Did You Hear What They Said?

"Did you hear what they said? They said it would soon be spring and then we can get out and mow the lawn!" Dexter told Sonny. "I know you are a donkey, but I think you should be a steer like me. "
" Why?" asked Sonny. "I like being a donkey because I can hug people, carry at least 400 pounds and have people ride me."
"If you were me, said Dexter, you could eat more grain because I'm a steer. I love to be ridden too by 'brave' teenagers."

"I know, but then The Farm wouldn't have a donkey, they'd only have steers. They'd miss me. Besides, they are busy with their eco-psychology programs and they need us to keep doing our part. We have to teach people about the value of life and how important nature,plants and animals are to this world. Without all this , they wouldn't do so well.

"You know of course, that they are psychologist and they created this program to help youth, families and adults of all ages. They saw a need to help people heal and grow. Betsy and Donna like nature and it helped them so they knew it would help other people." "I miss all the people in winter. Some people come, but not as many as come other times a year." "Yeah, I do too."

"They give me lots of carrots, apples, bread, and I love them. When do they come Sonny?" "They can come all year and have visits, progrms and counseling session here on The Farm's Nature Center where we live. People sometimes have picnics, weiner roasts, learn about us, plants, saving nature. They also can learn about healing and growing from being abused and neglected like I was before I became part of The Farm. I like it here. They don't hurt me, they love me.

"Did you know that other animals and people are hurt by some people? Well, they are and it makes them afraid and sad like I was before I came to live here. But I'm not sad any more, I'm 'healed,' as they call it, and feel better inside and outside! I didn't like being hurt and I didn't understand why people and other animals hurt me because I'm a nice donkey."

"Yeah, you are a pretty nice donkey, except when you think you should be in charge and won't let me eat until you do. You also push me around sometimes. I know you can herd animals, but I don't like it. That is why I lift you off your feet sometimes. I weigh about 1,200 lbs and you are only about 400 so I can lift you easily, but then you push me any where you want me to go. I guess people call it play. Is that what we do? Play?" "Yeah, we play. When animals are well taken care of they have time and energy to play. It's fun and I like herding you around here - it's fun and I am good at it." "How well I know ," said Dexter.

"I miss Donna when she is gone." said Sonny. "I think I heard her say she is doing giving conferences all around the country teaching people how to help others heal when they have been abused or neglected. It is important, but I miss her. Betsy is here and she takes good care of us. What do you think Donna teaches? I think she said she tells them that they can be just themselves and get wisdom from healing and growing. I know that is true because I have healed and grown."
"You sure have, you are getting fat and that is growing, " said Dexie.
"I didn't mean that way. I meant getting ideas of how to live better, not fat!"

"She talks about something called a transcender -what is that Sonny?"
"Not sure, I heard her say something about people who grow up with abuse and neglect but overcome it and rise above it and create a better way of living. They seem to do it all by themselves, but other people always help." "Oh, I'm not sure what that means." " I'm not either, but Betsy and Donna are very determined and committed and to doing it. So it must be a good thing."

"Determined ? Like you, Sonny? why can't they just eat, sleep, lay in the sun like we do and sometimes get extra treats when people visit. Maybe we could teach them how to do that."

" I wish we could talk to more people, especially in the winter when we don't have as many visitors. We could answer lots of questions and tell people about the other animals at The Farm's Nature Center. "I hear there is something called a "log" where people can ask questions said Sunny. "No, dummy" replied Dexter, it's called a "bog". "I don't think so, said Sunny, let's ask Luke, The Farm's seven-year-old St. Bernard. He goes to the office a lot and he is very smart so maybe he would know."

"I think what you are talking about is called a "blog", answered Luke so you both were close. Blog is a funny word if you ask me. We animals communicate so much easier than humans." "I'll ask Donna and Betsy if they can make that happen, okay", asked Luke? "Sounds good to us"replied Dexter and Sunny. "We can't wait until we hear from somebody and we'll answer right back" said Sunny and Dexter.

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