I’ve concluded over the years that the love for donkeys can be genetically passed on through generations – you see, my father was a donkey lover, but never a donkey owner. I grew up surrounded with donkey figurines, pictures and of course, donkey-talk. When I moved to a ranch in Elizabeth nearly two years ago, I promised my father that if the opportunity arose he would finally have a real donkey in his life (albeit, 100+ miles away from his Greeley home). We already had a couple of horses, a “rescued” Springer Spaniel and had ventured into the world of alpaca breeding – surely we had room for a donkey in our hearts.
Most people don’t know that you can actually get a donkey at the grocery store – at least that’s how “Mottley” came into our life. My daughter, Samantha, and I ventured off to Safeway one Saturday afternoon a year ago to gather a few items for the weekend and came home with a donkey…or at least the knowledge that an unwanted donkey in Elizabeth was looking for a good home. We didn’t know much about her other than she had been hanging out with an old mare, was morbidly obese (by the vet’s analysis), and just plain needed some love in her life. We brought her home, introduced her to the two new “men” in her life (our gelded Arabs, Shorty & Chris) and gave her a name – MOTTLEY, named after my father (his middle name is Mott, his mother’s maiden name.)
Mottley and her “crew” roamed our 126 acres for almost a year when we decided that maybe she needed a buddy of her own kind. After seeing a segment on Fox 31 News in August on Longhopes, we knew we were destined to bring another “homeless” animal to our loving ranch. After previewing the available donkeys on the Internet, we visited Longhopes the following Saturday. We specifically wanted a jennet, one that was comfortable around horses, and was socially adaptable to family reunions and outdoor holiday parties. Patience joined our family in September 2003, and has adapted quickly; however, Mottley wasn’t exactly sure what Patience was upon arrival. We suspect that Mottley had never seen another donkey, and as far as she was concerned . . . an “illegal alien” had landed on her ranch.
Now, several months later our boys and girls (Shorty, Chris, Mottley & Patience) roam the acreage together. The boys are very protective of their girls! They all come up to our back deck daily for their apple and carrot fix, love to be groomed, and are basically spoiled rotten! And, of course Grandpa comes down regularly to pamper his girls with attention and treats.
Next spring, we will have a hinny joining our critter-family (the result of an encounter between Patience and a stallion at her prior homestead). There’s always room for one more animal in need of a little love at All Saints’ Ranch.
