Donkeys are new territory for me. They have only recently started trending on my For You page. Never once did I watch Shrek and think, “Yep, that MUST be an accurate representation of a donkey.” However, now that I have seen hundreds of videos of farmers and their donkeys, my guess is that if donkeys could talk, they would never shut up, and they would instantly be your best friend.
Recently, at Green Pastures Farm in Michigan, one of the main farmers had to go away for about a week. When she returned, she recorded the reunion with her beloved Donkey. She yells out, “Dum dum, bubby!!” and all you start to hear is loud hee-hawing in the distance. As the donkey starts to appear on screen, it's from a very far distance. You see him appear with his ears perked up, and then he spots her and his ears pin back like he is just SO happy to see her. If he could cry tears of joy, I'm sure that's what would've happened. He galloped over to her, still hee-hawing, and aggressively nuzzled his head into her body, still very happily hee-hawing. It was so precious that, of course, the video went viral!
The reputation donkeys have truly does not do them justice. These farm animals are more than just overworked smaller horses. Why is their name even used as an insult? It should be used as praise! Donkeys can do more than just pull farm machinery around. They can also make great livestock guardians! I mean, they're not Great Pyrenees, but they have great hearing and eyesight and can become extremely protective of their herd. They will absolutely attack if they feel threatened or if they feel like their loved ones are being threatened. And, believe me, you do NOT want to get bucked by a donkey. They might not be as powerful as a horse's buck, but they can still mess you up for life or even end you.
Donkeys are also extremely empathetic and are sometimes used for therapeutic reasons. “Donkey-assisted interventions, particularly donkey-assisted therapy, help improve emotional regulation, communication, social interaction, and self-esteem in children with neurodevelopmental disorders,” says one study. And I believe it! Sure, we might get memes out of the images of donkeys looking out of place at children's hospitals, but they actually make a huge difference! When I was 11 years old and hospitalized for three weeks, my mom always says the only time I smiled was when Leslie, the therapy dog, would come visit me. And it's true; I remember that part perfectly. I had tubes down my nose and throat; I could talk, and just being able to connect with a sweet, empathetic animal truly lifted my spirits. If I saw a donkey in that hospital, omg I probably would've miraculously healed and jumped out of bed as if I could walk again! (I'm in my thirties and perfectly fine now, fyi.)
Seeing this video and gaining this new knowledge of donkeys and how amazing they are, my new goal in life is to meet a donkey and, hopefully, become besties. Anybody got a donkey in New York City that needs a new best friend?…
“Step 1: Win the lottery
2: Buy a house with land in Scotland
3: Rescue donkeys and horses.
4: Live happily."
-tatt1892
“Great. Now I need a donkey."
-mw3997
"'Mooom! Mom! Mom! Mom!' That’s all I heard. 😍😂"
-asimmons625
"In a world full of absolute horror right now, I needed this. Thank you for sharing your adorable @$$ with us. I want one. ❤️"
-kourtport
“This app has taught me that donkeys are just the most romantic little gentlemen.”
-vespaer77
“Ears back & wagging tail like a dog is so precious.”
-jojo194700
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