I don’t recall every seeing a donkey for most of my life, except perhaps in a circus. I got to know my first donkey, Carol, while herding sheep in Pennsylvania, and she came to Bedlam Farm and I fell in love with her. Now, I cannot imagine a life without donkeys – or dogs –  the first question we ask when we look at a new place, is where will the donkeys go? One of the things we love about the new farm we hope to buy is its excellent horse barn, stream and hill, perfect for Simon, Lulu and Fanny. Every day we are here, there is donkey time.

We go to the pasture, open the gate and as we come out of the house the donkeys look to see whether we are heading for the car or the pasture, and if choose the latter, they come down. We give them some a carrot or apple, sometimes a cookie, and then put some hay in the feeder. Maria often will talk to them or brush them, and they stand still and brush against us, waiting for some attention – brushing, talking, just being with them. They seem to need that as much as food. I have become a donkey advocate, as these precious creatures are vanishing from our world. They are wonderful guard animals, and very bright and affectionate. They are as willful and independent as they are smart.  For most of my life, I never imagined a life with a donkey. Now I cannot imagine a life without one. Isn’t life strange and wonderful? It is never too late to love a donkey.