Donkeys are intelligent, affectionate, healthy, long lived, and cheap to keep animals, so why are we now allowing them to die in record numbers?
Donkeys were first domesticated in Egypt about 6,000 years ago. Since their earliest association with mankind, they have been loyal and uncomplaining servants. An early Pakistani proverb states, “To carry a load without resting, to be not bothered by heat or cold, and always to be content: these things we can learn from a donkey”. Donkeys quickly spread from Egypt to all area cultures where they provided transportation, carried heavy loads on their back, served as draft animals, helped to plow the fields, to turn grist mills, and guarded livestock from predation. In addition, their milk and meat provided substance for the ancient family and still does for families today in many parts of the world.
Remarkable animal
Many breeds of donkey have been developed in the service of mankind. Donkeys range in size from the Miniature Mediterranean which stands only 36 inches at the shoulder, to the Mammoth Jack which can be 56 inches and even taller. They can have short, slick hair like the burro of the American southwest, or can have wooly long hair like the French Poitou. One thing they all have in common is their ability to endure heat and cold, lack of water and poor quality food. Pound for pound they are stronger than the horse and better climbers in hills and mountains. Their hooves are tougher and require less care than the hooves of horses. Donkeys can live up to 40 years (about twice as long as horses).
The perfect pet
The first donkey that I ever owned was a gift from a friend. My friend told me that during a hunting trip his brother had taken an ax handle and hit this donkey right between the eyes. Although it was a vicious and powerful blow, the brother was more hurt by this cowardly action than was the donkey. The donkey merely blinked and moved away, while the brother’s hand was bleeding and he reported considerable pain from the jarring impact of the blow.
I quickly renamed this donkey Genghis Kahn, because he put me in mind of the small Mongolian horses that the Mongols rode. When Genghis first arrived at my ½ acre pasture he was a bit leery of me, however, after two days of carrots, apples, back combing and ear scratching we became fast friends. Genghis would follow me about the pasture and nuzzle me each time I stopped. Often my young son would climb upon his back as he walked around the pasture. Genghis seemed to enjoy the companionship. Later, I would ride that brave little donkey on mountainous trails where he proved to be a strong, steady and dependable climber.
We decided to get Genghis a companion, which I purchased at an auction for $25. He was a three year old, standard size uncut jack who had been raised wild. Until a few days before the sale, he had never seen a human. Within two days of his arrival, he was completely gentle. My 12 -year-old son, Ryan, named him Black Jack.
On the third day Black Jack lived with us, Ryan and I argued about who would try to ride him first. I believed that Ryan should ride, as I was bigger, stronger and more capable of holding him with the rope. Ryan argued that I should ride due to the fact that I was heavier and he wouldn’t be able to buck as hard. However, I played the daddy card and with much trepidation Ryan got on; we waited for the rodeo to begin.
Much to our surprise he never bucked. He tiptoed forward, stopped and looked around not knowing exactly what to do. Then I had an idea; as Ryan rode Genghis and the danger seemed over, I boldly hopped upon Black Jack. He quickly got the clue from Genghis about what was expected from a respectable saddle donkey, and on that very day we rode up and down small hills for about an hour. Black Jack proved to be an even better riding donkey than Genghis.
The current crisis
Because of the severe drought in Texas and Oklahoma, there is not much grazing left. Ranchers have to buy hay to keep their cattle, sheep, goats and horses alive. Unfortunately, the donkey has been deemed to be expendable and is starving to death by the hundreds. Fortunately, organizations like the Peaceful Valley Donkey Ranch are doing their best to save this intelligent and friendly animal. It is possible to adopt rescued donkeys through this organization, or donate money to help in their efforts. If you can adopt, donate or share this article with a friend you will have the pleasure of perhaps saving one of these remarkable animals.
Sources: Sue Weaver, The Donkey Companion, 2008. Storey Publishing, LLC; First Edition edition. ISBN-10: 160342038X; ISBN-13: 978-1603420389.
Source: Lance Morton. http://suite101.com
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