5 March

The Wake-Up Squad Is Bigger Than You Might Think

by Jon Katz

Long before Maria sicced the dogs on me to take wake up in the morning and get out of bed, there was a wake-up team in action and has been for years. That would be the donkeys.

Before we get up, Maria and I lie in bed and talk about the day and about how we feel about things. It’s precious time, and we both value it.

All the way back to the first Bedlam Farm, the donkeys, who stand by the gate every morning waiting to be fed, could hear us when we started speaking.

They would respond by braying loudly. If I weren’t awake by 7 a.m., they would bray loudly enough to wake the dead.

And they still do.

I realized yesterday that the moment the dogs thundered into the room to roust me, the donkeys could pick it all up with their big radar-like ears. They started braying. Between the two of them, nobody would stay in bed for too long.

I’ve heard the donkeys for so long I sometimes don’t notice them. I notice the dogs, for sure. But the donkeys need some credit for their own history of making sure I get up on time, which is when they first get hungry.

The donkeys have my number. They can get me to bring carrots or apples from 200 yards away.

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