Bernard and I have been going out on walks together as often as we can lately.
His confidence level is already high, but If he’s going to walk in parades, become a therapy donkey and be an all around ambassador for donkeydom, he needs to be okay with anything and everything.
On Sunday morning, anything included his brothers calling for him from the farm. He was okay with that when I told him that we’d be back.
It also included walking past a tempting hay barn. He was okay with that too.
And going around a blind corner to yet unexplored trails …
… to see a new donkey, horse and bull. Check.
As we were visiting with Bernard’s new friends, something else caught his eye. It was a woman walking her dog.
I wish I had more pictures to share with you, but I don’t. The dog wasn’t on a leash and I didn’t know how Bernard would react. I wanted to be ready for anything, which meant not having a camera in my hands.
Bernard was a star. He couldn’t have cared less about the dog, and he was a sweetheart while our neighbor cooed over how handsome he was.
He loved every minute of it. ♥ ♥ ♥
August 14, 2012 at 4:09 am
Oh Bernard, you are beautiful and you did so incredibly well. I’m really impressed that you coped with a strange dog. On you way to becoming a Therapy Donkey – that is simply fantastic!
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August 14, 2012 at 4:20 am
He sounds like he’ll be an A+ ambassador for donkeydom. Love that he is so willing to just leave the herd and hang with you for unknown adventures! 🙂
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August 14, 2012 at 5:29 am
Well I loved every minute of this post! Great job, Bernard! I can’t wait to see this handsome boy in a parade!
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August 14, 2012 at 5:37 am
I love that head shot, He’s such a good looking donkey!
He passed the dog test, thats a good thing when going out in public. 🙂
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August 14, 2012 at 6:34 am
He’s a great Donk! He looks like he’s been very well taken care of too. Great job working with him 🙂 (everyone knows Donks never train, they train you!) LOL
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August 14, 2012 at 7:15 am
D’Awwwwwwww. What a good boy. Give him a hug for me (give them all a hug, while you are at it.) And Happy Birthday to him!
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August 14, 2012 at 7:21 am
He’s getting so “big”. 🙂 He really is such a handsome boy! Glad y’all had a good walk.
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August 14, 2012 at 8:19 am
So proud of your “big” guy. Maybe Mama will give you a specially grown with love apple today from your Auntie L. 🙂
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August 14, 2012 at 8:32 am
Such a good boy! He will be a great ambassador and therapy donkey.
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August 14, 2012 at 8:39 am
I bet his is what he was born for. To be an ambassador for donkeykind…..
What a good boy.
And — what a lucky boy, to be in a place where his talents are recognized and polished…..
🙂
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August 14, 2012 at 8:39 am
Go Bernard!
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August 14, 2012 at 9:13 am
Bernard you are such a handsome donkey! Good job on your training walk, especially with a dog not on a leash. Have a great day sweet fella!
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August 14, 2012 at 9:25 am
How cool!
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August 14, 2012 at 10:02 am
Oh Bernard, you can come do therapy on me any ol’ time!
Funny how I never thought of the work that goes into teaching a donkey to be rock-steady in the public sphere, even though I do such work with dogs all the time! Thanks for taking us along on your walk with Bernard.
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August 14, 2012 at 10:57 am
Bernard certainly has blossomed. He is such a handsome boy! I would love to go on walks with Bernard. 🙂
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August 14, 2012 at 11:02 am
What a good boy!!!!
Bernard has some handsome soft eyes. I always want to wrap my arms around his neck and hug him.
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August 14, 2012 at 11:43 am
I knew donkeys were therapy in their own right, but didn’t know there were “official” therapy schemes – Bernard look like he’ll excel. Well done all 🙂
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August 14, 2012 at 12:29 pm
It’s such a pleasure to go walking with a donkey. Can’t wait to see you guys in a parade.
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August 14, 2012 at 6:00 pm
He is a sweetie! Enjoying your tales…
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August 14, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Wonderful story, thank you for sharing.
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August 14, 2012 at 8:49 pm
what a big boy you are, Bernard! we are all so proud of you and your momma 🙂
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August 14, 2012 at 9:34 pm
Bernard is a wonderful, handsome guy!
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August 15, 2012 at 6:55 am
Bernard you are so beautiful!
What a nice walk! I would love to go on walks with you Justina and with Bernard too.
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August 15, 2012 at 10:15 am
Bernard is very beautiful – I never realized donkeys were so beautiful. I am a city gal and even though we live in a rural area I have hardly seen horses let alone donkey’s! I am enjoying your page and my new fondness of donkeys!
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August 17, 2012 at 8:36 am
Bernard did great on his walk! I’m jealous, my donk doesn’t walk nice, he drags me behind him – that is if he decides to walk at all! All your donks are beautiful.
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August 23, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Bernard is so handsome!!! He is so cute in that last picture. Doesn’t even care that his halter has slipped lol. 🙂 I LOVE going for walks with Chrome. It’s more fun than walking the dogs LOL! I feel bad for saying that because I love my dogs, but it’s true!
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