Substack: Donkeys!

CRAZY ABOUT DONKEYS

When asked what was her favorite animal, Jane Goodall’s answer was not chimpanzees, as you might expect, but dogs. Similarly, my answer might surprise those who know me. While my daily life centers around my two horses, Jack, a quarter horse, and Luke, a mini-horse, as well as my little rescue mutt, Bentley, my answer would not be horses or dogs—though I love them to pieces. No, my answer is unequivocally donkeys. Since meeting my first donkey a couple of years ago, I am utterly enthralled with this intelligent, sensitive, and most misunderstood of all animals.

Donkeys, also known as burros, or by their scientific name equus asinus (and thus the term ass) are not willful and stubborn as is often presumed. In contrast, they are generally gentle, serene, and very intelligent. It’s this intelligence that often leads to misinterpretations of their seemingly uncooperative behavior. When presented with a new or questionable situation, instead of bolting like a horse or blindly following their master like a dog, a donkey will stop and evaluate the situation, and only when convinced—on its own terms—will it proceed. They are not stubborn, but sage.

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