Ethel Merdonk came to us recently from a kill pen in Texas.  She was very afraid of people and hated HATED H.A.T.E.D. the farrier, or any idea of the farrier… or vet for that matter… anyone.  She didn’t like anyone.  No one.

So… I’ve been working with her for a while now.  She tolerates me at first, and then she lets me pet her if I have treats.  Once she forgets herself, she will lean into me and moan.   This girl has a very big wall – yet she loves and wants attention.

The problem was her feet.  They were long when she got here, and they are even longer now.  Because she is so guarded, she would not let me near her legs or feet.

To me, I knew she had had her feet done.  Ethel is older.  She’s been around a long time.  Clearly, she’s had her feet done in the past.  So I knew she knew about feet trimming.  The problem was getting her to admit it.

I figured if I petted her and then ran my hands down her legs, eventually she would let down her guard and lift a foot.  As soon as she did that, I’d know that she knew and the gig was up.

And, a few weeks ago, she flinched.  She lifted her foot when I ran my hand down her leg.

Gotcha!

So I knew.  I knew she knew, and she knew that I knew that she knew.

Finally.

I called Fernando and set up an appointment because I felt confident with treats and a halter, she would succumb and let us trim her.

And I was right.

Success.  Finally.  I am so relieved.

Ethel Merdonk Wonky Donkey can puff herself up and be very threatening.  But now we all know that she’s a softie inside.

Phew!