It was one year ago today that Ellsworth came into our lives.
We’ve had an incredible year with him and are looking forward to many, many more. To celebrate his fourth birthday, he’ll be getting Paco treats and lots of extra hugs and scritches. And he’ll be showing us where to scritch.
You see, Ellsworth has learned that he can show us where he wants to be scritched.
Mamma, scritch right here, please.
A little to the right, please, Mamma.
That’s perfect…
…but I’m just going to move your hand over a tad to exactly where I’d like it.
Umm… Mamma? You’re not stopping now, are you?
Pretty amazing, hmm? Watching Ellsworth blossom over the last year has been incredibly rewarding. We think the sky’s the limit for Big Red. ♥ ♥ ♥
Okay, Bernard, it’s like this… I point here and you scritch…
Happy Birthday ‘Worth! We love you so! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Morning Bray Farm 
September 27, 2010 at 5:50 am
YES. donkeys sure know how to use us! LOL.
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September 27, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Mel,
They sure do!
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September 27, 2010 at 6:09 am
That’ Ellsworth is one FLEXIBLE dude! Love his lip when you’re scritchin’ him.
Happy Birthday to a very special boy!
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September 27, 2010 at 6:35 pm
C,
It’s the cutest thing. Sometimes he looks like he’s talking to himself when he’s gettin’ scritched.
I hope it’s dry in your neck of the woods. We’ve been thinking about you.
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September 27, 2010 at 6:21 am
Happy Birthday, Ellsworth and am looking forward to seeing you and your “siblings” in about a couple months. You are really spoiled with all the love from your family as well as friends… 😉
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September 27, 2010 at 6:46 pm
MeeMaw,
Thank you! xoxoxoxo
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September 27, 2010 at 6:28 am
Awwwww Happy Birthday Ellsworth! I know you will have many, many more years of love in your future! Glad to see your mamma & dad are good students of the art of the scritch 🙂
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September 27, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Sue,
Thank you! It’s really good to hear from you. 🙂
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September 27, 2010 at 7:01 am
Happy birthday, dear Ellsworth!! I’m so glad you are at MBF now and sharing your life with those of us that can’t have long-ears at our house. 🙂 ❤
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September 27, 2010 at 6:48 pm
CeeCee,
Ellsworth says thank you and that he’s happy to share his life with you. 🙂
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September 27, 2010 at 7:02 am
Oh Ellsworth – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! I hope you have many, many more….Love ya Big Red…
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September 27, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Nancy,
Thank you! Hugs!
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September 27, 2010 at 7:14 am
The donkey eye/upper lip stretch combo needs a name … but I can’t think of one. Whatever it is, Ellsworth is the master of it. Give that boy a great big birthday hug from me.
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September 27, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Carson,
We just totally have to come up with a name for that combo.
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September 27, 2010 at 7:40 am
Happy “Gotcha” Day, Ellsworth. You certainly are making up for your abysmal former situation by your wonderful surroundings now.
I’m so happy that your Mom has this blog so that all of us can share in your lives.
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September 27, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Cathy,
Hugs. I’m so happy that we have this blog because we got to “meet” you and so many other amazing people. Sounds corny, but we think you’re wonderful. 🙂
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September 27, 2010 at 8:49 am
Georgie the poodle does the same stretch to get scritches! Happy birthday Ellsworth, may you get lots of attention and carrot chips.
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September 27, 2010 at 6:51 pm
martina,
Lots and lots of attention, brushing, hugs and Paco treats were bestowed upon our birthday boy today! 🙂
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September 27, 2010 at 9:59 am
Now if he can just teach Bernard where to scratch……
🙂
Love that first pic, with his hair sticking straight up, just like his ears!
A very Happy Day wish to Big Red!
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September 27, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Vicki,
I think he just might teach Bernard… 🙂
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September 27, 2010 at 9:59 am
Yup, that boy Ellsworth is just about as bendy as the rubber toy Gumby and his pal Pokey.
Happy B’Day / 1st Anniversary Ellsworth !
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September 27, 2010 at 6:52 pm
gazelle,
Isn’t he though?! They amaze me with their flexibility!
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September 27, 2010 at 10:00 am
Love how he’s looking right at you, to make sure you are paying attention, and love his sticky-outy upper lip………..
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September 27, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Vicki,
And I think the eye contact really is to be sure I’m paying attention. Go figure.
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September 27, 2010 at 10:04 am
OK, Howcum everybody else gets either a picture or one of those geometric patterns but I only ever get a blank box beside my comment? Not that I’m jealous or anything, just askin’.
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September 27, 2010 at 6:32 pm
gazelle,
I wondered the same. It was Eagle Eye Don who pointed out to me that you do have a pattern… only it’s in a very light tan color and apparently only seen by those (present company excluded) who have eagle eyes. Hmmph. I think I shall ask WordPress to remedy that so you aren’t excluded. Stay tuned. 🙂
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September 28, 2010 at 6:32 am
gazelle,
Here’s the reply I received from WordPress:
Those pictures are auto generated and we can’t change individual ones.
Your user can sign up for an account at Gravatar and associate an image of their own with their email address and that will appear instead.
More information can be found here
http://en.support.wordpress.com/avatars/gravatars/
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September 27, 2010 at 10:14 am
Happy Birthday boy!! He trained you well, didn’t he?:))
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September 27, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Sandra,
Oh yes, he did. 🙂
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September 27, 2010 at 11:57 am
He’s amazing! My daughter had a rabbit that would put his head in your hand for face rubs, I’ve known many dogs who will bump their rumps against you for back scritches, and my cat bumps my leg then raises her rear end for butt scritches. But I’ve never before seen an animal show you where to rub/scritch like that! Happy birthday, you wonderful creature!!!
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September 27, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Nancy,
Ellsworth’s the only one to do it so far… he’s one smart boy! 🙂
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September 27, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Happy Birthday, Ellsworth! Can’t wait to see what you come up with for your second year at MBF.
(I’m betting Nigel is just sitting back and learning from his big brother…just you wait.)
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September 27, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Flartus,
That Nigel is learning from his big brother(s) sometimes scares me. 😉 Yes, I’m waiting… good golly. 😀
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September 27, 2010 at 3:13 pm
I just learned something new today, looking at today’s pictures and then paging back through previous photos.
Burros have WHISKERS!!! I never knew that!
Whee!!
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September 27, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Cathy,
Pretty cool, huh? They totally tickle my face, too!
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September 27, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Happy Birthday, Big Red! I love you!!!
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September 27, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Linda,
Ellsworth sends his love back to you!!! xoxo
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September 27, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Has it been a year already?!?! I don’t believe it. Ellsworth, Honey, you don’t look a day over 3. Must be your steady diet of love & affection.
I love the gummy lip, too. I’m amazed that Ellsworth doesn’t get a crick in his neck doing that.
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September 27, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Carolynn,
Ellsworth was doing the happy dance when I told him what you said.
I’m so happy for you right now – sounds like things are going so well!
Hugs!
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September 27, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Oh! Be still my heart! I am SO in love with your boys. And Carson’s boys. I will tell you a secret… no matter how crazy things have been lately for us… I find a few moments to check in with you and Carson… just those few moments to see the boys and what is going on and I will always have a smile.
A moment of joy in my day no matter what the other moments are.
Morning Bray and the 7MSN are my own little ‘Land of Enchantment.’ Thank you so much for sharing =)
By the way… Little Bear says to tell the boys hello =)
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September 27, 2010 at 6:58 pm
woofwhinnywhisper,
I hope your girls are back with you soon, if they’re not already. There will be plenty of happy whinnies from them when they are, I’m sure. 🙂
We’re happy to help in the moment of joy in your day department!
And, Happy Birthday!
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