George's new water source

Our new solar-heated water trough is working just great. We've had some wicked-cold temperatures this month, and it's kept the water flowing (despite the dirt and hard-water spots on the collector panel).  The only complaint the boys have with the trough is that just one of them can drink from it at a time. When you have two burros who prefer to do everything together, this can present a problem.

But not for George. He has figured out a way to solve it.

He collects the drips falling out of Alan's mouth.

Me: George, you're being ridiculous. Just wait your turn. Alan will be finished in a minute.

George: But I'm thirsty now.

George: And besides, look at how cute I am when I do this.

It took me a few years of watching George and Alan to figure this out, but here's my theory on why burros stick their tongues out while they drink water. In their natural desert habitat, water is scarce. They have to take advantage of it when they find it. So when a burro comes across a watering hole, he slurps up as much water as his mouth can hold, then stands up, uses his tongue to hold the water in, then swallows it at his leisure. If he has to leave in a hurry, he can take his water with him. That's my theory anyway. It may not hold water with the scientists, but it works for me.