I cannot believe our little Noel is five months old today. If we were keeping her up, we’d be separating her from her mama, Laney, now. Instead, Laney will have to do all the work herself.
In celebration of this day, here is a walk back in time. Enjoy.
Happy Birthday Noel! 12/15/2024
Four days old. We wondered if we would ever get to touch her.
Six days old. Laney moved her to a pasture closer to people.
Chanoah doctoring wounds from being run into barbed wire. Jack donkeys were immediately removed from the pasture. Eight days old. We learned she is a girl and named her Noel.
Realizing her wounds needed professional care, she went to the Auburn University Vet Clinic for almost a month. Here with her owner, Greg, twelve days old.
First day home, Jan. 24, 2025. This was her first photo on Substack. Five weeks old. This is when I began spending a ridiculous amount of time with her.
First day home, notice Laney’s wariness. At this time, she still resisted humans. That would change quickly.
Still the first day home. Noel was most curious and welcoming to humans, unlike her mama.
At six weeks old, we’d pretty much bonded.
Noel and Laney got to start spending days in the arena! Six weeks.
We even invited some of the gentler horses to come in and meet her.
Evenings in the barn, and growing more curious and bold with the horses who came to say hello.
Two months old, Feb. 15, 2025. Notice Laney is now wanting love just like Noel. My two girls!!
Two month old bonkey, perfection.
Seven weeks old, and Noel and Laney were released to the horse pasture. Big steps!
It took two days for the horse herd to accept them. Laney stood guard. It was such a relief when the herd dynamics settled.
I love her so much. March 8.
Portrait of a three month old bonkey.
Three months, still living in the horse pasture.
Leroy, far right, realized there is no fence or gate that can keep him in. He joined Laney and Noel, which caused constant chaos.
What is this face, Noel? March 31, 3.5 months old.
First day back with the cows, after the accident in her first two weeks of life. April 2. This was always the goal, but it’s still hard.
Two days later, she, Laney, and Leroy escaped. We returned them, and Noel seems quite pleased with herself.
Real donkeys get rained on! April 7, Almost four months old, here with my granddaughters.
Noel, four months old. I still love her with all my heart. And she still loves me. At this point, I have no worries that she will forget me, and am sure that even if I don’t see her every single day, she will always come to me for affection.
April 23. Her fuzz has turned to shag, and she’s a permanent mess. Noel loves to roll in the red dirt. Such a donkey! But will always be my bonkey.
Noel’s growing into a real donkey face. She enjoys kisses, and tries to steal my sunglasses and hat every time. May 2, 2025.
Caught in mid-bite!
I was stunned when I saw this photo. She’s so big! I can no longer squat down to hug her; she comes on so strong she knocks me over.
Five Months Old! Noel’s glamour shot, all covered in red mud, sassy and full of herself. She’s not scared of anything. I’m so proud of her.
Following her journey brings on a smile. Every time you post. Happy 5 months Noel.
Such a cutie! 😍