Bialinger Update - our new donkey friend
So I've been kind of MIA for a while. I was in a hospital (I'm fine) and Noah lost his job and just got a new one. My sister told me she was looking for a dog and she loves jack russells so after much thought, we decided to let her have Nanook, who is now named Meeka (sp?). My sis and I went dog shopping and I can say she will be fully spoiled! Plus, she has two rowdy boys all to herself!
You might remember me posting a while back about two donkeys that were going to come stay with us, well, the people who have them decided to keep them, but we now have a different donkey with us. He's brown and white spotted and super cute and friendly. It's a tragic story how he became homeless, the entire family that owned the donkey (kids and all) died in a car crash. They had the donkey and some cattle, the cattle sold at an auction, but no one wanted the donkey, so the relatives of the family just gave him to us. Everyone who knew anything about him is dead, so he is nameless at the moment. I made a list of about fifty names for Noah to choose from and he narrowed it down to Orville, Melvin, and Sheldon. What do you guys think?
Also - Rakka is pretty intent on chasing him. He hasn't had the opportunity, but when I walk her by the corral, she whines and strains on the leash like crazy. Skella and Tojo are okay. Tojo gave him the "intruder alert" bark but I told him to relax. Skella wanted to run circles around him until I told her to relax. Rakka won't relax... any tips? I will need to make the corral more dog-proof so I don't have to worry about Rakka getting out accidentally or something... ideally I'd like to have it so I could take them on hikes together and stuff like that.
You might remember me posting a while back about two donkeys that were going to come stay with us, well, the people who have them decided to keep them, but we now have a different donkey with us. He's brown and white spotted and super cute and friendly. It's a tragic story how he became homeless, the entire family that owned the donkey (kids and all) died in a car crash. They had the donkey and some cattle, the cattle sold at an auction, but no one wanted the donkey, so the relatives of the family just gave him to us. Everyone who knew anything about him is dead, so he is nameless at the moment. I made a list of about fifty names for Noah to choose from and he narrowed it down to Orville, Melvin, and Sheldon. What do you guys think?
Also - Rakka is pretty intent on chasing him. He hasn't had the opportunity, but when I walk her by the corral, she whines and strains on the leash like crazy. Skella and Tojo are okay. Tojo gave him the "intruder alert" bark but I told him to relax. Skella wanted to run circles around him until I told her to relax. Rakka won't relax... any tips? I will need to make the corral more dog-proof so I don't have to worry about Rakka getting out accidentally or something... ideally I'd like to have it so I could take them on hikes together and stuff like that.
Comments
Good for Nanook! Spoiled dogs are the best!
Sad story about donkey's family. Hopefully he is not too traumatized and adjusts to being a Bialinger. I love the name Orville
P.S. Where is the Donkey Spam?
No advice for you about Rakka, sorry. Kitsu is like that with cats until they scratch him good, but that won't work with the donkey.
Sheldon the Donkey is an awesome combo! But so is Orville and Melvin. Hows about some ass spammage?
Sorry to hear you had to go to the hospital, but good to hear you are ok. It's great that Noah already found a new job, those can be tough to come by these days.
I vote for the name Melvin for the donkey. What happend to his family is indeed very tragic. Thank you for giving him a place to live and taking care of him.
No idea what do with Rakka. Letting her give chase probably would not be good, because she might get kicked or scare/injure the donkey. Any way to do a controled interaction, like you would with another dog?
Sounds like things have been pretty tumultuous. I hope they calm down for you.
I know this is no help, but I like all the names you've picked out. :-)
I second (or third) the ass spamage.
I'm all for Sheldon, the donkey. I'm a big fan of Sheldon Cooper from "The Big Bang theory", and the guy is as stubborn as a mule so I'd say it fits. :-P
It's great that Noah has a new job (I'm crossing my fingers).
All I can think to help with Rakka and Sheldon (hehehe) would be a the same as Brandon suggested. But I think you'd have to get the donkey to trust you first so you could go in with Rakka.
I would not expect a Shikoku to be ok w/ a horse or pony unless they were raised around them. Ahi wants to eat all horses.
Lets see some pics of your new buddy????
I like Orville.
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Can't go wrong with any of those names, IMHO....although I'm partial Melvin..it's so nerdy, I love it! Tragic story about his family...that just pulls every last one of my heartstrings...stories like those make me hope and pray there's something better on the other side.
I'm going to try Rakka with the prong collar around the donkey and let her self-correct. I'll try that for a while and see how it goes... I guess I'll be exercising her on a long line until something gets figured out. I don't want to let her chase the donkey or even lunge at him on a leash because I think those things are self-gratifying. I'm a member of the forum at homesteadingtoday.com and the consensus there is that dogs that chase livestock need electric training collars. Well, a couple people said to use a bb gun, but that's just ridiculous. I'd really rather not use one, though.
I remember watching (as a child) one of those animated/stop motion Christmas stories about the donkey with too long ears, whose donkey family died in a snow storm and he was all alone and abandoned until Mary and Joseph found him on their way to Bethleham where the little donkey became part of the manger scene with little Baby Jesus. Any way, I had fun watching it when I was little even though it's totally old school. The donkey was named "Nester", and it was one of my favorite stories because it was about finding a home.
Not sure the best way to get Rakka accustomed to your new family member. I agree it is not a good idea to let Rakka give chase as it will only lead to more chasing. I don't like the idea of prong collars or other techniques that correct by "hurting", but perhaps its the best way for Rakka to learn without the "big hurt" risk of the kick from the donkey. Funny thing: I notice that Josephine becomes very agitated and vocal the few times she has seen a horse... Not sure what she would do if she had such an encounter when off-leash or not enclosed in the car!
Good to have you back posting again, and I hope all settles down and remains well with the health issues and Noah's work situation. Its a dicey time right now! Wishing all the best to you and your family!
I don't like seeing people use the prong either, but I guess its either that or an ass providing a swift kick in the face. Good luck!!
Nice ass by the way ;0)
BB gun?!! Oi Vey! Think if given the choice, I'd go prong collar!
But he is a beautiful boy. Hope things work out between him and Rakka.
Either way, I think I might be able to desensitise them to each other without using any kind of training collar. We'll see.
I like the Nester story but I'm not crazy about the name.
Congrats Heidi! Personally, I like Jethro, very unique
I've been walking Rakka with the prong collar past Melvin and tying her up while I give him water and scratch him, and she seems to have calmed down a lot. She's not crazily lunging at him, and she will even sometimes sit with her eyes squinting and her ears back, which seems a very laid-back, relaxed way to be in the presence of a prey animal. I'll work up to letting them interact through the fence and eventually, we'll try a walk together. All seems to be going well. I think I'll still make the corral dog-tight, though.
And I am so glad that things seem to be working out between him and Rakka. Best of luck, and more spam!
Melvin is SOOO cute! Kinda makes me wish I had a farm... but not really cuz we all know I don't get my hands dirty unless absolutely necessary!
Please fix his halter. Don't leave the cheek snap dangling. When he lowers his head to graze/eat he could slip a front foot through the gap and panic. Nylon halters aren't suitable for turnout, so if he must wear one I advise one with a breakaway leather crownpiece.