Tea on Tuesday

Boy, Tuesday rolls around fast, and sadly, it seems that is the only time I post lately.
Sad commentary on things, when I don't find time to write, when there is always sooo much to talk about!!!!

I don't even have a photo of my teacup or tea today..........it is a lovely bone china mug- my mom found a pair of them in the thrift store for $2- not old, floral, dated 1996. Even tho' I have a pantry full of teas, it seems I always fall back on Lady Grey in the a.m., drowned in local honey..........

This morning, I thought, since I have already bored everyone on FB with my pictures and videos of my new baby donkey- that why not spread the wealth and bore everyone in blogland with the same?????

This past Saturday morning was the day - the day that Finnegan, (formerly known as Li'l Stevie) came to live with us!

Finn was born in January- I met him a few hours after he arrived  into this world.

Just born 1-20-12

a little pinto donkey

He has been living with his parents for 8 months. Altho' his big brother Yoshi, was over a year old when he left his mom and moved here- River and Ocean's owner, Jean, decided it was time for (Li'l Stevie) Finnegan to move in with his brother!

Mom, Ocean, with Li'l Stevie in the backround- getting ready to load him up this Saturday

The first few days of his life, Finnegan was thought to be a Fiona.......then it became quite obvious that HE was not a SHE!

As soon as his tiny hooves hit the ground, Finnegan was feisty and fierce, or as Katie calls him - FEROCIOUS ! He was not afraid of anything and would nibble and bite, and drive his parents crazy! Yoshi, on the other hand, was very quiet, retiring, and so laid back. I was hoping for similar personalities!

Saturday morning, Mr. Green Jeans drove the trailer over to pick up Finn, who needed a little convincing and some pushing from the rear, to get him on the trailer. AS we all know, donkeys won't move, if they don't want to - no matter what their size!!!

He rode very nicely, with Jean in back with him.

Altho' not lead trained, he walked off the trailer like a little gentleman, and into the paddock. We kept him separate for a while, so the horses and Yoshi could get acquainted thru the fence.

first meeting thru' the fence

at 8 mos old, Finn still has his baby fuzz

By lunchtime, I let Yoshi in with his little brother. For a few minutes they played it cool, then Yoshi decided to show Finn who was boss around here and chased him around the paddock for a solid 3 minutes. They were both worn out- it was a bit hot out. They took turns following each other, with Finnegan nipping at Yoshi's neck and face, and Yoshi letting loose with a few well placed kicks, to put this little whippersnapper in his place!!

                    Video


                                             The first day, Finn stuck to Yoshi like glue.

Yoshi's expression reminded me of a well loved Robert Louis Stevenson poem, from A Child's Garden of Verses, circa 1913

 :

I HAVE a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.
The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow—
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an India-rubber ball,
And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all.
He hasn’t got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close beside me, he’s a coward you can see;
I’d think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!
One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

By day 3, they act like they have been together forever, altho' Finn still sadly tries to nurse, and looks very depressed, and occasionally brays in response to the donkeys who live a few fields away. It seems like he is asking, are you my mother? I am probably anthropomorphising, but weaning has to be hard on these little guys.

Video

Finnegan being a bratty little brother!

Playtime

The horses were mildly interested in this new arrival. They are kind to him, and I hope he does not start chewing on their tails!! We got Yoshi over that bad habit, and the tails are starting to look good again!!! Time to get out the NoChew spray again!!!

Now, I have a goal to outlive these little donkeys, who can live for 35+ years, but most likely they will be left in the will to my daughter, so they are assured of a forever home together!!
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Please drop by for tea every Tuesday, and visit Patty and Kim for a list of other tea lovers