When the young donkey Daisy May came to us, she was pregnant. With no donkey experience. I was unprepared for what might come next.
After some difficulty,Daisy's baby was born. I thought the poor thing was dead. I planned to put the loss behind us and make sure she never got pregnant again. Just then, I heard a little noise. I couldn't believe that baby was breathing and looking at me! We called him Samson, and of course I became his mother as much as Daisy was.
When Samson was nine months old, I had to separate Daisy and Samson for a few hours a day to wean(使断奶)him, but otherwise he went wherever she did. I think she would be lost without him. His donkey stepdad Bernard taught him to always be ready to have fun. They enjoy playing football together and going for a roll on a hot summer day.
I asked a worker to make a harness(马具)for my three little donkeys. When I brought it home I taught them one by one how to pull a cart. Samson watched and freely followed Daisy. When he was three, I put the harnness on him and he knew exactly what to do.
That was 15 years ago. Now, the most exciting thing about Samson is that he has become a little renowned. People come from all over to see him perform. The neighbors bring their grandchildren, and my sons bring their friends.
Samson shakes hands,unties my shoe, picks up a hat and more. And when I ask him if he has any bad habits, he tries to pick my pocket! He surprisingly learned these tricks himself. I just ask him to do them and he understands.
The relationship I have with my "baby" Samson has been an amazing experience. Every day is a fun day with this superstar donkey.