Pin The Name On The Donkey

Well, it’s finally happened. DH has been yammering on for years about wanting a mini donkey, and I—being the kind-hearted, practical, and occasionally slightly off-my-rocker farm wife that I am—finally caved. Mostly because I found one that didn’t come with a price tag that required an organ donation or signing over the deed to the house.

Meet our newest addition (pictured in front), a baby mini donkey. And yes, he’s just as soft, fuzzy, and ridiculously adorable in person. Most of the mini donkeys I’ve come across were priced higher than a full-sized horse, which is insane when you realize you’re basically buying a furry, braying lawn ornament with an attitude.

But this little guy? This one was fate. Or Craigslist. Either way.

Now, as with any new addition to the farm, integration is key. He’s still a baby, so he’ll grow up alongside our LGDs and hopefully learn they’re part of the team, not intruders who need to be launched into the next time zone with a swift double-hoofed boot. Fingers crossed he extends the same courtesy to the goats, the chickens, and anything else that happens to wander too close. Including me.

Eventually, he’ll be pastured with Talon, who is either going to love having a buddy or throw a dramatic tantrum like a spoiled prom queen who has to share her limo. But hey, that’s farm life.

Now, here’s where you come in. We need a name.

Jim, in all his wisdom and subtlety, suggested Barack. And while I appreciate the clever political pun, I’d like to think this donkey has slightly higher cognitive functioning than your average bureaucrat. No offense to my liberal friends—okay, slight offense—but come on, this little guy deserves better. Or at least something that doesn’t start political arguments over the breakfast table.

So I’m opening the floor. What do we name him?

Here are a few early contenders, just to get the ball rolling:

• Eeyore – Obvious. Maybe too obvious.

• Burrito – Because he’s small, wrapped in fluff, and occasionally spicy.

• Festus – Because he already looks like he’s been living on the frontier for 40 years.

• Sir Hee-Haw-A-Lot – For when we want the neighbors to think we’ve gone completely off the rails.

• Deputy Dawdle – For his very slow, very deliberate stroll across the yard this morning.

• NotBarack – Because I’m petty like that.

Leave your name ideas in the comments or shoot me a message. If we pick your suggestion, you’ll win…well, absolutely nothing except bragging rights and my eternal gratitude. And maybe a shoutout in the next blog post.

Let the naming games begin!

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©2011 Sandy Davis | American Way Farm