Sold.

Well I advertised on the local board, I called a few numbers and left messages, and then we went to visit an Amish friend yesterday.

I had phone calls regarding the horses. One lady wanted me to train one for her husband who didn't know how to ride.
Well, I told her she should get a nice quiet well broke horse. She explained how hard they were to find and I told her I empathized but was keeping my well broke mules. She wished I'd sell her one. I thanked her but said "sorry".

Our Amish friend of more than 20+ years was definitely interested in the donkeys. He made an appointment with us to come out and look them over.

My cell phone rang while I was working in the garden. It was Lester the Amish fellow. He said he had to pick up a horse nearby could he come this evening? I said sure.

True to his word, he and a fellow with a large truck and trailer came down our driveway. Lester stepped out and greeted us. He looked over the donkeys and checked out their feet. Lester is a farrier and we used to haul our mules to him when we needed shoes. He also knows our current farrier Dan Tesar. He admired the donkey trim jobs and then looked at our mares.

He said he had jobs for the donkeys waiting for them. They would begin new careers in teaching calves to lead and colts to lead. Lester takes very good care of his animals.
His driver was rather unimpressed with our donkeys and said so.
Lester explained that a donkey was much safer to be around than a horse as he helped Emma into the trailer.
The driver shrugged and slapped Eddie across the rump when he wouldn't move. Lester stopped him.
"None of that, we don't slap donkeys." He stated. The two men clasped their hands and lifted Eddie forward.
The driver complained, "He's gonna kick the h-ll outta me!"
Lester laughed and said, "No, a horse would. This donkey just doesn't know we want to leave before dark!"
The driver laughed, "So donkeys are nice?"
Lester grinned, "Of course they are, a saddle horse will try to hurt you!"
"No kidding," said the driver, "my saddle horse tries to kill me all of the time!"

The cheerful banter kept up and my husband stood to the side watching. I know Rich says he can't keep up on rapid fire discussions. I could tell that he wanted to be a part of the banter as he normally would have...but couldn't.

Lester turned to me. "I'll take the mares," he said, "I can find homes for them."
He saw a look in my eyes.
"No slaughter, I promise. You can be assured they will be well taken care of."

The mares were loaded up. The door slammed shut.
Lester counted out the money and handed me the cash.
The driver hopped into the truck and proceeded to begin to turn the rig around.

Lester gave me a hug and said quietly, "Take care of him Val. He is a good man. I've known him for years. Things will work out."
He drew back and in a flash they were gone.

Rich stared at the now empty area. The quiet was so loud.