Ellsworth had a huge breakthrough moment with the farrier yesterday. We’re so proud of him.
It was the very first time Shorty was able to trim Ellsworth’s back feet.
Ellsworth, we’re so proud of you buddy!
Like I said, this was a huge breakthrough for Ellsworth. Unfortunately, a couple of mishaps at the place he came from really had him freaked out about having his back feet touched. For those of you who initially followed Ellsworth’s story over at The 7MSN Ranch, you’ll remember that Ellsworth was “accident prone.” At one point, according to his previous people, he had a nail stuck in one of his back feet. To remove it, they tied a rope to his leg and let him kick until he got tired so they could take the nail out. At another point, he had barbed wire tangled around one of his ankles. So yes, he really was freaked out when anyone tried to touch his back feet.
We realized some pretty important things yesterday. We were reminded that we have so much to learn from our animals. These donkey boys have taught us more than I could have ever imagined about patience. Shorty has been absolutely wonderful about this too. He coached Don on working with Ellsworth and getting him used to having those back legs and feet touched. I have a lump in my throat right now just thinking about this transformation in Ellsworth.
So, Ellsworth is an old pro at this now. When it was Bernard’s turn, Ellsworth ran right over to comfort his best friend and to let him know it was alright.
March 7, 2010 at 3:55 am
I was just about in tears over this story. So moving. The last picture got me … what buddies!
I love the bell … where o where did you find it?
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March 7, 2010 at 6:55 am
Wow wow wow. These pictures convey so well that all that patience has paid off. Everybody is relaxed, Ellsworth isn’t resisting, Shorty is being so soft and gentle with his hands and tools. And I love how Don is whispering sweet nothings into Ellsworth’s ear. Ring that victory bell!
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March 7, 2010 at 7:01 am
Hurrah for Ellsworth!!! And it would make me teary-eyed to think that he has regained his trust in you and your farrier enough to allow his hind feet to be handled and that you would not hurt him again. What a breakthrough for him.
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March 7, 2010 at 7:26 am
I love it when the animals figure out that we are not going to hurt them. The trust in their eyes is an amazing. My guys, Gunny and Harry, still require a bit of wrestling, but that’s just because they are young and just want to be free. A good patient farrier is worth their weight in gold.
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March 7, 2010 at 7:29 am
Hurray for Ellsworth!!! Loving care encourages bravery and trust.
The bad old days are a fading memory.
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March 7, 2010 at 7:50 am
Sobbing. Beautiful, patient boy.
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March 7, 2010 at 9:29 am
Yay for good donkeys and loving parents! Your farrier is an angel for working with you to gain Ellsworth’s trust.
The bond between the buddies is strong already. They will have each others back always.
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March 7, 2010 at 9:43 am
Tears in my eyes, too.
How wonderful for Ellsworth that he is now in a safe place, and how lovely that he was not so damaged that he couldn’t learn that he is safe now!
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March 7, 2010 at 10:01 am
I really like that last photo. He’s saying, it’s okay, they just did it to me too.
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March 7, 2010 at 10:29 am
Awww. I am so glad for Ellsworth and thankful for all of you. How loving. I have tears in my eyes.
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March 7, 2010 at 10:46 am
You never gave up on him, when so many might have. Congratulations, Ellsworth, you picked some great folks!
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March 7, 2010 at 10:52 am
What a sweet boy and I love how the two donkeys seem to care for one another.
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
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March 7, 2010 at 11:39 am
We all know who should be getting the credit – YES, I’m talking about Ellsworth’s new Mama & Papa! Congrats guys.
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March 7, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Wonderful, you sure were the right home for Ellesworth. Happy burro!
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March 7, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I too have years in my eyes. I have followed Ellsworth’s story from the beginning, and this is a wonderful success story! Ellsworth, you are the DUDE!!
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March 7, 2010 at 2:30 pm
um, that’s TEARS not YEARS – oops. Couldn’t see to type with all the TEARS in my eyes!
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March 7, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Seeing the pictures and reading all your comments brought tears to my eyes and how proud I am of Ellsworth and Bernard, too! Mom and Dad did a real good job of taking care of their babies…
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March 7, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Hip, hip Hooray!!! Huge news. I’m so happy for all of you. 🙂
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March 7, 2010 at 10:25 pm
That’s so incredibly awesome. Yay, Elsworth!! I teared up when I saw Don lovingly soothing Ellsworth when things were probably a bit scary for him. Shorty seems like a great guy who really cares about the animals he works on. What a blessing for Ellsworth to be there with your family and his buddy Bernard.
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March 8, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Wow! Congratulations, Ellsworth, you good, good boy! Do your mom and dad want to share their special tips for building that foot-touching trust? Beau’s feet are so bad (and as near as we can tell, had never been trimmed), he had to be sedated to have them worked on a few weeks ago. He’ll let me touch him everywhere, even down to his hooves, but when I try to pick up his feet he gets very upset.
What wonderful pictures! 🙂
(And I *loved* hearing the bell at last!!)
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April 10, 2011 at 9:00 am
Amazing to hear the bell ringing!
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