For years, Josh and I have said how much we wanted a mini donkey. We were obsessed watching videos of them. Growing up as an equestrian, I had many encounters with donkeys and always just thought they were tiny, very loud, equines that didn’t serve much purpose.
However, the more and more we researched donkeys the more we learned about their amazing qualities and utilitarianism. They can serve as livestock guardian animals, carry a pack and make great companies to other herd animals.
Like most things in our lives, we had no intention of bringing home a donkey one June day. But–right time and right place, the stars aligned.
I was sitting at the coffee shop in town with a friend when I got a text: “would you like a free donkey?”. Just the night before, Josh and I had been talking about maybe we could get a donkey in the near future. So, without hesitation I said: “yes, when and where?”.
Well, turns out his owners were moving and had less than 48 hours to find him a soft spot to land after multiple potential homes fell through. We talked on the phone to make sure he would be the right fit for us and that we could provide him the home he needed.
The next day, we borrowed a trailer and drove over the mountain to pick up our new friend. It was love at first sight!
Introducing–Pita, the miniature donkey. Pita has now been with us for almost a year, and has been the best addition to our micro farm. We spent many weeks slowly introducing him to the sheep, and Ankou our livestock guardian dog, to ensure a smooth transition.
Without missing a beat, Pita took to protecting his new sheep and bonded right away with Ankou. They are inseparable and the best of friends!
Pita has become our greeting committee, alarm, sheep protector and companion over the past year. He has even become somewhat of a personal trainer to us humans, always asking us to take him out on the trail for walks around The Ridge.
We hope in the near future, to try to find him a donkey companion to bond with and work with as they protect our flock. But in the meantime, you can keep up with Pita and his sidekicks over on our TikTok channel.
Ravens Ridge Micro Farm 