Brighty

Thanks Renee, Steve and Liese for all the good suggestions of names for our new donkey. I had picked a name from the names you had suggested (all very good ones, by the way...) when M thought of a name that he thought would be just perfect.

The name doesn't start with "T", but it suits our new donkey so well that we've decided to keep it anyway.

His new name is Brighty...

...after Brighty of the Grand Canyon, of course.

If you haven't read the book...it's about a very brave burro who lives in Arizona, in and around the Grand Canyon. Brighty was loved by some humans, and loved them in return... but was also mistreated, tricked and abused by other humans. He was on his own for long periods of time and longed for company... And through it all he kept his sweet and gentle personality.

It's based on a true story of a donkey named Brighty who lived in the Grand Canyon from 1892-1922. Many of the adventures in the book, actually happened to the "real" Brighty.

There is even a statue of Brighty in the lodge on the North Rim of the Canyon.

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Our Brighty began life as a wild burro in AZ, and has also spent many years alone... and probably lonely. But through it all he's held onto his gentleness and sweetness (although, unlike the famous Brighty, he hasn't solved any murders that I know of...).

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He's very gentle and patient with M, being understanding and accepting of M's hugs, quick movements, and sometimes clumsy grooming techiniques.

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Unfortunately, all is not peace and contentment at the barn. Tucker's being a pain in the neck... pushing Brighty around whenever he can.

But Brighty just gets out of the way when he has to and somehow holds onto his serene disposition.

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Doesn't he have just the sweetest face?

Here are a couple photos I found of the original Brighty