Ruth's Story--Chapter One
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Ruth is a gorgeous black standard 6 year old jennet that was donated to TPDR with multiple problems. The most visible were her extremely over grown feet, the most serious and also the invisible problem is the fear she carries with her from past cruelty. TPDR's farrier, Jan Chieffi, solved Ruth's foot
problems but the scars that beautiful Ruth carries in her heart will
more than likely never fully resolve. At Ruth's trimming, Judy
Marteniuk, DVM administered a tranquilizer/pain medication and Ruth's
extra feet had to be removed with an electric saw before Jan could
attempt to trim her feet. The tranquilizer was administered to for the
safety of Ruth and her caregivers. Ruth will need to be tranquilized
for her trimmings in the near future, but with time may or may not
become trusting enough to be trimmed without medication. Luckily for Ruth, the 2nd chapter of her life promises to be much better, thanks to a wonderful couple from Georgia, yes, Ruth has become our very own Georgia Peach! Read on for Chapter Two in this amazing donkeys
life! |
Ruth's Story--Chapter Two
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In September of 2006, Ruth was adopted by a very caring and loving couple from Hartwell Georgia. We are so excited about her new life with Carol and Bobby Huff! Read Carol's e-mail below for the start of the 2nd chapter of Ruth's story. |
Ruth and Carol Huff at her new home in Georgia
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November, 2006
Hi Sharon and Jill:
Just wanted to let you know that we made it home safely with Ruth
without any problems whatsoever. She was a real dream the entire
trip, which took us 10 hours back from Louisville, KY. For a girl
who had already ridden 8 hours to Louisville from Michigan, she was
in much better shape than we were!!
We stopped several times along the way back home to check on her and
give her treats, and each time she was exceptionally friendly and
loving. She would look at me with those big brown eyes as if to
say, "I don't know where I'm going, but I'm enjoying the ride!"
We finally arrived at home around noon today and the weather was
sunny and around 60 degrees. When we pulled up to the barn, she was
asleep, as you can see in this photo
We cautiously opened the trailer door and she caught her first glimpse of Georgia, and she took a great long look.......
before she stepped cautiously off the trailer.....
She was home at last - finally she had become what I kept telling her she would be - a GEORGIA PEACH!!
As you can see in the following photos, the welcoming committee was in full force! Our other babies thought she was just grand, but she was a little cautious and wanted to explore everything before she decided who to buddy up with. I put her in the round pen so that she and I can have some time to figure each other out, but the round pen is right beside the donkey pasture, so everybody can get acquainted thru the fence. And all the horses can come up to the round pen, too, and they have all paid her a visit and have given me the look like, "Another donkey?" And then they went on their merry ways, just as though Ruth had been with us forever.
After everyone had visited with her, Ruth and I settled in for
some serious conversation with the brush. She stood perfectly
still and appreciated the attention. The warm Georgia sun was
feeling good on her skin as I told her that her cold Michigan
winters were over.
After the brushing, I left her alone in the round pen just so
that she could figure out what was happening and she munched
happily on the grass Once I left her in the round pen alone, I
had thoughts of "What if I can't catch her again?" because our
round pen is pretty large. After a little while I took a lawn
chair into the round pen and sat there and talked to her. She
was giving me that look like, "I'll be the one to decide whether
you pet me or not." But when I got up from the chair, I didn't
look directly at her and she walked straight over to me from the
other side of the pen. I extended my hand with a treat in it
and she took it without backing away, and she let me grab her
lead rope and scratch her neck. Then she let me massage her
back and chest, but she was a little "iffy" about her legs. But
that will come. We made one giant step today, and I always like
to end the day on a good note, so I left her to continue
munching her grass and hay.
She is going to be just fine. I continued my rounds with the
other donkeys and horses and she decided she had had a long day
and that the red Georgia dirt felt good on her back, so she took
a nap. The other babies were watching the activities in the
round pen and couldn't take their eyes off this raven-haired
beauty from Michigan!! When I turned around to see what Ruth
was doing, she had decided that a good long nap was in her best
interests, so she stretched out and closed her eyes and went
sound to sleep.
But, trust me, when I rang the dinner bell for everyone to get
to their eating positions, she already knew the routine and
brayed in unison with the others! It was music to my ears. And
everyone gets a treat at the end of the day, and she stood right
there and took her treat just like the rest of them.
I feel that by the end of the week she will be in the pasture
with the other donkeys instead of in the round pen by herself.
She is doing so well and I don't foresee any problems
whatsoever. There is one little thing I want you to know: she
has already picked up on Southern English. As I was leaving,
instead of hearing Ruth say, "Hee-Haw", I do believe she was
saying, "Hey, Y'all"!! Yep, she is a quick learner!!
Ruth and I send our love to everyone who made this dream
possible for us. I will send more pictures as we progress.
Take care and call me if you have any questions, and I will
definitely keep in touch!!
Carol
******UPDATE FROM CAROL 11/17/2006******
Miss Ruth Ann is such a baby doll! I don't know if I've told you
this, but I love my Ruthie! She is so funny. She still has that
"I'm gonna run" attitude when I go into the round pen with her,
but her curiosity overshadows any fear that she may still have,
and pretty soon she is right behind me with her head over my
shoulder, begging for a treat. She prefers a treat to a head rub,
but most of the time she gets both.
The way I handle her is just like you said - I ignore her when I
first walk into the round pen. She has learned by now that she's
not going to get chased and that the only way she will get
anything from me is to walk up behind me or beside me. Once she
comes up to me, then I begin talking directly to her, looking her
in the eyes. She will stare right back at me and make a giraffe
neck to sniff my pockets. Sometimes she finds a treat and
sometimes she doesn't, but she never knows.
I put George in with her, and they have become instant buddies.
George thinks she's great, and she likes him, too. So instead of
hiding behind George, she tries to imitate him. And George is a
people donkey. He loves everybody. So just the fact that George
comes running up to me when I come in has helped Ruthie, too. But
she's still cautious, and I expect that of her for a long time.
But she's precious!
Yesterday George was eating carrots out of my mouth and Ruth was
eating them out of my hand. So I kept putting her carrots closer
and closer to my face and making her come closer. Finally she
took one out of my mouth just like George did, then she backed
away and looked at me like, "I'm so proud of myself! That didn't
hurt at all!" I could have kissed her little face off when she
did that! Her self-esteem has blossomed and she is finally
beginning to realize that she is loved and that no one will
ever hurt her or be mean to her again. Her whole attitude is
changing for the better each and every day. She's come a long way
in a very short period of time.
We keep some powdered mineral salt on hand all the time. She has
a mineral block in her pen, but she loves for me to give her a
handful of the powdered stuff. She will actually lick my hand
with her tongue.......so sweet! Then she looks at me as if to
say, "Is that all I get?" She makes a face when she first tastes
it and throws her head back and curls her lips into the air, but
she comes back and finishes off what's in my hand.......never
thought Ruth would actually be licking my hand.....
Anyway, wanted to give you an update on the progress that we have
made in such a short period of time. Next week I am going to add
Peanut to their pen because it's time for me to wean Peanut from
Millie. And Peanut already loves George, so I am sure she will
fall in love with Ruth very quickly. And again, if that doesn't
work, then we'll go to Plan B, whatever that is!
Take care and will send more as we go along!
Carol
***UPDATE From Carol -- December 1, 2006***
Sharon, I know you are probably tired of hearing from me about
Ruth, but I just have to tell you what she did today......I put on
a jacket when I went to feed this morning, but didn't really need
it because the weather was so balmy. As I was making my rounds
feeding and watering, I took my jacket off and threw it over the
fence where Ruth is. I never gave it a second thought until I
turned around and saw Ruth with my jacket in her mouth running
around and around in circles with it. She would toss her head up
and the jacket would almost cover her eyes, and then she would
look at me as if she was playing peek-a-boo with me. Then she'd
run some more and toss the jacket again and we'd go thru the same
process. She was watching to see what I would do. I laughed at
her, and the more I laughed, the sillier she got with the jacket.
She was actually PLAYING! Wow! It was so exciting to see that
little look of mischief on her face. She did that for about 10
minutes. Of course the jacket was absolutely filthy when she
finally threw it on the ground and pawed it with her front feet,
but I didn't care one little bit! I walked over to pick it up and
she took off like greased lightning, running as fast as she could
run and feeling so good! She kicked her back legs out and put her
head down and then ran right up to me and stopped about 2 feet in
front of me, grinning from ear to ear! She was proud of what she
had done, and I just couldn't help but laugh. She is such a
character! I just wanted to squeeze her!
Tomorrow morning I am taking an old blanket out to her to see if
she likes it as well as she likes my jacket. I believe my jacket
may have been her first toy and she was so excited about it. And
if the blanket doesn't work and she she likes my jacket better,
then she can HAVE my jacket if it makes her happy!! I will donate
it to the cause!
Just had to tell someone about it, so the first person I thought
of was you since you know her so well! Talk to ya soon!
Carol
Ruth's Story--Chapter Three
2-19-07 Hi, Sharon! Hope you and everyone at TPDR are all fine. Are you digging out from under snow? It's a balmy 60 degrees here in the Peach State of Georgia! Ruth is loving it. She thinks she's on vacation in the Bahamas! Haven't given you an update recently, so just thought I would let you know that Miss Ruthie is getting along nicely. She is truly the love of my life. She and I understand each other so well......it's as though she and I read each other's minds! Of course mine is a short story, but hers is something else! She is so beautiful, and I guess I'm like every mother who thinks her child is the prettiest anywhere because Miss Ruthie is drop-dead gorgeous! She has a little twinkle in her eyes, and she's so mischievous! She loves to come up behind me very quietly and snort because she knows momma's going to jump! Then she turns around and high-tails it and gives me that little mischievous grin of hers as though Mission Accomplished! I've never seen another donkey who loves treats as much as Ruth does. She absolutely begs for them and will stand there with her mouth drooling, waiting for me to hand her one. We switched from apple wafers to peppermint wafers, and she goes hog-wild over them. She and George have a braying contest over the peppermints. She usually wins, but it's a close race. She has come a long way and is coming along nicely. I don't know that Ruth will ever 100% trust people without hesitation, but she is so much better than she was before. She's still shy around strangers, and anything out of the ordinary flips her out. For example, last week I moved a water bucket from its usual spot to another location, and it took Ruth a day to adjust to it. She was very cautious around it and side-stepped whenever she would get near it. I kept thinking that if she got thirsty enough, she'd figure it out, and she finally did, but she made a giraffe neck for a long time after that whenever she wanted water. But she's finally OK with it. It just takes her a little longer to adjust, probably because of her past abuse. But we're getting there, one baby step at a time. She loves to be brushed and will stand perfectly still for that. She even lets me rub her ears as long as I come across her head from the back instead of the front. When I come at her with my hand from the front side, she jerks her head back and I can see a lot of doubt in her eyes, as though she is remembering some of her war stories. I have to talk to her very calmly to snap her out of it and remind her that she is in> loving hands now. That brings her around and then she will let me rub her ears gently. Poor baby.....it hurts me so much to think about anyone ever being mean to gentle Miss Ruthie. Our farrier is coming next week to trim her, so we will see how that goes. He's a very patient and loving farrier, and he talks to her and pets her every time he comes over for the other babies, but he has not trimmed her yet. But it's time, so keep your fingers crossed and I will let you know how it turns out. I am hoping we don't have to sedate her and that she will stand still for him. We all want her to have a good experience with him. He has worked with lots of donkeys before, some that have never been trimmed, and he seems to have a way with them. Let's hope for the best. Ruth sends her love and a kiss of sunshine up your way. She seems to thrive in this warm winter weather and loves to take long naps on the hillside in the sun. Sometimes I look up and see her all sprawled out and I have to laugh because she's so cute! Then I look closer and I see Peanut beside her, who is a carbon copy of Ruth in a miniature body. It's hilarious.....almost as though they were mother and daughter. Peanut is only 8 months old, but Ruth is her hero. Ah, there's nothing more wonderful than the love of a donkey (or in our case, several donkeys)!
Take care, and will write more soon.
Carol
Ruth's Story--Chapter Four
May 20, 2007 Hi Sharon,
Thought you might like a new picture of Miss Ruthie. I took this one today just after she finished a good roll on the ground in the cool grass. I took it with my camera phone just as she was reaching to smell of it to see what it was! She's a happy girl and such a joy. Her favorite rolling place is in the shade of the big oaks just after she finishes her afternoon feed. I was waiting for her with the camera today because she always looks so cute when she gets up from her roll....she usually has a sleepy look on her face and I caught it on camera! Ruth continues to be my sweet baby girl. If I am out in the pasture, she makes a beeline straight to me, sniffing my pockets for any treats that may be hiding in them. She acts real pitiful until I give her one, and then she smiles big and bright as though she thinks she had me fooled! She's a real card! She loves to aggravate the horses. Sometimes I let all the donkeys out into the pasture with the horses, and Ruth thinks it's such great fun to march herself into Makow's stall. Makow is my racking horse and the "pasture boss," or so he thinks. He's really just an overgrown baby who tries to act mean. Anyway, at feeding time, Ruth makes her way to the stalls first and always chooses Makow's stall for some unknown reason. Then Makow sees her in his stall and starts pawing the ground, begging me to make her leave. I get so tickled at them. Ruth stands her ground and dares Makow to stick his nose in "her" stall. She gives me that look like, "Mama, if he tries to come in here I'm gonna kick him!" Nobody ever fights or quarrels, and it does Ruth good to put the "boss" in his place. She finally calmly walks out to the feeding trough, leaving Makow to eat in peace in his stall. Take care, and Ruthie sends her love!
Carol
Ruth's Story--Chapter Five
December 11, 2007
Hello Sharon,
Just wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas. Hope you and all your babies are doing great. As for us, we're in the middle of one of worst droughts in history, with no end in sight! Our lakes are down 15-20 feet below normal pool. No rain all summer.....all our pastures are brown and brittle, and hay is in short supply. The hay we are able to find is so outrageously expensive! We're paying $70-80 for a 4x5 round bale of Coastal Bermuda, and $7-8 for a square bale. Fortunately for us we were able to cut some hay off our 7 acres that we haven't put in pasture. We got 150 square bales on the last cut when we should have gotten 300 square bales off of it.....it's really bad for now. We've had to split up our 6 horses and put 3 of them at our farm in South Carolina. Neither farm has much grass, but we're surviving. I know it will pass soon..... Ruthie sends her love. You would have been so proud of her last week when the farrier came. She stood perfectly still, no sedation whatsoever, and not even tied. The farrier held her lead rope loosely in his hand. He talked to her and gave her treats, and she was the perfect lady. And you know Ruthie well enough to know that was quite an accomplishment for the old girl! I kissed her face off when it was all over and done, and she seemed proud of herself. When we turned her back into the pasture, she took off as fast as she could, kicking up her heels and loving her new pedicure! She's a card! She also can count. After they eat every morning and every evening, I give everybody treats, usually 2. But Ruth always gets 3 and she knows it. If I try to slight her one, she stands there and honks at me until she gets her 3rd treat. She's so spoiled rotten! When she finishes her treats she walks over to the mineral block and takes a few licks of it, then heads to the water trough. And she definitely knows my routine. I usually feed each morning between 7 and 7:30. This morning I was running a little behind schedule and didn't come out of the house until almost 8AM. She heard the door open at my house, and she started honking....raising the roof with me because I was late! Today was worming day, and she was the first in line to get her meds. She's definitely making up for lost time! Such a hoot! I love that girl to pieces! Anyway, just wanted to say hi and hope your hay situation is better up there than down here. Have a happy holiday season!
Carol and Ruth
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Ruth's Story--Chapter Six
March 31, 2008
Dear Sharon, I have to share this with you because it makes me so proud of our girl Ruth. When my farrier came today, I had herded all the donkeys into the round pen so they would be easy to catch. Ruth walked right up to him, stuck her head out for him to scratch her ears, and didn't back away. He attached a lead rope to her halter, talked to her for a couple of minutes, ran his hands over her body, then lifted her front foot. She didn't move a muscle. He dropped the lead rope on the ground, all the while talking to her. He trimmed both front feet with no problem at all and she never moved, even though she could have run away because he did not tie her. He then casually dropped a rope over her back, moving it gently down her back legs, talking to her softly and telling her what a pretty girl she was. He lifted her back feet and she still didn't flinch. She was the perfect lady! I was so proud of her! She never took her eyes off of me, but I was outside the round pen. George, her pasture mate and soul mate, came over while she was being trimmed and laid his big ole' head across her back while the farrier worked away. Wish I'd had my camera for that one! He finished up with her and removed the lead rope. She casually walked over to where I was and sniffed my pocket for a treat.....she got two of them! And George got one for being George! She's got the hoof trimming down to a fine art now. Hasn't she come a long way from the days of being sedated?
Another milestone in our girl Ruth's life!! Carol Huff
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Ruth's Story--Chapter Seven
June 13, 2008
Hi, Sharon! I hope you are well and that things are going great up your way! We are still struggling with the heat and drought - the worst ever. Our temperature climbed to 100 degrees last week and we are sweltering. Had lots of rain in April and May, so at least we got a good cutting of hay off our fields. Probably the last cut though, unless we get rain. Anyway, you know me - I have to stop occasionally and brag on my girl. So far she and I have accomplished every goal I had laid out for her. It's been a long, daily process, but you wouldn't know her now. She walks up to me when I'm in the pasture and wants to be petted. She stands there while put my arms around her neck and hug her tight. In fact, Ruth has almost become a pest! ha ha! A good pest! She knows her name is "Miss Ruthie" and she comes when I call her name. No matter where she is in the pasture, if I call her she comes to me. One of the biggest obstacles we had to overcome with her was hoof trimming. Well, she's got that down to a fine art. My farrier trims her in the pasture. He doesn't put her in a stall, and he doesn't tie her. He puts the lead rope on her, and she knows that means to stand still. He drops the lead rope on the ground, and she automatically lifts her front foot for him. He trims the front ones first, then he gently tosses another rope on her back legs to desensitize her and let her know he's about to trim them. Then he runs his hand down her back leg and lets her get used to that before he picks up her foot. She doesn't flinch and doesn't try to run away, even though she could because she's not tied. It's almost as though she enjoys her pedicure! She lets me spray her for flies from a pump bottle. She is not afraid of the noise at all. I start at her feet and work my way up. I brush her without tying her. She takes her worm meds without any fanfare at all. We've come to the conclusion that one of her biggest fears was being tied. She does so much better not tied. Ruth and George act like husband and wife. You don't see one without seeing the other one close by. They are a hoot to watch. Believe it or not, Ruth has finally learned to take up for herself with the other donkeys. If one of them gets greedy at feed time and tries to take her food, she will put her ears back and give them a little kick - something she's never done before. Not a hard kick, but enough to let them know to stay out of her bucket. When I first introduced her to the gang, she let them run over her - preferring to run away at the first sign of a food argument. Well, not anymore. She's found herself! She's confident that she won't get scolded or reprimanded in any way for being herself. She's gained her independence, and I love her new attitude. I honestly believe that somewhere in her life she's been around someone who loved her. I don't know what happened after that, but obviously it was bad. She's still a little shy of having her ears messed with, but that's the only problem she has now, which is absolutely workable. Just wanted to give you an update on her. I am so glad she's the one you fixed me up with. I would hate to think what would have happened to her with someone who was impatient. Ruth is still a work in progress, but she's come such a long way from the day we picked her up in Louisville. Anyway, I've rambled enough. Just thought I'd give you an update on our girl! Carol
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Turning Pointe's Own Georgia Peach!
You've come a long way baby!
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All My Best Friends Have Long Ears!
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