Many of the RISSE kids who came to the farm today had never seen a donkey or touched one.

They pulled out their cell phones to take pictures and send them off to their families. Lulu and Fanny are seasoned greeters, but boisterous and anxious people make them nervous and they back off sometimes.

We asked them to come in quietly, and one at a time, and let nature take its course. They are not used to being quiet, for sure. But it worked.

It was getting cold, and the rain was turning to ice and snow, and the boy were shivering in their hooded sweatshirts and sneakers. Maria soothed the donkeys – they love and trust her totally – and the boys fell in love with them, all the while beaming selfies and photos  home and to their friends.

We love to do this and are good at it.

We took the RISSE boys out one by one. Four were just too anxious to come out, the rest came out one at a time, held cookies, were calm and soothing and Lulu and Fanny warmed to them and came up to get their treats. A sweet sight for me, they will be coming here often when the weather turns.

I realized that the farm is very exotic to them. They kept talking about our views of the mountains and the hills. Several told me they never see green  hills or forests in their new lives. I can tell they miss that. Our donkeys have converted many a nervous kid to the wonder of animals. It is a gift to be able to do that.