donkeys

Book Review & Giveaway! Saving Simon: How a Rescue Donkey Taught Me the Meaning of Compassion.

Posted by Barbara Techel

simon bookAs many of you likely know, Jon Katz is my all-time favorite author. Whenever he announces he is working on a new book, I find myself on the edge of my sofa, eagerly waiting to curl up with a new book of his.

I have to say that I felt an extra bit of eager anticipation waiting for Saving Simon, as I’ve come to love and understand donkeys more because of Jon writing about them on his blog for many years.

I want to begin with my favorite passage from Saving Simon:

“When an animal guides you, emotionally and spiritually, it is not an obvious thing. Rather, they open doors indirectly, and then a domino effect sets in. They open up one part, and then that experience opens up another.”

As someone whose life has been positively changed for the better and enriched in ways I never saw coming because of caring for a dachshund that was paralyzed, I can closely relate to how the experience opens many facets of deepening in our understanding of love and compassion.

It was difficult to begin the story and read of the conditions in which Simon lived, so close to death when he was found and Jon, and his wife, Maria brought him to their farm. It brought me to tears and I had to set the book down for a moment.

But Simon was now in a place where he could heal and begin to live again. And in the process, as animals often do, they heal the humans around them, oftentimes without us even suspecting what is happening to us.

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Another passage from the book that touched me was this one:

And again, there was Simon’s spirit in my head. I can’t speak for what’s inside of his genial consciousness, but I can speak to what was inside of mine. From the first, I was struck by what I saw as the great trait of acceptance in Simon. People always spoke of him as being abused, rescued or neglected, but I saw no sign that Simon thought of himself in that way. Simon immediately got down to the basics of life—eating, walking, pursuing the girls, getting his ration of carrots and apples, getting brushed and fussed over.

This is what I’ve come to love deeply about animals. Their adversity to getting on with life despite what they’ve been through. Their ability to love again also speaks volumes.

Jon beautifully shares how Simon opened up a new world for him of understanding compassion in a way I’ve thought the same way in caring for special needs dogs.

He describes Simon as a magical helper, a spirit guide to help him on his hero journey. His helper appeared in the form of a donkey. Who’d of thunk, right?

But I believe our animal friends are calling out to us to be open to these important lessons to help heal our planet. Simon was just what Jon’s heart needed in opening to a new way of understanding. And when we open our hearts, we also open ourselves more deeply to understanding our fellow humankind.

Jon’s honesty in sharing how he wished to understand the farmer that had Simon before him, I found, to be extraordinary. In one aspect he wanted the farmer, who was so far down into despair after all he endured the past years of hardship, to snap out of it, he realized the farmer was beyond reach.

If we don’t feel for the human being who is so far into this dark place, how can we care for, and be open to the animals and planet around us?

To feel compassion for all living beings is what helps each of us to heal, just as Jon so beautifully shares through his story of Simon.

Simon, as I believe all animals are, are the definition of compassion. To now know Simon through the written word of Jon has opened another part in me that I welcome and am forever changed for the experience. Thank you, Simon….and Jon.

GIVEAWAY!  Leave a comment below by midnight cst, Oct. 22nd to be eligible for a copy of Saving Simon that I will be giving away. I will be using random.org to pick the winner and will announce on my blog on Thursday, Oct. 23rd (US residents only).

A Day with the Donkeys

Posted by Barbara Techel

Me and Elliot from Luv ‘Em All Donkey Farm (Elliot is my favorite so had to have my picture with him)

It all started for me and donkeys when I read about Jon Katz and Bedlam Farm and his donkeys. I fell in love with them and love when John shares a video of them braying – just makes my day! And oh, how I wish I could have a pair of donkeys of my own – but that is not to be at this time in my life.

Then one day a few months later I was driving home and saw this “donkey truck” go by. I about broke my neck twisting it to read the side of it. The minute I got home I googled Luv ‘Em All Donkey Farm and found that it was located only about 6 miles from me.  Long story, short- I ended up writing a story about them because the donkeys were doing work with special needs kids and adults. Sadly, since then, the owner Susan has had some health challenges, and other challenges as well, and has had to find new homes for the donkeys.  Fortunately she has, and even though it will be very hard to say goodbye to them this spring, they are going to two new good homes.  Each set of pairs are going to 2 different gals (who know each other) who work with special needs kids and want to have the donkeys for the kids.  It is all bittersweet. But Susan is happy with where they will be going.

But Susan learned of a Holyland Donkey Sanctuary not far from her home and has been volunteering there so she will have somewhere to go to get her “donkey fix” when her donkey’s go to their new homes.  So she asked me to go along today to practice Reiki with the donkey’s and simply just hang out with them…. I jumped at the opportunity…  so below are pictures of my donkey day.  What an absolutely soul-fulfilling day!

 I was an official “donkey lady” riding in the “donkey van” to go to Holyland Donkey Sanctuary

 Rocky and Elliot are best bud’s so will go together as a pair to their new home in spring

 Rocky is quite the ham and loves the camera

Frankie of Holyland Donkey Sanctuary. He is learning to trust humans again after having a rough past. He approached me three times and one of those times let me quickly pet his side. He is making progress. 

But, gosh, I just wanted to hug him and let him know all will be okay.

Holyland has about 12-14 donkeys and here are a few of them… though don’t ask me to remember all their names!  

I know… I know… funny looking donkey, huh?  This is Velcro the resident cat at Holyland.  Just had to get a picture of him so happy and content in his very large hay bed.

For the Love of Donkeys

Posted by Barbara Techel


Donkeys sometimes get a bad rap. Some people think they are stubborn and unaffectionate. Until I started following author Jon Katz who writes about life on his farm with his three donkeys, I thought the same thing. I couldn’t have been more wrong. As I learned about donkeys, I discovered how affectionate and loveable they really are. So began my love, and sometimes obsession, for donkeys. My hope is that maybe someday I can have one. And who knows, maybe one or two are in my future.

Imagine my delight when I heard about a donkey farm in Greenbush. I first learned about the farm when I saw a darling little white van-type vehicle driving west onto Highway 23. Logoed on the side of the car was “Luv Em All Donkey Farm.” I about broke my neck twisting it far to the left as it sped by.  One thing led to another as I did some research on the internet. I discovered they offer tours to meet the donkeys. On a warm summer day in August, my friend Julie and her two year old daughter Lyla, agreed to take along this big kid (me), and we were off to the farm.

Susan and Brian Kilton are the proud owners of four miniature donkeys named Elliot, Rocky, Ferrari and Sidekick. Elliot is chocolate in color and was the first one to win his way into Susan’s heart when she saw him at Villa Loretto nursing home in Mount Calvary.  They have many farm animals on hand to use as therapy pets with their residents, as well as a free petting zoo for the public. Rocky is grey and was the next to come along from Johnson Creek Wisconsin. Then there is Ferrari, who is named after the car because of his red coat.  Last, but certainly not least, is Sidekick, who is the youngest of the adorable brood at one and a half.  All the other donkeys are two years old.

Though we arrived somewhat unannounced because I misunderstood the information on the flyer, Susan was very gracious in giving us a mini tour. We were able to feed and pet the donkeys. She had a group coming out soon that she needed to prepare for. That is when I learned about the extremely generous kind spirit that Susan is. Having donkeys and using them as therapy animals for special needs kids and adults, as well as the elderly, has been a dream of Susan’s. She explained that miniature donkeys are the perfect size because they are easier to handle and are wheelchair accessible.

Hearing the passion in her voice tugged at my heart strings not only because I do therapy work with my disabled dog, Frankie, but being a writer, this was a story right up my alley. I quickly explained this to Susan and said, “I’d love to write a story about the donkeys when a group visits.”  It just so happened a group was coming out the following Wednesday, and my calendar was open. I could hardly stand the anticipation of seeing the donkeys in action doing their therapy work.

When Wednesday arrived, it was the first day in a long time with no humidity. A few clouds were high in the sky as I drove out to the farm. It was mid morning and I was anxious to see the donkeys once again, and meet the group that would be visiting from Paragon Community in Plymouth.

Elliot, Rocky, Ferrari and Sidekick were all out in the corral as two vans from Paragon drove up. Everyone’s face lit up as they saw the donkeys. With the help of the staff they settled into chairs set up in front of the corral. One young lady, decked out in a felt pink hat with purple trim, her arms crossed in front of her, boldly claimed, “I am not going to talk today!”

The donkeys were out in the middle of the field, viewing from afar, their curious visitors as Brian welcomed their special guests. He then opened the gate and went into the corral. He held up a covered bucket and told everyone it contained a treat. As he shook the bucket, the treat rattled loudly which made the donkeys trot over to check it out. As he set the bucket on the ground, the job of the donkeys was to take the cover off.  Sidekick did it in no time at all and is known as the pro.  But being a pro can have its down side as Rocky quickly gobbled up the treat inside. This, of course, made everyone laugh.

Often times from my own experience doing therapy work with Frankie, there are what I call “golden moments.” This is when a deep connection happens between animal and human. Often no words are spoken, but you can just feel that something magical is happening. I was hoping I would experience at least one golden moment as Brian and Susan brought two donkeys out of the corral to mingle with the guests.

Everyone took turns petting, feeding and brushing Rocky and Sidekick. Giggles were plentiful, as well as, the smiles on many of their faces were priceless. The young lady who was adamant that she would not talk that day began to chatter up a storm as she was feeding the donkeys treat after treat.

One young man, Mike eagerly asked Susan if he could hold Rocky’s lead. As she handed it to him he seemed to grow taller in his stance.  He looked so proud as he walked Rocky around the yard.

As I glanced over toward the gate of the corral, I caught my golden moment. Junior, who is in a wheelchair, had a brush in his hand, and was lost in a world of serenity as he slowly brushed Sidekick back and forth. It was if the world around him had disappeared and he and Sidekick were communicating on a special level of their own. Watching them, I felt transported to a place of complete acceptance and peace.


An hour later, everyone climbed back in the vans, smiling from ear to ear, and their hearts full of donkey love.

After the group left, Susan, Brian, and I sat on the porch and talked. We agreed that it is in those golden moments that life brings us our greatest lessons. The donkeys remind us to take time to enjoy the simple pleasures and nature. But most of all they remind us to love each other no matter what.

Bedlam Farm Donkeys (how my obsession began)