How nice to hear from Jenny Bates again - but where are all the lovely poems she often contributed? Also missing are the interesting contributions from everyone who used to comment on her poems, send in their own donkey experiences and anecdotes, etc.. What has happened to everyone?

Here is my review of Dr. Svendsen's excellent new book, The Complete Book of the Donkey", that appears on the Amazon.com website:

New Reviewer Rank: 158,517 (Learn More) - Total Helpful Votes: 10 of 13
Classic Reviewer Rank: 525,349

Complete Book of the Donkey by Elisabeth Svendsen
Donkey Wisdom and Reality, January 19, 2010

I now have found a way that I might keep all the sense of wonder and mystery this season. It is by enjoying a lovely book entitled, " Wake up, Dormouse, Santa Claus is Here" by Eleonore Schmid. You will be drawn into the woods where the animals await a visit from Santa. You will feel the windless fall of the snow, the smell of the woods and the community of soul of the animals. And then!

I have been slowly and steadily collecting a variety of books on Donkeys. I recently came across a book entitled, "The Donkey and the Golden Light", by John and Gill Speirs. It is a feast for the eyes with beautiful illustrations reminiscent of the Book of Kells and, by the author's own admission, the work of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Exquisite in its rendering on every page, I was mesmerized.

This is a real little treasure. I found this book many years ago and picked it up again this weekend to read.

What's so inspiring about "Travels in a donkey trap" is that it was written by Daisy Baker, who at the age of 76, became the proud owner of a little chocolate brown donkey complete with cart!

Great, Great Great! to see Andy Merrifield's book, "The Wisdom of Donkeys" available through the Sanctuary's Gift Shop... I will be getting some soon. And I am grateful to Mr. Merrifield for changing my life, and now, through sales of this special book, helping the Donkeys at the Sanctuary and overseas. May the spirit of dear "Gribouille" live within us all.

Jenny B.