Running With the Herd

Jun 05, 2017 · 58 comments
Vanessa M (California)
I loved this series, what happened with Sherman?
Linda (Colorado)
Would love to know what's happening with Sherman and whether there will be more updates.
Jean W (Canada)
Please! I want to know more!
MP (FL)
Where are the updates? How is Sherman doing?
Anne (Paris, France)
I just want to say how much I loved this story, how inspiring it is. It made me feel like one of your neighbors even though my urban life in France is completely different. Thank you.
Gertrude (NC)
Is this series over?
JMZ (Basking Ridge)
how is Sherman doing?
JoAnne (St Augustine)
Will you be in FairPlay? Planning to go & cheer on Sherman.
Linda Moran (St. Charles, IL)
Your tales of donkeys, running, country life and the meaning and value of being and having good neighbors are a joy to read. Thank you.
Freddie Christie (Boca Raton, FL)
I agree!
Kathy Morelli (New Jersey)
Love this series! Thanks for the uplifting stories!!
Victoria Wolfe (CA)
Loved this!
Val Watts (Avon, CO)
Yay Sherman! Love the series. Thank you so much for sharing his story. Can't wait for the next installment :)
tvd (Philadelphia)
Chris, you are crazy! You have always been crazy, but you have made the world a better place because of it!
Thanks for the awesome story....
It reminds me of some guy deciding he is going to coach college crew in the late '80's.
Training a donkey to run and training stubborn college kids how to make a boat move..... Sounds similar!
All the best.
Tony
Mangan (West Orange, NJ)
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!

Great job Sherman and Chris!
Elizabeth Mannen (St. Louis, MO)
My first read of the Sherman series; raised in Lancaster. If you've got a generic inbox, I've got something I tried to paste but was over 1500 characters. I think you'd appreciate it.
MP (FL)
This is the best series in the paper. Chris is an wonderful inspirational writer and person. Keep 'em coming.
Steve (California)
Chris, I didn't want your story to end! Beautifully executed and enthralling. You captured so much humanism that I wanted to become a part of the herd.
Lori (San Francisco)
Thanks for taking Sherman. My hope is that you will soon open up all animals in your circle of compassion.
Blew beard (Houston TX)
With all the bad news hitting us on a daily basis , it's very gratifying to read about Sherman. Thank you Chris for taking care of him. And thank you NY Times for publishing articles like these.

I look forward to hearing more adventures in Pennsylvania. BB
Tricia Nilsson (Sweden)
This is what I love about NYT, extensive articles that fully describe journeys or situations. They imbue the reader with insight and hope, making you feel more human. This should be a headline article. Give Trump a rest!
Patricia (Vancouver)
Sherman is back! Made my weekend!
JoAnne (St Augustine)
Chris, We've so loved your series that while traveling out west this summer, we've made plans to come to the race and cheer you & Sherman on. Is there anything we can do to help during the race? Be sure to teach Sherman to read so he will know our signs are for him.
Michael Storch (Woodhaven NY)
Q/ Why no links to the earlier pieces?
Lisa (Windsor, CT)
Just search Sherman donkey and they pop up.
MP (FL)
Click on the Running With Sherman link right above the writer's byline and it will bring you to a list of the entire series. Enjoy catching up. They are all wonderful.
jodee (not the USA)
Another fabulous update. It does not surprise me Sherman works better in a group, what animal, human or beast, doesn't crave companionship and feel a sense of loneliness or hopelessness when isolated? I love learning about Sherman and the depth of his emotions and awareness. Chris and crew are doing a wonderful job, and it is an uplifting story in this time of darkness.
Z (North Carolina)
Thank you Sherman, for taking such good care of these refugees from the city.
HOOVER (<br/>)
First Sherman story for me and I'm hooked what a wonderful piece, nade my laugh, cry and feel good about my fellow man again.
Hollie (Lancaster, PA)
I love reading this series, even though it takes place about 10 miles away from me. The author does an amazing job at capturing the joys and quirkiness of living in the "southern end" among the Amish, and still keeping the wit and humor of a city person. I remember hearing about this donkey race, and I'm still throughly enjoying the trip to get there! Keep up the good work!
Rōjin (老人) Dave (Okinawa, Japan)
Christopher,
Thank you so much for another 'Running with Sherman' story. I am like so many of the other readers; it is an extra special day when the NYT publishes one of your updates.
We are currently vacationing in Southern Germany. Yesterday, while driving to visit Neuschwanstein Castle, we passed through wonderful views of rural landscapes of beautiful pastures and farms, with lots of cattle and horses. There was one little corral with about a half dozen donkeys, which caught everyone's attention. And I immediately thought of the last 'Running with Sherman' story that I had read.
Thanks again, and please keep writing about Sherman and your other animals!
Semper Fidelis!
Carol Troy (Napa)
Go Sherman! What a delight on a day of endlessly breaking presidential news. Hooray.
elis (cambridge ma)
Love the generosity of the Mennonites in Lancaster county. Known them my whole life. Wonderful people.
RAL (Long Beach, CA)
"But from our first day, we've been helped and welcomed"

Tricked me, but I thought I might be reading about a donkey. Little did I know that you touched my hope for community and enjoying comrades in the most unusual places.
brian (egmont key)
Sherman is going to get me through these next four years yet
Steven F (New York)
Better them than me.
Patty (Florida)
I check the Well section every day for articles about "Sherman"! So happy to start my day today reading about him, Chris, and his family. Animals are amazing and they are put on this earth to teach us so much! We only have to observe and listen to them!
cimarron (CA)
I want to echo other comments: Sherman stories make my day!

Loved the photo of author & Sherman communing, er, doing the "I don't wanna move" face-off. So typical of donkey behavior.

Gotta love the attitude.
Elizabeth (North Carolina)
I have loved all of the series, but the best part is that Sherman has a new and happy life, with friends and family. Think of his misery had Chris not adopted him.
aksantacruz (Santa Cruz, CA)
Great story. My horse loves running with people - not so much when they are on his back.
Bigsister (New York)
What an uplifting inspiring story. To give truly is to receive.
ann (ca)
I love this series. I have a small yard and dogs, so can't have a donkey, but would love to rescue one if I could. I hung a donkey rescue calendar on my fridge this year in Sherman's honor.
pattielou (Mokelumne Hill , Ca)
I have followed Sheman from the heartbreaking beginning until now. I have two rescue donkeys, that don't have a job .. but I think now they will get one . You are an inspiration...Thanks so much for sharing your story.
Jadzia (Atlanta, GA)
Wow, what an awesome story. A much needed breath of fresh air.
Tom (Upper West Side)
I think I need stories like this after reading anything about Trump.
Nancy Jane Richer (<br/>)
I eagerly await the heartfelt episodes of Sherman the donkey. How kind of you to rescue such a lovely animal and enlist the services of the most compassionate people helping you, your family, and Sherman create a life of health and happiness. Your uplifting stories bring joy to everyone! I could taste the chocolate milk and peach ice cream from your words. I'm so glad you've found your calling in life. From one farmer to another, "Live long and prosper"!
Mickela (New York)
This story made my day. Thank you
Michele Fenice (Jersey City)
Great story and a wonderful community of friends.
John McCauley (Jamestown, RI)
Love Sherman! Just read author's Born to Run. Fun and well done!
Norbert Bernhard (Switzerland)
Wonderful story. If only we could rescue all these beautiful creatures. Happy trails to all of you, my two-and four-legged friends.
Jane P. (western mass)
Dear Christopher: This is a wonderful story. As a donkey owner, I am so happy with the great PR you are providing for these wonderful animals. A comment on one photo: Never waste your time trying to move a donkey by facing them and pulling on a lead rope. Face in the direction you want to move. Push from behind like their moms if you need to, and thank them profusely when they move. They are anything but stupid: they just won't cooperate if they don't understand.
Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run (PA)
your advice is so correct, and i always pay the price when i forget. Flower especially likes to pick her own way -- if i get behind, we move, and when i pull from in front, she locks on the brakes.
LS (NYC)
Will this work for my incredibly stubborn dog? (treats don't)
claire flanagan (atlanta)
This is a lovely example of a true community. I regret that it's creativity and humanism are sorely missing in our contemporary culture.
Julie O (London)
Awesome story!
H. G. (Detroit, MI)
I am hopelessly addicted to Sherman's progress. The image of a donkey dragging you all over rolling Pennsylvania, with your Amish crew dusting you; it's pretty fantastic.
LSBJ (Victoria)
Couldn't agree more! Addicted. Can't wait for the big race
Sally Eckhoff (Philadelphia, PA)
What a wonderful way to share activity with neighbors, of the two- and four-footed variety. This writer has imagination and a lot of cool friends.