Calico
Type: Large Standard Jenny
Born: 1994
Height: 12 Hands, 1"
Weight: 350 lbs.
Color: Paint
Position: Packer First Class
When Calico arrived at the pack station her name was Buttercup, and that is still a nickname. Deb thought Buttercup didn't sound "western" enough so, considering her markings, we named her Calico after the old silver-mining town in Yermo. In fact, Calico came from San Bernardino county, West Lytle Creek to be exact. We bought her from a man that did donkey breeding and auto repair. It is in this second capacity that we learned of her.
Chris Kasten, manager of Sturtevant's Camp, had his vehicles maintained by this man and when Chris' wife, Joan, took Buttercup out for a walk while waiting for her car, the man mentioned that she is for sale. The Kastens had no personal use for a donkey, but as camp managers they did. This was around the time that Kim Kelley had the pack station up for sale and was not working very much. Greg Sweet who was in limbo at the time, but knew how to pack, was willing to pack to Sturtevant's if he had animals. So Chris, acting as agent for the Methodist church organization that owns the camp, bought Buttercup for seven hundred dollars.
With unofficial permission, Greg moved Buttercup into the old horse patrolmens' corral above Chantry picnic area. He worked with her a little but she did not like the stream crossings; she would leap across. And since they had no pack saddle or gear for her anyway, no work was done with Buttercup until she moved to the pack station. (see story of the second pack station for more details)
Greg had his car accident shortly after Deb and Sue bought the pack station and it was Deb that got Buttercup, now Calico, working as a pack animal. Calico had been a riding donkey so she was used to wearing a saddle, and with the help of her new donkey friends to show her the way, she got over her fear of water. Calico has now hauled lumber, plastic lawn chairs, all kinds of noisy and akward loads.
When she was introduced to the herd, Heasley immediately took a shine to her and has never left her side. They eat together, pack together, swat flies together, and as much as she pretends not to need him, she is glad for his companionship.