Andy
Type: Standard BLM Jack
Born: 1998?
Height: 11 Hands, 1"
Weight: 325 lbs.
Color: White
Position: Packer First Class
Andy is what they call a "BLM". That means that he was once feral and was captured and sold by the B.L.M., or Bureau of Land Management. Former pack station owner Kim Kelley bought Andy, along with Eeyore, in about 2001 at one of the BLM Roundups, where they sell wild Burros and Mustangs. All animals come "as is" and both Andy and Eeyore wore hobbles until they relaxed enough to stay with the herd.
Unfortunately, Kim didn't work with these two very much. They were just used as sires for future pack animals. Andy is probably the sire of Moonshine, while Eeyore is probably the sire of Heasley; and it is not obvious which one is the sire of Lila. It wasn't until the first half of 2005 that Andy learned to pack.
When the storms of January 2005 washed out the road to Chantry Flat for several months, Greg had the opportunity to work with Andy and Eeyore. With the parking lot free from traffic, he could walk the donkeys with a variety of loads in the broad, open space without fear of the various accidents that can happen with green animals on the trail. Andy was the faster learner and was soon packing 2X4's into the canyon. During this time, when Kim was living off the mountain, she was unaware of Greg's progress with the animals until he gave her a surprise.
Kim had arranged for a reporter to come up to Chantry to cover the story of the pack station being cut off from civilization and Greg was to arrange for the transportation. He rode down to town on Jake, an Arab horse, with a saddled Whiskey in tow so that Kim and the reporter could ride up the road. He also brought along two donkeys, Slim and Andy to transport the cameras, lunch and other gear. Kim was worried when she saw who was going to pack, but Greg assured her that Andy had become a perfect gentleman and they had no problems packing back up to the station.
Since Deb and Sue have taken over the pack station Andy gets regular work. He goes out at least once per week on the pack to Sturtevant's and he has become very docile and dependable.
Andy got his name because Kim thought he lookes like Andy Worhal.