I love woods. There were woods next to and behind my grandma's little shack when I was a child. They held great mystery for me. There was a train track running through the woods. I still love the sound of a train whistle.
Living on the wooded parcel we called the Ten, in the pop-up camper for the short time I did, was magical.
I had my boyfriend's dog, a beautiful female collie named Jackie, and a Husky I adopted from a shelter named Jake. They were a handful it turned out. In my mind's eye, I can see Jake flying through the woods. A magnificent sight.
My neighbors on the right began complaining about Jackie herding his cows. I passed a farm coming and going every time I went to town. One day I pulled into their driveway. Remember, I am a city gal born and raised. So, I knew nothing about country life or their animals.
I think I neglected to tell the farmer about Jake. I asked him what I could get for Jackie to herd. He sold me five roosters. I proudly took them to our little haven.
I no sooner released them than Jake killed three. I tied him up. After a few days, I thought he would be ok, so I untied him. He quickly finished off the last two Chickens. The neighbors on my left had chicken for dinner. It turned out Jake was in the shelter because he was a chicken killer. They hadn't told me when I adopted him.
One weekend when I picked up my oldest grandson for a visit, I had an idea. I again pulled into the farmer's drive. I told my grandson; he could pick any animal he wanted for his very own pet. He finally settled for a small desert burro. I never really named him. The farmer delivered him to us. Every morning the donkey came to the door, and I gave him an apple. That little donkey fell in love with me.
I talked Danny, my grandson into riding him. I smacked him lightly on the butt to get him to move. He bucked up and Danny went flying over his head. He never rode him again.
One morning while exploring we came across a snake eating baby rabbits. I ran and got my pistol. It took us ten shots to kill the snake. Turned out to be a black snake, supposedly good. There is no such thing as a "Good" snake to me.
I caged the surviving babies and kept them alive for some time. The Vet. Told me that was an amazing feat. I took them to an AA meeting with me. The gals loved them. Unfortunately, I let them convince me to feed them solid food. They were too young, and it killed them.
My boyfriend came to visit one day. He too smacked the donkey when I introduced them. The donkey had been an alpha male and took offense. He ran away.
Someone called me and let me know where he was spotted. Danny and I drove my truck to get him. It was a long dirt drive leading to my place. I tied the donkey to the camper top, but it didn't work very well.
When we came to the long driveway, I told Danny I couldn't drive and lead the donkey too, so I needed him to drive. I led in front. I started laughing and came to the window of the truck. I told Danny, "I can see the headlines now-grandson kills granny and her Ass." We had a good laugh.
I had a picture, of Danny driving the truck, He was so proud. He was only eight or nine then.
Continued-
Author Notes
Happy memories for both of us.
Thank you, Moon Willow, for your art.
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