Donkeys’ have long and sensitive ears, and in the summer, they are the continuous target of nasty flies, gnats, no see’ums and mosquitoes. They are often scarred with bites, even bloody, and they can never reach them or protect them or scratch them. Once in awhile, when we are in the pasture, Lulu or Fanny will rush over to us and press their ear against our legs this is a sign they want some attention, usually some scraping or rubbing or soothing with a wet cloth.

When their ears are being soothed, they half clothes their eyes and sigh with relief and appreciation. We scratch our donkeys ears often. I thought Lulu would melt right into Maria’s body today, she was so glad to have her ears rubbed.