I was back down to 4 mini jennets, three of the original 4 I had inherited and an old lady who was rescued from New Holland sale. Cricket wasn't breeding quality, Frosty had 2 dystocias in a row so I had never bred her again, Holly would like to breed but was really getting old so my only breeding quality mini jennet was Faith. These jennets were just being kept as pets by this time and JR was turned out with the herd of lg standards and mammoths as a teaser and to keep him on the opposite side of the farm from the fatboy. After breeding Faith twice threw woven wire with a board on top I had him castrated. I didn't want any more mini foals and I hoped the brain surgery would take the edge some of the frustration he suffered from, and it did.
JR really craved individual attentions and wasn't getting much. If you came around carrying a halter he would try and stick his head in it! If you had a rope in your hand he would take a hold of it and just walk where ever you wanted to go! If he was doing yard duty and the trailer was open he would be in it waiting to go somewhere.Poor little guy went from being the star attraction to just one of the many.
When Martha D put a request out for a mini gelding I though that might be the perfect place for him to get the attentions he craved and deserved so I offered her JR. Just to adopt him, he will always be mine and can always come home if things don't work out or Sue's situation changes.I would have never done that if I had known initially that the mini gelding was to be adopted out with a rescue mini mare as two driving animals. Come to find out JR's new Grammy Sue was retired with 11 grand children living near by and Martha swore JR would have a wonderful home with all the attentions he could stand.
So JR went off to Cheers with me on the first leg of his new adventures. He will be staying with Martha for the next few months to be tuned up in the cart while Sue gets her fencing and shelter together. JR doesn't care much for his little mini mare companion but is thriving on all the attention. He never did care much for the ponies here. I'm hoping maybe there will be another donkey in Sue's future with all those grand kids 2 minis may just not be enough. In the mean time he will adjust.
So JR is off on another adventure where he will again be the center of attention. Martha told me the first time she walked him to the mail box he was all alert and just grunting with pleasure. Sue and the grand kids just love him so I see JR's biggest problem in the future is going to be finding a way not to get the hide brushed and petted off him. .....L |
