Longhopes.  However, after communicating with Longhopes I applied for an exception and was granted one.  In April 2006 I visited Longhopes and adopted Milagra and Regalo who were a mother and son pair. Milagra is a feral donkey who was pregnant when she was rounded up from a range in Arizona and sold.  Her new owner didn’t have a clue on training Milagra.  As a consequence, Milagra was very wild 3 years later when the owner surrendered her to Longhopes.   But oh is Milagra smart.  It took many, many hours but Longhopes got her gentled.  A couple came to adopt Milagra and Regalo but after several months it was discovered they had not followed through with the contact Milagra needed and was unmanageable.  So, Longhopes stepped in and brought them back to Longhopes.  With this history, Longhopes was worried about my taking Milagra.  However, we had an instant bond that was obvious to everyone at Longhopes.  So, she became mine.

For the next few months the donkeys remained at Longhopes while we got ready to move from Alaska to our new home in New Mexico.  During those months Longhopes and I thought it might be best if Regalo had a playmate because his mom was getting tired of his 3 year old antics.  So Longhopes kept their eyes open and decided that Sundance and Cisco (Chief) were up to the task.

At the end of August 2006, Kathy Dean and her husband Alan Miller delivered the donkeys to Reserve, New Mexico.  It was a 14 drive but the donkeys did just fine.  The rivers were high and raging when they arrived so we were unable to cross them to get into our ranch.  Fortunately some local residents came to the rescue and pastured our donkeys for a week. 

At first Sundance was the only donkey that was happy to have relocated to New Mexico but we kept building fences and passing out treats.  Regalo came around in a short time but Milagra and Cisco have taken a long time to become trusting.  Milagra now comes to me for her daily hugs and Cisco joins the group to get treats.  He even lets me pet him a little.  A big turning point in our lives together  was when Milagra let me brush her all over and Cisco let me brush him on one side.  That was more than 6 months after they moved here.

Living with donkeys is wonderful!  They really brighten up the place.  Their shelter is a very old wooden barn that because of Antonio’s efforts has now evolved into a duplex style barn.  They start out the day by calling you to bring their breakfast and open the corral gate.  We have tied into the forestry fencing so they have about 20 acres to roam.  This is mostly rocky mountain land, which really keeps their hooves in great shape!

When you go out to work they do their best to help.  Cisco who continues to remain aloof has appointed himself as the “watch donkey”.  He does not allow cows on the property.  I think they no longer want to return.  One time he had cows flying up and down the river.  He forgot he didn’t like the water.  Another time he protected me from a very large telephone man.  When  strangers cross the river and come to the gate the donkeys and dogs band together to hold the gate.

As I was writing this article a friend from Alaska called.  She and her husband visited a few months ago and she said “how easy it would be to write about the donkeys”.  She reminded me of the time her husband left the car door open and Sundance was trying to climb into the car, how they loved the lifesavers he had brought them, and how they followed them around. 

Everyday donkeys do funny stuff.  I think I could go on and on with little stories about their antics.  I have not been disappointed with the realization of my “retirement dream”.

More pictures are available at http://community.webshots.com/user/rmirazo .

Editor’s note.  It brings a special tear to our eyes to know that born “wild and free” Milagra has returned to a climate and terrain that mirrors her birthplace.   Thanks Renee for giving such a special gift to Milagra.

New Mexico or Bust by Renee Mirazo

My retirement dream was to have a place where I could have donkeys and dogs in peace.  In 2005 we found the perfect place out of Reserve, New Mexico.  Then I started to look for some donkeys that might want to share the ranch with us.  Much to my surprise  I found Longhopes on the internet.  I thought “wow” how much better to adopt a rescued donkey than to buy a fancy donkey.  It seemed like a great opportunity only I was outside Colorado and therefore not necessarily eligible to adopt from