This is a special time of year for family and friends. Every family has its traditions. As the families grow and age the traditions are sometimes handed down from generation to generation but other times new traditions develop. Katrina has started a new family tradition; it has been going on for several years now (unfortunately). My idea of a tradition is a roaring fire in the fireplace with a hot apple cider by my side, my cat in my lap and Christmas Carols playing softly in the background.

Katrina, on the other hand, would rather bundle us up like Eskimos, hang Christmas Stockings on poor defenseless little donkeys like they were some portable fireplace mantle and then head out to some little Tennessee town and walk for miles in a Christmas Parade. Most participants in such parades are in trucks pulling floats. Some of the more adventuresome of the participants will ride in convertibles with the tops down and the heaters turned on high.  There are usually other animals in the parades, big animals, horses; animals that people ride! Now our little critters have short legs and donkeys tend to want to move rather slowly. These are deliberate animals who like to think things through and not be rushed. A strange place with weird people lined up on both sides of the street, horses all around, bands playing and candy being tossed to screaming little kids dashing about does little to encourage the average donkey to keep on keeping on.

Our slow pace usually means trying to start in the middle of the parade and hope we don’t end up at the end of the parade before the parade ends! The last thing I want to do is be walking donkeys down main street watching the parade pull out of site with an angry 18 wheeler truck driver who has been sitting in stopped traffic for some parade on my ass’s ass!

We have lots of donkeys and it is a great new tradition, come visit us next year and we will put you in the parade!

Technorati Tags: Christmas Donkeys, Christmas Parades, Donkeys with Santa Hats

The article below was published in the July 8, 2011 Shelbyville Times-Gazette. The Celebration donkey and mule competition is held in Shelbyville, TN every year and is one of the BIG events of the year. To read the article simply click on the image and it will enlarge to a readable size.

Technorati Tags: Celebration, miniature donkey show, Shelbyville, tn

FIRST TIME SHOWN

WILL BE 20 YEARS OLD AUGUST, 2011

Cobra’s Golden Anne

Reserve Grand Champion Halter Jennet

The Celebration (Shelbyville) 2011

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Our Saluki, Bark & Dives Sophia Haj of Khiva (bred in Japan by Kumiko Mogi) and out of Rafi (BIS Winner, Specialty Winner, Ch. Baklava’s Rafi Rasil of Khiva) attained 1/2 of her points towards her Championship and then not shown for two years. She easily attained her remaining points in three weekends (Nashville, Louisville and Perry, GA shows). She was awarded her 2nd Major at the highly competitive Louisville weekend (only shown 2 days of the circuit) and finished in Perry, GA (shown only 2 days). Below is a win photo from Louisville.  See our other Salukis at http://www.khiva.net

Technorati Tags: Atlanta Kennel Club, Baklava Rafi Rasil of Khiva, Dog Shows, Hounds of Khiva, Khiva Salukis, Kumiko Mogi, Louisville Kennel Club, Nashville Kennel Club, Saluki, Showing dogs

In 2010, we showed three donkeys and were recognized by the Tennessee Donkey Association

2010 Grand Champion Halter Jennet

(Awarded by the Tennessee Donkey Association)

Hills Co Minis Lexus

2010

Reserve Grand Champion – Halter Jack

(Awarded by the Tennessee Donkey Association)

KKR Stroke of Midnight

2010 Reserve In-Hand Trail Jennet

(Awarded by The Tennessee Donkey Association)

Legendary’s Hearts Wide Open

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Technorati Tags: awards, miniature donkey, Tennessee Donkey Association, winnings

Dooley and Buster, two sweet and adorable Miniature Donkey geldings found paradise at the home of Jim and Jen Cline. They moved to the Cline’s home this year along with Dallas, a black and white Spotted Saddle Horse and a quarter Horse gelding. Below are some candid shots of Dooley and Buster from their IPhone (not bad quality). These photos bring a HUGE smile to my face knowing these two precious babies are so happy in their home. Thanks Jim and Jen!!!!!

Technorati Tags: donkeys, Miniature Donkeys, Miniature Donkeys and Horses

A local daycare center invited us to bring Donkeys to play with the children. We had a GREAT TIME!

Hottie and Diana were quite the “HAM’s” and enjoyed the children.

Technorati Tags: donkey, pep rally, school

By: Richard

It was a very good time on the property this past weekend. We had a new blessing added to our little family of Miniature Donkeys. Anastasia had a little baby boy. We were hoping for a girl but when we saw how cute he was and how wonderful his personalty is we fell in love with him anyway.

This little guy has no fear of humans what so ever. Have you ever picked up a new born, put them in your lap and had them go to sleep! Even Anastasia was ok with it. Katrina thinks everything should be held and kissed so she wasted no time grabbing the little guy, sitting down and started scratching him. It only took a few minutes and he was sound asleep. She didn’t do this just once but multiple times over the weekend.

I am impressed but I am waiting for the time when he is 6 months old, had a bad day in the pasture and wants Katrina to put him in her lap and rock him to sleep!

Here is the new little baby and his mother.

Katrina has just got the little guy to sleep and his mom is not the least bit concerned.

He is a doll and as friendly as any new baby we have ever seen.

I want to see Katrina try this in six months.

He does have a little playful side that is also starting to come out.

Look at that; his eyes are closed and he is sound asleep and I think Katina is about gone also.

Technorati Tags: Baby, miniature donkey, new born

By: Katrina

You often hear stories about family members reconnecting after many years. It just happened to me!

When my step-daughter and her husband moved to Tennessee, they went to the local shelter to adopt a dog. They were given the name and phone number of a local veterinarian that offered low cost spay and neuter services. It turns out that the veterinarian that vaccinated and spayed their new puppy is my cousin, Jana.

The last time I saw Jana, was in California (just north of San Diego) and I was 10 years old. THAT WAS MANY YEARS AGO!!!!!! As I child, I visited their mini ranch which was filled with dogs, cats and horses, including a Missouri Fox Trotter. That was the last I saw of Jana because her family moved away to Bend, OR .

Being a “blood” relative, of course, Jana would have to love animals. Well she does! Jana and her husband recently moved to Tennessee started up a small animal veterinary practice (Anderson Vet Clinic, Christiana, TN) just north of Shelbyville and raise and show Tennessee Walking Horses.

Dick and I recently watched Jana and her daughter Hannah showing at the International Grand Championship for Pleasure and Colts in Murfreesboro, TN. They walked away with a large assortment of ribbons.

Wow, I look forward to reconnecting with a long, lost relative!!!!

Technorati Tags: Lost relative, tennessee walking horse, veterinarian

At one time, Dick and I were very active in Kiwanis and met so many wonderful people. I am a Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Chino Hills (CA) and Kiwanis Club of Upland. Dick was the Lt. Gov. of Division 15 (encompassed clubs in the Inland Empire area of CA). When we moved to Tennessee, we left behind some terrific Kiwanis friends. Well, Kiwanis just had their International Convention in Nashville (June 25th-June 28th). We had several Kiwanians come out to the farm to visit and see our animals. What a Fun Day!!!

Well, everyone loved our newborn Miniature Donkey, “Buttons”. I hitched up Macy Lee to the easy entry cart and she is just learning to pull. But she really enjoyed showing off in front of our friends. Macy Lee is quite the “Ham”.

It was great to see old friends who work so hard to make thier communities a better place to live!

Technorati Tags: Chino Hills Kiwanis, Division 15, Kiwanis, Kiwanis International Convention, Miniature Donkeys, Upland Kiwanis