As you might imagine, it’s considerably more humid here than it is back in Albuquerque. And while everyone is shedding out quite nicely right now, Patrick not so much.
With as much sweating as he’s been doing, we figured it’d be best to trim him for the summer.
We pulled the clippers out on Saturday afternoon with the honorable intent of giving woolly Patty Pat Pat a full-body shave.
Yeah, not so much.
Poor Patrick panicked at the sound of the clippers. Try as we might to comfort him, his terrified moments quickly outnumbered his calm ones. I have to assume that Patrick is more apt to panic than anyone else in the herd because of his past abuse. (Patrick is also the only one to freak when Harriet wears her blue coat.)
He even did the unprecedented “try to kick Daddy in the head” a couple of times. That’s probably because Don threatened to shave D-O-N into Patrick’s side.
You can see how much little we managed to get shaved. I suppose it’s enough to let Patrick feel at least a bit cooler over the next couple of months.
Shaving him has allowed us to see Patrick’s brand for the first time though.
The man who used to rope Patrick told Don that his brand was similar to the symbol for hazardous materials. (I couldn’t believe it either.)
I’m going to see it as a shamrock instead.
After all, wonderful things can come in threes, right?
♥ ♥ ♥
Morning Bray Farm 
July 2, 2014 at 6:42 am
It has been our experience with all manner of electric buzzy things, we need to turn it on every day for a good while when there is no restraint or approaches with the buzzy thing. There is also the thought of a thinning comb with actually just shears in between the teeth. For a little guy who can’t trust, you might be safer with that. The beauty supply will also offer thinning scissors that have slots cut in it. He sounds like some good old fashioned combing might make him the happiest. Poor thing!
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July 2, 2014 at 8:56 am
I’m usually a lurker but poor Patrick! I know he’s got to be sweltering under all that coat! Sounds a little crazy but could you cut his coat down further with scissors or maybe a pair of those hand clippers? You’d definitely get a hand/arm workout but it just might work! Or maybe the horse sized version of the Furminator to brush him out?
Good luck! I always enjoy reading about your happy little herd.
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July 2, 2014 at 9:17 am
I sent you an article to your inbox that follows what Farmer Barb has already mentioned—de-scarifying the buzzing by not having them tied.
In the mean time, what about scissors. He’ll look ridiculous, but he’ll be much cooler. 🙂
PS>>>Brand=Horrifying
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July 2, 2014 at 9:57 am
Get some Dormosedan gel from your vet. A little under his tongue, let him rest for 30 minutes and see if it makes a difference.
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July 2, 2014 at 11:31 am
I too was thinking about thinning comb and non electric clippers.
How is Harriet now?
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July 2, 2014 at 11:32 am
Aww, sweet Patrick…no need to fear. You’ve landed in Donkey Heaven and will be loved for the rest of your days! 🙂
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July 2, 2014 at 12:16 pm
I agree with the desensitizing comments. If one of the other donks will calmly let you clip them “pretend” to clip them some each day with Patrick tied nearby. If they respond to treats I’d use those too so he associates clippers and the noise with good things. I only have experience with horses so this is what I would do with a horse who was scared. (Paco use to be scared of everything and now he couldn’t care less whatever I do.). 🙂
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July 2, 2014 at 12:18 pm
You could also try a Furrminator horse brush. They really help a shedding coat to shed out. Available in dog sized brushes, which you could use for your dogs, too. Pricy but money well spent.
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July 2, 2014 at 2:09 pm
Poor Pat Pat 🙂 Yes, a Shamrock is much better for a donkey and it fits his name!
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July 2, 2014 at 9:25 pm
Patrick’s hair was so thick when I first met him. As I was running my fingers through his coat… it was so thick… so I gave him the nickname “Fluffy,” He has grown even more handsome! Miss you, all, my critter grandchildren!!! Like Mel NY said, I like the shamrock better…Soft hair = soft shamrock leaves!
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July 3, 2014 at 10:37 am
Poor Patrick! We use a shedding blade on Russell each summer, as he too has an unbelievably shaggy coat well into summer. He has grown to love it as I believe he thinks we are just giving him some really good butt scratches all over. 🙂
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July 3, 2014 at 4:50 pm
Poor Patrick. That is a weird brand and I like your version of it better. Sending lots of love.
BTW…my husband said he’d like to get a couple of donkeys!!! We’re a long way from making that a reality, but still, right?!?
Big Hugs,
Carolynn
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July 3, 2014 at 7:20 pm
awww. Pure love.
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