“Clearly, animals know more than we think, and think a great deal more than we know” -Irene M. Pepperberg

On a euphoric high from my 800 pound donkey hug, I say farewell to Pancho and Lefty. As I exit the enclosed pasture, I am mindful of latching the chain and rattling the gate to make sure it is secure. 

With a skip in my step and happiness in my heart, I head back to HAPPY, my vintage camper to refuel for the afternoon work day. The beautiful autumn day here at Lemon Lane Farm entices me to have lunch on the deck. When I open the door, Pancho is standing right there! Hmm… maybe he wants another hug? 

“The donkeys escaped, the donkeys escaped!” 

Lefty comes galloping down the hill at full speed and Pancho follows. The donkey duo are on the loose en route towards the woods. Amy quickly arrives with halters, but returns back to the barn for donkey treats. For some unknown ridiculous reason, I grab one halter and run into the shady woods in search of the donkey duo. You have probably guessed by now that I did not latch and secure the gate properly. It seems that the great donkey escape has now turned into the great donkey game of chase. 

What seems like hours, but truly only fifteen minutes later, Amy and a friend arrive at the scene. Finally, the donkeys have taken a break and pause on the trail to munch some grass. I am grateful for this moment, not only to catch my breath but also for the extra hands with the donkey roundup. The dynamic duo look at us with mischievous eyes and gallop away. 

My apologies to Amy are continuous. I am heartsick with the thought that Pancho and Lefty will run deeper into the woods and beyond the boundaries of the farm. The level of worry intensifies as we realize we are now a mile into the woods.  As we round the corner of the trail, Pancho and Lefty have stopped in their tracks staring at an unknown obstacle in their path. Thank heavens for the wooden bridge over the creek! 

Locating the donkeys was quite a relief. Now we just need to harness them, walk them back through the woods, up the hill and into their pasture. I did mention they were donkeys right? In fear of the donkeys getting startled, I sneak the halter behind my back and hand it to Amy. As I mentioned earlier, I only grabbed one harness, so…now what? No worries ‘superfriend’ to the rescue. She quickly pulls off her leather belt and loosely wraps it around Lefty’s neck. Donkeys found…check! Donkeys secure…check! Donkeys walking back on trail…NOPE!

Tactic Number 1: Lead donkeys with treats…NOPE!

Tactic Number 2: Pull and urge donkeys to move…NOPE! 

Tactic Number 3: Two humans leading and one human behind the donkeys 
(out of kicking range)…NOPE!

Tactic Number 4: Repeat tactic number 3
Change the humans…DONKEYS ON THE MOVE!

At a very slow pace, we guide the dynamic duo back through the woods with Amy behind the donkeys. All of a sudden, Pancho begins to trot. In order to keep up the pace, I increase my speed. The trot however quickly turns into a full gallop. In the distance, I hear Amy yelling, “Let it go, let it go!” My stubbornness and guilt are overpowering me. I continue to hold the rope with all my strength. Just then, my foot slips and I understand the gravity of the situation. With tears in my eyes and a heavy heart, I release the rope.

Pancho gallops for a few yards, slows to a trot and sidles up next to Lefty. It seems that he just wanted to walk next to his friend. Fingers crossed, we are home free. We emerge from the woods into the sunshine soaked in sweat and exhausted. At a leisurely pace and without any further shenanigans, we pass the vintage camper, the barn, the farmhouse and finally walk into the donkey pasture. SUCCESS!

In case you were wondering, when I visit Pancho and Lefty now, I just climb the fence.

Do you have any donkey wrangling tactics to share?

Written by Kim Marie Dalton