When we got to the farm this morning, Rocky was out in a corner of the pasture, he still seemed disoriented (the donkeys were in the other pasture with the sheep). He seemed anxious, circling back and forth, almost as if he had forgotten his way. We brought some grain out to him, and after a few minutes he made his way towards the pole barn but very tentatively, as if he couldn’t recall the route and he was listening and sniffing for the donkeys. We got him in his stall, grained him and gave him water. Then we let the donkeys in. They came up to him and Simon put his nose against the gate and the two just seemed to be drinking in one another, sniffing each other. Rocky was intent on Simon, looked at him, was very aware of him.

Simon, Lulu and Fanny stayed just outside of Rocky’s gate all day. Rocky got apples and hay and so did the donkeys and I could see for the first time the flocking instinct emerging. They all seemed to want to hang out together, and did for most of the day. When dusk came, we let Rocky out of his stall and took the donkeys back to the sheep pasture for the night, so Rocky can graze and get some exercise. Lulu kept coming up to the gate and sniffing at Rocky, and Simon seemed much more comfortable. This is the new routine. This way they can be close to one another, sense and smell one another, but not get to one another.

Tomorrow I might leave Lulu in the pasture with Rocky (he would still be in the stall) and see what happens. I’ll reassess each day. It was a much better day. I’m hoping they simply get used to one another, especially since Rocky is not challenging Simon in any way. Men. I told Simon today that being a man does not mean beating up on people weaker than you. Being a man is about loving and caring for the things around you. So I told him.

I’ll write more later if I can. I am wiped. But things are coming into focus, we are much more hopeful than yesterday. This approach adds a lot of work to the day, moving hay, water, animals around. It is a good approach and It needs, I think, time and patience.