For my 16th birthday I wanted a donkey, not a car. My mom joked about donkeys, but she was secretly looking for a donkey for my birthday. She went to www.dreamhorse.com and found an ad, with no picture, just information and a name. The donkey’s name was Arnold, a 5 year old gray jack. Arnold was also a rescue donkey; rescued from the auction and given a second chance. Arnold was located in Corvallis, Oregon. When we got there, I immediately spotted Arnold, still not knowing that he was my birthday gift. He was wearing a blue halter and had something red tied to the side of his halter. He was standing in a pasture that was a little ways up, he was so very handsome. The lady asked me if I wanted to see her donkey, and of course, I said yes!!!! We walked out in the pasture and then I saw that the red thing that was tied to his halter was a big, red bow!!!! I had gotten a donkey for my 16th birthday. Arnold is not just any donkey he is so very special, and if that donkey could talk, I bet he would have so many stories to tell.

Arnold had a history of abuse and poor healthcare. His feet were literally falling off him. We knew that Holly’s loving heart and caring attention could reform Arnold’s physical health and sense of well being. A radiant example of Arnold’s continued progress can be read in a beautiful article published by the Brayer Magazine and Western Mule Magazine: Click here and read “Happy Feet”.

On July 6, 2007 we welcomed our second longear, a sweet, spotted standard jenny named “Cookie”. Cookie was adopted as a companion for Arnold.

Our passion for longears has continued to grow and on July 26, 2007, AJ Oaks became an official satellite adoption center for Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue. We welcomed 5 standard jennies and 1 standard gelding into our home. Our mission is to provide loving, safe homes for these longears and to give them the opportunity to build their confidence, social skills and their trust in human beings. We hope to place these donkeys in secure, life-long homes where they will be appreciated for their intelligence,
Curiosity and companionship.

If you feel called to be in partnership with these incredible longears email us at: sinks@donkeyrescue.org

Also see Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue at www.donkeyrescue.org