Gus

We acquired Gus from a gentleman who had some health problems and could no longer take care of him.  Gus had previously lived his life in a petting zoo so we couldn't ask for a more gentle little guy for all the people visiting the farm.  Gus is a Cross Back Donkey.  It is said that the Cross Back Donkey inherited his cross because he carried Mary into Bethlehem.  For his having done so, he was forever marked with the sign of the cross. (notice the dark lines along his back and down his shoulder?)
We had always heard that donkeys are great watch dogs and will protect a herd of goats.  This is the reason we were interested in obtaining a donkey.  Unfortunately Gus is a stallion and he has other things on his mind when penned with our herd of milkers, such as chasing and biting them, so Gus is penned either with the Big Bucks or by himself as we can't afford for him to disable one of our milking does.  It seems that he is much calmer and actually enjoys all the children's attention.

When the bus arrives at Screamin' Oaks, he lets out a loud bray to let them know he's happy that they are visiting the farm.  He loves for the children to brush him and comb his mane.  Yep, Gus is a sweatheart of a Donkey.