
Meanwhile, the donkey gals were out in the front pasture. While all of the equines happily munched, I walked down to the pig and sheep yard to give treats - which. of course, they were demanding in their usual way
(trying to crawl through the fence to get closer to the treat box.)
These two were quite brazen as the "limbo'd" themselves beneath the fence board and rushed into the pig yard. I have a feeling they understand that this is not a yard meant for donkeys. But then, they know their Momma is a pushover who lets them get away with all sorts of mischief.
Yes, these two - who quickly shouted, "The grass is greener!" as they rushed past me almost trampling me to death! (Just kidding, actually, these two always give wide berth.)
They immediately headed to the pig house to see if the pigs had drug any of their hay out of their door. Faith looked on in dismay. "Donkeys!", she exclaimed, shaking her head.
Quickly, thereafter, they headed to the sheep feeder to finish up the rest of the (rejected by two picky sheep) hay that was in the feeder while the sheep went back to begging for graham crackers.
Sheep are very picky eaters - donkeys are not... especially when it comes to low hanging fruit!
Donkeys may be picky about the weather and the conditions under which they will venture outside, but they are not picky about what they eat... which contributes to the fact that my donkeys are rather stout!
An hour later, I called the donkeys to come back to the barn for their chow. Like good girls, they made a bee-line back to the barn...
where, of course, the pigs had already answered the call. A little jockeying around with a package of crackers, and everyone was eventually exactly where they were supposed to be.
It feels like I spend a lot of time rearranging animals. Around here, it's all in a day's work!
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