(This photo is for sale, $125, unframed: free shipping in the U.S. for the holidays. You can buy it now on Full Moon Fiber Art’s Etsy page.)

As some of you might recall, Gus, our late Boston Terrier, loved to sit up on one of the donkeys’ backs from time to time, until he got sick.

We’ve had Bud for nearly two months now, and like Gus, he seems  a natural born farm dog. He loves to come out into the pasture with us, try to herd the sheep, flirt with the donkeys.

The donkeys have accepted Bud’s obnoxious circling, and today we decided to put him up on Fanny.

Bud was happy to go, he looked uneasy for about three seconds, and then resumed his rightful place in the world. He went into his “King Of Bedlam Farm” post.

Boy, Bud ever a good match for us, our lives and our farms. Thanks again, FOHA. But is shedding his wariness and fear quickly. He is a dog of entitlement, he is the King Of All He Survey.

Dogs aren’t really supposed to do this, neither are donkeys.

The circle turns and turns, and closes. In a sense, this was a signal to us about Gus. Time to let him go. I will never forger the first time Gus hopped up on Fanny. I won’t forget today either.

I could hardly believe that one Boston Terrier would happily sit astride a donkey, let alone two. I’ll get to work on teaching Fanny and Bud how to ride together.

It’s something about the place, I think.

We really are a Peaceable Kingdom here, the animals all get along and create their own vision of Eden. We trust one another.

Bud senses this, just as Gus did, and does things most dogs would not do.

I loved seeing this, and capturing it. Bud could not possibly be more at home than he is here, some stories do have happy endings. Bud has paid his dues, time to take up his rightful place in the world.

I suspect some people will want to buy a print of this photo. So I’ve reduced the price and offered free shipping for the holidays. The print will be 8 x 12 1/2 inches, unframed, printed on the highest quality rag paper by the Image Loft of Manchester, Vt. It’s for sale on Maria’s Etsy Page for $125, no charge for shipping.