My Name is Max.  I was born a wild burro in 1983. Our herd was called China Lakes and we lived near Death Valley.  My brother and I were foals when humans shot and ran our herd.  Many died; we lost our mothers.  A different herd of humans came and put us into wheeled barns that carried us out of our desert to very high plains in Colorado.  We arrived cold, tired and frightened.  After a short time we were moved again to a place up in the mountains with tall grass and sweet water.

My brother and I lived with a human man

and woman and a dog that is not a coyote.

For many years we explored the high country

carrying packs for the woman and man.  We

were content and happy.  Our herd was called

Laughing Ass.

A New Friend  by Max

The woman found a special herd on the plains called LONGHOPES.  The humans are kind there, and have saved many lives and found new herds for the homeless.

I miss my brother, but the nights aren’t so scary now. Django and I lay in our barn next to each other.  I tell him stories of the old days and he listens intently.  Sometimes his eyes widen and he lets out a snort, but he’ll see it’s all true soon enough.  During the day I find it hard to nap now because this young one wants to run and play tug and other burro games with me.  When he finally tires out he likes to rest his head on my back.

They say my new friend is a donkey, but I don’t mind.  We are all asses in my herd and Longhopes has helped put the laugh back at Laughing Ass Ranch.

I have a new friend now we call Django.  He is very young and has much to learn about the mountains and the work we will do together.  We are all busy teaching him and loving him.  He must learn that the dog who is not a coyote protects the herd.  The woman is teaching him to carry a pack saddle.  The man scratches his back and whispers in his ear about love and trust.  The man also has carrots!  I’m trying to show Django the importance of being calm and steady on the trail.  He realizes I’m an old hand at all of this and I think he even admires me a bit.

Django’s first walk away from Laughing Ass.  Max is helping to train him

EDITORS NOTE:  Thanks to Pat and Rick for typing this up for Max.  They tell us that Django is doing great and is getting to be quite the pack donkey!

Max was a NOWAH donkey, see our article about the NOWAH group.

One day after the snows came this year, my brother lay down and did not stand again.  After almost 20 years together and many adventures, our herd was shocked with grief.  As the days passed, I  became more sad.  Night was especially lonely and scary for me.