Back in 2006, Hansl was in big trouble. The miniature donkey had broken out of his Fayette County, Texas, pasture once too often. His owner, who already had given the scallywag several second chances, was out of patience. Hansl had to go.
‘Go where?’ Hansl must have wondered. Few people had places in their hearts for a feisty miniature donkey. Even fewer had enough acreage with stout fences for a creature like Hansl to live out his days.
After all, a miniature donkey is primarily a pet. Just like adopting a “free” kitten, accepting Hansl required a carefully considered long-term commitment. He needed a home where he could depend on adequate food and care. Hoping that the adoption might blossom into love and attention was too much to ask for.
And there was Hansl’s pesky reputation to overcome. Although standing only 36 inches tall, he had proven quite capable of putting his strong little neck under the bottom strand of a barbed-wire fence. If the fence was the least bit weak when he raised his head, staples popped, wires sagged and Hansl was on the county road again.
You rascal, Hansl!
The first attempt to relocate Hansl didn’t pan out. Shortly after the miniature donkey’s arrival, Hansl’s new owner discovered the fence down and his heifers, along with the miniature donkey, on the county road. It was bye-bye Hansl!
He must have thought the decision was very unfair and didn’t want to go. Hansel led the two cowboys who came to haul him away in a cattle trailer on a merry chase. It involved a lariat and much tugging and pushing, plus some colorful cowboy commentary.
Fortunately, Hansl’s luck was about to change. An animal lover and landowner with stout fences, Christa Howells, agreed to adopt Hansl despite his faults. The rest, as they say, is history. Fourteen years later, Hansl and Christa remain on the best of terms.
“I call him Hansl Honey because of his sweet temperament,” Christa says.
Hansl has front pasture privileges on Christa’s farm. He is protective of the rotating herds of heifers and their first calves. He dislikes stray dogs, but Reggie, Christa’s 12-year-old chocolate Labrador, is his pal. They vie for treats such as carrots and cattle candy called cottonseed range cubes. Hansl ignores Thomas the tomcat and Christa’s other feline friends.
Christa has followed through on her vow to look after the miniature donkey. This care sometimes extends to calling a veterinarian if he’s sick or a farrier to trim his hooves.
“Both the vet and the farrier appreciate Hansl’s cooperation. However, getting Hansl in a trailer is another story. He can be stubborn. The vet and the farrier have to come to the farm to see him,” she says.
Hansl is no fool. From experience, he knows nothing good comes from being loaded in a cattle trailer that takes him rocking down another county road. Hansl has made up his mind that Christa’s farm is the last stop on all the relocations he’s braved on his life journey.
Despite Hansl’s dislike of trailers, he isn’t timid about letting Christa know if he is feeling unwell.
“I can tell something is wrong by his behavior and then he retreats to the small cattle pen. Hansl waits there patiently for me to call the vet out to examine him,” she adds.
“When people ask me how old Hansl is I tell them I don’t know. Today he looks very much like he did when he arrived 16 years ago. He could be 25 or 30 years of age or perhaps older. Miniature donkeys can live a long time.”
Hansl enjoys the adoration of Christa’s visitors, both young and old. Even little girls with loud, high-pitched voices delivering bear hugs don’t rumple his composure. Somewhat of a local celebrity, Hansl’s portrait won an impressive ribbon at the county fair several years ago. He has been photographed by local visitors and international guests from Austria, Canada and Germany, all of whom offered him treats and admiration.
His owner has never regretted her decision to adopt the old miniature donkey. When Christa makes her daily morning rounds on the farm, she automatically checks on his well-being.
“Hansl is a great friend,” Christa says. If Hansl could speak, he would say the same about Christa.
P.S. Hansl was later found not guilty in the incident involving the broken fence prior to his arrival at Christa’s place. After Hansl had been hauled away, the heifers again got out on the road. The owner realized they must have torn down the fence in fright when threatened by some stray dogs. It’s a good thing that Hansl doesn’t hold grudges.
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Christa and Hansl – a very special pair of friends! And, thank you, Elaine for another delightful and well written story!
Yes, Christa and Hansl are both a delight. What nice neighbors!
Love this story, Elaine, Reminds me of that TV show Best Friends Furrever in which animals form unlikely friendships. Have you seen it? Amazing combinations like a donkey and a duck or a dog and a cheetah.
It’s fascinating that nature can bond some unlikely friends. I’m working on a news item for my Remember When column of old local news from 50 years ago where a Siamese mother cat went out to the woods and carried home a baby rabbit that she decided to raise alongside her two kittens. I wonder how that relationship worked out long term?
I needed to stop this morning to read your wonderful story. Sometime we need to stop and slow down to see all the beauty that surrounds us. Thank you.
Thanks, Gesine. Yes, sometimes the humble donkey in the pasture by the side of the road has a story to tell, as well. I’m glad for Hansl that he and Christa have a mutual admiration society!
What an absolute sweet story! Being an animal lover, I can surely relate to this story. Loved looking at all the pictures also. they just brought this wonder story to life. Another blog well done, Elaine!
Denise, I bet through the years that you have helped out an animal that was looking for a home. Hansl is so photogenic, but he didn’t want Christa measuring his height. Maybe he is a little sensitive about being short. (We can relate, right?)
Loved, loved this story. Your stories are so joyful snd uplifting. Kudos to you!
Jo Lynn Petras
Thanks for the positive feedback, Jo Lynn! I love having the opportunity to share great little stories like this that make the world a smaller place.
Love to read your stories.
Janice – I appreciate your feedback! Tell you what: I’ll keep writing if friends like you keep reading.
Wonderful story Elaine. What a special little donkey …
Thanks, Katrina. Hansl is, indeed, a very special little donkey.
Wonderful story!!!!
Thanks, Wanda, I’m so glad you enjoyed this story!
From an animal lover to others of same, thanks Elaine for bringing us this cheery Hansl story, & to Christa & the responding animal lover tribe, thanks for caring for the creatures that come into our lives.
Thank you for your kind comments, Fred. Pets whom we weren’t actively seeking have a way of sneaking into our lives and making them better.
So glad I took the time to read this –knew it would be another good one! It’s very uplifting and I can surely relate to the trailer sagas!
Glad you enjoyed hearing Hansl’s story, Cathleen. Farm animals soon learn what a trailer is all about. Our cattle hear the trailer rattling as it comes down the road to our buildings and they get agitated right away because they recall what happened the last time it came. Only someone who has never been around animals thinks they are dumb… Not by a long shot!
Awww…and now thanks to your story, Elaine, Hansl is loved by many!
Christa reports that fame has not gone to Hansl’s head. He is still a humble donkey.
Great story, Elaine.
Thanks, Margo! I know you are an animal lover too.
Very sweet story. We have two donkeys (both given to us). Hansl could very well be named Zoe, our female.
Elaine, I enjoy reading your stories and I remember well your home in Alberta.
Thanks, Jim! It’s so good to hear from you. I’m very glad you were able to visit my home and have a visit with my mother. It always meant a lot to her that my Houston friends would make an effort to meet her. It’s many years ago now, isn’t it?
I related to this story. Two years ago, I had to part with my beloved JT (Just in TIme to Fly, his racing name). JT had been one of my 4 legged buddies for 35 years. I bought him when he was 3 yrs old , and he died at almost 38 years old, a very old age for a horse. I tell you, it was def like losing a family member. I was around him longer than any other mammal except for my parents, including my children, once they left home. This story brought back lots of memories for me about by old JT.
Thank you.
Oh, Glynis, I can only imagine how hard it was for you to say goodbye to JT, your companion of 35 years. He was, indeed, a very old horse, who had been through lots of life’s ups and downs with you. How fortunate you are to have had the chance to have such a remarkable relationship to look back on!