Meet Ivo

Please meet Ivo, my friend’s Giovanna’s donkey. He lives in a comfy stable on the Monferrato hills in Italy and he’s free to roam the fields during the day. Ivo is my daughter’s favourite “pet”. He’s the loveliest and most intelligent animal ever! Last year my friend’s old mare, Ivo’s best friend, was very ill and she was kept in a separate stable but Ivo brayed and screamed so much that they had to move him next to her to keep her company. When then she died and my friend has to apply for a special authorisation to bury the mare in her property, Ivo spent days on her “grave” grieving and it took him ages to move from that spot.

He does not like being brushed and groomed. Just at the sight of a brush he starts braying and runs away. But he likes cuddles especially from children. Vicky can do anything to him, even ride on him, and he’s always happy. Although we see him only a couple of times a year he knows her very well. She just needs to shout his name and he runs to greet her wherever she is. We will see Ivo soon in a couple of weeks when we travel to Italy. And we can hardly wait.