pel·age (plj)
n.
1. The coat of a mammal, consisting of hair, fur, wool, or other soft covering, as distinct from bare skin.
2. Something felt to resemble the coat of a mammal: “The hardwoods were a soft pale green in the dark pelage of the conifers” (Peter Matthiessen).
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[French, from Old French, from peil, pel, hair, from Latin pilus.]
Because I’m a bad donkey friend–it’s Fergus with his head on Bernard and not the other way around–right??
I’m so glad these two are interacting. It would be so easy for the donkey boys to stay in their original ‘herds’.
You are so not a bad donkey friend. Yes, it’s Fergus with his head on Bernard. And yes, there’s lots of love and admiration going around the whole herd. 😀
You’re quite welcome! She is beautiful. I fondly remember my grandmother Isabel also working on needlepoint or intricate doilies… I remember her always smiling. 😀
I think that Fergus is definitely wishing that Christmas and Santa would just GET HERE already. I think I had that same look on my face when I was his age.
Does donkey=burro?
I said to a coworker the other day that it did, and he said when he lived in California, his father took him to Mexico and an old Mexicano told him they’re two different animals.
Here’s an answer from The American Donkey and Mule Society:
Donkey is the correct term for any of the domesticated Asses. Horses, Donkeys and zebras are all of the family Equus.
Burro is a coloquial term for the Spanish or feral type of donkey (wild burros). The term is used almost exclusively in the West. The term is correct only when applied to the mid-sized types of donkeys, and more correctly only those who are wild in descent. (They are STILL domestic animals – feral means domesticated that has gone back to a wild state – not an indigenous wild species!)
The term burro is NOT correct in use with Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys (under 36″) or in Mammoth Asses (over 56″).
And here’s an answer from Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue:
Many people continue to misunderstand the terminology associated with the donkey. The word “donkey” is derived from the English word “dun” meaning gray and “ky” meaning small. The word donkey has been around for hundreds of years and had become a term used to describe all members of the genus: Equus Africanus Asinus.
The Spanish word “burro” is derived from the Latin word “Burrisimo” meaning little horse. Burro is to donkey as amigo is to friend. Both words have the same meaning.
In the United States, we use the terms to differentiate between the domesticated donkey and the wild free-ranging burros. Therefore, a burro is wild and a donkey is domesticated. As they are from the same common stock, there are no physical differences between the two. Wild burros in an area will share a common look, largely due to the fact that the gene pool that initially started the herd was small.
December 14, 2010 at 4:29 am
Every now and then I re-notice those wild horse stripes and admire them anew. They’re like burro sartorial accents!
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December 14, 2010 at 6:55 am
June,
This must be my day to learn new words. Thank you. 😀
sar·to·ri·al (sär-tôr-l, -tr-)
adj.
Of or relating to a tailor, tailoring, or tailored clothing: sartorial elegance.
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[From Late Latin sartor, tailor; see sartorius.]
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December 14, 2010 at 5:20 am
I bet he’s thinking about the 7MSN 12 days of Christmas song “Two jolly balls and a
pi-iig on the porch.”
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December 14, 2010 at 7:02 am
C,
Surely he is. As we all know, Bernard has internet access and has likely told the rest of the herd what’s going on over at 7MSN by now. 🙂
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December 14, 2010 at 6:00 am
Love the color of the pelage and the stripes of Bernard and Fergus!
Your house in the background looks very beautiful!
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December 14, 2010 at 6:52 am
Sonia,
I learned a new word today – thank you. 🙂
pel·age (plj)
n.
1. The coat of a mammal, consisting of hair, fur, wool, or other soft covering, as distinct from bare skin.
2. Something felt to resemble the coat of a mammal: “The hardwoods were a soft pale green in the dark pelage of the conifers” (Peter Matthiessen).
——————————————————————————–
[French, from Old French, from peil, pel, hair, from Latin pilus.]
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December 14, 2010 at 6:04 am
Because I’m a bad donkey friend–it’s Fergus with his head on Bernard and not the other way around–right??
I’m so glad these two are interacting. It would be so easy for the donkey boys to stay in their original ‘herds’.
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December 14, 2010 at 6:51 am
CeeCee,
You are so not a bad donkey friend. Yes, it’s Fergus with his head on Bernard. And yes, there’s lots of love and admiration going around the whole herd. 😀
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December 14, 2010 at 6:54 am
Thank you Justina, for your nice comment on my grandparents current post.
Have a good day!
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December 14, 2010 at 6:57 am
Sonia,
You’re quite welcome! She is beautiful. I fondly remember my grandmother Isabel also working on needlepoint or intricate doilies… I remember her always smiling. 😀
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December 14, 2010 at 7:02 am
Always good, to have a place to rest your chin as you think…………
🙂
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December 14, 2010 at 7:09 am
Vicki,
You said it. 🙂
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December 14, 2010 at 7:15 am
I think Fergus is contemplating whether he’s been bad or good this year. Will Santa will bring him treats or a lump of coal?
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December 14, 2010 at 7:37 am
I get by with a little help from my friends….
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December 14, 2010 at 7:38 am
Awww….so cute. People could learn a lot from donkeys. I love how they get along.
Suzanne
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December 14, 2010 at 7:43 am
Perhaps he’s contemplating the role of donkeys in the Christmas story.
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December 14, 2010 at 8:35 am
is he practicing to be the next “Stewart Smiley” on SNL 🙂
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December 14, 2010 at 8:57 am
I think that Fergus is definitely wishing that Christmas and Santa would just GET HERE already. I think I had that same look on my face when I was his age.
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December 14, 2010 at 10:14 am
I love how these guys get along so well. Fergus looks like he’s lost in thought…maybe wishing for Christmas treats? 🙂
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December 14, 2010 at 10:36 am
Oh they are SO adorable – I love the way they rest their heads on one another’s backs. Like cats cuddling in a kitty pile. Just too sweet for words.
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December 14, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Gotta love donkeys!!!
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December 14, 2010 at 1:02 pm
“I wonder when Santa is coming…..”
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December 14, 2010 at 2:51 pm
He is thinking,hmmm…. I wonder if anyone will notice I’m taking a break?
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December 14, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Does donkey=burro?
I said to a coworker the other day that it did, and he said when he lived in California, his father took him to Mexico and an old Mexicano told him they’re two different animals.
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December 14, 2010 at 6:57 pm
June,
Technically, you’re right.
Here’s an answer from The American Donkey and Mule Society:
Donkey is the correct term for any of the domesticated Asses. Horses, Donkeys and zebras are all of the family Equus.
Burro is a coloquial term for the Spanish or feral type of donkey (wild burros). The term is used almost exclusively in the West. The term is correct only when applied to the mid-sized types of donkeys, and more correctly only those who are wild in descent. (They are STILL domestic animals – feral means domesticated that has gone back to a wild state – not an indigenous wild species!)
The term burro is NOT correct in use with Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys (under 36″) or in Mammoth Asses (over 56″).
And here’s an answer from Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue:
Many people continue to misunderstand the terminology associated with the donkey. The word “donkey” is derived from the English word “dun” meaning gray and “ky” meaning small. The word donkey has been around for hundreds of years and had become a term used to describe all members of the genus: Equus Africanus Asinus.
The Spanish word “burro” is derived from the Latin word “Burrisimo” meaning little horse. Burro is to donkey as amigo is to friend. Both words have the same meaning.
In the United States, we use the terms to differentiate between the domesticated donkey and the wild free-ranging burros. Therefore, a burro is wild and a donkey is domesticated. As they are from the same common stock, there are no physical differences between the two. Wild burros in an area will share a common look, largely due to the fact that the gene pool that initially started the herd was small.
Bernard = Donkey (domesticated)
Fergus = Burro (wild)
Does that help? 😀
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December 14, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I think he’s watching the snow on the blog. It’s mesmerizing.
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December 15, 2010 at 4:34 am
He is dreaming about some extra carrots coming on christmas because of good behaviour and true donkey love.
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