I’ve lived with donkeys for 15 years. They are masters of manipulation, they know how to get my attention and melt my heart. They whinny and bray and look pleadingly at me, and I almost always succumb, snow or ice, rain or full moon.

I was going out to close up the chickens when they started their soft braying and looked at me with those big brown eyes. I  went into the barn to get some alfalfa treats and they were waiting right at the gate for me, they know the drill. I can’t really say no to them. This is our bedtime ritual, although they can manipulate me during the day too if they see me.

I decided to record this small moment of farm life tonight. Fate was eager to get in with the sheep (not this late) and Red was standing by. I gave Lulu and Fanny their treats and called  Red to the gate to push the sheep back, they were bunching up around the donkeys.

They move the second they see Red coming. They don’t care if Fate is there or not.

I listened to the donkeys crunching on their treats, and pondered what happens when a donkey gets ahold of your heart. It isn’t pretty. But it is endearing, and I guess I love this nighttime ritual. Come and see.