The Donkey Hug

In 2009, I rescued a skittish donkey. Bo came from a nearby cattle ranch and now lives peacefully on my ranch in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, along with another donkey, three horses, and two dogs.

But the key to Bo’s successful rehab from nervous rescue to happy ranch animal wasn’t anything I did. It was my grandson, Dylan.

When he was just shy of four years old, Dylan came with his parents to spend the Fourth of July with me on their way to Canada for a vacation. Bo kept his distance from the grown-ups, but he displayed an unusual fascination with Dylan. So we decided to introduce them.

“Move slowly, keep your arms down, be quiet, and stoop down sometimes,” I told my grandson.

Dylan cautiously approached Bo, step by step, holding a soft rubber currycomb. Bo held his ground, but he seemed intrigued by this little visitor. Dylan rubbed Bo’s shoulders and neck softly with the comb, removing remnants of his thick winter coat.

It’s hard for an almost four-year-old to stay still for long, and impulse overcame restraint. Dylan made one quick move, and Bo scampered off. But Bo and Dylan were not ready to give up. Dylan approached again. To witness a preschooler learn to control himself in such a short time was amazing.

As we watched, true love developed between this once distrustful donkey and a gentle boy. Over the next few days, Bo let Dylan throw his arms around his neck, pet his legs, hold his head in his hands, and pat his cheeks. And Dylan felt free to sit at Bo’s feet while Bo carefully nibbled his shirt collar and hair and rubbed Dylan’s back with his bristly chin.

Just as Dylan had earned Bo’s trust, Bo showed restraint with Dylan. He hugged Dylan—yes, a donkey can hug—without knocking him off balance.

They met again one week later as the family passed through on their return trip. It was almost dark, but Dylan and his dad trekked to the far reaches of the pasture. Bo came to meet them enthusiastically. He is now a changed and trusting donkey.

And Dylan is a miracle worker.

—Judy Moore Florence, Montana, from Country magazine