Meeting the Basic Needs of Your Donkey in His Early Years

I have added three pictures to illustrate this post. I can't over-emphasize the importance of intellectual pursuit and travel in the formative years of the young donkey.

You will notice that the young male human in the first illustration has a clear understanding of a donkey's thirst for knowledge. He has invited the donkey into the house and onto the sofa so they may explore the world of reading together. Donkeys love being read to and retain everything they hear. No doubt the female human whose offspring is shown here shortly thereafter rushed into the room shrieking about "barn animals" being allowed in the human abode. I speak from experience; my own woman has behaved exactly this way when I ask politely to explore her residence.

The second illustration is of the preferred means of transport for long distance travel. This very young donkey shows the correct way to exit a motorized vehicle. Notice his poise and obvious inate good breeding. He is disembarking in an almost regal manner and allowing the human to feel useful while holding the door for him. This encourages the human to stive for an even greater level of service in the donkey's employ.

The third illustration is of an infant donkey being transported in an overnight bag. His human has recognized the inherent donkey need to travel. We donkeys posess Romney blood and have an incurable sense of wanderlust. This mode of transport allows the young donkey to view the wider world without tiring himself unduly. The pouches on the front of the bag are for donkey snacks and a thermos of tea that the two can share. I cannot over-stress the importance of travel in the early years. Without it a donkey grows jaded and weary and spends his days looking over the fence and wondering what he might be missing.

Of course these are just the most basic elements in the education of young donkeys. We crave artistic expression, especially music. A mere two or three thousand dollars will equip the barn with a modest system. Fine dining is also critical to our well-being. Paper, leather, compost - we like to experience a broad range of taste sensations . We savour works of art on both paper and canvas, to mention only two of the media that appeal to our aesthetic nature. Canvas is chewier, paper more ethereal.

In short, if you wish your donkey to be content and well-rounded in every sense of the word, you must nourish his desire to expand his mind and body.