He isn’t really named Houdini. His real name is Cruz because he has an extremely prominent cross on his back. That's him on the right with his little sidekick Feathers in the center. His unwitting accomplice on the left is named Hershey. Feathers is perhaps 7 years old and a miniature. Cruz is two and he is going to be large for a Standard. Feathers follows Cruz like a puppy. Perhaps you cannot tell from this picture but Hershey is a llama. This one particular morning, however, I realized I had given Cruz the wrong name. Houdini would have been a much better fit.
Sometime in the middle of the night (about 7:30 am) I was awakened by loud knocking on the door. People don’t bang on your door to tell you good things. In fact, nobody likes to walk on our front porch until I have washed it. Ducks and chickens roost there. In the past it has happened when one of our ducks has been hit by a car or when some of the four legged critters have gotten loose. The Llama in particular seems to excite people.
Before we had the llama a sheriffs deputy once knocked on the door and wound up helping Sally corral two donkeys. This was before I retired and I was already at work. This time it wasn’t the law and I was home. A neighbor from two houses down wanted to tell me that two donkeys and a llama were in his front yard probably headed to the street.
Sometime in the middle of the night (about 7:30 am) I was awakened by loud knocking on the door. People don’t bang on your door to tell you good things. In fact, nobody likes to walk on our front porch until I have washed it. Ducks and chickens roost there. In the past it has happened when one of our ducks has been hit by a car or when some of the four legged critters have gotten loose. The Llama in particular seems to excite people.
Before we had the llama a sheriffs deputy once knocked on the door and wound up helping Sally corral two donkeys. This was before I retired and I was already at work. This time it wasn’t the law and I was home. A neighbor from two houses down wanted to tell me that two donkeys and a llama were in his front yard probably headed to the street.
No reason to drag them back just to have them escape again. I went looking for the hole in the fence.
This corner post was wearing a tree. It was a spot that spells freedom in donkey language. This had to be from one of the storms we had recently but in July and August I really don't patrol the fence enough. Way too hot.
We have a very good understanding with one of our neighbors. We fenced off perhaps three acres of her property and the Donkeys do the lawn maintenance. Counting her property we probably have 7-8 acres fenced off. This pasture with the downed tree is actually on her land. I closed off the pasture and went to get some grain.
Our first donkey was named Eeyore. When it was time to feed, I would call his name and he would come running and braying. Whatever other animals we had would be trailing behind. The word Eeyore became the call to eat and it stayed that way even when he left. He can still hear me when I call because he is just a short distance away. It’s really sort of funny to hear him respond from his new home when I call Eeyore. Thats justice though. He left his family for a paint mare and now he’s paying the price.
With a grain scoop in my hand and shouting Eeyore in my most enticing voice, the donkeys followed me into the pasture. I closed the gate behind them and left grain on the ground. Then (in the same manner) I convinced the llama that yet another pasture was just perfect. I felt pretty good about myself I went in for a quick shower and got underway to go to the chiropractors office.
This corner post was wearing a tree. It was a spot that spells freedom in donkey language. This had to be from one of the storms we had recently but in July and August I really don't patrol the fence enough. Way too hot.
We have a very good understanding with one of our neighbors. We fenced off perhaps three acres of her property and the Donkeys do the lawn maintenance. Counting her property we probably have 7-8 acres fenced off. This pasture with the downed tree is actually on her land. I closed off the pasture and went to get some grain.
Our first donkey was named Eeyore. When it was time to feed, I would call his name and he would come running and braying. Whatever other animals we had would be trailing behind. The word Eeyore became the call to eat and it stayed that way even when he left. He can still hear me when I call because he is just a short distance away. It’s really sort of funny to hear him respond from his new home when I call Eeyore. Thats justice though. He left his family for a paint mare and now he’s paying the price.
With a grain scoop in my hand and shouting Eeyore in my most enticing voice, the donkeys followed me into the pasture. I closed the gate behind them and left grain on the ground. Then (in the same manner) I convinced the llama that yet another pasture was just perfect. I felt pretty good about myself I went in for a quick shower and got underway to go to the chiropractors office.
As I was leaving what did I happen to see? Both donkeys (not where I left them) munching contentedly on long green grass. This was pretty much where they had been when they first escaped.
The tree across the fence was A problem but not THE PROBLEM. For some reason they were fixed on this particular grass and determined to get there. .
The tree across the fence was A problem but not THE PROBLEM. For some reason they were fixed on this particular grass and determined to get there. .
The llama was happy where I had put him. That was not a small blessing. He doesn't mind running from me and he is fast. He also excites (scares) any horses or children he encounters.
I don't really know which is smarter but the Llamas are sure harder to catch. They are spooky and they are fast.
I don't really know which is smarter but the Llamas are sure harder to catch. They are spooky and they are fast.
This is another pasture next to the one that I closed. It also belongs to my neighbor. She had recently installed this fence. I saw the llama hair and so can you.
You also probably noticed the sagging bottom wire without being told. When I first saw it the bottom strand was down.
I loosely draped the downed wire into place and enticed the donkeys back behind the fence. I knew the repair was temporary at best but I had to go.
Everyone is a comedian. When I told the chiropractor I almost didn’t make it because the donkeys and the llama had gotten out of the yard he found it quite humorous. After he stopped embarrassing himself he told me that if he had a dollar for every time someone told him that, he would have a dollar. Well I didn’t have time to lollygag around and let him perfect his standup routine. I had a fence to repair and when I got home I found the donkeys were still where they belonged. Too bad you cannot just freeze some moments in time.
You also probably noticed the sagging bottom wire without being told. When I first saw it the bottom strand was down.
I loosely draped the downed wire into place and enticed the donkeys back behind the fence. I knew the repair was temporary at best but I had to go.
Everyone is a comedian. When I told the chiropractor I almost didn’t make it because the donkeys and the llama had gotten out of the yard he found it quite humorous. After he stopped embarrassing himself he told me that if he had a dollar for every time someone told him that, he would have a dollar. Well I didn’t have time to lollygag around and let him perfect his standup routine. I had a fence to repair and when I got home I found the donkeys were still where they belonged. Too bad you cannot just freeze some moments in time.
I got my gear and returned to the scene of the escape. I was standing there getting things ready for the job when they escaped again right in front of me.
As I was finishing the job (just in case I had any thought I might be in charge) Cruz scraped through again. I have raised him from a newborn so he doesn’t run from me often. Unfortunately, another trait of his is that he doesn’t always share my opinion as to where we should go. I put a rope around his neck and moved him where I wanted. Four escapes were enough and the repair was going to need an extra strand of wire.
Fortunately I found I could still influence the decisions of this two year old jack. Unfortunately he isn’t full grown so that may change. He wasted my trip to the chiropractor by becoming a literal pain in the back.
As I was finishing the job (just in case I had any thought I might be in charge) Cruz scraped through again. I have raised him from a newborn so he doesn’t run from me often. Unfortunately, another trait of his is that he doesn’t always share my opinion as to where we should go. I put a rope around his neck and moved him where I wanted. Four escapes were enough and the repair was going to need an extra strand of wire.
Fortunately I found I could still influence the decisions of this two year old jack. Unfortunately he isn’t full grown so that may change. He wasted my trip to the chiropractor by becoming a literal pain in the back.
Every parent knows that you aren’t supposed to bribe. It does not matter. Every parent that I personally know has stooped to that level at some point. This bale of hay is the bribe. There is grass all over the place but they want that one particular patch. This will keep them occupied till I have the chance to walk the fence line. I intend to do that first thing in the morning before the heat arrives. Since that plan does not include enjoying myself I will probably be successful.
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