While many of our little kids (the people kind) are getting ready to go back to readin’, writin’, and arithmetic, and some of our bigger kids are headed off to college to continue their quest for development, learning, and independence, we at Red Bucket are stepping back to to carefully assess much of the learning and development that has occurred on our own small ranch this summer. Standing proudly in the front of the line to graduate and receive an A+ grade is our very own little Joey. Joey came to us a “damaged” little donkey, blinded in his right eye, and suffering nerve damage on the right side of his face from being trampled when only a few days old. Like his Mother Lizzie, and the other donkeys that we rescued earlier this year, he was wild, unhandled, and untrusting of people. As Lauren heads back to finish her last semester at Lamar, little Joey is graduating from his primary education with flying colors. He is no longer fearful or uncertain, but thanks to the gift of his “education” this summer he is confident (boy is he ever), secure, and halter trained! At Red Bucket, we know that “rescuing is only the beginning”, and that it is incumbent upon our work to prepare every one of our equines (from the very large to the tiny and weak) for a full and meaningful life. Our Little Joey, has received the gift that we want for all of our children, a solid foundation of love, well defined boundaries, and education. A BIG “job well done” to Lauren and the volunteers who she oversaw this summer. Little Joey who was not “counted” in his previous life, has been set up for success…and in our book, he counts a lot!