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Jim and Beth have rescued
many Burros over the years
and purchased others
who were at risk. Many we have
kept for over 10 years and
then when placements come
up in good homes we have
let some of them go. Both
Fern and Banjo have come
back here several times.
We have a revolving
donkey policy and anyone
can return one at any
time, noquestions asked.
Beth and Sam
Sam came in a barter and was
never at risk. He has always had
super homes and we love him dearly.
We got him when we decided not
Breed anymore.
People's situations do change but
we try to be here for the donks
no matter what. We bred only
two donkeys and decided our
work was better spent caring for
the donkeys that came back or we
find in situations where we can
help. We don't have much room
but we have developed a
good program here to help
local donkeys when we have
space. Sometimes we can
just recommend a good home
for people looking for new digs
for their donks!
Jenny Lind
Jenny was in terrible shape when
we bought her as a yearling. It
took six months to get her feet
in shape and she never quite
trusted people she didn't know
well. Jenny now lives with
Connie Lewinski in Holland ,
NY. Jenny Lynn was a super
mother and is the dam of
Jenny packs very well and was
super in Parades. Her skill as a
patient and well mannered guard donkey with sheep made her wonderful to have a round. I
had Jenny for ten years and
never ever regretted saving her
from the squalid horror in which
she was born. She is now a
brood Jennet and lives a
pampered life.
Thistledown's Foghorn Fern,
A golden gal with a huge heart for man and beast.
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Jim and Billy Bagpipes
Billy Bagpipes was purchased
at a local sale and then gelded. He is a real
character and loves to ham it up! Willy
delights in drinking ice tea or fruit juice
from a cup without spilling a drop, except
that is when he drools it on you afterwards!
Willy is a super ambassador for
miniature donkeys!
Tony
Tony was the first donkey we purchased
through an add in the paper. He is the
only one we have lost track of. We sold him
to friends and they resold him before we
could try to get him back. He was a rather
shy and Eore like donkey but we feel badly
we didn't keep him from getting dispersed
to who knows where. Tony always had
a weight problem and we learned from him
NEVER to overfeed!
Thistledown's Billy Bagpipes. Registered gelding.
Miniature Donkey
Thistledown's Sassafras Sam
and Beth
Thistledown Sassafras Sam perhaps
fits my personality best. He is a sweet
friend and is quiet yet willing. At this point
in my life his size and temperament are
perfect for me. I have some health
problems and having Sam around is wonderful.
I pack him on short trips and use him
as a guard donkey with the sheep. Although
he is an intact Jack, he works very
well with sheep.
PLEASE be careful with
Jacks as guard animals they are
sometimes way too aggressive and
have been known to kill lambs. Ideally a
Jennet works out the best.
Sam just
happens to be a very docile jack.
He used to let the mini gelding boss
him around and only at age four asserted
himself as herd leader.
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Foghorn Fern is the second
donkey we bought. She was
purchased at the local livestock
sale she now lives with the Hydes
near Sherman, NY She is nearly
20 years old and going strong despite
some arthritis. Fern is a real
Character and is a bossy clown.
Bobi and David take wonderful
care of her and she is a calf baby
sitter and guard donkey at
Hyde and Hare Acres . Fern is a
one in a million. She was born
in the Fredonia, NY area out of
adopted BLM Burros.
Jim and Beth show their ass to
Bill Clinton at Chautauqua!
" Banjo"
Banjo was purchased from a horse
dealer and after many years at Thistledown now lives with Diane
Rigby in PA. He was with us over
ten years and taught many children
to ride. He is a super parade
donkey and guard donkey too!
Earl
Earl was a registered spotted ass.
He died very suddenly and we miss him still!
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Beth ands Sam in '98
Sam and Uncle Pi in '99
Bo and Sam Play!
Sam is a little reserved but loads well on a trailer,
likes people and does a very good job in parades, packing, and living nativity scenes.
We have kept him intact because he is of such
good quality and we hope we can use him some
on outside jennets some day. The people that
bred him think we should keep him as he is since
he is so well behaved and we hope to show him
soon. Sam is registered with the
Sam bred Jennets has a young Jack
before we acquired him so he has living
offspring. He does not breed ponies or
horses, sorry!
Sam
Donkeys are something I love more
than anything. It is a shame more people
don't realize how wonderful they are.
There are few animals who have been
so used and misused by mankind.
They have been with us for
millinums and we owe allot
to their strong back and patience.
Repectfully yours,
Beth Maxwell Boyle
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