Little Ethel

Little Ethel with 3 Mules pack box

Report to the 3 Mules Nation on our new friend and addition to our endless journey – Little Ethel

The Mules went to Texas using the bus to get to Amarillo and look at two mules which we had found on an internet site that appeared to meet our requirements to join us on our journey, but they were not what we had expected. [See Amarillo, Texas post.]

We spent about a week in Amarillo scouring the internet, living outside and using a bike as transport. We were receiving many leads of mules for sale from the many people who were following the 3 Mules Facebook page and website 3Mules.com. However, most good leads were more than a hundred miles away and my scheme of using a bicycle to go from one lead to the next no longer seemed too practical.

The Mules decided to return to California. A lady named Barbara e-mailed us that she would like to pay our bus fare back to California. We accepted and thanked her for her support and generosity. So the pink carryall bag and myself traveled back to California by bus.

Pink carry all bag at bus depot
Our pink carry all bag at bus depot

The day before we were set to return to California, Annie, whose place where Little Girl was staying while the Monk was in Texas, found an internet site in Arizona advertising a 10 year old sorrel molly mule, 15 hands, 2 inches height, over a thousand pounds and halter broke only for $600 and named Little Ethel (isn’t that interesting?). Annie messaged me if I would be interested in Little Ethel. For $600, the monk replied, “Absolutely.”

Ad post for Little Ethel
Ad post for Little Ethel

Annie contacted the owner using her skill and experience, assessed the authenticity of the advertisement and circumstance. She then messaged the Mules her opinion. We messaged her back, yes please, purchase that mule named Little Ethel. Annie arranged with an Arizona vet to have the mule checked out and get Coggins test done. [A “Coggins” is a blood test that detects antibodies to the disease Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). This is a virus that can cause affected horses and mules to have fevers, anemia (low red blood cell count), edema (stocking up), or weight loss/muscle wasting. EIA is a relative of the virus that causes HIV in humans. Horses that become infected will carry the disease for life.]

Coggins Test Results
Coggins Test Results for Little Ethel

A couple of days prior to arriving in Texas, Wendy from the Three Mules Nation, who we met a several years ago while in Orange and stayed in her backyard for a night, messaged the Mules that her husband Michael and herself would be passing through Amarillo on the 19th of May on their way back to California and would have an empty space in their horse trailer should we have found a mule and need transport for it back to California.

Annie contacted Wendy and made arrangements for Little Ethel to be picked up in Dewey, Arizona and brought to Annie’s place in California where Little Girl is staying.

After Wendy arrived in Dewey, Arizona, she took and sent us these two photos of Little Ethel.

Little Girl, Annie and Little Ethel
Little Girl, Annie and Little Ethel

Little Ethel turned out to be everything her previous owner said she was and more. The three of us, Little Girl, Little Ethel and myself will be heading northward on our journey.

Little Girl training Little Ethel
Little Girl training Little Ethel

The Mules say thank you to all those of the 3 Mules Nation for giving their energy and support which has materialized into Little Ethel, a new mule and friend ready to serve this Nation of like-minded people who know the extreme value of living, walking in harmony and balance with our home, the Earth.

The Mules

Note: While our trip to Texas appeared to be a failure, in the end, due to the energy of the Nation, the 3 Mules Nation, harbored and waiting to materialize from the collective effort of all those of that Nation, a new friend Little Ethel was made to serve us all.

Little Girl with pink carry-all and Little Ethel grazing
Little Girl with pink carry-all and Little Ethel grazing in the desert.


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23 thoughts on “Little Ethel”

  1. Blessings, an abundance of them. Thank you so much for sharing. Walk on, beautiful friends…

  2. What a great ending to your story. So glad that you found Little Ethel. Happy Trails! 🙂

  3. What a wonderful ending to your story. May you have years of pleasure from your new and beautiful Ethel…Love her name. Happy Trails!

  4. So glad you were able to find a match. Little Ethel is so pretty. I look forward to seeing her in your travel posts. Safe travels to all of you!

    1. Wow! I am so excited for you all to have finally found you sole mate or sole mule. Through out failures came a beautiful ending to a beautiful Mule. Looking forward to your next advetures. We all here have your back…

  5. I always love a happy ending. Welcome Little Ethel to your new family. Safe travels to you 3.

  6. Little Ethel and Little Girl. Perfect! I hope she works out for you both. Safe travels to you.

  7. Congratulations on your new girl she looks fabulous and I an sure with your training loving and dedication she will be a star…

  8. Love this story and I loved watching it and participating in all the good and positive energy.
    Having to go through a little disappointment makes Little Ethel even more special and appreciated
    she fits right in 💚✌️🤠

  9. It’s wonderful to see all this positive Karma created by you and the Mule Nation. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us.

    1. Oh dear Little Ether welcome to the Mule nation. I’m sure little girl will be a great example along with the teacher Monk. Congratulations to the three of you.

  10. How wonderful! Can you share with us “non mule people” how she was the “chosen one”? I ask because an equine who is only halter broke and ‘not handled much’ sounds to me like not enough training for your needs, yet you found her to be perfect. Would you be willing to elaborate on why this is so? Thank you so much, and best wishes for continued safe travels.

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