October 2011

Things to remember……

•  TDA fall meeting and officer elections on Saturday November 5th at 4PM. Running for office: Vice President- Dena Wilson, Secretary- Sandy Carroll, Treasurer- Dana Rathburn, Reporter- Theresa Puckett, Awards Committee- Dayle Haworth, Kay Allen and Theresa Puckett.  For more info, location and a map go to http://www.tennessee-donkeys.com/Events.html  

• It is not too soon to be thinking about Christmas and the 2012 TDA fund raising calendars would make a great gift! Pick yours up now!! The calendars can be picked up at all events or if you would like we can ship it. If you live close to any officer just let us know and we can arrange for you to pick it up. The cost is $12 each and if we ship plus shipping costs. Contact Theresa Puckett at 615-230-7260 or email ccrdonkeys@comcast.net. Get yours before it is too late!!!                                                      
• I would like to congratulate everyone on your wins at Westmoreland, well done!! Second, I wanted to convey to you all how impressed everyone was with the show. I told them that the TDA has a great bunch of people who are always willing to give their all whether it be showing, helping someone else to show or just jumping in to help in the ring or anything else that needs to be done. I am very proud to be a member along side such a great bunch of people!! It was the most successful show of their weekend.

Westmoreland Miniature Show

Can you say perfect? That’s what the Westmoreland show was! Last spring the organizers of the Westmoreland Mule Day Celebration contacted us to ask for our help putting together a miniature mule and donkey show. Westmoreland is trying to establish a fall version of Columbia’s Mule Day and I think they have gotten off to a good start. Last year they started with just a parade and moved forward this year to a 3 day event. 

The plan was to have the shows on the baseball fields close to the expo center but as the time grew closer they decided that this wasn’t going to work as well as they thought. So 1 month before the event they went forward with the plan to build a show arena. Needing to have a face to face meeting with the show chairman of the miniature show to get her the information she needed for the show I thought this was a good time to go take a look at the facilities. Once we arrived we went to take a look at where they were building the arena and what we saw was a large field with 2 tractors starting to move the grass out of the way. I can tell you we weren’t sure if they would be able to complete this task in time, but complete it they did.

As we pulled in on show day we couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw the arena, it was perfect. It was large enough to safely accommodate a good size pleasure driving class and the consistency of the dirt couldn’t have been better. The parking was perfect, everyone was able to park in close proximity to the ring and didn’t have to compete with another show for space. The weather was perfect, upon arrival that morning it was a bit brisk but within an hour the sun was out and the temperature was not too hot or too cold the rest of the day. The show was perfect, the competition was great and the camaraderie was wonderful and best of all everyone had fun. So again I ask, can you say perfect?

 To see show results go to:   http://www.tennessee-donkeys.com/WestmorelandShowResults2011.html 

 

Out and About With Longears

Kid's Fair for March of Dimes

Blessed Assurance Farm

 Exhibit At the Tennessee State Fair

Wee Ones Farm

A different TDA farm exhibited Tuesday through Friday 

Eagleville Main Street Festival
Half Ass Acres

Summer camp at Davidson Academy
Crooked Creek Ranch
  

 

Lightfoot’s ASSpect

All Donkeys To Arms

Donkey comrades, let me appeal to your sense of justice.  Let me beg for your cooperation in standing against donkey brutality.  I’m talking about the humiliation of being clipped naked.

Following is the detailed account of the events leading up to the State Fair which I have personally submitted in a report to the ASPCA:

Wednesday, September 14, I was tied in the driveway to a 16 foot gate and bathed with cold, yes, cold water.  I danced around so much I got soap in my eyes but I couldn’t help it.  Even though it was 85 degrees outside with the sun shining, it was cold!  My Mom just scolded me and said it wasn’t even really soap but an all vegetable based solution that cost a fortune and to stop being a baby.  As it turns out that was the best part of my day.

Once dried, I was cross-tied in the barn and the horrible buzzing of a thousand bees began to hover around me.  When they began landing on me I went into panic mode.  I am not about to stand still under those conditions.  The more I danced the worse things became.  My Mom and Aunt Dayle tried holding my ears.  Then when that didn’t work they put a clamp on my lip.  It hurt like heck but I was not about to give in.  By then they had moved down to my legs which are really sensitive and I just knew they would give up…..but they didn’t.

 After several breaks and what seemed like an eternity it was over.  I was moved to a cozy little stall and given hay and water.  I could hear them talking outside my stall and I overheard Aunt Dayle say, “I’m too old for this.  We may have to consider acing him next time.”  I thought I had “aced it" pretty successfully already.  Wait...does “aced” mean the same as “iced”?  I don’t want to die!  Please! No!!! I’ll be good next time.

That’s my version of what happened and I’m sticking to it.  If any of you wish to lodge a similar complaint just ask me for the address or phone number which I happen to have on speed dial.

On a lighter note, the fair was awesome, especially, Thursday night.  My friends and I got to go for a few hours and let little kids pet us and sit on us.  We had our pictures taken like a million times.  Then the best thing happened.  You can ask Sandy Carroll.  A band stuck up a number and I started dancing the happy dance.  It was fantastic!  I’ll go again.  I just love a band.  But, please next time let me go with all my clothes on.

‘Til Next Time,

Lightfoot Lee