Me and My Donkey…

I grew up as a blessed child. My family had left Germany in 1938 to escape the Nazis and had ended up in Ontario, Canada. My Grandparents were exceptional people and they had two sons my Dad, Joe and my Uncle Carl.

Schwarz Brothers Livestock had a milking operation and we bought and sold dairy cattle for export to the United States. In my family, there was my older brother, my sister and myself.

My brother was an excellent horseman. He could ride like the wind. We had two Shetland ponies, Lady and Frisky. I, unfortunately, was not very proficient. In my early days, my Dad would lead Frisky down to the end of the field and then release his grip. I would go for a fast ride and we would repeat a few more times and that was it.

On Saturday afternoons I spent time with my Grandparents. My Grandmother made exceptionally good chicken soup. She was a very loving Grandma and I enjoyed her company. My Grandfather was funny and smart. He didn’t suffer fools easily. He loved the cattle business.

On my tenth birthday, I went with my family to visit my Grandparents to share my Birthday cake. My Grandmother gave me a Birthday card and a build your own fort set. My Grandpa pulled me aside. He smiled and said ‘’The present I bought you is at the farm.’’

I couldn’t wait for the weekend. My whole week was filled with anticipation. My Dad wouldn’t give me a clue about my gift. On Saturday afternoon, we headed out to the farm and I was filled with incredible excitement.

We picked up my Grandfather at his house and when we arrived at the farm, I bolted out of the car. I looked around and didn’t see anything. I looked at my Grandpa and he motioned for me to follow him. We walked beside the barn and into the back pasture where there were heifers and cows with their calves. Standing in the middle of them was a donkey.

My Grandpa pointed and smiled ‘’Happy Birthday, there’s your present. You can give her a name.’’ I had mixed emotions. On the one hand, I was grateful to have my own donkey, but on the other hand, I didn’t quite know what to do with her.

We walked into the pasture and the donkey stood very still. My Grandpa grabbed her halter but the donkey didn’t want to move. ‘’This is a female donkey, they can be stubborn,’’ I said I…