Saturday, July 19, 2008

A Story about my Boy Diego -





FYI This is not a new baby... I am still on hold waiting for them....




Well last night was a midnight crop, so I have no card today, I spent the entire night working on a gift for a bridal shower on Sunday. So this morning I thought I would tell you a little story about my boy Diego. I have had some request for more Donkeys... so those that asked hope this makes you smile, those that don't like my donkey rambling... please be patient.



Diego is my baby. He actually isn't a baby anymore, but I tell him he will always be my baby. Isn't he just adorable when he was a baby? This is December 2004 and he was our first baby... And I will now admit that I was just a bit over protective and really spoiled him. I know those that know me will laugh as I spoil all of them, but Diego was really spoiled. If hubby would have let me bring him in the house I probably would have. You see that was a really cold December here in Texas, Ok really cold for Texas.... the night after Diego was born it dropped to 15 degrees and stayed pretty cold for a few days. Well I worried constantly about my new baby being cold and getting sick. So I went to the pet store and spent a stupid amount on this dog coat. I have to tell you Diego loved the thing, he knew he was special in it, and thought everyone was jealous of him. But I think he was just darn cute!
I could never sell Diego as he was my first baby, so we gelded him as he couldn't be used as a stud. Poor guy is just a "plain" grey dun, and is just too big, too tall, and as breeders would say nothing special. Well he is very special to me and I think he adorable! He has ended up serving a big purpose here. You see he loves the babies. And when I put Lacey and Rosie in the pen with him and the other donkeys he was immediately attached to Rosie. Lacey is not a great Mom. I don't know if it is a first time Mom thing or she just will never be, but she forgets that part of her job is looking after her child. Leaving her alone and in harms way for the Jack to chase and beat up on, and the other donkeys to bother. But not with Diego in the pen. We call him "Uncle Diego" now and he is a great baby sitter and protects Rosie like no Mom.




Now yesterday I went out to check on my two "Mom's to be" before I left for my crop. They are in a pen on the other side of our house from Diego. While coming back in I saw Diego kicking his front leg... actually looked like he was playing Soccer with one of his toys. Yes they have toys in each pen and love to play with them. But something wasn't right.... the ball wasn't rolling away from him and he seemed upset. After getting closer I saw the problem. Ok it was funny, but then ended up sad and scary for me. The ball was stuck around his foot. He evidently was playing with the ball and somehow got his foot through the handle and it stretched and was now stuck.


Diego isn't my smartest donkey... hubby says he is simple but sweet. Well he was not happy and was upset, and beginning to get angry. I went in and worked for 45 minutes trying to get it off but it was tight around the small part of what will call his ankle. He weighs something like 350-400 pounds and I just couldn't hold him still and work on the ball. So I hung around until Hubby got home and then the two of worked on it. Diego tried to run, he rared up, he pushed and pulled and I was worn out from trying to hold him while Hubby worked on the ball. Finally Hubby cut it off and Diego was free. We now are going to take all of the balls and cut the handles so this can't happen again.




After it was all said and done, we laughed about it, but it could have been worse and really tight and harmed his foot. Poor Diego..... this morning he has been out there playing with the ball..... that's my Diego!



Today is a 12 - 12 crop... so gotta get busy, but I hope you enjoyed my story of Diego - and hope you have some fun planned for your Saturday!
Thanks for sticking with my long story today... HUGs and -

18 comments:

Heather "Hev" said...

Diego is such a cutie :)
Strange how we sometimes bond with one pet more than another but love them all. Personalities are unique after all :)

Glad you were around to help him with his foot - poor thing.

Have a great day!!

Nikki Fairbairn said...

What cute photo's of Diego as a baby. I'm so glad he is ok and that hubbie got the ball off his foot. Glad to hear he is out playing again today! Have a great weekend and enjoy your crop, Hugs, Nikki x

Anonymous said...

Excuse me if I don't write very well in american but I'm French!! I understood all the story of Diego when he was born but only partly his mischance yesterday!!
However that may be we feel you love your donkeys!! And I enjoyed the story of Diego!! Hugs, Christelle.

christina d said...

I love Diego. We had always had horses, but I have a soft spot for all donkeys big and mini. Be sure to post pics of new ones when they're born.

Suzanne said...

oh poor little Diego still all's well that ends well and I love him in his little blue coat the colours suits him so well!!! More donkey stories please I love them. Sue :o)

TA Carbone said...

Oh poor Diego. I hope he is better and happy today. Never a dull moment around them I would say and at least they make you smile

TA
http://carbonescorner.blogspot.com

Colleen said...

I love hearing about your donkeys. Diego was so cute as a baby with that blanket on him. What a sweet story about him also.

~* Jay Jay *~ said...

Ohh poor Diego. I really love him, he is soo cute! If all your donkeys are soo cute I HAVE to hear more of these stories! It's good to hear that he's already playing with balls again. I think playing donkeys has to look really funny with their toys ;) *Hugs*

Jo said...

Oh Michelle, I love your stories about your "babies" and Diego sure is special. That picture of him in his coat as a baby is adorable and what a character with that ball!! I do envy you :)

Kelly L said...

Awww, poor Diego just wanted to play but the ball just wouldn't go away. LOL He looks so sweet in his coat. I would have been worried to at 15 degrees. That's cold! I don't mind the donkey stories at all! I post alpaca stories along with my cards, too. Keep 'em comin' :) Kelly

Tina said...

Oh My Gosh Michelle, i am feeling how worried you must have been, seeing Diego so stressed must have been awful for you, i am so glad you managed to get the ball off and that you've made sure it won't happen again...... Michelle you should have got him the coat them brought him in the house, i would have done, he was and still is such a cutie, i have a thing for animals and i know exactly why you feel the way you do about Diego and your other babies, Our furkids mean so much to us.. we would do any thing for them....it is so lovely to hear you feel the same way... Big Crafty Hugs Tina xxx

Donalda said...

I so love it when you show your donkeys they are so cute. I am glad everything turned out okay and he is doing fine. What a cute name !!!

Patti Smith said...

I love your donkey stories. I would never belive you could get so attached to animals until our "chubba smith" came into our lives. We took him today for "his vacation" at the doggie sitters as we are leaving for Florida in the morning... needless to say none of us were happy about that but we have a car load and the condo wouldn't let pets. We promised him a nice camping trip when we get home...see I totally understand..take care and will talk to you next Sunday!!! *(((HUGS)))

Ila said...

Love your story about Diago and the photos!! I too can't believe how close we are to our "little Buddy"...we can't even bear to leave him at the kennel to go on a holiday...Hugs, Ila

Sharon said...

Aw Michelle, I laughed and then ahhed , poor donkey. I love the picture of him in his little coat. Keep the stories coming I love them. I've always said to DH when we settle down I'd love a couple of donkeys.

Donna Baker said...

'Uncle' Diego is sweet! I adore the pics of him in his blue jacket-LOL. I'm so glad the ball didn't hurt his foot & he got right back to playing! I sure enjoyed this story!!!

Annie said...

thanks for sharing Diego's story with us. He did look so cute in his little doggy jacket, and is still a cutie today! annie x

Lim said...

Diego is sooooo cute. The picture as a baby is priceless. I'm glad that he's fine now.
Hugs,
Lim