It's 7.00 am and there's a chorus of brays as I arrive at the Isolation Unit to help 'muck out'. The braying has nothing to do with me turning up, but were the voices of donkeys waiting eagerly for their morning feed!
I gathered a wheelbarrow and tools and headed off to the first stable where I found George and Geoffrey, two inquisitive donkeys who inspected every corner to make sure it was up to their usual standard. After sweeping their yard, I gave them a cuddle before moving on to the next stable.
I often wonder where, or how, people choose names for their donkeys. Jenny is very popular, as is Jack. However, one of the donkeys who wandered over to see me was called Floss. Any guesses as to what her friend's name was? (post a comment below with your guesses!). Further on, I met another called Wonky Donkey.
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I'm sure I saw at least three donkeys called David while I worked. One of them was a very handsome youngster even though he had the most floppiest ears you could ever imagine. This wasn't because he had been ill-treated - he was born with them.
After three hours, all the donkeys had been mucked out. Driving off, I glanced back and saw the donkeys happily grazing in their paddocks. All quiet no doubt until their evening feed!
I guess the friend of donkey "Floss" was called "Candy"?
A little anecdote on the subject of the names people give their donkeys. For many years we had 2 "foster donkeys" from the Sanctuary. One was named Arthur - a large dark brown handsome fellow, he had been much loved by his former owner who had him as a foal, kept him for more than 20 years and reluctantly relinquished him to the Sanctuary after she was widowed and became too frail to look after him.
I regularly sent her news and photos of Arthur and once asked her why she gave him that name. The answer was that she and her husband had a good friend named Arthur who was, however, a very stubborn man so they thought that would be a good name for a donkey! She said the friend was surprised and delighted when they gave their lovely new pet his name BUT THEY NEVER TOLD HIM THE REASON WHY!
Hi Sylvia
Yes, you are right, the two donkeys are called Candy and Floss!
Lovely to hear about Arthur and how he got his name too.
Hello Jenifer
So pleased to hear that Floss' friend IS called Candy - It occurred to me later that it might even be "DENTAL"!!
Hi Sylvia
I hadn't thought of that one!!! I wonder if we might seem some interesting names on the "Donkey twins discussion forum? There's already Bill and Ben here at the Sanctuary.