donkeys or the noble burro..popular as pets

[almaty 19]

Once the poor man's beast of burden, the Irish donkey has come storming back to be one of the most valuable animals on Northern Ireland farms.

Robert and Amanda Wallace have a donkey farm near Ballynahinch in County Down.

Once the only animals on their land would have been Jersey cows, but now with the rise in people keeping donkeys as pets, they have become a new source of farm income.

However, this has also given rise in recent times to the theft of an animal previously mostly used for carrying turf and pulling carts.

"It used to be with the donkey that people would give them away," Amanda said.

"Now over the last few years they have become very valuable pets, particularly since the children's film Shrek.

"People are prepared to pay large sums of money for a good foal, or a mare in foal, and that's why they are being stolen."

Donkey racing has always been popular, but mostly the animals on the Wallace farm prefer a gentle stroll.

Just a few years ago the donkey had virtually no commercial significance but now a good foal can fetch upwards of £750.

"The cows don't make the same money now," Amanda said.

'Content and quiet'

Richard Wallace said aside from the cash incentive there were other reasons why breeding the animals was becoming more popular.

"The attraction of them is they're quiet, they're small, they're relatively easy to feed, they generally don't give you bother," he said.

"They last a long time - you can get donkeys up to 40 perhaps."

However, nine-year-old Robert Wallace knows why he likes to saddle up his donkey when he gets home from school.

"He's an Irish donkey, I can ride him, and he's very content and quiet," he said.

"He mostly likes eating ginger nuts."

[Reba 2]

I've always wanted a donkey. I think they're cool. James won't let me get one tho, he says we don't need a donkey if we have dogs the size of ponies

[Sinergy 3]

send me pics when you get one

[almaty 19]

will do

will do

[MrMrsKnight 0]

Can't wait to see the pics!!

[Jasman0717 9]

My grandfather had donkeys. I could never figure out why

[silvanski 1]

will do

will do

revive the idea of putting up a fence

[rebeccajo 14]

However, nine-year-old Robert Wallace knows why he likes to saddle up his donkey when he gets home from school.

"He's an Irish donkey, I can ride him, and he's very content and quiet," he said.

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww....................

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I'm lucky. I work with some a$$es

[almaty 19]

My grandfather had donkeys. I could never figure out why

#######!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why you ask??????????? Jim...

will do

will do

revive the idea of putting up a fence

got the fence..i think the bassett hound and doberman like a new friend or friends and give sanita something to do..taking care of a herd of burros..good work for a city muslim girl

Edited April 14, 2006 by almaty2004

[Jaylen Brit 0]

Brother Dean, please PLEASE name your new Burro 'chopf##k'

Yes..chopf##k the Donkey. (which sounds like an illegal activity except in Louisiana backwoods)

Imagine the fun calling it at sunset..ah...these are the memories kodak moments were made for

[almaty 19]

chopf##k is an excellent name for a burro... asshat the 2nd one..thanks to my friend mirrorgatre..

[arwensun1965 1]

I remember going to the Donkey farm in Godalming as a child, the donkey's are unwanted by their owners and the farm takes them and looks after them.

Janice

[silvanski 1]

Howdy y'all! The name's Chopf**k!

[almaty 19]

Howdy y'all! The name's Chopf**k!

fine looking burro...........