PEOPLE WHO ARE VIOLENT TO ANIMALS RARELY STOP THERE!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Sunny Sunday!

As I left my house at 8 am Sunday morning, the sky was still a little bit cloudy but one could feel the high humidity already and it promised to be a hot day. Just after a few minutes doing chores in the barnyard, I could feel sweat running down on me on all places, thank god once the sun was out in full force the humidity subsided and it was just a nice warm sunny day. It was busy but not as busy as the previous Sunday, the long time volunteers are amazed at  how busy it is for the month of May. I know over the years the number of visitors have tripled from year to year, so it seems we are of to another record year already. There were a few new arrangements made regarding the animals on Open Day. Juno and the two little mules have been put into the garden paddock to not be chased and therefore stressed out by visitors. Panne, our very sick Jacques and Solo were put into Windy's paddock. The office paddock remained open for donkeys and people to mingle and of course the whole barn and barnyard was accessible for everybody. We had a few unruly kids and "stupid" parents to go with it, and really I am just glad that ignorance is bliss at times for these people, because I can't imagine how they could function otherwise. And really it just amazes me at times and makes me shake my head. Late in the afternoon we had a surprise visitor, and omg how nice to see him, he came right up to me with a big smile, his arms wide open for a hug ...it was DONKEY BOY himself. Kyle aka donkey boy was the former barn manager and animal caregiver. I have known him for the last four years through my visits at the DSC. Sometimes I wondered what gave me more joy...watching the donkeys or watching him doing his job and interacting with the animals. I have loved ( yes loved, and I am not the only one...and loved as in love for the kind and gentle soul he is) and admired Kyle from the first time I met him. He has been such an inspiration to me and such a joy to have known over the last years and everybody was saddened when he chose to try out new avenues in his life, but we all wished him well. Kyle had and still has an amazing effect on the donkeys of the DSC, something I have never ever seen before. So when he showed up at the DSC on Sunday it was just great. Solo, the odd donkey, absolutely loves and adored Kyle. And oh my god as soon as he spotted Kyle at the fence he ran right over, Solo doesn't come for anybody or anything, but for Kyle. The two of them were playing and frolic together in the pasture for quite some time, it was pure  love between the two of them and so so amazing and heartwarming to watch. Kyle still comes out to spend time with the problem donkeys to help manage their behaviour, and boy Juliette was all over him when he went to take her down the carrot walk, thank god Kyle knows how to handle her and take care of himself. Most of us were just watching with our mouth dropped on the floor and thinking I would have died if she did that to me. Kyle had his struggle with her, and she was really aggressive, as she has been in the past, and I have never really seen it but heard of it, and wow she was not letting off him, but neither did he once he got the upper hand on her. I think in that case even I would have been able to climb the pasture fence to save my life. After a long good ten minute struggle Juliette finally submitted to Kyle and calmed down.  I don't know how he does it, but boy it sure is admirable and  amazing. He would make a good donkey whisperer! If it would have been any of us, even though we have learnt to handle a difficult donkey, at that point I think it would have been just all about survival for the most of us. After that ordeal Kyle spent some time with Mr. Personality "Hershey" and as hard as Hershey is to handle, he is like butter in Kyle's hands. And the two were playing and cuddling on the hill. Seems like not just us humans but the donkeys miss Kyle too.
I had a few quiet moments with my beloved Buffy in the barn and she has really become such an affectionate donkey. Augusta had me worried a few times throughout the day as she really was staggering around today, and almost feel into the water bucket, wonder if her eyesight is worse than everybody thinks it is? Well she  needs to be taught and learn were things are, to find her way safely around the barn just like Windy used to do. Augusta is such a pretty and gentle girl. Oh and I got to feed the mules at the end of the day, it's been the first time really that I was in the mules pen, some of them are  as big as horses others are more like ponies.
Well it was again a very eventful and amazing day at the DSC....can't wait for my next day....still have to work on my cheat sheet too....arrrghhh.....such a procrastinator....

5 comments:

Sharon said...

It sounds like DSC really lost a jewel when Kyle moved on. Some people just have the touch.

Louise said...

I agree with Sharon, some people have a way with certain animals. I'm glad that Kyle came by so that he could renew acquaintances with friends, both two and four legged.

AJ-OAKS said...

Oh my goodness, Kyle sounds amazing. Just amazing. It must be wonderful to watch him with the donks. He has 'the' gift.
Know what you mean about stupid, ignorant people. Ugh! Sometimes the thought crosses my mind that people who are over the top ignorant should be required to wear a sign around their neck to warn others!

Inger said...

How great that you and the donkeys too got to see your old friend Kyle again. So true, some people have a magic touch with animals.--inger

Tina said...

Oh Kyle is just amazing...and such a nice young man, absolutely incredible the way he and the donks interact. So much fun to watch.