Since I've really been needing a break from everything, I decided to abandon my responsibilities to go make some new friends. So I drove down to the donkey rescue and hung out with the long ears for a while.

Until today I've only read about donkeys and watched them from a distance. I don't really count meeting them at fairs and petting zoo situations since only the tamest will be allowed with the public.
They were so sweet!
Ok, this guy was kinda pushy and tried to hog all my attention, but overall they were all sweeties. They all took turns greeting me and to receive the required payment for being accepted into the herd; giving scratches, allowed them to nibble on my clothes, etc. one even kept licking my hand!

All of the donkeys there have suffered through everything from abandonment to terrible abuse. They remember what has happened to them, yet are willing to put it aside and give people another chance. One of the shyest donkeys there has scars all over his body from his previous life. The lady who runs the sanctuary was surprised that he took right too me. She said he usually hangs back when new people are around and it usually takes several visits for him to warm up to someone and let them near, that made me feel really good. I hadn't been there very long and had him on one side receiving a thorough back scratching, the one in the picture in front getting his face and ears rubbed and another came up behind me and put his chin on my shoulder. I wanted to take a picture of the one on my shoulder, but every time I reached for my phone, the one in front would tug on my coat sleeve to get me to keep scratching him.
Silly donkey!
The lady told me that donkey's rest their heads on the backs of other donkey's as a sign of friendship. So the one resting his chin on my shoulder was pretty much saying; Howdy! Welcome to the herd!
It probably seems weird to ya'll, but making a connection like that was special to me.

I offered to help out, but there wasn't anything that needed done today. I'd adopt a pair if I didn't live in town, but she said I'm welcome to come back anytime for another donkey fix. So I figure I'll make a point to go back as soon as I can, and next time I'll spend some time brushing out the donkeys.


Happy new year!