I will do whatever it takes - or - How to make new friends, part 2

Yesterday, we saw how Chester the donkey goes about making new friends. Today, I will show a second friend-making method, as illustrated by my pal who has been visiting from Illinois. This method is particularly helpful when trying to warm up an unusually aloof or reserved potential new friend.

First of all, be creative in how you get their attention:

They may appear dumbfounded by your forwardness, but you should remain steadfast and serious:

Realizing that some people** will do almost anything to make a new friend, the aloof, reserved party generally succumbs to the charm:

Making this method, overall, quite successful:


**In this case, my friend, Marcee

I need a bite of that - or - how to make new friends, part 1

If you ever find yourself desperate to make a new friend, here are a few tips on how to go about it from Chester the donkey. This is a tried and true method, so please don't hesitate to use it when needed.

First, identify your target, er, potential new friend:

Slowly sneak up on them:

If they see you before you are ready, pretend to be interested in something else:

Don't be too concerned if they are taller or look different than you:

Look friendly and hold very still if they approach you:

Lean in for a sniff:

Don't take it personally if they don't warm to you right away:

It's ok to up the ante and move in a bit closer:

And, at this point, it is also entirely appropriate to taste a bit of the snack they've been carrying around:

Pay close attention to the subtle signs indicating whether or not they are receptive to your methods:

If, at the end, ears are upright and you haven't been spat at, you're doing well. Repeat these steps as needed until you have won your new friend over:

Settling in

There has been so much going on around here since the rescue llamas and my new donkey, Chester, arrived here on Critter Farm a little over a week ago. Non-stop activity and excitement seem to have become the norm, which makes me smile a lot.

The rescue llamas, Dolly, Toni and Kai, have acclimated to their new home very nicely:

Chester the donkey delights everyone he meets with his friendliness and good nature. Here he is meeting my mom for the first time:

Pete and Reggie gave Chester the usual warm welcome that they extend to all farm newcomers. Chester's a little short, so he has to really stretch to see the little pip squeaks over the stall door:

Roxy isn't quite sure what to think about all the big, breathing things in her barn:

My pal, Marcee, arrived last Wednesday (pictured here at the airport with my son, Teagan). She has come to help around the farm:

I wasted no time putting her to work.

But she was ready for this. She bought new farm boots specifically for this purpose:

She was a little put out that I gave her llama duty, but I'm sure she'll get over it:

Kidding. One of Marcee's biggest dreams is to have a few llamas of her own some day soon:

It hasn't been entirely about the llamas, though. Marcee and Chester have managed to have some good bonding time:

It didn't hurt that Marcee knew that the way to a donk's heart is through a really good butt scratch:

The llamas were fascinated. "Hey look, the pushy, brown thing is letting the two-legged, short girl touch him. Hmmmmmmmmm.":

Lots of nervous excitement has centered around introducing the llama ladies and Chester.

Would they get along?

Chester has been quite intrigued. He has enjoyed walking back and forth past the llama stall and peering in. The llamas have not appreciated this much:

Up until now, during pasture time, donkey and llamas have been kept separate:

There has been a lot of mutual staring, though. Chester clearly couldn't wait to get closer:

However, Dolly, Toni and Kai were completely satisfied keeping the fence between him and them and watching him from afar:

Chester's a persistent guy, however, and all this time, he has been working on his plan on how to introduce himself:

So don't worry...:

He won't be alone for long:

Meet Chester

Look who has come to live with me and be my donkey:

This is Chester. He's an eight year old, standard, gelding donkey and an absolutely beautiful boy:

We went on Sunday to pick him up. We borrowed a very large, very beat-up stock trailer from our local dairy farmer:

...and drove about two hours north of us to get him. At the rest stop, we got to park with the big boys:

It was pretty much love at first sight when I met Chester.
He wasted no time impressing me by showing me how good he is at taking his paste wormer:

Trailering him was a bit of a challenge, but things like this are scary for a donkey who hasn't done it in a while:

With patience, hay, a bit of grain and a lot of muscle, Chester finally decided he was ready to get in:

And then we were ready to go:

We stopped a few times along the way home to check on him:

He settled right in like a pro, even eating some hay along the way:

Then we arrived home. Jim's getting to be very good at backing up trailers:

Chester was more than ready to get out of the trailer:

... and he walked into the barn without any hesitation:

There was a bit of staring as we walked by:

Yesterday was very mellow and we spent it just getting to know each other. He is settling in very nicely and is such a good boy:

I would like to send a gigantic THANK YOU to my blogging friend, Tammy, at Wrensong Farm, who forwarded me the information on Chester. I've been looking for so long.

And an especially enormous thank you, along with a big hug, is being sent to Linda, who let Chester come home with me. ♥ ♥ ♥

I've got a donkey!