It was a wonderful thing this evening after dinner when Alan and I went out to the barn to feed. When we got out to the barn, Alan noticed that Hillary wasn't there with all the other cows and donkeys. Hillary was expecting, but we didn't expect her to have her baby for about another week. We've been watching her for the past couple of weeks, just waiting. Since she wasn't at the barn for feeding time, I decided to walk through the
pastures to see if she was bed down some place away from all the
others. That's a sure sign of an expecting mother about to give birth.
I saw Hillary in the farthest pasture from the barn, standing, facing away from me. As I got closer, I could see the little baby standing in front of her. I shouted back towards the barn to Alan so he'd come with me. As we got closer, it looked like the baby was on the other side of the fence from Hillary in the empty pasture. Sure enough it was, just on the other side of the wire from Hillary!
Alan went through the gate into the pasture to get
the baby. It took a couple of wabbley steps toward Alan and he was able
to easily pick it up and carry it around through the gate to Hillary.
She was a happy mama! The baby sniffed Hillary, and then walked up to
Alan and nuzzled his hands, and then walked right up to me and put it's
head in my hands. Soooo cute, and SOOOO soft! Then, she went off to be
with her mama. It was the sweetest thing -- like she was thanking us
for saving her.
Alan walked down the fence line to see if he could see where the birth happened, and to see if he could figure out how the baby got on the other side of the fencing. We could see that the birth spot was right next to the wire, and either the baby wiggled it's way under the fence before it could get to it's feet, or (since there was birth stuff still hanging over the lower wire) it might be that Hillary was backed up against the wire when the baby was born. Either way, we are VERY lucky we decided to go feed when we did, and that Alan noticed Hillary missing, AND that we went to look for her. We could have woken up tomorrow to a very sad situation here on the farm. We're so thankful...
It was getting late in the evening when we found them and the sun had just set, so there wasn't much light left for photos. But I was able to catch a few, even if most of them are dark and a bit blurry.
Such a CUTE little baby! It's really amazing how lucky we can be in life.
I can't wait until morning, so I can go out and take more photos!! =)
Beautiful. AND lucky!
Posted by: Queen Mary | October 04, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Oh, Anna! What a lovely tale about the donkeys and such cute pictures, too!
Posted by: Debbie | October 04, 2007 at 01:34 AM
OMG! What a darling lil' family! Sweet pics!
~Angie
Posted by: Duckwaddlequack | October 03, 2007 at 08:35 PM
Soooo cute!!! He is just darling! Congratulations!
Posted by: Cindy H. | October 03, 2007 at 04:39 PM
How sweet! Baby is just adorable!! You're not naming it Chelsea, are you?!
Posted by: broni | October 03, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Aaawwwwww!!! Congratulations on the new baby! She's soooo cute!!!! :)
Posted by: Danita (MoberKitty) | October 03, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Your picture if the Texas sunset is awesome. Your photography is always so beautiful.
Mary
Posted by: Mary C. Anderson | October 03, 2007 at 10:46 AM
What a great story. Thanks for sharing your farm stories. I live in the city, but my grandparents had a farm. We spent every summer there. Such sweet memories.
Posted by: CindyLouWho2 | October 03, 2007 at 09:53 AM
Great! One more grandchild, They all have 4 legs or feathers! but they never talk back or ask for money. Waa Hoo!
Posted by: Dan Wight | October 03, 2007 at 09:45 AM
Anna,
What a great story! I love reading about your farm family as I live in a typical suburb and am far removed from farm life. Thank you for sharing this story and pictures with us.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa | October 03, 2007 at 08:01 AM
Hillary's baby is so sweet! I'm so glad that you found them and rescued the little one. Thanks for sharing Anna!!
Hugs
Julie
Posted by: Julie Phillips | October 03, 2007 at 07:22 AM
what a precious memory to capture! I'm so glad y'all did what you did...love your pictures...
Posted by: Donna Baker | October 03, 2007 at 07:16 AM
Awww, what a sweet baby (will her name be Chelsea? LOL!) AND yes, it was a gorgeous sunset last night!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | October 03, 2007 at 07:05 AM
So, so sweet. What a heartwarming story!
Posted by: Michelle R | October 03, 2007 at 06:39 AM
Aaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Such a cutie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Holly | October 03, 2007 at 05:57 AM
What a cute little baby indeed!!
Posted by: Dotty | October 03, 2007 at 05:53 AM
that is the sweetest little baby ever!! i am an animal lover and so envy you. we dont have the room to have animals other than our dogs. enjoy that little one! stacy
Posted by: Stacy White | October 03, 2007 at 05:40 AM
Wow, how scary was that! This little baby needs a nifty name that tells how lucky it is. Sooooo glad you found the baby in time.
Posted by: kathynruss | October 03, 2007 at 05:19 AM
What a sweet story..
I'm glad baby and mommy are safe... Enjoy your new addition to the farm!
Posted by: Ginna | October 03, 2007 at 04:26 AM
The miracle of life...how perfect and innocent. Thanks so much for sharing this story and giving us a peek into your critter world.
Posted by: Bonnie W | October 03, 2007 at 03:42 AM
I am so thankful you guys found Hillary and the baby in time. What a sweet story. I guess you are going to have another name to come up with. Can't wait to hear what it is. Love those pictures.....dark and blurry...they are still wonderful.
Posted by: Kittie747 | October 03, 2007 at 03:22 AM
Totally precious!! The coloring on both mom and her baby is beautiful! I am so thankful you did all those things too, because otherwise we would have a sad story this morning! A new life is always good news!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | October 03, 2007 at 03:01 AM
Oh, what an absolutely adorable baby!
Posted by: Tara | October 02, 2007 at 11:31 PM
What an amazing story and what a cutie pie donkey!! Awwww Sooooo cute!
Posted by: Caz | October 02, 2007 at 11:15 PM
What a cutie! Can't wait to see more of the little one.
Posted by: Michelle | October 02, 2007 at 10:48 PM
What a little sweetheart! Glad to hear mom and baby have been reunited and are doing OK!
Posted by: diane | October 02, 2007 at 10:42 PM
HOW SWEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!! We just have Lois (aka Sir Sheffield Ba Donk a Donk) and he doesn't have the priviledge of having babies. You're so lucky!!!!
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | October 02, 2007 at 09:52 PM
What a beautiful Mama and baby! The baby is truly adorable...how SWEET! So glad it all turned out OK...can't wait to see more pictures! LOVE your animals! I'm so jealous! ;)
Posted by: diane mcvey | October 02, 2007 at 09:22 PM
Oh my...she is the most precious little thing!! I thought your little bunny was... but really Anna, Hillary's baby is right up there! Sigh... you are so lucky, I am so very, very envious right now... :)
Posted by: karrie baker | October 02, 2007 at 08:54 PM
there is nothing cuter than baby donkeys!
Posted by: michelle | October 02, 2007 at 08:45 PM
She looks so cute. I want to touch her......
Will the animals let you touch them??
Posted by: Kristi Ferro | October 02, 2007 at 08:19 PM
Oh my GOSH- isn't that the CUTEST little donkey I have ever seen. I want him/her!!!!
Thanks for sharing!
Anette (snowmom13)
Posted by: Anette Eakins | October 02, 2007 at 08:06 PM
OOOOO, she/he is SOOO cute. what a sweet little baby. How exciting AND scary all at the same time!
Posted by: Sherri | October 02, 2007 at 07:53 PM