Lisa, a 28 year old donkey, received a visit from her previous owner today. It was a magical moment to behold.
Bev Preece and her husband, Colin, have come down from the Lake District to spend a few days in the area and dropped in to see Lisa.
Last time they saw her was two years ago while on their honeymoon. Bev said: "I didn't think she would remember me, but she did."
There is a very special bond between Bev and Lisa and there's one trick that Lisa will do for nobody else. "I used to give Lisa polos as a treat and would ask her to say 'please'. When I asked, she would paw the ground and I would give her a polo".
Jen Littley, one of our grooms, said "I've told so many people about this lovely story and have even tried asking Lisa to say please, but no luck".
Bev and Colin were clearly thrilled to see Lisa again. While they were spending time with her, Colin made a quick phone call and placed it next to Lisa's ear so her "Nanna" could say hello too.
Bev said that Lisa used to live in a field with another horse and a foal and she used to go and see her. Eventually Bev got to know the owner and said "If ever you decide to sell your donkey, please let me have first refusal. Back then I used to work in a shop and was surprised when the owner came to see me at work the very next day and asked if I still wanted to buy her donkey …and that was that."
Bev goes on to say: "Lisa lived in a field with geese who used to sit on her back and she never seemed to mind! "
"I used to take her for walks around the local villages. One time she pinched an ice cream. I was so scared because I didn't have any money at the time to replace it. The man had stopped to stroke her and she turned round and bit off the top of his ice cream!"