Animals have the power to heal our emotional wounds in the simplest, yet most powerful ways. A loving caress, a little nose boop, or sometimes, just a loving, gentle smile.
Take these unbelievably adorable donkeys, for instance. The simple sight of their loving smiles, big beautiful eyes and calm demeanor provide such a natural serotonin boost. If you’re in need of a little feel-good moment, you’re in the right place. Take a look:
@kitri_farmReplying to @Hi.imjaki Jenny was a rescue that came from a petting zoo situation. She wasn’t friendly and would hide in corners, so they didnt want her anymore. Now she will live the rest of her life woth us! She is very friendly and has her two besties! #dailylife #hobbyfarmlife #ontario #farmanimals #farmlife #donkey #donkeyoftiktok
So, little side story: I’ve been reading a great book called Running With Sherman by Chris McDougall recently and at its base, it’s a tale of a human (Chris) and a rescue donkey (Sherman) bonding against all odds. Chris rescued Sherman from the most unthinkable conditions, and it tells the story of their journey to run a crazy human-donkey foot race in Colorado. But despite all that, I’ve discovered so many subtle quirks and fascinating facts about donkeys along the way, which has simply sparked a newfound love and admiration for these awesome animals. Point being—this video hits me hard! In all the best ways.
Related: Baby Donkey’s Adorable Zoomies Are All That’s Right with the World
They’re just so strong, intelligent and loving, I could seriously watch these adorable goofs hovering over that camera all day, just being themselves; just being cute and curious and so darn charming. Who would’ve thought that a few goofy grins from a couple of donkeys could provide this much joy? Between their calm, gentle demeanor and their sudden bursts of playful enthusiasm, there’s just so much to love about these incredible animals.
Caring for donkeys
More often than not, you’ll hear happy donkey parents talking about how they’re basically just like having a big dog around. They’re naturally very affectionate and are total lovers, but like all pets, they come with a little responsibility to ensure they’re living the happy, healthy life they deserve.
First and foremost, donkeys always need a proper shelter or stable to help them stay safe from unpredictable weather. Unlike horses, their coats aren’t naturally waterproof. So whether they’re hiding from the rain or just looking for a dry, comfortable place to cool off when it’s hot, they need a nice home.
Most donkeys tend to need a little less space to graze in comparison to horses as well, so as long as they have some room to run around and play, and access to some tasty hay, they’ll typically be pretty content. (It’s very important not to overfeed them, though—just something to keep in mind!)
The best donkey diet is high in fiber and low in things like protein, sugar and starch. Keep it simple and if they are in an area where grazing is an option, just make sure you’re keeping it under control. And treats should be healthy, and really only given in moderation!
Donkeys are highly social animals
Donkeys also need friends. It’s pretty much mandatory and crucial to their overall health and well-being. So, you’ll want to make sure you have either a few other donkeys to keep them happy and social, or even other animals like goats, mules or horses. They can (and will) get extremely attached to these animals as well, so just beware.
Hoof care is extremely important, too, and you’ll want a trusted farrier to check and trim their hooves fairly often. Deworming a few times a year is also something else to keep in mind, usually depending on the weather.
And routine is extremely important in a donkey’s life all the same. Unlike most animals who simply obey, donkeys don’t necessarily make it that easy. It’s their world, and their stubbornness can be pretty impressive, to say the least. They simply thrive on routine and that needs to be respected.
But at the end of the day, the love and companionship you’ll receive from adding a donkey (or two) to the family is simply unmatched. Plus, all you have to do is watch this video a few more times and it’s pretty much game over.
Having a donkey one day is on my bucket list. But until then… these videos will do.
