When it comes to animals,I’m a  believer in plans. You need to think about what you are doing. Given the chance, animals work things out over time, and there is often confrontation and confusion when they meet, especially when one of them is blind. My plan was not good yesterday, better today. I went over to the new farm and let the donkeys and Rocky out together – he was in his stall all night, separated from the donkeys by a gate. I stood by as they grazed together for awhile, then put the donkeys out in the sheep pasture.

I will follow this procedure twice a day. Apart from short periods together, Rocky will go in his stall or in separate pastures when we are not around or at night. But I want them to be near each other and see one another.  This morning, they stared at one another, but were markedly less tense and alert. And then, got comfortable, ears up, tails down, the donkeys grazing alongside Rocky, and he was aware of them but not especially concerned. It went very well, much easier than yesterday. I will follow this practice for a week or so – letting them together for small periods when Maria or I am on hand. I have lived with donkeys for a decade now, and their patterns are familiar to me. They are very protective and alert when a strange dog or animal comes into their lives, then over a few weeks, they come to embrace the newcomers and protect them. That is their nature. They are that way with sheep, dogs, cats and chicken and other donkeys as well. Rose got kicked. So did Red. Lenore got her tail nipped.

Like dogs, (children too)  they need to be given the chance to work out their issues and acclamations and to solve their problems, even if they are blind. It just has to be done carefully and thoughtfully and gradually. So that is the process. I am not building another fence to separate them and wouldn’t if I were wealthy. I will not keep them apart so they are unable to get comfortable with one another. I know when I post these kinds of stories that I will unleash a torrent of advice, self-righteousness and certainty from people who believe they ought to tell other people what to do, and that they know.

I will be honest about my mistakes, and have no problem ignoring the angry and self-righteous, the Internet’s Frankenstein children. They do not speak  for the love of animals, but for the love of self. If you love animals, you respect their adaptability and instincts about living their lives – within reason. Rocky has to live in this world with his blindness as he has for years, and they will work it out over the next days and weeks. He might get another kick or two. Simon got plenty even before he could walk. But I suspect that will not happen again and I will be close by as will Maria.  I am comfortable with the trade-off of being open and waiting for the onslaught of unsought advice and will be honest and forthright about how it all goes.  I have learned that most advice – especially that which is the most emphatically stated – is wrong. I trust my own instincts the most. I am in the pasture, seeing them, and I know them all well. I’ve seen Rocky every day for more than two years. He was happy today, appreciating the company. These are all herd animals, and their instincts will be to work it out. This morning I feel quite solid about it. Too much going on yesterday and I lost control. I have it back.

And no, I do not feel terribly sad about it. And my life is not an argument. Rocky has a good life and is fortunate to be alive and sheltered and it will get better.  He owes me nothing but I do not feel sad about his care. I’ve been kicked a few times myself, I am afraid it is a part of life in the real world.