Well, we have been putting off the inevitable….weaning Baby Joey. He is adorable, precocious, and a survivor. Kicked in the head and trampled when only a few days old, he lost the vision in his right eye, and sustained nerve damage to his precious little face. Joey hasn’t let his disability get in his way…he has pushed past just being curious, and ventured into befriending anyone who will stop for a chat…a scratch…or best of all to offer him a bit of a cookie or a sweet goodie. Joey has become a leader of sorts for his other family members and paddock mates, bravely marching right up demonstrating that people are good…and even bring pleasure. His mother Lizzie, has learned from his leadership, and enjoys being groomed, wearing a halter, and is acclimating to being a domestic pet. Our donkeys are thriving, and when Lauren is through with her ride list of 8, she has been devoting herself to the gentling and halter training of the Red Bucket Donkeys. While they are all incredibly special, we are always inclined to root for the underdog. Having said all of this…as for weaning little Joey, we have all decided, with much input from his lovely mother…to wait just a wee bit longer. This photo snapped with Kimberly’s iPhone serves as a beautiful reminder, the importance of understanding the value of the relationship between equines, and humans, alike.