It’s finally summer in North Central Idaho, the weather is hot and the flies are determined to bury themelseves into the donkey’s eyes.   Fly mask season has arrived. It’s early and I’m hurrying to leave for work when I look out and notice the boys are at the gate begging.  Okay, OKAY Luc & Dev I’m coming out with the masks, be right there.   It’s their laying on the guilt trip that does it every time to me!

Off I go with masks in hand.   Both are willing to have them put on. First Luc, Mr. Mischievous, on it goes. Then it’s Dev turn, patient while I fasten it on snuggly.   I tell them both to behave I will see them tonight as soon as I get home.   Turn my back and I’m out the gate.   I had not even reached the door when I looked back to see Luc in full face fly mask, but Dev was totally unmasked.   Gee guys, I don’t have time for this give me a break!   Back on goes Dev’s fly mask. I pointed my finger at Luc’s face and said, “Leave it alone, you darn donkey!”   I’m not even out the gate and I hear the sound of Velcro.   Luc has stripped that fly mask off in less than a heartbeat.   I gather it up from the ground and apologized to Dev, “Sorry guy I guess Luc thinks he is the only one around here who needs fly protection, at least they pretty much leave you alone.”

As I drive down the lane the boys were at the pasture shelter with Luc looking pretty pleased with himself…that darn donkey.

Turns out to be another long day at the office and it is late as I drive up the driveway.   First thing I see is Luc, but no fly mask.   That darn donkey! I know it will be a trip around the pasture tonight.  Last I saw them this morning was at the pasture shelter so I figured all I have to do is to go there and I’ll find it right away. Thru the big gate I went making a mental note that I did not latch it and will have to go back out the same gate.   No problem, I’ll find it at the shelter I’m sure.   Walked down the hill to their favorite hang out and darn it is not there.   Okay behind the shelter and thru the bottom of the pasture is where I will find it.   Off
I go but to no avail.

Since the gates to all the pastures have been opened it must be in the middle pasture.   I’ll just follow their trails and I’ll find it real quick. It was not there so with one more pasture to walk thru I’m sure I’m closer by now.   That pasture has natural wetlands.  Some of the swamp grass is around six feet tall and way over my head.   I follow their trails completely around to the back where I know Luc loves to go, across the dried up creek and all the way to the back fence.   At this point I don’t even know if I can make it thru there, by now I am on a quest and am not giving up.   It was pretty interesting to see where the boys have been, what they like to eat and how tall the young willow trees have gotten.   I remind myself it is a good thing to check pastures regularly for hazards as I am trying to stay clean in my work clothes and keep my good shoes dry.

It’s not there and by now I am to the old Cottonwood tree grove, there is green grass from the abundant springs, it is much cooler and I’m sure that is where I will find it.   It’s probably next to an old tree where Luc has rubbed it off.   Not there either, I continue to walk the fence line back to the front pasture where I started.   Luc and Dev were a little curious as to what I was doing.   I told the boys to go get that darn facemask; I know you know right where it is.   Both just looked at me.   I had killed an hour looking for Luc’s facemask, got my good clothes filthy and decided I had better give up for now.   Up the hill I go reminding myself that gate isn’t latched.   About then I heard a noise.   I turned around to see Luc at the bottom of the hill with fly mask in his mouth waving it at me.   That darn donkey!   “Lookie mom is this what you are looking for?   I knew where it was all the time, why didn’t you just ask me???”   That darn donkey!!!

Cashel Designer Fly Masks

Here is how Judy G in East Tennessee shows off her gang in their Cashel designer fly masks. The Cashel company makes 14" and 15" ears for mammoths at no extra charge. Ask and they will make them even longer!

To decorate Judy G.in East.TN uses a combination of markers and fabric paint. She takes a black marker to draw the line work then fill it in with fabric paint. If you can find the opaque paint it will show up much better, at least find white opaque fabric paint for the whites of the eyes.

When they are washed they will fade terribly, she has to repaint them.. The masks only last one summer with lots of mending.

Now here’s her gang sporting their awesome looks…

Nellie has designer "Betty Boop" eyes and Carmen has beautiful green eyes.

Thank you Judy G.in E.TN for sharing your beautiful donkeys and your wonderful artwork!