The donkeys seem different with Chloe gone, every animal coming and going changes the unspoken but seen dynamic of animals on a farm. Chloe was a big and strong creature, she was especially dominant around food issues, and she was very restless around the gate, where we showed up with hay.

The donkeys, diplomatic and savvy animals, always backed off when she was around, and if we tried to give them a carrot or apple, Chloe always charged in and pushed them back. It was always a bit tense around the gate and donkeys don’t look for trouble, unless it is with another donkey.

Chloe has been gone for several days, and the donkeys have settled down. They take their time eating – with Chloe they rushed it a bit – and they are the undisputed leaders now that Chloe is gone. It is calm at the gate, calm enough for me to take their photo together as they greeted me to their pasture. They reign once more.