Maria and the donkeys have mastered the art of the Double Donkey BackRub. The donkeys love attention, on their own terms of course, and Lulu and Fanny, who are both awfully smart, have figured out how to place themselves so that they can each get a back rub or head scratch at the same time.

I call it the Double Donkey BackRub,  the donkeys circle around until each is facing a different way, their backs and head and shoulders both within easy reach of human arms. They stand like that until they are bored, and then move on.

But they are visibly upset if they don’t get their rubbing and scratching time, and they want it from both of us. Maria does it more than I do.

Fanny insists on equal time with me, and I’ll get a nose in the butt if she doesn’t get it. The donkeys and Maria have a great love for one another, they talk to each other all the time. All three of these women are independent and strong, but they never are too busy or too hungry to get some lovin.’ And Maria never says no.