THE LITTLEST LAD LOVES A CUDDLE ON MY KNEE
JULES HAMILTON, 54, is a retired counsellor who works in animal welfare and breeds hybrid puppies. She lives in Suffolk with her city worker husband Nigel Shore, 57. they have five children between them and Jules has two grandchildren, plus miniature donkeys called Shambles, chaos and trouble. Jules says:
The actor John Nettles said that if you’re feeling down there’s nothing like spending time with a donkey. It’s true.
I awake to the sound of them braying, which makes me smile, and they often sneak into the kitchen and stand beside me while I eat my breakfast.
Though they much prefer munching on straw, if I sit outside with a coffee and a biscuit they’ll do their best to pinch both.
I discovered mini donkeys when a friend sent me a picture of a baby one she’d seen in America. We got Shambles and Chaos in June 2018 when they were 12 months and six months old respectively, and Trouble last summer aged just eight weeks.
They cost around £3,000 each. Trouble’s mummy, Blush, came to stay with us until he was fully weaned.
Chaos likes to be in charge. Shambles is a sweetheart and puts her head on my lap when I groom her. Trouble just wants to be on my knee for cuddles.
They love to play with a big inflatable gym ball, and tip buckets over for fun.
My 18-month-old grandson, Henry, calls me ‘Ganny clipclop’ (he can’t yet pronounce ‘Granny’). He loves to sit on their backs, supervised by me. Though gentle, they are strong enough to inadvertently knock a child over.
A donkey’s lifespan is up to 40 years — my eldest daughter knows she’ll be inheriting them one day.
Our church asked if I’d take Trouble to a Christmas service this year. But all three are still young and boisterous — though I won’t rule it out for the future.