Ellsworth | Morning Bray Farm

June 28, 2010

Ellsworth’s back

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Don, donkey, Ellsworth |
[25] Comments

Not a one of us has had a second of regret for adopting Fergus and Nigel in April.

In fact, Don and I have had repeated conversations about how thankful we are that one became two.

And, while some things never change… like Bernard chewing or sucking on everything he can get into his mouth…

…Don couldn’t help but notice a change in Ellsworth after Fergus and Nigel’s arrival. Understandably, Ellsworth was often quite focused on his place in the hierarchy and not on us. Therefore, Don felt he had lost his buddy.

Until yesterday.

Don got his buddy back.

Hallelujah and amen.

Everything just takes a little time to work itself out.

Did I say Hallelujah? Let me say it again.

June 18, 2010

Big Red

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Bernard, Ellsworth, riding, riding donkeys |
[22] Comments

We’re thinking that Big Red might be a good nickname for Ellsworth on riding days. He continues to improve and gains confidence each time we put the saddle on him. And, while we’re really proud of Big Red’s accomplishments, it looks like Bernard is his biggest fan.

Because we had the luxury of having my mom here to take pictures over the weekend, we discovered some things that may have otherwise been overlooked.

I was seriously shocked to see this picture. Because I was so focused on Ellsworth Big Red, I had no idea Bernard was back there sucking on the saddle pad.

It finally got to the point that we had to put Bernard out of the corral so we really could focus on Big Red. Love you, Bernard. ♥

Fergus stayed in the corral with Big Red to offer moral support and to receive butt scritches from Don.

Big Red was quite pleased with and deserving of his carrot rewards…

…and the extra love, praise and attention he received.

We ended on a positive note (I asked him to walk and he walked, then asked him to stop and he stopped).

Of course he enjoyed a good brushing afterwards…

…and provided his signature contented sigh when his biggest fan returned to the corral.

June 15, 2010

Ellsworth’s extreme makeover

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Ellsworth |
[22] Comments

While we were spending time with the boys over the weekend, Don said, “I can’t wait to see Linda’s reaction when she sees Ellsworth.”

It’s not as if Carson doesn’t see the boys on a regular basis, but it suddenly hit home as I was brushing Ellsworth what a remarkable transformation he’s undergone. Look at the difference between his hair here shortly after he came to Morning Bray Farm in September:

And this past weekend:

His hair is soft and smooth and beautiful. He’s healthy!

It didn’t take us long to see how miserable parasites cause donkeys to feel and what a difference proper care and regular grooming makes. Ellsworth is noticeably more at peace today than he was last fall. He doesn’t bite or scratch at himself anymore. Instead, he now often sighs deeply and contentedly.

And he smiles a lot more than he used to.

June 5, 2010

Vying for scritches and hugs

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys, Friends and Family | Tags: Ellsworth, Fergus, mom |
[22] Comments

On Thursday, after seeing the Hairy Hacienda madhouse, Carson asked if you all could see what happens when MeeMaw gets ambushed in the corral. I wouldn’t say my mom was ambushed, but Fergus and Ellsworth definitely vied for her attention, scritches and hugs.

This was the first time for my mom to meet Fergus and Nigel. Fergus instantly glommed on to my mom. Interesting.

Ellsworth knew from her visit in October that my mom was good for scritches.

As always, there were a few aww moments. Look at Ellsworth’s head on Fergus’s back. You can see Nigel dutifully standing behind Fergus.

And Ellsworth rubbing his face against my mom’s back…

Fergus willingly accepted a hug…

And so did Ellsworth.

If you happen to be wondering where Bernard was during all of this, he was busying himself with trying to eat the camera and wrapping his pretzel self around me. I think he might be turning into a momma’s boy. I find myself totally okay with that. ♥

June 1, 2010

They’ll always be inseparable

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkeys, Ellsworth, inseparable |
[20] Comments

I decided to take Bernard for a walk around the neighborhood over the weekend. I didn’t take my camera because I wanted to pay full-time and attention to Bernard. Normally Don or Ellsworth would have come along, but it was just Bernard and me this time.

As always, Bernard did great, but for Ellsworth, you would’ve thought the world was ending. The running, the pacing, the braying… oh my.

When I returned with Bernard, it was a beautiful thing. Yup, they’ll always be inseparable, those two.

I think for Ellsworth, relief is spelled B-E-R-N-A-R-D. ♥

May 27, 2010

Peace

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, burros, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |
[10] Comments

May 12, 2010

New bonds

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, bonds, burros, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |
[13] Comments

We’ve noticed Ellsworth and Fergus playing together a lot lately.

They look happy together,

and seem to have a genuinely good time.

They don’t mind if Bernard or Nigel want to join in their fun,

but the play between Ellsworth and Fergus often seems to go on indefinitely.

While all the play was going on yesterday morning, Bernard was only interested in what time breakfast was being served. I think he was serious.

May 11, 2010

Sometimes it’s tough being short

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkeys, Ellsworth, leaves, short |
[14] Comments

Poor Bernard. I know personally that being short sometimes has its advantages. On the other hand, sometimes it’s downright tough.

Yo, ‘Worth. Do you think you could score me some of those leaves?

You mean these leaves up here?

Yes, Ellsworth. Those leaves up there.

Dang, these are some good leaves Bernard.

I promise I’ll be your best friend forever…

May 6, 2010

Celebrating 100

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: 100, Bernard, burros, contest, donkeys, Ellsworth, Fergus, Nigel |
[39] Comments

We’re celebrating 100 posts today, and once again, we’d love to have you join us for some fun. (You can click on the photo below for a larger image.)

One lucky, randomly chosen winner will receive a Morning Bray Farm tote bag. To enter our 100th post contest, leave a comment on this post completing the caption for the above photo. If you’d like to modify the caption and do your own thing, we’re good with that too. The contest will close Friday at 7 p.m. (Mountain time) and we’ll announce the winner on Saturday.

We love you all,

Bernard, Ellsworth, Fergus and Nigel xxooxx

May 3, 2010

A hodgepodge weekend

Posted by Morning Bray under Burros, Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, burros, donkeys, Ellsworth, farrier, Fergus, grooming, Nigel, saddle cinch |
[16] Comments

We were hoping we might have Fergus in a halter by the time our farrier came around on Saturday.

Not yet, but that’s okay.

Okay because Shorty; our farrier, said the difference in Ellsworth this time versus last was night and day. It was only last time Shorty was here he was able to trim Ellsworth’s back feet.

Don bought a new (smaller) saddle cinch for Ellsworth and we tried it on for size later that afternoon.

Everything looked good, so we gave Ellsworth a test drive. Our gentle boy walked me around the corral several times. I never asked Ellsworth to move, but he did turn and stop when we asked him to. I couldn’t believe I was actually riding Ellsworth! ♥

I finally got pictures of one of the boys with their pink donkey tongue left sticking out as they tend to do after they have their drinks of water. It was Bernard.