These very special animals are joyful to live with. They are easy to care for and economical to keep. Miniature donkeys have a disposition more like a big dog than what most people think of as equine.

They love to be cuddled and fussed over. They are smart, trusting, and careful of the people around them, which makes sharing them with elderly people, children, or the handicapped, a wonderful experience. They also enjoy being shown as it's a new adventure!

"It is so true about the little donkeys needing at least one other donkey friend. Coco, the dark brown guy in the photo can tell that story! He was bred by Kathy Renfro and sold to a lady in Williams as a weanling. Although she has other horses including a mini horse, he was never really included in their society. When I went to see him he was living in a separate pen because the horses had been picking on him. He was so sad and depressed. My husband and Coco bonded immediately, I didn't quibble about the price, we just loaded him up and got him out of there! As we watched Coco become a member of our barn, it was a real lesson about the intelligence of donkeys and herd dynamics. Coco had no idea how to groom or be groomed by another donkey. Rufus took it upon himself to teach him. Coco would bite and attack when Rufus attempted to groom him. Rufus was patient and kept at it until Coco got it one day. It took Coco a long time to trust his herd-mates and become a participating member. It warms my heart to look out the window and see Coco grooming, playing a game of tag or laying down with all the donks for a group nap. He is still a little different from my other three. He has a quick temper with the other donks, sometimes he spends time alone from the group, and he tends to mope at times, and would rather eat and interact with people with out the other donkeys."

This was sent to me by Linda Naydol, a donkey friend of mine.
I thought it really summed up why they need each other.