From Sue Kenney who adopted Lavender:
You can look into the deep brown eyes of a donkey and see the sweet and gentle nature of a master teacher. Many have been uprooted from their natural birthplaces only to land in homes where they have been misunderstood. Stubborness is often mistaken for caution. Intelligence is the cornerstone of many of the decisions made by donkeys. They check out every situation fully before forging ahead one step at a time. They are extremely surefooted and so their refusal to move should be a signal to us that something is not right. They give us clear messages with their bodies and their voices. And even though human caretakers sometimes do not listen to these messages, they seek out their company willingly. As soon as they understand what it is you are asking of them they are right there with you. Their braying is their way of asking you to come and say hello, to rub their ears, that it is time for dinner, that they are happy to see you. Oh, those long ears, they can hear sounds that are miles away and the careful observer will learn what messages their movements will convey.
Why rescue a donkey? I can best answer that by asking you to imagine yourself standing under the shade of an overhanging beech tree. All is quiet except for the chirping of birds and the scurrying of squirrels and bees and butterflies in the flowerbeds. You are speaking softly to your companion who has lowered his head tso you can rub his long ears. His eyes are closing. You are sharing a friendship built on trust and respect. You look at your furry companion and realize he may have traveled far to find his forever home with you. Yet he has come thru it all and remained a gentle, peaceful creature. If you look into his eyes he will share many stories. I feel privileged to be on a journey with two very special donkeys.
