While we were spending time with the boys over the weekend, Don said, “I can’t wait to see Linda’s reaction when she sees Ellsworth.”

It’s not as if Carson doesn’t see the boys on a regular basis, but it suddenly hit home as I was brushing Ellsworth what a remarkable transformation he’s undergone. Look at the difference between his hair here shortly after he came to Morning Bray Farm in September:

And this past weekend:

His hair is soft and smooth and beautiful. He’s healthy! 

It didn’t take us long to see how miserable parasites cause donkeys to feel and what a difference proper care and regular grooming makes. Ellsworth is noticeably more at peace today than he was last fall. He doesn’t bite or scratch at himself anymore. Instead, he now often sighs deeply and contentedly.

And he smiles a lot more than he used to.