Dixie the Donkey

Since our guard dogs, Tim and Shy, have decided they don't want to guard the sheep, Dan was determined to find another solution.  After doing some research, he decided on a donkey.  Yup, you heard me... a donkey.  Apparently, from what research told him, donkeys are natural protectors of other animals.  Not just any donkey though... it has to be a 'standard' donkey, female and ideally young.  Thus our quest to find a donkey began.

If a few months ago you would have told me you could find donkeys on Craigslist, I would have bet you a large sum of money that you were wrong.  Turns out I would have lost that bet.  Dan actually found several listed.  One of them was A) close to us, B) a 'standard' donkey, C) female, D) young - 1 year old and E) cheap to boot!  Dan called the seller and made arrangements to go look at her.  Prior to the meeting he read up about donkey care so he could determine if she was healthy or not.  After his inspection, it appeared she was in good health and pretty well cared for, but the seller admitted his wife wanted nothing to do with the donkey, so her grooming was not maintained.  We know the seller didn't abuse her because she would go right up to him.  However, she was mistreated in that her hair was a matted mess.  Here's a picture of Dixie right after we got her home...




























To be entirely fair, donkeys hair doesn't shed well during their first summer.  Subsequent years, she'll shed her hair more naturally and won't require as much brushing.  However, it appears the previous owners hadn't made any attempt to groom her.

We've had Dixie for almost 2 months now and learned that she is a great guard donkey.  I was totally amazed to see that her instinct to guard the sheep was immediate and natural.  She somehow just knew what to do.  If the sheep start wandering farther than she'd like she'll either follow them, or corral them to keep them where they are.  We've also learned that Dixie is a big 'ole sweety!  When we enter the pasture she'll come right up and start nuzzling her nose into you.  If you start scratching her, she'll be your friend for life.  Sometimes when I'm done scratching her and try to leave, she walks in front of me blocking the path to exit the pasture.  The harder I try to get around her, the more determined she is to keep me there.

After we got her home, Dan immediately started brushing her hair and working out the matted clumps.  She doesn't loved to be brushed, but she'll tolerate it, except on her belly. Here's how Dixie looks now after her grooming sessions...



I'm told donkeys can live upwards of 40 years.  I think we're going to have lots of fun having Dixie around.  Maybe one of these days, when Samuel and his little sister are bigger, we can teach them how to ride on Dixie.  In case I didn't mention it, she's a BIG 'OLE SWEETY, so I'm sure she won't mind.