1 November

Simon In His Prime

by Jon Katz
In His Prime
In His Prime

My donkey Simon is in his prime these days, he is almost fully healed from his many wounds and injuries when I first met him – his front legs are still somewhat twisted and I think, sore – but he is healthy and hearty and king of the hill here. He is one of the most loved and charismatic animals I have ever known, and our connection is quite deep, even profound.

I have become one of those strange men who wander the world talking to donkeys, Simon and I get each other, perhaps because we bonded so strongly when he was healing in the Bedlam Farm pasture. Seeing Maria and Minnie reminds me of me and Simon, when I spent so many nights with him out in the muddy pasture, he couldn’t stand for more than a few minutes, I hand fed him hay and read him stories about donkeys. We spent some time together every day and Simon gets to roam our grassy pastures, eat apples off of trees, get snacks, try and flirt with Lulu and Fanny (who still kick him in the head almost daily).

He loves his girls and is devoted to them, and he absolutely adores any kind of human. People from all over the country have traveled to meet Simon and giveĀ  him carrots and treats. I work hard at not over emotionalizing animals, I absolutely do not believe Simon feels gratitude for me, he does not consider himself a rescued creature, and I do not see him in that way. He has moved on, so, mostly, have I, although I will never forget the awful sight of him back then.

Our connection is different, deeper perhaps, we simply trust and love one another. I kiss him on the nose every morning and he is visibly upset if we don’t have some quality time – much braying and staring. I think he is about as content as a donkey can be. He still tries to eat my Iphone and picks my pockets all of the time. He is learning to love Red and is also learning to love the camera, he has learned to pose, as all my animals have.

He has no heavy work to do, is adored by many people, and will snuggle for hours. He gets good treats, too. He deserves all of that, he has opened me up in many ways, he is one of the greatest of gifts to me. I never met a donkey until I came to Bedlam Farm, I cannot imagine life without one. Or three.

Simon is in his prime, this is his time.

 

1 November

Minnie’s Good Day

by Jon Katz
Minnie's Day
Minnie’s Day

Minnie seems more open and engaged than she was before she lost her leg a few weeks ago in some sort of animal attack. In a sense, she was a quiet presence in the farm, little noticed by me, rarely photographed, and in my mind, just not an animal I was drawn to write about. Misfortune changes perspective, and the attack and the resultant attention brought Minnie to the fore.

She is quite a character, vocal, confident, and quite affectionate. She wanted to return to her life as a barn cat, and this is also what we wished for her and what is happening. She is still spending nights in the farmhouse, but I suspect that will change as she is finding her own hiding places, moving freely about and gaining confidence. Minnie is quite the presence in the house, taking over dog beds, cuddling up with Maria in the evening, sometimes taking a nap with me.

She begins her day touring the backyard, visiting the barn, sunning herself in the yard, hanging out with chickens, napping in hay bales. Then she finds me or Maria to eat an afternoon snack and usually comes into the house. She is healing well, her wounds beginning to be obscured by growing fur. She is walking steadily and climbing pretty tall spaces. She seems to be in no pain, and today was a very good day for her.

(Thanks for your notecards and letters, you can write me (or Maria) care of Bedlam Farm, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.)

 

 

1 November

Red’s World. Cont.

by Jon Katz
Red's World
Red’s World

Like so many of the better working dogs, Red is profoundly grounded at work, and sometimes at sea elsewhere. He has trouble navigating smooth floors, glass partitions, is rattled by loud or strange sounds – sounds from the computer or a TV make him crazy. Out in the pasture, he is solid as a cement block, and I think it is this groundedness that has made Simon comfortable around him, gotten him to trust this strange little creature.

Red never looks at Simon or reacts to him, his whole demeanor and body language suggest he is not looking for conflict or trouble, he is no threat to the donkeys. This has permitted Simon to get close to Red, to get his smell, to trust him and see him as a member of the pasture who belongs there, not as a hyper intruder. Often now, Simon will seek Red out and stand by or next to him. Red does not react to this – ever – nor does it bother or distract him.

1 November

Last Leaf: Defiant Happiness. Notice Me.

by Jon Katz
Last Leaf
Last Leaf

I think all photographers are obsessives, really, we focus on things and go back to them again and again, time and again. This week, I am obsessed with last leaves, the final bursts of defiant color and light before the Days Of Grace, and then, the gray and cold time. I saw one of my last leaves on the path we walked on in the windstorm, it was quite defiant, a last burst of vigorous and vital color and strength – it says to me,”I am going out, but with a flourish. Notice me.” I am, and am inspired by you.

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