Thursday, October 23, 2008

finally! our rising star

Redford arrived Sunday morning and my first sight of him was his perfect little jump out of the van, onto his bale of hay as a step, and down to the grass. He looked like he had done that particular move forever, and that was just about how his first day at November Hill played out.

He was absolutely and completely at home from the first moment on. You would never know he hadn't been here a dozen times already!

Rafer was so intrigued as Redford came into the stall next to his:



He and Rafer Johnson met over the 2 1/2 foot stall wall we had lowered so they could interact more easily. They touched noses, they shared hay, and they did a lot of looking and watching. Little donkey eyes met and studied, as only donkey eyes can. The horses, including Salina, were in the front field, and although they had access to the barn, they didn't come up right away. The donkeys had their own special time to say hello.



Redford is absolutely adorable. I had already forgotten how snuggly baby donkeys are - and although he is 7 months and some days old, next to the handsome, more mature Rafer Johnson, Redford seems like a teddy donkey! What a treat to get to watch him grow up as we have Rafer!

So... these two donkeys visited. And then suddenly Redford started looking at the wall between them. "He's thinking about..." and then he did it - he jumped right over the wall into Rafer's stall! Rafer jumped off to the side, clearly startled, and we all felt terrible. We had seen it coming but then it happened so quickly we couldn't stop it. We were all stunned too at the agility of little Redford - and Rafer wasn't quite sure he liked this little Flying Donkey coming right into his space. Redford got his halter on and went back to the adjoining stall, and we all gave Rafer time to relax again while we watched his leg to make sure everything was okay. We also added another board to the wall!

A little bit later (I think I have the sequence straight) the horses ran up the hill and Salina marched up to the back windows of the three stalls. Redford was in the middle, Rafer in the end stall to the right. Salina stuck her head in, expecting to see Rafer, but there was Redford! You could see the thinking process going on as she looked, amazed, from Redford to Rafer, back and forth a number of times, almost as if she couldn't quite believe it. There were two of them!

Suddenly a light bulb went off above her very alert ears. Wait! There's another stall! Maybe there are THREE! She went down to the last stall and looked in, just to be sure. It was the funniest thing I've ever seen. She was so hopeful - but when she saw there wasn't another one, she came back. And then she, Redford, and Rafer had a pow-wow right there over the stall door and stall wall. Redford walked up and let her sniff him. They stood with noses outstretched, and you could see that Rafer and Redford were both forming opinions based on one another. Redford looked at Rafer to see what he thought of Salina. Rafer watched Salina befriend Redford. (maybe that scary Flying Donkey who sailed into his stall minutes before wasn't quite so scary!) And Salina had no qualms at all - she was as happy as could be to have both of them.



After we said goodbye to Ken and Marty, who stayed and helped us navigate this important meeting, the geldings went back out to the field. Salina remained in the paddock with some hay, right by the stall windows. I went into Rafer's stall to muck and forgot to latch the door. When I turned around he had marched out the door and around the corner of the barn to stand by Salina - with the fence between them. He seemed so happy to be out and grazing in the sunshine, I decided to let him be for a few minutes. About that time, I heard a rumble and then Redford dashed out of the barn. This little donkey had jumped a 3 1/2 foot wall taller than his head!

I realized at that point we had to stop raising the wall and just let the two of them be together. They spent the rest of the day with Rafer's stall open to the barn aisle. They watched one another, shared some cookies, touched noses, munched on hay, and after the first hour, Salina went back out to the front field and Rafer Johnson was completely fine - because suddenly he realized he has a new buddy who wants very much to be with him. You cannot imagine (well, maybe you can) the absolute joy of standing in the barn aisle with these two precious donkeys and watching them bond.

They do it so differently than horses do - without all the fanfare, just those sweet donkey eyes measuring the situation and deciding that it will be all right.

Redford very appropriately has a star - and if his arrival here is any indication, it looks like he is one special Flying Donkey. The last thing I did before heading off to my Pony Club meeting Sunday night was kneel between two donkey noses and two donkey eyes gazing into mine - one on each side. Double the donkey love.

Welcome to November Hill, Redford! You have already taken Rafer Johnson's mind off the wandering mare, the puffy fetlock and hairline fracture, and the temporary confinement. And you have taken our breaths away with your jumping skills. We know you'll be very happy here.

And some more settling in photos, first playing donkey carousel:



Having a moment with the other red equine on the farm:



Shining his star light all over the barnyard:



Rafer Johnson, our little donkey of the light:



And finally, the November Hill donkey team:

18 comments:

Jason Evans said...

That is one adorable animal !

the7msn said...

Can you hear my heart singing all the way from New Mexico? It is. This story and these pictures are just the best. Redford sounds like he's got a little Teddy O'Connor in him. I am SO happy for you and for Rafer and look forward to all the wonderful stories to come.

Buddy said...

OMG - they are both adorable - I think my woman should get me one or two of those guys. So glad to hear they are becoming good frens.

billie said...

Thanks, J! We think so too. :)

Linda, I do believe I heard it - I have been thinking of George and Alan and how much their friendship shows in the photos you share with all of us. It's really going to be fun to watch these two young donkeys when Rafer's leg is completely healed and they can play. Right now Redford is so respectful of Rafer's body. He seems to know that he needs to wait to do the real donkey "rasslin" as Jack, Sheaffer's buddy, calls it.

Buddy! We're happy to see you over here! I think you need two donkey pals of your own - what adventures you three would have. :)

Mamie said...

Billie, you have me all teary first thing in the morning. Beautiful story.

billie said...

It's been such a sweet week here, Mamie. I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

Victoria Cummings said...

Oh, Billie, I'm in love! I want two little donkeys! Redford has the most beautiful eyes. If they were in my barn, I'd have to spend every minute out there with them. Thanks for the great photos! And Salina is such a wonderful horse - how lucky you are to have her too.

Enchanted Forrest said...

Billie,
Such an enchanting story! And such a magical place, your November Hill. I can't wait to meet that adorable Flying Donkey in person.
Happy Friday!
Sue
http://the-enchanted-forrest.blogspot.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/enchantedcorgi

billie said...

Victoria, I know where there are two little adorable jacks named Nimbus and Spotlight if you decide to take the leap. :)

billie said...

Sue, you definitely have to come see these two soon. We were talking about you the other day, and the Corgi Picnic, and your sister's animal photography. We are trying to figure out how to get a Christmas card photo with all the animals here together with us. She seems like the one to accomplish that! :)

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

AAwwwwwwwww!!! Redford and Rafer must be the two cutest and sweetest donkeys in the entire world!! I'm smitten, Billie.

My heart was leaping for joy reading about their introductions and bonding and my face was smiling HUGE seeing the photos, especially of the two of them. And Salina's curiosity was positively precious!!

Sounds like you've got a little hotwire on your hands in Redford, though. All that flying makes me a little nervous. We don't want both donkeys in casts. Gah!
Here's hoping that the donkey angel keeps Redford's wings strong so he can safely out of trouble :)

Oh Billie! You just made my morning today. I'm so tickled happy for all of you :)

~Lisa

Grey Horse Matters said...

If Redford isn't one of the cutest donkey's ever I don't know what is. I'm so glad he and Rafer are making friends, this will be such fun to watch them getting to know one another. I like the way Salina was checking out the stalls to see if there might be more donkeys for her to love. The more I see all the donkeys the more I want one. They are just too sweet.

billie said...

Lisa, thank you - oddly enough, Redford has stayed solidly on the ground since we stopped trying to keep him separate from his buddy Rafer Johnson!

The real live wire donkey here is Rafer, who yesterday used his teeth to open the chain on the gate and put himself out to the paddock with Salina, and later jumped over a feed tub.

He is not frantic to get with the horses, but Redford's presence has given him both the peace to sleep in the sun and the spark to advance his healing process.

Both are great gifts, but I am having to put the brakes on constantly. :)

I have to remind myself that what happened to Rafer was a very freak accident. Donkeys run and jump and climb and play all the time with no consequence. As do horses, but we all know some of the freak things that can happen to them too!

Let's all take a moment to send out spiraling white light and safety for all our equines! :)

billie said...

Arlene, perhaps Santa will leave one in your stocking. :)

Enchanted Forrest said...

Billie,
No wonder my ears were burning! ;-)

My sister's keeping pretty busy but I'm sure she'd do a great job on your family Christmas photo. If you need her contact info., just let me know.

This coming weekend is the first I've had free since August. I'd love to come for a visit if you're going to be around.
Cheers!
Sue
http://the-enchanted-forrest.blogspot.com
http://www.cafepress.com/enchantedcorgi

billie said...

Sue, Saturday would be an option - the kids are going to a Halloween party that night, so if you wanted to come in the late afternoon and visit, then maybe have some dinner here with me?

You're also welcome to ride Cody if you like.

Sunday Kenzie has a Pony Club thing with Cody so that day will be busy for all of us.

AnnL said...

Oooooh, he's sooooooo CUTE!! They're both adorable, but a baby donkey is just the cutest. Rafer is, I'm sure, the perfect big brother.

billie said...

I heard Redford bray for the first time this morning- when his brother Rafer went out of his sight! It was totally cute. We've been calling Redford Teddy Donk. :)