It was one year ago on April 16 that we brought Fergus and Nigel home from the BLM holding facility in Canon City, Colorado.
And it was last week that we received Certificates of Title for them and their adoption became official.
A wild horse or burro actually belongs to the Federal government until the BLM issues a Certificate of Title. After you’ve had the animal for one year, the BLM sends you a Title Eligibility Letter, which you must have signed by a qualified person (such as a veterinarian, county extension agent, or humane official) verifying that you have provided humane care and treatment for your adopted animal. Once you sign and return the Title Eligibility Letter, the BLM mails a Certificate of Title to you. After you receive the Certificate of Title, the animal becomes your private property.
There was a lot of excitement here at Morning Bray Farm the afternoon the big brown envelope from the BLM arrived in our mailbox. Don showed Fergus his certificate, and Fergus rejoiced at the news of his adoption being official.
Patrick was very excited about all the commotion and wanted to know where his certificate was.
Don’t you worry, sweet boy. You’re not going anywhere and you’re officially a part of this herd, okay?
Then Don showed Nigel his certificate.
And Nigel gave his lip of approval.
Both Fergus and Nigel have come so far in the past year. We’re so thankful that they’re here with us and part of the amazing herd at Morning Bray Farm. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
May 2, 2011 at 4:25 am
Frame worthy for sure! Congrats to all at Morning Bray. 🙂
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May 2, 2011 at 7:29 am
C,
Thank you! 🙂
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May 2, 2011 at 4:47 am
Better than a birth announcement!
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May 2, 2011 at 7:28 am
June,
We agree. 😀
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May 2, 2011 at 5:35 am
Congratulations to all! I can’t believe it’s been a year since Nigel & Fergus came to MB, or, as we fans call it, “Heaven on Earth.” Please give everybody hugs and scritches for me 🙂
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May 2, 2011 at 7:28 am
Sue,
Thank you. Consider the hugs and scritches given! 🙂
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May 2, 2011 at 6:00 am
It’s been a busy but fun year. congratulation to all!
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May 2, 2011 at 7:27 am
Mel,
Thank you. Yes, definitely busy and definitely fun. 🙂
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May 2, 2011 at 6:24 am
I can’t believe it’s been a year+ already.
Congratulations to the whole family! 🙂
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May 2, 2011 at 7:27 am
CeeCee,
Thank you. We can’t believe it’s been a year+ already either.
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May 2, 2011 at 6:46 am
I think Nigel says that the certificate makes him remember some stinky times in his former life…..
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May 2, 2011 at 7:26 am
Vicki,
It’s quite possible…
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May 2, 2011 at 7:22 am
I think you need to make a certificate for Patrick:-)
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May 2, 2011 at 7:26 am
Denise,
I’ve been thinking the same thing… 😉
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May 2, 2011 at 7:38 am
Well Happy Cerificate Day to Nigel and Fergus. And wow what an amazing journey they have made. And as to Patrick’s certificate….well he’s Wonder Donkey, able to get people everywhere involved in helping to change how all donkeys are treated. I went to a dog rescue event this weekend and started to talk to some folks about Patrick’s joy journey to your place and they all got excited to help with the letter writing as well….and so it goes with the wonderfilled Morning Bray Donkeys and how they are blessed to be a blessing.
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May 2, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Linda,
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
They are a blessing. xoxo
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May 2, 2011 at 7:43 am
WooHoo! Congrats!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Lynda,
Thank you!
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May 2, 2011 at 7:55 am
Congratulations to all!!!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:37 pm
Lilla,
Thank you from all of us!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:07 am
Although it takes a long time, it’s good that the BLM does that- for the sake of the burros. How is Nigel doing; is he still stand-offish or is he lining up for skritches now?
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May 2, 2011 at 8:38 pm
Shirley,
I agree.
Nigel is doing great. He’s still stand-offish but is also lining up for skritches now… and, he’s now up to letting us touch both his neck and his face! We’re talking serious baby steps, but he’s doing great and makes progress every single day.
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May 2, 2011 at 8:08 am
Fergus and Nigel may not know how lucky they are to have landed at MBF together, but we do.
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May 2, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Carson,
We sure do. 😀
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May 2, 2011 at 8:54 am
I can tell you didn’t waste a moment getting your letter signed and sent back!
Maybe Nigel was saying, “Silly humans and your certificates, I always knew this was home.”
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May 2, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Flartus,
You’re right, we didn’t!
You’re just awesome, by the way.
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May 2, 2011 at 9:00 am
Congratulations to all the family at Morning Bray Farm!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:39 pm
Sonia,
Thank you!
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May 2, 2011 at 9:17 am
I like that there is a waiting period and some form of verification of proper animal care before the adoption/ownership is granted. The boys have come a long way since you got them – wow!
Yup, Patrick needs something too!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Cyndi,
I do too.
We’ll have to come up with a Wonder Donkey Certificate for Patrick. 😀
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May 2, 2011 at 9:48 am
Congrats to the boys and the BLM documenting what they always knew! Home sweet home!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Betsey,
Thank you!
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May 2, 2011 at 10:20 am
It’s funny the certificate supposedly means they are your property when in fact you are theirs!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:42 pm
pam,
You got that right!
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May 2, 2011 at 10:22 am
What a big day! Congratulations to all of you – I am sure you make each other very happy:))
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May 2, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Sandra,
Thank you. They definitely make us happy. 🙂
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May 2, 2011 at 10:58 am
Love the pictures!! I can feel the joy and excitement all the way up here in Oregon!
🙂
Congratulations to everyone at Morning Bray Farm!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Danni,
Thank you! We miss you!
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May 2, 2011 at 12:55 pm
I couldn’t be happier for everyone! There must be a degree of stress involved in waiting for the official papers, but I do think it’s great that the BLM takes an active interest in the welfare of the animals they’ve adopted out. Bravo boys!
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May 2, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Carolynn,
I couldn’t wait for that brown envelope to show up in the mailbox!
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May 2, 2011 at 2:20 pm
I think Patrick should get a Best New Life of the year certificate.
Suzanne
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May 2, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Suzanne,
Aaaw. Thanks.
We think so too. He’s an amazing boy.. right along with the rest of them, but he’s got an extra special something about him.
(Who am I kidding, they all have an extra special something about them in their own way.) 😀
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May 3, 2011 at 4:33 am
Congratulations!
Beautiful photos from the awesome happening!
I like to hand over a Good Animal Place certificate to the MBF stuff!
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May 3, 2011 at 5:40 am
Pia,
Thank you!
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May 3, 2011 at 6:58 am
April 16th was my birthday so I share it proudly with those 2 cuties!
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May 3, 2011 at 7:32 am
Nancy,
Happy, Happy Birthday to you! 🙂
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May 3, 2011 at 7:37 am
Thanks Justina – I won’t tell you which one it was….cuz if I did, I’d probably be lying!
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May 3, 2011 at 7:09 am
Aww, that’s great! Congrats to all.
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May 3, 2011 at 7:32 am
Leah,
Thank you! 🙂
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May 3, 2011 at 8:41 am
Yay!!!! That is so exciting! Doin’ the happy dance.
The boys look like they are thrilled too! 🙂
Sorry I haven’t been keeping up with your blog.
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May 3, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Cindy,
You’re making me smile. 😀 No worries at all about not keeping up. I completely understand and have the same situation lately when it comes to keeping up with my favorites. xoxo
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May 3, 2011 at 11:08 am
Congratulations!!! You all must be so relieved to have it be official 🙂 What a lucky herd of adorable donkeys!
xoxo
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May 3, 2011 at 8:13 pm
Sue,
Thank you!!! We’re happy. 🙂 BIG hugs to you. xoxoxo
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May 3, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Perhaps we should collaborate on creating a special certificate for Patrick and to keep the others who are not (yet) so fortunate in our hearts and minds.
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May 3, 2011 at 8:14 pm
Diane,
I LOVE that idea. Perfect.
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May 3, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Congratulations to the (former) BLM boyz!! There was never any doubt in our minds, though I’m glad that it is now official!
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May 3, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Cathy,
Thank you! We all can’t wait to see you soon.
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May 4, 2011 at 6:43 am
*Bouncey bouncey* Me neither!!
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May 6, 2011 at 8:58 am
That’s awesome! Congrats!
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May 8, 2011 at 7:19 am
Yay!
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