donkeys

The “Seaside Donkey” Film. I Couldn’t Stop Smiling. A Donklightful Review!

Posted by Barbara Techel

The “Seaside Donkey” Film. I Couldn’t Stop Smiling. A Donklightful Review!

The tagline? 1000 miles around Wales, with a donkey. Indeed, that is the succinct description of what the film is about.

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Last night, I snuggled Miss Gidget on my lap, downloaded the film, Seaside Donkey onto my ipad, and was immediately hooked from the start.

It is a one hour and seventeen minute donkumentary (as it is creatively described!) by filmmaker Rhys Thwaites-Jones, and it captivated me.

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Though, truly no surprise to those who know me and that I simply adore donkeys! Just as much as dachshunds I must confess. And interestingly they are both similar in many ways!  Stubborn, willful, affectionate, and wise creatures they are.

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Hannah Engelkamp set out on a quest to travel around Wales, along the seaside, on foot, with an ass (err, donkey!) named Chico beside her as her companion. She conjured up in her mind this romantic and meditative journey.

The thing is, Hannah never had an animal in her life. She had no idea what she was about to experience in the human-animal bond phenomenon. And this is exactly why the film had me laughing out loud often, smiling just about the whole way through, and my heart melting and eyes misting over with tears and what Chico was teaching her.

Donkeys don’t like water and don’t care to climb hills. And there would be plenty of that on their jaunt around Wales which had me laughing, but also feeling very much the frustration Hannah was experiencing.

But also intriguing as it was a reminder that we are not in control. A reminder to live in the present moment and take it as it is. Donkey wisdom, don’t you know, is so wise!

The film shows how simple life can be and the immense joy we can find in that, which left me wanting even more simplicity in my own. It also taught Hannah, strong-willed herself, that asking for help isn’t a bad thing. There were times it was the only way — and the gifts she received in letting go were unexpected and delightful rewards.

This film and it’s book version (which I’ll be reading next and can hardly wait!), is one I took part in donating to via a Kickstarter campaign.

I greatly admire Ms. Englekamp for her kick-ass (ass pun intended!) attitude and adventurous spirit. It was an honor to support this endearing, full of laughter, and wisdom at every turn story.

If you love donkeys, admire those who follow their hearts calling, and live from the inside, out… well, do yourself a favor and check this film and book out today at Seaside Donkey website. It was truly donklightful!

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The Secret Surprise

Posted by Barbara Techel

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Chico the donkey

Mix in a little of my friend, Marie, a ride through the country, a day of sleet, snow, rain, sun and clouds and you end up finding yourself at a secret surprise location.

My dear friend, Marie was quite excited to take me on a little adventure on Tuesday. She picked me up mid-morning and we headed east for quite a ways. At one point I thought we just might end up in Lake Michigan if we drove any further!

But alas, about 20 minutes later we arrived at Whispering Orchards. I’d been here before, but it was only my 2nd or 3rd time. It is a delightful little apple orchard with a quaint, down home country feel cafe that looks out over the orchard.

Little did Miss Marie know that I knew they have donkeys (and chickens and goats and llamas). As she pulled into the entrance I squealed as loud as a donkey (or would that be bray?).  I could hardly wait to get out of the car and ran to the donkeys like I was a 5 year old girl.

I must digress for a moment and tell you that Miss Marie and Miss Gidget are pen pals and often exchange emails back and forth. Miss Marie writes to Miss Gidget way more often than me!

But I must share what she wrote to Gidget the day after we went to Whispering Orchards (with her permission of course).

Dear Miss Gidget,

Let me tell you. We pulled into the parking lot of my “secret surprise” place and mom leaped out of the car and said “are the donkey’s still here!?” I have never seen anyone, ever, get so excited about donkeys! She could  hardy contain herself.

Needless to say, it took awhile before we actually entered the cafe for our breakfast.

It was, Miss Gidget, so wonderful to see her jumping up and down……so happy!

There is another story about Miss Marie…..regarding a rooster. I will let mom tell you THAT one. 

Much love,

Miss Marie

Miss Marie is telling it straight. I could hardly contain myself as I cooed at the donkeys, which I would come to learn are named Chico and Pedro. Though Pedro would only show his back end to me, Chico was all for the exuberant attention I gave him.

I rubbed his ears, looked into his big brown eyes, kissed his nose and then his sweet, soft lips. Yes, yes indeed – I kissed a donkey! I just couldn’t help myself. And I’d do it again in a heart beat.

And now let me tell you about the rooster story.  I had to have Miss Gidget cover her precious little ears as I relayed the story later that afternoon to John. But you see….

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as we walked out of the restaurant our bellies full with all farm fresh ingredients of eggs, apple dumplings, bacon and toast, Miss Marie found herself not remembering how to tell the difference between a rooster and a chicken.

Just as she voiced this question out loud to me one of the roosters decided to make it quite obvious that he indeed was Rooster with a capital R as he well, um, well… well you know… did what roosters do!….He mounted a chicken.

I almost peed in my pants laughing at the uncanny timing. No doubt in Miss Marie’s mind was there now of who indeed was and is the Rooster. No doubt what-so-ever as we hopped into her car and laughed all the way home.

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Tribute to Simon the Donkey

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I fell in love with donkey’s because of author Jon Katz and reading about them through his blog. I especially had a soft and big heart for Simon, the donkey he rescued from an abusive situation, and who was paralyzed for a time being. But that all changed when Jon and his wife, Maria took Simon in five years ago. He not only survived, but thrived.

The photo above was taken just a few days ago of Simon when he was protecting himself from the cold wind, standing in the skid barn. It cracked me up when I saw it and I laughed out loud reading what Jon said,  “I was grateful he didn’t drop a ton of manure in there, he looked peaceful, even cozy, for a donkey.”

He has thousands of adoring fans. Most recently a classroom of children heard about his story because of the book Jon wrote about him, Saving Simon: How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion. The children had sent Simon Christmas cards and New Years wishes.

He died today, unexpectedly. They think he had a stroke. My heart broke reading the news. I cried and have shed a few more tears as Jon continues to share the experience on his blog today.

But if you’ve read the book about Simon, you will understand when I say that all of a sudden through my tears, it occurred to me that Simon had a purpose and how he found his way to Jon — and that purpose was now fulfilled.

Not only did he change the way Jon understood compassion, but his story is helping others see compassion in a new way, too. I smiled for this profound and powerful message from Simon that will live on.

I recall reading the book and seeing myself in the story and the lessons of compassion I’ve learned also because of my dachshund Frankie who had IVDD, was paralyzed and in a wheelchair.  Because of her and then adopting another paralyzed, wheelchair doxie Joie,I came to understand the meaning of compassion in a whole new way too.

This is what animals are all about – they have such amazing lessons to teach us if we can get out of our own way and be open to their life altering teachings. Simon did that for me, just like my dogs have done, and continue to do too.

While I am so sad for the loss of Simon and will miss seeing photos of him and hearing his bray and his stories, I am so grateful to have known him through Jon’s sharing in his writing and photos.

Simon will live on in the hearts of so many and I actually consider him a hero because of the wisdom he brought to so many.

Rest in peace, sweet, dear, donkey, Simon. You will never be forgotten.