Spotted!

A tribute to Lawrenceville Leonard was spotted in Lavallette, NJ this week. This is clearly evidence that fans of LL and the Donkey Blog are popping up nationwide.

Donkeys In The News: South Africa Edition

Cleopatra, a talented donkey in South Africa has made headlines today for responding to phrases and pounding her hoof to answer math problems. When approached for a comment, Lawrenceville Leonard said nothing, but did not appear to be impressed. The Times has this story...

Donkey’s tricks prove she’s a smart ass
by Taschica Pillay, Published:Jun 22, 2008

Cleopatra is one clever girl.

The donkey, at Dayspring Farmyard in Zululand, is wowing visitors with her ability to do arithmetic, shake hooves, nod and play dead — skills she was taught by Sally Dilton-Hill, a retired teacher from Zimbabwe.

This week, Cleo proved her counting prowess when she correctly beat her hoof on the ground 11 times when asked “What is six plus three plus two?”

Her owners, former Zimbabweans Dave and Les Ervine, say Cleo leaves visitors speechless when she is able to count to 12 and answer simple arithmetic questions with her hoof.

Continue Reading...

Also out of South Africa this week is a sad story with a happy ending. Coffee, a two year old donkey was rescued earlier this month by the SPCA from a sewage soak pit, where he had been for trapped for 40 hours. After weeks of treatment, medication and love, Coffee is now doing better. Lawrenceville Leonard did not comment, but seemed to snort happily when he was told the good news. IOL has this story...

Mission: donkey rescue
By Rivonia Naidu, June 20 2008 at 01:43PM

He's been affectionately named Coffee because of the area he was rescued from. He has big brown eyes that could make anybody fall in love with him. His favourite food is brown bread, and he's a donkey that has captured the hearts of many pet lovers.

"And to think he could have died if someone hadn't called us to rescue him," said Vicky Power from the Kloof and Highway Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Speaking about Coffee's miraculous rescue and recovery process, Power said staff and volunteers from the SPCA were "thankful" to have been called out to the coffee farm area of Mariannhill on June 3 to help save the two-year-old donkey's life.

She said when they arrived on the scene, they were "saddened" to find Coffee stuck in a "very small soak pit", a hole where sewage slowly seeps into the ground through holes on the sides and bottom.

Power said according to residents Coffee had been trapped in the soak pit for about 40 hours before he was rescued.

Continue Reading...

Sad News For Donkeys Everywhere...

Genevieve, a beloved 40-year old donkey from East Sandwich, Massachusetts was killed by an automobile early yesterday morning. Sean Whelahan, 37, has not yet been charged with the murder. In an interview with the Cape Cod Times, Whelahan even refers to Geneviere as a "he" - clearly a sign of intoxication. The Donkey Blog encourages police to further investigate this murder, and ultimately charge Whelahan to the fullest extent of the law. Leonard did not comment, but seemed deeply saddened by the news. CapeCodTimes.com has the story...

Genevieve nibbles her last grass
By George Brennan
May 30, 2008

EAST SANDWICH — Genevieve had a penchant for wiggling her corral gate open and sauntering off for a late-night snack of grass.

Early yesterday morning, the feisty and beloved 40-year-old donkey at Wingscorton Farm wandered onto Route 6A, where she was struck and killed by a startled driver at 12:37 a.m.

Dick and Sheila Loring, owners of the farm, are saddened by the loss of their oldest pet. On a 7-acre farm that's home to a horse (Genevieve's corral pal), dozens of sheep, lambs and goats, as well as more than 100 chickens, Genevieve was a prized member of the family.

"She was a love," Dick Loring, 78, said yesterday, just hours after he was roused out of bed by police to collect her 350-pound body. "She had been here the longest."

Sean Whelahan, 37, the driver of the Toyota Camry that struck Genevieve, was on his way home from after closing his restaurant, Kian n' Rylee's Pub & Patio in Hyannis.

The accident happened on a dark stretch of road between the Barnstable town line and Scorton Creek. Genevieve was walking the center line when Whelahan's car slammed into the donkey, smashing a headlight, quarter panel, side mirror and driver's side window.

"If I didn't turn he would have flipped up and right through my windshield," Whelahan said. "... I swerved and then swerved back because of the brush. I didn't want to hit a tree. I was in a state of shock."

Glass from the shattered window hit his face, causing minor cuts. Fragments still littered the dashboard of the Camry parked in his Route 6A driveway.

Whelahan, the father of two young children, said he feels lucky to be alive.

"Kian had his first haircut yesterday and I was saying what a great day it was," he said of his 2-year-old son. "You just don't know how close it is, how fragile it is. I'm very, very fortunate."

Whelahan will not be cited, police said, and he's still working on getting an estimate of the damage to his car. "This is a first for most of the people I've talked to," he said.

Dick and Sheila Loring said it's not unusual for their animals to stray from their pens. A couple of years ago, they were called to a nearby motel when some pigs they were raising at the time entered a guest's room.

Yesterday, Police Chief Michael Miller recalled rounding up about a dozen sheep that had escaped while he was a sergeant 10 years ago.

Genevieve was the first to become a road casualty. She will be given a final resting spot on the farm, along with a llama and a couple of horses that have been buried there.

"Life and death is just such a part of farm life," Dick Loring said. "We lost her last night, but three new baby lambs were born this morning."

Yesterday, the farm was bustling with activity: Tiny lambs suckling on their mothers, a horse chomping a snack out of Sheila Loring's hand and three golden retrievers offering friendly wags to visitors.

Sydney, a 27-year-old horse that shared a corral with Genevieve, was acting strangely, Sheila Loring said. "I think he senses something," she said. "He's making a lot of noise today."

The Lorings re-established the farm in 1980 after it had been dormant for nearly 70 years. The farm, connected to the historic Wing family, dates back to 1750. Its proximity to Scorton Creek gives it the Wingscorton name, Loring said.

The Lorings also operate a bed-and-breakfast out of the main house and a carriage house on the property. They sell eggs to local convenience stores and folks who drop by to plop $3 into a tin can.

And the animals are a draw for young families, Loring said. Genevieve was a favorite.

"We'll miss her," Loring said.

Video and photos available at CapeCodTimes.com

Along the banks...

Along the banks of the Delaware River Canal in New Hope, PA, all are encouraged to yield to donkeys. Of course, this sign is posted under a bridge, over a narrow path where donkeys once were forced to pull heavy barges down the Canal, but all of that aside...

Respect.

Donkeys in the News...

As previously reported, a Donkey was jailed in Southern Mexico after biting and kicking two men. Lawrenceville Leonard still has no comment on the situation, but unnamed witnesses claim that he has looked more depressed in recent days. NPR.com has the resolution to this story...

Nasty Donkey Now Has Police Record
Morning Edition, May 22, 2008

A donkey has been released from a Mexican jail. Blacky the burro was charged with assault and battery after biting and kicking, two men near a ranch outside Chiapas. Blacky served three days. And his owner paid a fine to cover hospital bills and salary for the days the victims missed work. Police officer Sinar Gomez pointed out, "Around here, if someone commits a crime they are jailed — no matter who they are."

In the UK, government officials are concerned that fat kids may harm donkeys during beach donkey rides. An 8 stone limit (roughly 100lbs) has been put in place to ensure donkey safety. When approached for comment, Lawrenceville Leonard turned and walked away slowly. The Daily Star has this story...

DONKEY RIDES MAKE KIDS WEIGHT
May 2008

Council weight-watchers have been out for the first time making sure obese children do not take donkey rides.

Blackpool is the first resort in Britain to adopt an eight stone weight limit for people taking a ride across the sands and the new rule came in for the first time this weekend.

The town already has a Donkey Charter brought in 60 years ago to ensure the beach donkeys get meal breaks and days off.

The council worked with animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary to introduce the rule. A Town Hall spokesman said: “It is cruel to donkeys to have to carry a child who is obese.”

Mark Ineson, who has spent 11 summers with his donkeys, said: “If something is not right it has to be dealt with.”

Donkeys in the News...

A donkey has been jailed in Southern Mexico after biting and kicking two men. Lawrenceville Leonard could not be reached for comment. Check out the story from DaileyNews.co.za:

High-kicking donkey in jail
May 20, 2008 Edition 3

TUXTLA GUTIERREZ: A donkey is doing time in southern Mexico for assault and battery.

The animal was locked up at a local jail after it bit and kicked two men near a ranch in Chiapas state, police said yesterday.

Officer Sinar Gomez said the donkey will remain behind bars until its owner agrees to pay the men's medical bills.

"Around here, if someone commits a crime they are jailed," Gomez said, "no matter who they are."

Adam displays a Smart Donkey

Adam displays a Smart Donkey, originally uploaded by csullens.

A big day for Leonard!

After a tense confrontation, Leonard decides to share his grass

Leonard shares some grass with his neighbors!

NJ 101.5 was on hand to cover the event!

Maybe Billy the Buffalo can visit soon?

Chewin'

MVI_0157
Originally uploaded by c.sullens

Leonard wonders why I stopped the car...

IMG_1127, originally uploaded by c.sullens.

just chill'n

Our buddy has been chilling next to his house most weekends. Obsessed with only his food bucket, Lawrenceville Leonard cannot be bothered to come closer to the fence to visit his fans.

IMG_0955

IMG_0955, originally uploaded by c.sullens.

New Security System

The donkey has a new, rather large, watchdog protecting him and his property. It was spotted yesterday afternoon. We're waiting for the picture to be posted. Beware...

Wooden donkey across the street

IMG_0938, originally uploaded by c.sullens.

Canadian Geese seem to have taken over the horse pen

IMG_0889, originally uploaded by c.sullens.

depressed

Chris, Kevin and I visited Leonard on Saturday and he seemed very sad. I hope that everything is okay! :(

Drive-by

Drive-By

Larry

Laura

Leonard!

Drive-by

IMG_0637, originally uploaded by c.sullens.

Only saw Larry today

Larry says hi!

Chris and I went to visit the donkey and his friends today. Leonard and Laura were being a little antisocial, but Larry was more than willing to come over and say hello!