And then there were five...

Velvet's Baby, 3-year-old gelding

One of the primary goals of running a Satellite Adoption Center for a national donkey rescue is to find loving, forever homes for the donkeys in my care.

While I have had many inquiries and conversations (and one personal visit) about the donkeys since they first came to me at the end of May, I have not found any permanent homes for them. Until now.

Last Saturday, a very nice couple drove about 90 minutes from their home to make an initial visit with the donkeys. By the end of their visit, they had decided that they would like to take Velvet's Baby home. Why him in particular? Because he chose them. Of all the donkeys walking around that day, it was he who made a point of walking over to them, nuzzling the man, eating treats from the woman, and generally just hanging around close. What's interesting to me is that he normally doesn't do this. He trusted them and he liked these people. What more does he have to say to me?

Of course, he put on quite a show for them. Since Holly was in heat, he had plenty of things to say and he said them quite loudly. He was also in the mood to give Pistol, the dominant gelding, a few well placed kicks, bites and shoves, just to make sure that Pistol knew Holly was in heat, too. The snorting that went along with the kicks and and shoves was just icing on the cake. It didn't phase this couple one bit.

The couple handed me their application and left. Two hours later, the woman called me on the phone to say they felt that Velvet's Baby deserved his own name and had already chosen one for him. "Elvis" she said, "because of his beautiful singing voice..." I really like these people.

So this morning, the couple came to pick him up. I had stalled everyone last night to keep V.B./Elvis close and to reduce the stress of rounding him up in the morning.
Of course, he knew something was up when I put his pretty red halter on.
"What? You want me to get in where?"..:

"In there?! I don't think so..."

But he did just fine. I was able to get a movie of the entire loading process, but, while it is funny, entertaining -and educational- for me, I'm not convinced you all would appreciate it the way I do. Suffice it to say that, after some strategic coaxing, pushing, pulling, and hefting, we got the boy loaded:

Before I knew it, they were gone:

Afterwards, I let the five remaining donks out to enjoy breakfast outside:

I'm very happy for Elvis. He is going to a wonderful new home: