Apifera Farm - where art, story, animals & woman merge. Home to artist Katherine Dunn

Apifera Farm is a registered 501 [c][3]. #EIN# 82-2236486

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©Katherine Dunn.





Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Good morning donkeys and one butt rub



One of the positive aspects of having to hand feed Pino, and Matilda and Stella, is it means I have no choice but to stop and sit amongst them while they finish their food. It takes about 20 minutes and on a very hot morning like today, being in the shade of the old barn and looking out at Donkey Hill and the lush yellows and greens is a nice break.

And let's not forget to take time to rub our butts and get those itchies out–as Paco demonstrates below.

I get a lot of people-some friends, some strangers or people who just send a nice note of caring- that say they wish they had a place like this, to help animals and be on a farm. I understand that passion, after all I followed it for years into my mid forties before I attained this spot in life. I don't know how long I'll have the privilege of doing this, but I do often stop amongst a busy day, or a day not falling into order, and breathe it in.

"Pinch me" moments, they call them. I had a lot of pinch me moments in my city life too, when I was following the path that was right for me at the time, but I do feel my spot here is helping me produce and do my optimal work, at this moment.

When I was young, I wanted to be a vet. I was not good with science, good at math but just didn't have a head for science and biology. The vet school in Minnesota is one of the best, I never would have made it. But I was thinking today how it all worked out-getting to practice my gift of art and words, and help animals and vet them as I can. And I get to do hands on procedures with my vets when appropriate, but as an assistant. I am mid wife, doctor journeyman, shepherd, trainer of sorts, communicator, groomer and hospice worker, And I am an artist observing and feeling it all.

So this is how I started this very hot day. With my good morning donkeys. Pino's swelling is still there, but really good. No further test results are back yet.