If You Were A Donkey....What Would You Eat???

[greyhoundmom]

I have to say I was suprised that my post from May of 2010 has been reposted again by ??? Anyone want to take the credit for it? At that time, I posted because I read an article about STJ that said donkeys love peppermints.

I will assume that it was reposted in response to a photo that Jen East End posted in her first trip report of them feeding grapes to a donkey.

I'll have to agree with Ruby that it would have been more to the point to address the current photo. Perhaps that would have been too easy? Finding my post from last May took a little more digging.

Whoever found it necessary to repost something a year old probably had the donkey's best interest at heart. I totally agree, do not feed any animals on St John. Unless it might be a starving dog or cat that shows up at your rental villa. Then call the animal shelter and let them know that you will only be feeding for a week or so. It would be a shame for an animal to become dependent on you and then you disappear.

[Jen East End]

i apologize for any problems that picture may be causing. My daughter took that picture with her cell phone and we were not aware she had fed the donkey until we saw it later that day. We let her know it was not ok and it never happened again.

But I am more sorry that I chose that photo. I have poor vision and when choosing the thumbnails I never noticed the grapes in that shot. My husband actually mentioned it when he read my trip report but I had already posted it. I completely agree that we should not feed the donkeys.

[greyhoundmom]

Jen, don't beat yourself up over it. We all learn the right and wrong things to do on STJ. Even though we think we've read alot before we go the first time, we are constantly learning, sometimes by trial and error. I know your heart was in the right place!

[GraysonDave]

Greyhoundmom, I apologize for bumping a post you didn't want bumped. I read it as you asking an innocent question of the board, getting your answer, and moving on. I thought (and still think) that you did right by asking.

I bumped it hoping it would be a gentle reminder for Jen and others. It sounds to me like it was an innocent mistake and that Jen already knew not to do that anyway.

Again, I apologize for choosing your particular post to bump. I actually think you acted appropriately here.

[greyhoundmom]

Dave, no worries! I was just puzzled that you didn't address the issue at hand. In her defense, Ruby has been a family member for 39 years and she was quick to jump on this post! I did take some flack for my post a year ago. I have taken the same for posting a while back that I picked up what I thought was a dead piece of coral 20 feet down and found out quickly when I surfaced that it was fire coral and I paid the price...worst pain for about 5 minutes. I brought it home, wore it and when I found out that I had made a mistake, next year went to same bay and redeposited it back to its rightful place.

I always want to do the right thing. Someone once said, take memories and leave only footprints. Jen's daughter innocently fed a donkey, not thinking of implications. I guess the process of being on the rock is the learning curve.

For all of the lucky people who haven't been yet and read this post, please be kind and gracious to the people of St John, respect the animals and plants.
Somethhing from our recent trip that stays with me...7:30 at Trunk...only people on the beach. The lifeguard, who has been there for the six years that we've been, watched us snorkel around to the left, we disappeared from sight before 8:00, amazed and taking our time. As we are coming around the point about an hour later, he shows ups, deep diving with a camera. We reached the amazing Tarpons, who every year I believe God puts there for me , floating for a long time. He surfaces and wants to know if we are ok, are we enjoying the Tarpons. He said, "Allah makes everything beautiful in the sea and how wonderful you are here to experience it." One of those weird, special moments that made me so grateful to be at that place and time. One very cool guy! Jan

[Capn Dan and Ruby]

I am glad to see that all has been resolved. St. John is truly a place of peace and enjoyment of all that God has given us. We must be careful to preserve it, and in doing so realize that people say an do things inocently. We all love this beautiful place as is evedent in our posts!

[Jen East End]

Amen