The first question people ask when they find out I have donkeys is, "Why Donkeys?" The main reason is that we live up the road from a pair of mini donkeys and every day at feeding time, when we'd hear them bray, it always made me and my husband laugh.

It had been about a year since I lost my horse to a brain tumor and there was an empty spot in my heart that just wouldn't heal.

One day, a friend of mine liked http://www.littlelongearsminiaturedonkeyrescue.com/ on facebook so I went on their site to see what they were all about. That is when I fell in love with one of the baby donkeys on their website named Baby Joey.

Located in Westminster, Maryland, Little Longears Miniature Donkey Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity, dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of neglected, abused, and unwanted miniature donkeys.

Their primary goal is to rescue donkeys from neglectful or abusive situations, but they also accept owner surrender their miniature donkeys if someone is no longer able or willing to care for their animal. After providing all the necessary veterinary, dental and farrier work, they work hard to find new safe and loving homes for these donkeys.

We called and scheduled a visit to come meet Baby Joey. We were told that Joey had bonded with another donkey named Teddy when he was weaned from his Mom so that they would probably be a package deal. I didn't say anything to my husband about adopting two donkeys, but off we went to meet them.

We were so impressed with their facility in Maryland. My husband instantly fell in love with Teddy as well as Joey. The next step was to schedule a barn visit.

The next week Valerie Lowe and Cheryl Pokorny, co founders of the rescue organization, came to inspect our barn and the property. They also call references as well as your vet and farrier.

Donkeys can live 40-50 years so they want good homes for them where the donkey doesn't get passed around. We were approved as adopters and they delivered our Burrito Boys (as we've nicknamed them) in September.

At first the horses weren't sure what to make of these strange looking little creatures. Donkeys are well versed in horse language and there really weren't any issues merging them in with our two horses. In fact, the mare took to baby Joey as if he were her own.

Donkeys make wonderful companions for horses and they are extremely cost effective compared to the cost of caring for a horse.

The rescue said the donkeys would give us hours of free entertainment and they were so right. Donkeys love playing with each other as well as playing with toys. Our boys play with traffic cones, soccer balls, feed tubs, ropes, and hoses. They love to box each other, and in fact they sometimes look like kangaroos boxing on their hind legs.

It isn't unusual to see them chasing each other up and down the hills in our pasture at break neck speeds. In addition to being funny, the donkeys are the most loving animals we've ever had. You can't be down at the barn without them coming up to you to get loved on. They stand in line to be groomed. If I'm grooming the horse, I'll feel the soft nudge from one of the donkeys telling me they are next.

Teddy regularly gives out the best hugs I've ever gotten by putting his head on my shoulder if I bend down to pet his chest. I've never had pets that are so loving and sweet. We think donkeys are much more dog-like than horse-like in their behavior.

If you have a horse in need of a companion or just want some good company for yourself, adopting a donkey could be the perfect answer. Little Longears has many donkeys available for adoption just waiting for their perfect forever home. Visit www.littlelongearsminiaturedonkeyrescue.com for details on how to adopt or donate.