Saturday, August 22, 2009

Donkey Day - My life is all about Sergio Now...

As you may have read in my post yesterday - we lost Cheyenne Thursday night, it has been very sad around here - lots of tears, but my focus now is for her baby Sergio. He is my life now...


Cheyenne was one of the first three donkeys we purchased 7 years ago. She was a huge part of our family and very special as one of the first. Her death has been a shock to us and really taken a lot out of Hubby and myself. But we both know that the main priority now is her 11 day old baby... So the foal formula came out and I tried to start bottle feeding at 4 am yesterday... 3 hours I got 4 oz in him and just as much all over me. He did not like the bottle and fought me. Doc suggested that we just skip the bottle and go straight to a pail... I found a small stainless steel pail and mixed up 2 cups of formula.... after we got him to figure out to put his head down a bit instead of up and back... he drank the entire pail. Then every 2 - 2.5 hours he had gotten down 2 cups..

So now we have done this over 24 hours.. he already has learned that the silver pail means a meal and Hee Haws and comes towards us when we come out the back door. So for the next few days... every 2-3 hours I will be out with Sergio making sure he gets down his milk. He is already chewing on hay and roots, and drinking water a bit. So if we can get through the first week I think we will be in a safe area and he will make it. So now I guess all my days ... OH and nights will revolve around the alarm on my cell phone going off every 2.5 hours. Last night was hard, after being up all night with his Mom the night before and so tired already. Hubby was great he insisted on coming out with me each time, despite the fact he was totally worn out and had to go to work today... he is such a great guy and really is so attached to each of our babies. He is so funny ... he tells each of the now 34 of them.."Now don't tell anyone else but you are my favorite..." I am sure the night shift "feedings" will soon become my detail.. But I think he was just so worried about Sergio that he just had to go out with me.

So now that we have feeding down... and I will have to learn when to up the amounts of milk. My next worry is that he will find some comfort with the other donkeys and learn to socialize with them. He doesn't have the nuzzling that the Moms give their babies, and the learning and "do what I do" that the baby gets from Mom... I was hoping that one of the Mom's might take him in a bit... adopt him even if it wasn't to feed but just to help take care of - that we will watch over time and see... right now they don't push him away (they were in the beginning) they are allowing him to "hang" with them.. not to close but closer - and for the first time late last night he played with is 1/2 brother and 1/2 sister... funny too as he is the older one he should be the leader. But due to the fact he was off with his sick Mom... and not getting enough to eat, he just didn't have it in him to play with the others. I am sure in a few days he will be much stronger and playing with them much more.

So my life is in 2-3 hours increments. If I can't get somewhere and back in that time.. it is not possible. In a few weeks.. it will move to 3-4.. then a few weeks 4-5... that will get me past the 3 month mark and then he should be ok to only be fed milk 4-5 times in a 24 hours time.

Now... do you think I will be able to sell this little guy after all of this... I have already warned Hubby... our first big dollar hot stud to sell... and well he is going to be a Mommas boy and I am just going to have to wait and see... bets are being placed... most of the family is putting their money on "no sale".....


HUGS and Happier Donkey photos and Libbie photos next week.....

34 comments:

Nanda said...

Hi Michelle,

I just read about the dead of Sergios mom. I am so sorry about this. It is so suddenly.

I hope that you can keep Sergio alive and that he will be drinking good and grow and live like the other donkeys.

Greetings, Nanda

Marja Sch said...

What a good news that Sergio is drinking out of the pail. It will be a hard time feeding him but you will be his loving mom. Not much cardmaking i think, but I love to read your blog and the stories about your donkey's. Wishing al the best in the coming weeks. Lots of love and a big hug for you and Sergio Marja

Suzanne said...

My thoughts are with you Daddy and Sergio, what a lucky little donkey he is to have you both. I am sure with all the love ad care you will be giving him he will become big and strong and a real mummy's boy!!! Sue :o)

AnnS said...

Oh Michelle...Sergio is adorable. I'm so glad he's drinking and eating. Give that little donkey a hug from me. Hope all continues to go well. Keep the pics coming.

Annie said...

Hi Michelle, it's good news that Sergio is drinking his milk, albeit from a bucket! Sending you all hugs, including little Sergio. annie x

Marcea said...

Hi sweetie, so sorry to read about your loss hun but really good news that the little guy is doing well. My heart goes out to you all but you are giving little Sergio the best chance .... hope you manage a little rest hun
-x-

Kittie said...

I don't see a sale in the future....! I hope all progresses well with Sergio and his eating. I know you will be tired but I'm sure it is labor of love and will be worth it. I'm thinking of you an dyour hubby, Michelle. I love the pics.

Grandma - Bear said...

What happened to make her sick & die? I lost my favo. mare,Goldie in 7th grade in birthing a colt. We raised the colt w/ the bucket. My dad gave the colt away!! Made me mad,it was my mare!! I helped feed it too!!
Haang in there right now, it's like Ur baby.

Heidi Brawley said...

Oh I am so very sorry for your loss! Take care of that baby boy! He is a cutie!!! Hugs!!! Take care and God Bless!!!!!!!!
~Heidi

Archies Mum said...

You are just such amazing people, its nice to know that there are people like you and hubby out there who are so passionate about your animals. Good luck with all the feeds and I hope that he carries on drinking from the pail for you.

Lynda Nielsen said...

Ohhhhhhh Michelle, Sorry to hear about Sergio's mom... =( but YOU are a wonderful mom... He will make it I'm sure of that... and even though your life is in 3 hr increments it will be worth it in the end.... I'm in agreement with your family... This is a "no sale" He will have to just stay right where he is!
Thanks for sharing, and give Sergio a BIG Hug from me!
He's sooooo Stinkin Cute!

Hugs
Lynda =)

Ila said...

I'm so glad Sergio is drinking now. Sounds like he'll be fine under such loving care!!...Take Care!!..Hugs, Ila

Jóna said...

Oh, Michelle, I do feel so sorry for you, your husband and little Sergio. This is so sad. I will pray for the little guy and hope he will come out both strong and happy. He really got a great mom in you, Michelle !
Big hug from me, Jóna

Rach said...

sorry to hear of Sergio's mom. so sad sweetie and so sudden. Sergio sounds like a little fighter though and i am sure that with all yours and your hubby's love and care he will be fine.. sending lots of love and thoughts your way sweetie..
Hugs Rachxx

Dawn said...

Awww Michelle it's so sad but hopefully he will be strong and a fighter and with you to look after him I'm sure he will go from strength to strength.
That photo just pulls at my heart strings though... He must wonder what is going on...

Sending lots of love and positive vibes

Dawn

Tab said...

Oh little Sergio is adorable, Cheyenne would be so proud of him! I think that I would bet on no sale too LOL.
Much love
Tab xxx

Beth S said...

Hi Michelle. I'm so sorry for your loss. I know it is so hard when something we love so much leaves us. You are an incredible woman with a loving hubby by your side. I know you will get thru this and do a wonderful job with Sergio. Sending hugs.

take care

Leann said...

Oh Michelle, I'm so sorry hun. Sergio sounds like a real little fighter though - I think the little fella will do just fine :)
Hugs x

Penni said...

Glad to hear that Sergio has taken to the pail. Although the thought of all those night feeds sounds daunting. I'm sure he'll go from strength to strength now that he is getting better feeds.

My bets are also on "No Sale" - he'll become too special I'm sure.

Take care, my thoughts are with you all.

Hugs
Penni
X

Anita said...

Sorry to hear about Cheyenne. I will pray for you and your family. Sending Hugs. I enjoy seeing the donkey and Libbbie each Saturday. It is such a bright spot on my week. I feel like they are part of my family even though I am far away.

Diamond Doll said...

Ooh Michelle soo sorry to hear the sad news about you losing Cheyenne but so glad that Sergio is pulling through,i am sure that you wont part with him as your bond will be too strong,Bless him.
Keep up the good work and i do hope it doesn,t tire you too much but hey it,s worth it!
Trish (-:

Cynde said...

Michelle I was so sad to hear of your loss. I am glad Sergio has taken to the pail. You and your Hubby are such Great Parents to all your Babies! Perhaps one of the other Moms in waiting would take him under her wing. God bless and I will keep you in my thought and prayers. Cynde

Ann said...

So sorry to hear of the loss of Sergio's mom. I place my bet that that little fellow has found a safe and permanent place in your heart and hime before a week is out. It would really be like selling one of your kids. We raised purebred Springer Spaniels years back. The mom only had 6 teets and had 10, 11, and 13 puppies in her three litters. We bottle fed and then switched to pablum and formulae when they were old enough. Up at 2:00 to warm dinner and stay to see them eat it or mom would,and then in to have a shower to wash off formulae from feet and faces giving you loves. I cried with everyone that was sold the first litter (wonderful memories). Good luck with your wee man, wish I lived close enough to help. Hugs Ann

Helene said...

I am so sorry Michelle you hang in there and enjoy bonding with your little baby donkey....I am sure you have a new best friend you will always treasure.

PaperSunshine said...

He is beautiful, hang in there mom! You are doing wonderful feeding him like that, just like when you have a human baby and have to get up all night and such. Maybe you and hubby can switch every other feeding so you both get more sleep? Once the nerves are better of course. Thank God he is eating and getting some energy. You are such good caretakers of your donkeys I truly hope this all works out. So glad to hear better news :)

Lori

anja said...

omg michelle i'm sorry to hear this,my thaugt are for sergio and your's all. i truly hope that segio wil love to drink from the bottle.i will burn a little candle for him.gr.and hugs.anja

Maria said...

I just read about the dead of Sergios mom ( whit the translator helper) I am so sorry about this.
Big hug from me.
Take care!!

Net said...

I'm so sorry you have lost one of your beloved donkeys. Sergio is a beautiful boy and I hope he goes from strength to strength.

Sew This N That said...

Oh Michelle, I am so sorry to hear about cheyenne, I hope that things go well with Sergio. My thoughts are with you and your family.
*hugs* Heather x

Linda said...

Oh, Michelle, I am so sorry about Sergio's mama, Cheyenne! I know you will do your best to be a mama for/to him. I know it's like losing a member of your family. They are God's creatures, and I know he grieves with you.

Hugs and love, Linda

Anonymous said...

I am so deeply saddened by your loss and know how you all feel...We have lost several foals over the years and each leaves a mark on the heart...

I hope that Sergio keeps up the way you have him going!

I don't see his sale in your future and I could not let him go either!

Hugs and prayers...Karen

email: Steph@SimonSaysStamp.com said...

I am so sorry about Sergio's birth mommy. Only you could be his mommy now. It is great that he is at least getting something into his system. You are a great woman! Keep up the good work!
Luv,
Heidi

Nicola said...

He is a hansome little man. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of him mom. It must be very hard once they find a place in your heart it is so very hard to let go. Thinking of you.

Hugs
Nic

debby4000 said...

I'm so sorry to read about Sergio's mum, poor little soul, glad that you were able to feed him.
Luv
Debby