What a warm greeting I received from a donkey called Ruby on Monday! It's been so hectic in the PR Office that I have been rushing from one job to the next, but I was stopped in my tracks when this beautiful dark brown youngster came up to me and rested her gorgeous head on my shoulder. I really do love it when donkeys do this as it's the best kind of cuddle I think you can get from them!

Inching closer and closer, Ruby gently moved her soft muzzle to touch the side of my face and started to sniff away, blowing out lovely warm air. I believe donkeys sniff each other as a way of communicating and this is what Ruby was trying to do with me!

Having been thoroughly 'sniffed' I gave Ruby a big cuddle and got back to work. She followed me over to some of the other donkeys in her yard and stood near me as I took their photographs for a PR project I'm working on to help promote our fostering scheme.

Peter and Tracey, the grooms who help care for Ruby and her donkey companions, said that she was bottle fed as a foal by her previous owners, so loves human contact. And they weren't wrong; she is super friendly and followed me wherever I went. It wasn't long before I felt her resting on my shoulder again, awaiting another cuddle.

I entered Ruby's yard feeling flustered and worrying about what job I had to do next but I can honestly say I left the yard feeling relaxed and ready for the next challenge that would face me back at the office. Thank you Ruby... what a lovely, kind and gentle donkey you are.