Just want to say that Rakka is doing phenomenally well! She rarely barks at him, and on walks will usually check in on him to make sure he's not up to no good, then take off after something else. She also seem to have natural self-preservation smarts. She never goes behind him (lest he kick her) and she's really smart about giving him his distance. At first, I thought she'd just go crazy and eat him, but after she actually got close to him a few times, I found that she always kept a sensible distance.
Luckily, Melvin is such a cooperative sweetheart and doesn't get freaked out or angry at Rakka. If she barks, he just gives her a look and ignores her. He's actually a lot more scared of Skella, which I think is because Skella runs circles around him if I don't tell her not to. Rakka stays in front of him. Anyway... it seems that I can breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that my good ole homestead hound Rakka will be easier to deal with than I thought when it comes to unfamiliar critters.
Awesome Donkey! I have always wanted to adopt one. I was told that usually they like to be in pairs.
Obviously he was loved cause he wouldn't be that friendly if he wasn't interacted with by people.
Sounds like a perfect match with your family : )
Good luck with things.....I really don't have much advice in regard to Rakka....it sounds like you have it covered as you are taking it one step at a time. It sounds very positive so hopefully Rakka will get the idea he is now part of your perm. homestead.
Yes, donkeys do like to be in pairs, or at least with other equines or even goats or sheep. Poor Melvin is lonely right now, being all by himself, but the situation was kind of urgent, so we took him. This summer I plan on getting a goat or two, so that should keep him company. Eventually, I want a horse or another donkey, too, but for now, I just visit him often and give him lots of love. Donkeys are often used as livestock guardians, which is what he was doing back in his herd of cows he lived with before, so he will be my goats' guardian.
Melvin is so cute! I am glad things are going well!
We had a donkey and a horse on our farm. They were often inseparable mischief makers . Our Donkey was Sammy - which caused people to think he was "Sam-mule". Melvin seems much nicer than Sammy. Sammy's nibbles always led to bites. We could never figure out why. He just seemed to dislike a great deal of attention - i.e pet me for a minute, then leave me alone, NOW. I did not realize how attached T (our horse) and Sammy were until Sammy passed. T seemed to never quite get over it.
I am glad Melvin found a good home! He will be such a fun addition.
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Melvin was a little annoyed at first.
But then he was curious...
So I brought Rakka a little closer and they sniffed noses for a bit!
After a while, Rakka blew it and started barking, so Melvin got sick of her and went behind his shelter.
Luckily, Melvin is such a cooperative sweetheart and doesn't get freaked out or angry at Rakka. If she barks, he just gives her a look and ignores her. He's actually a lot more scared of Skella, which I think is because Skella runs circles around him if I don't tell her not to. Rakka stays in front of him. Anyway... it seems that I can breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that my good ole homestead hound Rakka will be easier to deal with than I thought when it comes to unfamiliar critters.
More Melvin spam please! I can't get enough of your Ass Heidi! LOL
Obviously he was loved cause he wouldn't be that friendly if he wasn't interacted with by people.
Sounds like a perfect match with your family : )
Good luck with things.....I really don't have much advice in regard to Rakka....it sounds like you have it covered as you are taking it one step at a time. It sounds very positive so hopefully Rakka will get the idea he is now part of your perm. homestead.
Snf
I'll spam you soon!
We had a donkey and a horse on our farm. They were often inseparable mischief makers
I am glad Melvin found a good home! He will be such a fun addition.