It has always been hard for me to watch animals in our family age and die. I have learned valuable lessons of life from most animals I have been around. Mostly hard lessons like when a mule steps on your foot and won’t move, don’t kick him with your other foot to get him off or you will now have two very sore feet!  I learned that one firsthand.

For many years I noted at the bottom of my resume that my wife and I raised French race horses. It always caused comments and questions from people wondering what French race horses were like. When I explained they were commonly known as “jacque-assays” (jackasses) most people still didn’t get it. Only when I told them they are better known as burros or donkeys did the light go on.

We have been privileged to raise three donkeys over the years here at the farm. Two of them have passed on and only Flapjack remains. We acquired him in a somewhat unusual way. I got a call from two aging movie stuntmen wanting to borrow $75.  When I asked why, they said there were some guys out in the desert getting ready to barbecue a small donkey colt. You can guess, 35 years later Flapjack has the run of the Windmill property.  We don’t pen him up as he is a wonderful watchman and never lets any stray dogs or coyotes hang around.  As I watch Flapjack grow older I see him slowing down just as I notice I am doing. Not that I am looked at as the ass in the family by everyone…just my closest friends.

As we slog through another Arizona summer, we are enjoying the time we have with all of the creatures God has entrusted us to look after.  When you are in the Florence area please stop in and spend some time with them, you will be amazed at how it will reinvigorate you in these trying times.

-Harold