My Family Visits A Donkey Family

My sister and niece had driven out to pay me a visit at the farm and we'd already hiked Azure Mountain, Quebec Brook and the St. Regis Canoe Carry. We stopped for lunch and then drove home to the farm apartment for a nap and to let old Winky and Wally outside. The following day was predicted to be rainy, so I determined to make the most of this day. I'd already made arrangements with my neighbor for a visit to his herd of miniature donkeys, so we drove about a mile down the road to see them. They were not out in the pasture when we arrived, but thronging the gate as if they'd been waiting for us:

The friendly farmer took us out into the field and introduced us to his little Sicilian friends:

And the donkeys were every bit as charming and lovable as I remembered them:

A small group watched from the other side of the field and I walked over to greet them:

My sister and niece were understandably cautious at first as rowdy, happy donkeys thronged them:

But moments later they'd relaxed and fallen completely in love with the sweet little critters:

We went back outside the gate and the farmer cut up carrots for us to feed the donkeys:

All the donkeys and his one steer clamored for carrots:

And we gave them carrots, lots of carrots:

My niece was concerned that we were ignoring the steer, so the farmer got her an ear of dried corn to feed him. He downed it in one gulp;

But it was soon time to say goodbye:

Yes, those donkeys were really smiling. How could anyone not fall in love with these gentle, sweet creatures?: