Cracker Jacks



Cracker Jacks in the shed behind our house

We had a lot of animals in our family when we were growing up. Some I remember more than others. Among the many critters were three donkeys: Cracker Jacks, Jennifer and April. Cracker Jacks was the most memorable. He was a mischievous donkey with coarse grayish-brown hair that got darker in colour each time he rolled in the dirt. My dad purchased him at my uncle’s auction because he was born with one deformed hoof on his right front leg.

Cracker Jack’s leg never hindered his movement. Most days he was allowed to roam free throughout the field and campsite area. Even on the days where he was confined to the pasture by an electric fence, he wouldn’t let that deter him. Somehow he would manage to find a way out.

His main objective was to locate food. He especially liked the stuff people would feed him in the camping area like marshmallows. One day as he wandered the campgrounds he came across a convertible with a styrofoam cooler in the back seat. The door was open and he could obviously smell the food within so he climbed in and started eating the cooler. The campers thought it was hilarious to see a donkey part way in the back seat of their car trying to get at their food. Somewhere there is a picture of this that I’d love to see!

(c) Annette Fulford, 2012