April 4, 2010
Happy Easter! We’re in Phoenix this weekend visiting my dad. This is his dog Bluie. She has the most beautiful blue eyes and is such a good girl.
One of the things I enjoy when visiting my dad is the grackles. They crack me up. I’ve always called them machine gun birds because of their unique call.
March 28, 2010
The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) is in town this weekend for the Ty Murray Invitational.
Can you believe the average PBR bucking bull weighs in at 1,700 to 1,800 pounds? PBR bucking bulls very rarely weigh less than 1,200 pounds, but at the high-end can weigh from 2,000 to 2,200 pounds. Very impressive, those bulls.
March 21, 2010
The fence connecting the corral to the pasture was completed yesterday morning. This is a huge change for the better and we’re thrilled the boys now have the ability to come and go as they please.
We’ve been waiting for something exciting to happen as a result to share with you on today’s Sunday Cinema. Bernard and Ellsworth would rather show you what being content looks like.
March 14, 2010
March 7, 2010
Ellsworth had a huge breakthrough moment with the farrier yesterday. We’re so proud of him.
It was the very first time Shorty was able to trim Ellsworth’s back feet.
Ellsworth, we’re so proud of you buddy!
Like I said, this was a huge breakthrough for Ellsworth. Unfortunately, a couple of mishaps at the place he came from really had him freaked out about having his back feet touched. For those of you who initially followed Ellsworth’s story over at The 7MSN Ranch, you’ll remember that Ellsworth was “accident prone.” At one point, according to his previous people, he had a nail stuck in one of his back feet. To remove it, they tied a rope to his leg and let him kick until he got tired so they could take the nail out. At another point, he had barbed wire tangled around one of his ankles. So yes, he really was freaked out when anyone tried to touch his back feet.
We realized some pretty important things yesterday. We were reminded that we have so much to learn from our animals. These donkey boys have taught us more than I could have ever imagined about patience. Shorty has been absolutely wonderful about this too. He coached Don on working with Ellsworth and getting him used to having those back legs and feet touched. I have a lump in my throat right now just thinking about this transformation in Ellsworth.
So, Ellsworth is an old pro at this now. When it was Bernard’s turn, Ellsworth ran right over to comfort his best friend and to let him know it was alright.
February 28, 2010
You can imagine with five dogs, the Hairy Hacienda needs its fair share of vacuuming.
While everyone else does their best to avoid or attack the vacuum, Whisky absolutely loves to be vacuumed. He begs for it.
Seriously? Look at this face.
February 21, 2010
We know spring is coming. How, you wonder?
First, the tulips.
Second, our neighbor turkeys are talkin’. The boys are doing their very best to impress the girls.
February 14, 2010
Mom, Dad and Aunt Linda went to a driving clinic yesterday. Not driving as in cars, but driving as in donkeys, horses and mules.
Mom especially liked this donkey:
And this Belgian draft mule team:
As always, Mom says that Aunt Linda is donkey whisperer. There wasn’t a single equine that she didn’t stop to converse with.
February 7, 2010
Oh the drama… this scene plays out every evening as Mom and Dad are preparing our little treat of sweet feed.
Ellsworth’s mane is growing out. It looks like he’s sportin’ a mohawk.
January 31, 2010
Morning Bray Farm 