I have been in awe since the day she arrived. Not only is she incredibly pretty, she is smart, brave, and, for the most part, eager to please. She is also very loving and seems to need a great deal of physical affection, especially when things worry or concern her. She will come to me almost immediately after something has startled her and position herself for either a butt scratch or a hug.
And she really does like hugs... the kind where I stand next to her and she puts her head under my armpit or I put one arm over her neck and my other arm under her neck and hug her tightly. We sometimes stand like this for minutes at a time:
I have a stool that I like to put in the corral at times when I want to sit and talk with her. A few days back, we had a ferocious windstorm which unnerved all the animals, poor Buttercup in particular. I sat on my stool to keep her company while it blew around us and then watched as she slowly backed into me for butt scratches. Nothing new there; we'd done this many times before. The funny thing was, she didn't stop backing up once she got to my hands. She kept on going and wound up - literally - sitting on my lap:
I had to pull the stool out from behind me in order to be able to get up.
This girl simultaneously makes me laugh and melts my heart.
that is TOO cute!
ReplyDeleteshe melts my heart and i am not even there. she truly is so very pretty... i am wondering if you can keep her if you want to or if you must give her back...
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra, per the rules of the competition, I do have the option of bidding on her at the event in June just like everyone else. But I am trying hard to guard my heart (good luck to me) because I really want her to go to a wonderful family who will then also get to learn first-hand how fantastic donkeys are. Also - and sadly - space here at Critter Farm is limited and if I were to keep her, I wouldn't be able to gentle a new burro next year. So, wish me luck. :-)
DeleteOH my. Buttercup is absolutely darling. And the smile on your face tells a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing the life and times of Danni and Buttercup. xoxo Oma Linda
ReplyDeleteHilarious! I'm glad you had a photographer there.
ReplyDeleteHow funny! The pictures are just perfect! marsha@tubbslanefarm.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for making my morning. I have tears from laughing.
ReplyDeleteToo sweet! Love it
ReplyDelete<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 !!!!
ReplyDeletesorry I don't have the hearts button. lol
I am just thrilled that she is already so trusting! Sweet, sweet girl!
ReplyDeleteHa! The flared nostril she gives you when you pull the stool out from under you. Who's training who?:-)
ReplyDeleteExactly. And who's gentling who... Oh dear. There will be tears... in about 86 days...
DeleteShe is a sweety for sure. Gotta say a lap donkey is new to me lol
ReplyDeleteI think you have accomplished the task of bonding with your donk! :-)
ReplyDeletePoor little Buttercup. I think she has no idea of her size relative to you. She seems to see herself as being about the size of a small dog or cat so she could crawl up in your lap for a cuddle. I guess she was doing the best she could given the reality of her actual size, but I got to give her credit for knowing what she wants & making the effort to be the perfect lap donkey for you. This poses the question "Can a donkey become too attached to their human"? LOL! Thanks for doing your best to accommodate Buttermilk's emotional needs, but don't let yourself get squished in the process. I don't think you have to worry about her bonding with you. That seems to have been accomplished. Glad to see everyone joined in on the grand opening ceremonies at the new corral. It's perfect.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have her taught to sit in a recliner chair in no time. She's a smart one!
ReplyDeleteThis is so freakin adorable, I don't even know where to start.
ReplyDeleteYou may want to check out The HappyCow Machine. Don't know why it wouldn't work on donks.
ReplyDelete