Sadie is the horse that brought our Amish friends Lena and Fanny to the farm to help us brush our leaves away.

The donkeys have been steering clear of the Amish horses, vanishing when they come by. But as usual, their curiosity got the better of them.

They crept up slowly and carefully, and noses were touched, and bodies were sniffed, and all of a sudden, they were friends.

In a few minutes, we were feeding them all alfalfa cubes, and everyone – including Sadie, was chewing away happily.

It was a lovely sight. The girls have taken to the donkeys and the donkeys to the girls.

Sadie started at the alfalfa for a minute or two, then waded in. She loved them.

And Maria and I loved Sadie, who was a beautiful and gentle creature. Donkeys are always cautious, and it always has to be their idea. And they don’t much like male donkeys or horses.

Next time, we’re thinking of letting Sadie run loose in the pasture with them while she is waiting. Lena said she’d love to put a harness on Lulu and ride her. Good luck, we said.