I had a conversation with Carson about Nigel yesterday.
I shared my frustration with not being able to get over our last little speed bump. We’re so close, and I don’t know what to do to help get him over the bump.
Carson’s reply was that perhaps Nigel simply needs a little more time.
It’s as if he was trying to tell me exactly that last night when I went out to take off fly masks. It’s not at all like him to get so in my face, even if I have a camera in front of it… especially without a fence separating us.
Needless to say, I loved it.
And I love Nigel. He’s going to be a pocket burro in no time at all. ♥
Morning Bray Farm 
August 25, 2010 at 4:53 am
Time (and cookies) make all things possible. 🙂
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August 25, 2010 at 5:32 am
When I was little I wanted to be an “animal tamer”. Taking wild animals and creating bonds until they accepted and liked human interaction and touch. The opposite of Joy Adamson, in other words. They told me I could be an animal trainer but their was no such thing or need as animal taming. Too bad. I still love the stage and efforts of creating bonds and trust though… Enjoy it J!
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August 25, 2010 at 5:55 am
You are allready doing everything right, so it just comes down to “time heals everything”
You can see it in his eyes.
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August 25, 2010 at 6:21 am
Hooray for pocket burros! I predict one day you’ll have a hard time remembering Nigel as shy and standoffish. (Between him and Alan, I’ve decided if I ever am lucky enough to get a burro, I want a dark one!)
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August 25, 2010 at 6:21 am
Only a matter of time. And once he’s yours, he’ll be yours heart and soul.
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August 25, 2010 at 6:33 am
It breaks my heart to think of a past that would have caused him to be so stand offish. But it does bring joy to know he has a present and a future of one of the most loving places on earth! What progress he has made already……”baby steps” (maybe you could let him watch “What about Bob” and that could give him some encouragement 🙂 )
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August 25, 2010 at 6:47 am
Oh Justina – that’s great that he’s getting so “in your face”! I just know in my heart it won’t be much longer. Every day he’s learning that he can trust you & Don. I can’t wait for that post when you have your arms wrapped around him and he’s smilin’!
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August 25, 2010 at 6:48 am
My favorite is the next to the last one. Such a great look!
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August 25, 2010 at 7:12 am
So I just pulled out the calendar to verify all this. From the day I brought Alan home to the day I could give him a wrap-my-arms-around-him hug was 24 weeks. You brought Nigel home around 18 weeks ago. From the looks of these pictures, you’re much farther along than Alan and I were at 18 weeks. All of which is to say…it’s just a matter of time.
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August 25, 2010 at 7:29 am
Carson,
Thank you.
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August 25, 2010 at 7:45 am
Oh, Nigel, you silly beast. Love the nose shots. I bet that Justina got some lovely Hay-exhalations…
Lovely behind-the-ear-scritches will be yours soon, I just know it. Continue to be brave and it will all be worth it!
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August 25, 2010 at 8:00 am
One of my neighbors adopted a BLM burro a few years ago. It took him about six months to trust her enough to allow her to touch him. You should see him now…trots up to the fence every time he sees a human…looking for carrots! 🙂 Oh, and he also loves hugs now. Nigel will come to you as soon as he’s ready.
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August 25, 2010 at 8:08 am
Still, don’t show Nigel those pictures, he might develop a “Big Nose” complex… and counseling is always extremely difficult with donkeys simply because they cannot lie down on couches 😉
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August 25, 2010 at 9:00 am
Nigel reminds me of my first bunny. It took him over a year and many of my tears before he trusted me enough to let me approach him. That little fellow is one of my soul mates. He and I ended up bonding in a way that cannot be explained in human terms. He was feisty and would growl and be aggressive with everyone else who came within range. With me, he became a cuddler (on his terms, of course) and would actually do a little mating ritual around my feet every morning.
Carson’s right. Give him time and all the love you have in you.
xoxo
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August 25, 2010 at 10:01 am
Time. Just time. Nigel is coming along in his comfort zone. You are doing fabulous with him.
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August 25, 2010 at 11:16 am
I think animals don’t have a notion of time like we do. We always go: “oh, but by now I thought…..” I am trying to “tame” 4 feral kittens – “why won’t they let me pet them? It’s been 3 weeks!” I stopped the other day and realized: they don’t run away from me like they did before, they don’t freeze in almost terror when I try to pet them like they did before, they play with the other kittens, they grab food from my hand (and not with a paw) – they are probably convinced they are completely different from what they were when we brought them in – it’s just me who is impatient. All I can do is give them time, love, comprehension. I guess the same goes for you and Nigel. It’s just…. we still wish it would all go faster, don’t we?:)))
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August 25, 2010 at 1:11 pm
He really looks directly into your eyes. He’s come a long way. Takes time… his time, not yours little miss donk mama… LOL
Di
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August 25, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Almost close enough to plant a big smooch on that Nigel nose! Won’t be long now!
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August 26, 2010 at 5:43 am
Aw…that’s great progress~
Wait till he knows how good it feels to get hugs and scritches. He’ll be pushing everybody out of line to get to you first!
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September 1, 2010 at 3:54 pm
There will come a day when you will wish a little stand-off-ishness!! He is no longer afraid of you; just not too sure yet that you will be okay. Love the nose shots.
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