Connections
The Spirit of Being
by Sharon Harrison
“Thunder”, Photo by Sharon Harrison
The opportunity to walk with a donkey doesn’t present itself very often. It’s safe to say, it is a first for this journalist whose only encounter with donkeys came in the form of English seaside holidays as a child, a world far removed from this one. Putting one foot in front of the other, the timing coincident, yet mostly in sync, Thunder’s wide berth occasionally brushes my side. The four-legged beast trots beside me, where I find myself sometimes steps ahead or trailing behind, yet the power of the affirmative rhythm remains a constant in this special rural place as sections of the Millennium Trail are traversed in unique, yet familiar fashion.
The blending light and landscape and silence lend an element of tranquility. Of quiet. Peace. On this journey of anticipation, I’ve watched autumn turn to winter and then to spring, and while natural surroundings are ever-changing, there is much that remains constant about this soul-searching journey, a nourishing passage of replenishment. The intimate experience reveals itself as this gentle creature takes the encounters in stride and this is where I learn about humility and trust and intelligence. Footsteps, of solid ground beneath boot soles, of movement, of energy, of grounding: forward, always forward. I look to the trees for answers knowing a train once trundled where I now tread, where footprints and donkeys make new history, and memories.
The blending light and landscape and silence lend an element of tranquility. Of quiet. Peace. On this journey of anticipation, I’ve watched autumn turn to winter and then to spring, and while natural surroundings are ever-changing, there is much that remains constant about this soul-searching journey, a nourishing passage of replenishment. The intimate experience reveals itself as this gentle creature takes the encounters in stride and this is where I learn about humility and trust and intelligence. Footsteps, of solid ground beneath boot soles, of movement, of energy, of grounding: forward, always forward. I look to the trees for answers knowing a train once trundled where I now tread, where footprints and donkeys make new history, and memories.
“Micah”, Photo by Sharon Harrison
More About Sharon Harrison’s Journey with Thunder and Friends
by Sharon Harrison
Published in the Wellington Times, April 29, 2021
Heartsong&Meeting of the Minds
By Sharon Harrison
Published in the Wellington Times, February 18, 2021
Wilbur
"Whenever we are in the neighborhood of Thyme Again Farms along the trail, Thunder and I stop by to say hi to Wilburt. Wilburt is also a rescue donkey and while he has the company of 14 sheep in his farm yard, he will run around in circles with joy when he encounters one of his own."
~Conrad Beaubien
Dominic
Karen Francis, a volunteer at Coveted Kennels & Sanctuary in Sunderland, ON recently sent us this photo of her new friend Dominic.
Karen writes, “I am delighted that “Walking with Thunder” was recently brought to my attention. The animal/human connection is pure Magic 🌟! I look forward to following your posts and adventures with Thunder...”
Irish Donkey Stories
by Eliza Parkinson
My mother Pat lived in a small stone cottage on the west coast of Ireland with a springer spaniel named Carter and five donkeys – Nephin Peg, Brian Booker, Maria, Nora Rose and Liam. Her love of donkeys and her growing knowledge of their welfare lead her to take on the role of Donkey Inspector for the West of Ireland. You see, in Ireland many cattle farmers include one donkey with their cattle and sometimes that donkey needs "attention." So on her daily outings if she saw a donkey in need, she would stop and talk to the farmer and give him helpful donkey tips. Occasionally someone might report a donkey in need and she would see to its’ welfare as well.
The County of Mayo on Ireland’s west coast is made up of inlets with tidal rivers and bays. My mother’s property spanned two coastal spits of land. The cottage faced a bay on one side and backed onto a tidal river on the other side, from where you could see across to her fields on the next spit. When the tide was high, the tidal road that lead to her home would flood and if we didn’t time our outings with the tide, we would be forced to pass up through the neighbor’s land.
When the tide was high, the tidal road that lead to her home would flood and if we didn’t time our outings with the tide, we would be forced to pass up through the neighbor’s land.
When the donkeys were on the cottage side they were part of our everyday. They brayed in the morning and played, chasing each other around the cottage. Mostly they hung about “mowing” the grass. They were curious and mischievous, timid and outgoing, affectionate and standoffish. Such distinct personalities! They would stand at the windows peering in to watch us cooking, eating, reading and more.
Sometimes they needed to be moved across the river to the other spit for fresh pasture. If the weather conditions and the water of the tidal river were perfect, we could swim them over, but if not, they would be walked the long way around through the fields, down to the shore, up through town, over the bridge, down and up again.
Photo of Two Donkeys Meeting by Nick Fewings on Unsplash