Alie Ward

Okay, just a little recap.

Donkeys have been domesticated for around 7,000 years.

They are not big party herd animals, and they are a huge part of economies around the world.

But right now, donkey theft is an issue, and up to 4.8 million donkeys a year die from harvesting hides to make this prized herbal medicine out of donkey gelatin.

And Faith and the Donkey Sanctuary have been working on researching that and supporting legislation to protect these animals.

But on a brighter note, you should also know that in some alpine regions, when baby lambs can't make it down a mountain into the lowland pastures, the shepherds have donkey nannies or mule nannies.

And a mule or a donkey will wear like a pocketed smock and they'll carry the lambs down the mountain.

Like if you had cargo pants stuffed with baby bunnies to get them to safety.

It's a beautiful thing.

How did you...

Intersect your life with donkeys.

Did you have a pet donkey?

And then you're like, I'm in love with the donkeys because they're so lovable.

I just realized your last name is Burden and they are called Bisa Burden.

People must talk to you about that all the time.

No, keep it forever.

So yes, equids and donkeys have been the animals that humans have relied on for heavy work for thousands of years.

And do remember when some folks cite the Bible as fact, like in a political context, that the Bible does contain a passage about a talking donkey.

So setting aside the fact that a donkey started talking,

From a narrative standpoint, though, this biblical passage is about the abuse and exploitation of those less fortunate.