The American Donkey is one of the most misunderstood and often the most mistreated animal in our society. Improving the plight of these incredible animals begins with knowledge.
-Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue
I realize now this is so true.
It’s shocking how different life was for Don and me only a year ago… BD; Before Donkeys. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I will. While I would never mistreat any animal, I bought into the “beasts of burden” thing. I never gave donkeys a second thought. I thought they were stubborn, I didn’t think they were intelligent, yadda, yadda. I mean, after all, why would so many people treat donkeys the way they do if donkeys were smart, willing creatures?
We know differently now, and so do many of you. That’s why we’re starting a new page on our site called, For the love of donkeys. Our hope is that you’ll share your positive stories, experiences and photos of donkeys and burros. Just send them to us at morningbray@hotmail.com and we’ll post them. We’ll see what evolves from here.
For our inaugural For the love of donkeys post, we’d like you to meet Toby and Tyler.
Just look at them! Thanks so much to Mel in N.Y. for sharing them. Mel and I emailed back and forth yesterday about our love for donkeys.
From Mel:
You know how much fun the big donkeys are, the babies are just that much more fun!! You must know by now just how contagious donkeys are. You can’t just have one or two, or three or four, 6, 8, LOL.
Toby and Tyler are now 6 and 11 weeks old. In the picture they were 3 and 8 weeks.
I’m still waiting for you to give Nigel a hug from me.
-Mel
July 22, 2010 at 4:37 am
Funny, isn’t it, how once we get to know animals (of any species) we find out just how smart and worthy of appreciation they are…
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July 22, 2010 at 5:42 am
Toby and Tyler certainly are great spokes”men” for the love donkeys crusade! The more we know about any animal, the easier it becomes to love it. (except, of course, the most perfidious animal of all – mankind)
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July 22, 2010 at 6:39 am
I love your idea of the donkey love repository…though I fear the consequences if it fills up with more baby donkey pictures.
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July 22, 2010 at 6:42 am
Carson,
You know me too well. 😀
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July 22, 2010 at 6:52 am
What’s a baby donkey called? Is it the same as horses?
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July 22, 2010 at 4:51 pm
June,
I believe this is the correct answer…
Typically a baby donkey is called a foal, for both male and female. A foal is usually under 1 year old.
The word colt is used to describe a young male horse. Young male donkeys can either be referred to as a ‘baby jack’ or a male foal. A young female donkey can be referred to as a ‘baby jenny (or jennet)’ or a female foal.
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July 22, 2010 at 7:44 am
For the love of donkeys indeed! How could anyone not look at those faces and fall in love??? Great idea.
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July 22, 2010 at 7:47 am
I’m sorry but the white one is too cute to be real. The floofyness of the ears!! The fuzzy forehead!!! The carefully folded front legs.
Please tell me that Mel has a blog set up so that I may further my donkey addiction.
Also, I didn’t realize that you had only had your boys for a year…
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July 22, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Cathy,
Yes, we adopted Bernard one year ago next month, followed by Ellsworth last September (and of course Fergus and Nigel this past April).
It didn’t take long at all for us to fall head over heels in love with them all.
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July 22, 2010 at 8:14 am
Oh boy, there’s nothin cuter than a baby donkey (aka foal for June)! I never gave donkeys a second thought until one of my friends got one. He was so much fun that I went and got one too. I have been a very happy donk owner for two years now. 🙂 I will send a photo soon.
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July 22, 2010 at 8:45 am
Oh my word! Such fuzzy, adorable little creatures!
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July 22, 2010 at 8:53 am
OMGoodness, aren’t they just adorable!!
Genetics is such a funny thing.
Great idea having a donkey love page. I’ll be getting my daily fill, as I’m not allowed to have donkeys of my own.
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July 22, 2010 at 8:58 am
What an absolute great idea!!!
I too was one of those that fell into what I had heard about donkeys. Have always been a horse person my entire life. Then we brought in our first donkey rescue about 3 or so years ago. All I can say is Arnold ( our beloved donkey) taught me so much.
Since then there has and is a lot more than one or two or three donkeys here at one time.
Education is the key to get the word out that donkeys are incredible.
I could go on and on about longears.
Just love them. Love them. Love them.
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July 22, 2010 at 9:20 am
What a nice idea !
Come on donkey people, lets see your pictures !
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July 22, 2010 at 9:22 am
I thought of you & Carson yesterday when I read a news story about a poor donkey suspended from a parasailing chute at a resort in southern Russia. I, too, would have simply thought “Sturdy, tough little donkey,” if not for having gotten to know your guys. The stupid situations some trusting animals find themselves in!
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July 22, 2010 at 10:28 am
Personally, I think it’s true of every living creature. They are all sentient beings who live, love, feel, and hurt. So glad you’ve given sanctuary to a few of the burro breed.
These two little dickens are way too cute!! I’ve never seen baby donkeys before. A.Dor.Able!
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July 22, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Great idea! Those two are just the cutest, who wouldn’t love them! Not that they have to be cute to be loved; but those two will be great ambassadors for their breed.
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July 22, 2010 at 1:43 pm
OMG! I think these are the cutest animal”babies” I’ve ever seen. Careful MBF! They say you can’t stop at 8. Lol.
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July 22, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Flartus, I heard about that parasailing donkey too! I also heard that it is no longer ok–it was so severely traumatized by the experience. Poor thing! What on earth goes through people’s heads that this is an ok thing to do to an animal??
Regarding the babies in the picture: oh my goodness I just want to snuggle with them!! They are way too cute for words!! They just look so fuzzy and loveable! The white one should be on billboards all over the world so people know how cute and loveable burros can be and maybe they wouldn’t be so mistreated…
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May 16, 2021 at 2:21 am
What awesome creatures ‘donkey’s are ‘, I so wish I had one or two, or more , I would happily volunteer if anyone needs help with thier donkeys , or any animal,( you can e-mail me ,)anyway I would like to thank you for sharing your pictures and stories , I m so happy there’s people like you maybe one day I LL have a picture of a or a few donkeys to share , like Toby and Tyler , how very sweet
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