On Friday, just as I was getting ready to post "Missing Donkey" signs all over the place, the sheriff's department called with word that someone had found my donkey, Flash. We'd spent hours and hours looking for him, trying to figure out how and when he'd escaped...and wondering what on earth he was doing while on the lam. Flash has been on the loose before - in fact he had simply just shown up at our house one day....and never left. Abused and mistreated, his owners (thankfully) never responded to our inquiries and signs, and during the four years he has been with us, he has been a constant source of amusement, annoyance and enchantment. Sometimes all at the same time.
So when the phone call came, we hopped in the car and went to a property about a mile away. He'd wandered into the yard of some very nice people, who'd put him into their pasture, gave him some hay and water, and notified the sheriff.
We arrived to find him acting punchy. Tossing his head and wheeling around like he was a bad-A donkey, we realized he was showing off for the horses in the next pasture, who had gathered up by the fence to gawk. Flash went over and started a fight with them and then came back over to get his halter on. I guess he felt sheepish being led off that way, and wanted to leave them with the impression that he was a force to be reckoned with, cooperating only because he wanted to. So typical.
Well, it took FOREVER to proceed from there. Flash would take a few steps and then balk. Take a few steps and stop. My husband, Tom, who missed his calling as a horse, er, donkey whisperer, gradually got him about 50 yards from the pasture and said, "this is going to be a long walk home."
That's when the son of the rescue people offered to hook up their horse trailer and help load him up. NICE! It was comical, watching Flash decide if he would go into the trailer or not, and he spent about 30 minutes with his front feet in...and back feet out....while he made up his mind. A not-so-gentle push with the trailer door helped him decide, and he was finally loaded up and ready for the winding, albeit short, ride home.
Here is a little bit of video of his return.
Safe and sound, I'm so happy that he is back! The gates have been secured and the fences are tight. He's been hugged and kissed and brushed. I know a donkey is not the most important thing in the world, but I can't help but think it was no coincidence that the scripture I was painting on a client's nursery wall later that day was this:
James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above.
That silly donkey has been a gift to me. And I am grateful.
There is no Small Thing today....enjoy your Monday. What are you grateful for today?
Song of the Day: Thank You, Sanctus Real
