The Donkey Shop

22/08/2024

Those who have visited and patted the donkeys, would have heard me talk about these things.
🙂❤️🫏🫏🫏🥰❤️

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/JwNajNZFKbhuJPHu/?mibextid=WC7FNe

16/08/2024

14/08/2024

Pumpkin is growing more confident in her forest walks… and today, wanted to keep going when I was ready to turn around.
I must say she is also looking magnificent.
She is such a beautiful animal, inside and out.
I am enjoying growing together with her.
🫏❤️🌿

09/08/2024

Fantastic weather for getting out and about with the donkeys. Billy Bob and Pumpkin have been out every day this week, but today it was time to wander in the forest with Spice and Waru.
So lovely and peaceful to be walking through the world with them… soon to step them into their first camping trip 🙂❤️🫏🫏🐶🐶🌿
Meanwhile both Billy and Pumpkin were in complete disbelief that they weren’t coming out today… their pleadings were almost irresistible… but the day drew to a close before we could find the time. I love that they both want to come out and do things 🙏❤️🫏🫏
The other donkeys are also always keen for attention, Tilly and Joanna watching on, and cheeky Jedda chewing and pulling on Spices halter 🤣

27/07/2024

I am regularly asked about the use of donkeys as livestock guardians…
I always reply with great caution. There are cases where it has been successful, but the problems far outweigh the benefits.
I receive numerous phone calls from people who want answers after everything has gone dreadfully wrong.
I spend a great deal of time trying to describe the problems and trying to help people to avoid these situations.
Please don’t use donkeys as herd guardians. The problems and risks for all animals involved far outweigh the benefits.
This is a great article describing the reasons it is not a good idea.

https://donkeyrescue.org/news/pvdr-ears/the-reality-of-donkeys-housed-with-other-livestock/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3ee3R7HultsUWK_9mrOyCrT3X7KUtnzjySjUTXa1S-cUp8oWhm2UMc14A_aem_y3eoHCPpmay9_U78uNKpuw

While Disney movies often paint the perfect, picturesque image of farm animals all living together in perfect harmony, the reality is very different. Ask any experienced farmer and they will tell you all the reasons they house different species separately.

14/07/2024

Something tells me that we have run out of hay… 🤔….
It is OK… the emergency has now been rectified 🤣❤️🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🫏🙂

10/07/2024

On Monday I took Spice for a wander around Warburton and a walk on the rail trail.
We met my lovely friend, Helen, for coffee, chilled out near the waterwheel and met quite a few surprised and enchanted tourists along the way.
She experienced many unusual things, such as, close proximity cars, bicycles, prams, alpacas, unfamiliar dogs, and a pod of faster cycles approaching from behind. She did brilliantly and was calm throughout.
She has also been doing fabulously in her role of donkey rides at the farm, and has really found her rhythm in that. ❤️🙏🙂
She is doing such a wonderful job of shaping herself into those big hoof prints that have walked before her. I feel much assured and I am so proud of her ❤️🙂

06/07/2024

Rusty, closely looking after his donkey herd in the shop cabin paddock, while I work in their usual paddock.
… and some more progress in Pumpkin’s training. ❤️🫏
She has long legs, so she is just stepping over them so far… Billy Bob on the other hand, jumped properly and loved it…. I look forward to taking that further.
(sorry the sun was behind her)

29/06/2024

When I picked up Billy Bob recently, I carried another special donkey in the second bay. I took a little detour via Melanie Teefys place and bought this beautiful slot machine donkey, which she had lovingly restored.
This donkey will be available for rides at the Yarra Ranges Donkey Festival, which is on Sunday 12th January 2025.
I will also have it set up at the donkey farm for busier weekends such as long weekends etc.
Excellent for the little riders who are not too sure about the bigger donkeys yet.

24/06/2024

Making the most of the sunshine today, I reached some milestones with my beautiful long ears.
❤️🫏🫏🫏🫏

Pumpkin standing here quietly, and calmly, tied to a post and waiting for her chaff … has been a very gradual evolution… to reach this moment. ❤️
As she was beaten in her last home, anything appearing to be restriction or restraint was an immediate conduit to fear… so I have taken a different than usual approach… gradually arriving to today… without her ever reaching a point of fight, fear or resistance.
Sure… there are other ways that can be done more quickly… but I am not in a rush… and because this was all done with trust… I believe we will now progress much further, together
❤️🫏

Billy Bob has been needing some rehabilitation since he arrived, including daily treatment of his legs and hooves. I think it will be some time before I can put weight on his back, but we are getting closer. We have been doing some forest walks, and today we tried wearing the saddle again… just to get used to it, while being out and about.
Yesterday I gave it a big clean and put a whole bottle of leather conditioner on it … but it is back in the lounge room for more oil tonight.

And then I got the girls out…
Spice and Waru for some packing practice.
I was given the pack saddle by a lovely couple who travelled with donkeys in the Northern Territory. It was Waru’s first day with it on today, so I didn’t put the bags on yet.
I need to do a bit more tweaking, but she went very well with it… a little nervous at first, but fine once we got walking. ❤️

What I really love the most, is that, this afternoon, after all of that, every animal that was trained today, was standing at the fence asking if they could come back out again… not for food… but for adventures
🙂❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rusty was tired after the big day…
And the sunset was gorgeous ❤️

23/06/2024

On Saturday Ruby and I went to Launching Place to celebrate the birthday of 5 year old Jada.
The theme of the party was Sparkles, Unicorns and Rainbows 🌈🦄
Having Ruby attend the party was a surprise for Jada, who had loved Ruby when she rode her at a Yarra Junction event some months ago.
Jada’s mother did an incredible job of decorating the house and presenting the food to meet the theme. The food table was seriously too beautiful to eat. 🌸🦄🌈
It was lovely being a part of the smiles and excitement, and bringing some magic to the day.
It was heartwarming working with Ruby again after the recent break we have had in respect for our Murphy. 🌸🫏❤️

22/06/2024

We get all sorts of visitors to the donkey farm… but this week, one of our guests brought her Electus parrot with her… his name is Ollie…
I wasn’t sure how that was going to go…. but the donkeys were as gentle as they were curious… and it made for some fun photos 🙂

17/06/2024

Hey, Have you forgotten something? 🤔
We had a brilliant photographer at Yarra Ranges Donkey Festival last year. She volunteered her time at the event to make professional photographs available to you.
Please remember to buy a few pictures as a keepsake of an amazing day.
We need to make it worth her while if we intend to have a photographer next year. 🙏❤️🫏

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/28uCwNYX786zdRxK/?mibextid=WC7FNe

25-01-24 What a day it was on Sunday at the Yarra Valley Donkey Festival. So much fun and festivities and most of all the donkeys. They competed in confirmation classes then obstacle courses followed by the standing jump competition then to top it off finishing with a Fancy Dress Competition.
The photo below is the winner of the Fancy Dress Competition Linda who is also the founder and organiser of this wonderful festival. If it wasn't for all her hard work none of this would have been possible so a huge thank you Linda The Donkey Shop

These are the links to the 2 galleries they are from both cameras so if you are not in the first one you maybe in the second one or you may be in both so be sure to look through both of them.
Pricing is on my website under Pricing > Horse events
Any questions just send me a message
Email the image number of the pics you are wanting

Galleries:
https://www.elitefocusphotography.com/p215547296
https://www.elitefocusphotography.com/p86667929

12/06/2024

I would like to introduce everyone on this page to Pumpkin… some of you have met her already.
I picked this girl up on the 29th January 2024.
I am not going to say much about her previous home, but these pictures tell part of the story… and enough for you to know… 💔
It took every cent The Donkey Shop earned from the Donkey Festival… plus some… and has been worth every penny.
I am amazed how far she has come, in such a short time. She is absolute gold, and so full of love. A totally different animal from the one I brought home… but really, she was always in there. The day I met her I could see a softness in her eye through her fear… and now, that softness is heart melting. She is such a beautiful girl, with the most delicious centre.
She used to have a different name, but I decided never to say it again here, and I called her Pumpkin, because pumpkin is warm, delicious and sweet… and I wanted her to feel that when I called her…. and I think she does. She is sweet as Pumpkin, through and through. ❤️
The first 7 photos are soon after she came, and the last two are this week. ♥️♥️🫏♥️♥️

07/06/2024

My wild caught Australian Teamster Jenny, Spice, and her daughter, Waru, have been out preparing themselves for future pack saddling, camping adventures. ❤️🫏❤️🫏
Making the most of this gorgeous sunshine
☀️ 🌿

06/06/2024

The Yarra Ranges Donkey Festival will be held on Sunday the 12th January 2025 at Yarra Glen Racecourse.
We have been a bit quiet because we had to find a new venue which would ensure that we didn’t have the same problems with parking etc. It is fantastic that we got so much interest, but we need to adjust what we do to suit that.
It hasn’t been easy to find a place that meets all of the things we were looking for.
We locked in the racecourse, but have then had to change our date to the 12th as the Rodeo is on the following weekend. I hope the new date works for you all.
One of the things that I love about the new venue is that the donkeys will have proper stables to stand in, and they can stand back away from the crowd, or be brought forward by their handler to meet the people. This is a big plus as it was hard to manage the crowds around the donkeys, and this will allow them have the space or the connection as decided by the handler.
There is not an arena, as such, but there is a large, flat area in front of undercover tiered seating. This will be an excellent place to view the showing and events. We will use temporary fencing to turn this area into an arena. There are toilets immediately under the tiered seating, and a beautiful area for the markets.
If you would like to take part, or be involved in the event, please let us know.
☀️❤️🫏

06/06/2024

Billy-Bob is back!!! ❤️🫏
For those who have been following us for awhile… you will remember the charming character of sweet Billy-Bob.
He used to work alongside Murphy, doing rides and events. Together they did everything from the launch of a new beer at Moon Dog Brewery, to fetes from Sunshine to Kallista… He was on Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell… He brings a humorous charm every where he goes, and is used to having ribbons tied in his hair for children’s parties.
I sold him during COVID to a forever home… but unfortunately sometimes life changes in ways we don’t expect. His owner had to sell her property, and so it seemed the best thing for him, and me, was to bring him home.
So, Rusty and I have just taken a very long drive north and a very slow trip south, and now, here he is back in the family. ❤️🙏🫏.
He will need some rehab, time to relax and then relearn, but he loved his brush and bush walk today.
Next time you visit the donkey farm… introduce yourself to this big teddy bear.
Welcome Home Billy-Bob ❤️

18/05/2024

Thank you for your patience everyone. ❤️
I had to take some time out for myself after losing Murphy. So, Rusty and I have been away on a camping trip, and away from my phone and computer. We visited old friends and donkey farms and also walked barefoot along as many off leash dog beaches as we could find.
It has been helpful.
We just got back today. I am now back online, and able to answer your questions and requests.
I have also had a long look at my business… my prices have been the same for about 14 years… and I am afraid it is time for an increase.
As of the 1st June, there will be an increase in all services including camping, donkey pats and donkey rides… so if you would like to visit at 2010 prices, please come and visit prior to the 1st June 2024.
I hope you will all understand that the feeding, vet bills, insurance and general care of the donkeys has gone up considerably. I now have 11 donkeys on the farm as well as a pony and this beautiful mule.
While I breed gorgeous miniature donkeys and Australian Teamsters… I also do the occasional rescue…. and this mule came to me on the 29th January…. Her story was full on…. but she has come a long way already… quite remarkable really… and now she says she would like to meet you. I am so proud of her. ❤️
Come along and meet the family, they love snuggles.
Bookings essential 0409664074

29/04/2024

**UPDATE - These donkeys are now sold**
Thank you for your enquiries. Any other available donkeys will be shown on this page when the time comes 🙏❤️

For those of you who have been following me for awhile… you will remember my beautiful boys Piccolo and Nelson. They are both beautiful spotted donkeys bred here at Iron Brook Donkey Farm… and actually two of my favourite donkeys I have ever bred, they are really special, affectionate boys
Piccolo is the one who won all those ribbons for jumping in the Standing Jump, and for his beautiful spotting. He is also excellent at obstacles. 🙂
It was very hard for me to sell them at the time, as I love them so much. They have been living on a farm stay property and have had lots of handling with me before that. Due to life changes of their owners, these boys will be looking for a new home.
I always do my best to find forever homes for my babies, but sometimes life doesn’t go as people plan, and things change… therefore I want to help them find their forever home…
They will not be sold to just anyone… I will be very careful… I would rather have them come back here than go to an inappropriate home….
So, if you are looking for a pair of gorgeous geldings, and you would like to be considered… please let me know.
🫏❤️❤️🫏

29/04/2024

Hello All…
Scammers are at work… someone has an ad up pretending to be selling donkeys… they are using random photos they have found on Facebook… and saying their address is my address.
I have seen these ads before where other good studs have been used, and now it is my turn.
If you are interested in purchasing donkeys from me or any other stud… go off Facebook and google them separately, and then ring us and talk to us personally… better still… come to the farm… because we prefer to meet you as well. ❤️🙏🙂🫏

I do have some news about some beautiful little donkeys that are available, but I will do that as a separate post to save confusion.
Take care
🙂

26/04/2024

Whenever I am out in the community with my donkeys… I witness gorgeous moments where a kind soul and an intuitive donkey interact. These moments are rarely captured, but this one was. ❤️🌺🌿🫏
Thank you Gary Lopez 🙏❤️🫏

25/04/2024

It brings Banjo and I great pleasure to participate in the parade each year, he stands and walks with such pride. We lay a wreath for all of the animals who serve in wars, past, future and present… animals are often forgotten, but loyal heroes. Banjo always carries the wreath with such pride. ❤️🌺🌿
He remains calm and quiet through everything the day brings.
He also loves getting pats and meeting everyone before and afterwards.
I love hearing parents explaining to their children about why there is a donkey here… and all of these things make it well worthwhile
🙏❤️🫏🙂
Photo by Suzanne Phoenix - https://www.facebook.com/photospunctuatemylife?mibextid=LQQJ4d

24/04/2024

Banjo will be marching in Warburton’s ANZAC parade again this year, as he has done many times previously. We are often invited to do the larger ones closer to town… but we love being a part of our beautiful community parade.
We always lay a wreath for all the animals who serve in wars, past, future and present. I make the wreath from plants in my garden… it can be tricky as many things are not in flower on this date, but today’s wreath is made of bay leaves, olive leaves, wormwood, sage, fuchsia and roses… most of which are very palatable to donkeys 🤔… fortunately he is mostly a good fella ❤️🫏
We did a test walk in Warburton during the week, and he was perfect 🙏❤️🫏🌺🌿

14/04/2024

We are all aching our way through the tragic loss of our big teddy bear, Murphy 💔
But the other beautiful souls on this property are teaching me how to step forward and appreciate the moments that they are giving me, right here and now. ❤️
My Koolie pup, Rusty, wanders into my bedroom each morning, just as the light starts to change, just before the kookaburras call. He presses his wet nose into my face until I get up and walk him through the State Forest, which flanks our property. The birds, the air, the life in it, helps me re-centre, then I return, and my day is filled with affection from my 11 donkeys, 1 old pony, 1 mule, 2 goats and 5 sheep. They fill my heart and remind me why I am here.
I rescued a beautiful mule in January. More about her another time, but watching her soften and calm and relax into life here, reassures me of the value of the work I do.
We did four big patting sessions yesterday, and while, to me, the herd feels empty without Murphy, the joy in my visitors showed me that it is still very full ❤️
So, we continue on… patting sessions with education about donkeys… camping with donkeys and a beautiful view… and a cute little shop filled with handmade donkey crafts, and all things donkey.
Spice will be stepping up to do the rides for the bigger kids, and Ruby will do the little ones. But we aren’t floating anywhere for a little while, while we grieve. But we are open. ❤️🫏🌿
Thank you all for your kind words… it means a lot
❤️🫏

10/04/2024

This is a very hard post to write. Those of you on my private page already know, but I have been too broken to write it here.
My beautiful Murphy, my wonderful companion. The gentle, calm, keystone of my paddock, my business and my life has gone.
My right hand man, and the one who carried me through the forest and away from my troubles, every time I needed love and perspective ❤️🌿
I would have sold everything I had to keep him alive. I would have exchanged my life for his if that were possible.
I am in complete disbelief as everything happened so quickly. I know that you will all want to know why, and what happened, but there really are more questions than answers. Even for the vets, there are pieces of the puzzle that don’t fit together… what was the primary cause, and what was secondary, and what really happened, we are not sure.
He fought really hard, and on Monday, I thought we were going to make it through. I stayed with him every moment I could… but his heart wasn’t working properly, they tested heart function, and I forget the figures, but if it was supposed to be 100, it was something like 70,000, and the vet said that was so poor, it was likely to be effecting his brain. I was starting to see signs of that, and so I let him go. 😢
I find it hard to believe that his heart let him down, because he had the biggest heart of any creature I know. ❤️
Our bond was so close, I rarely touched the reins. We guided each other through unformed tracks, difficult roads and the most unusual places.
We cut paths through the forest doing mounted search and rescue. He was on multiple film and television appearances including the Bunnings ad and multiple appearances on Shaun Micallef’s Mad As Hell. Murphy served beer and pizza at Moon Dog Brewery, he was in a tiny bar in Richmond with 1920s flapper girls, he has walked through many a parade, church, theatre and event. I asked him to do the craziest of things, he used to pause, and give me a look like “Linda, this one is a bit ridiculous 🙄🤣”. I would put my hand on his chest, he would give a little sigh, and then continue on through whatever insanity I have asked him to do.
He brought smiles, love and joy into so many hearts, everywhere we went.
He really was the most Magical Murphy ❤️🙏🫏
I have 11 other donkeys, and I love them all, but Murphy really was something special.
I am craving that feeling of having his head on my shoulder and his bottom lip flopping as I rubbed him behind the ears.
If you have a booking with us for Murphy, we will still honour the booking, but please remember that the donkey attending will be finding her feet, and stepping into some very big shoes to fill.
We will do our very best to keep walking forwards without our leading man ❤️
Here are some pictures of things Murphy and I have done together.
My heart is totally broken. 💔
I am shattered. 💔
If you are waiting for me to reply to something… please be patient.

09/04/2024

I know how much the people on this page love my donkeys, and I know that everyone adores our Sweet and Magical Murphy.
Murphy is currently very, very sick.. we nearly lost him on Sunday… he is fighting hard, but he is very unwell.
He is at Narre Warren Equine Hospital.
Can everyone please send him thoughts of strength, hope and love ❤️
He is such a precious soul 🙏❤️🥲🫏❤️

02/04/2024

The donkeys and I have been pretty busy, and so I haven't had time to post about all of the wonderful things we have been doing... Palm Sunday, Easter and school holidays are a busy time for donkeys, as they are such a large part of celebrations across many different religions... and this is something that I find really special. I take my donkeys through many different churches, each presenting their service differently, but for each, the donkey is a special symbol of loyalty, strength and love.
On Palm Saturday we attended a very vibrant and full Greek church in Campbellfield. The church was packed tightly with people squealing with delight and cheering loudly, while waving olive branches and colourful ribbons. It was a volumous delight, and I am so proud of how steadily my Murphy moved through the crowd down the aisle. We didn't get a chance to take photos of that, but others did, so hopefully some will emerge.
On Palm Sunday we went to Brunswick, where we did a multi church gathering where we walked between the churches, and there was a service at each one. We then walked along Sydney Road, and back to the Anglican Church where we went inside for a short service, before walking out the side door back into the garden where the children gathered around him and patted him and asked questions, a part of their Sunday School teachings.

A friend of mine heard about what I was up to, and she offered for us to stay in Northcote instead of travelling up and back for each event. This was great for all of us, but especially good for Murphy who avoided the extra float travel. Rusty came with us, of course.
Walking Murphy down the street in Northcote was another wonderful moment , of excited happy faces, coming to see the donkey in town. People came with a glass of wine in one hand and loving pats in the other. People took photos and said they would send them to Time Out magazine... because "surely having a donkey in the street proves that you are the coolest street in the world" I love being a part of things like this, and Murphy is so dang special, that I can do it so easily and confidently.

28/03/2024

The Donkey Shop shop will be open all Easter with all sorts of donkey themed gifts, cards and artworks, most of which is all locally made by local crafts people.
Donkey patting sessions are also available at $10 per person, and donkey rides are $20, but bookings are essential. Please call 0409664074 to book.
(we don't have eftpos yet)

27/03/2024

This is our next big donkey rides event.
It is always a fantastic weekend, with so much to offer across both days.
Michelle and I will be there on both days with Ruby and Murphy taking kids for rides. We love seeing the smiles on all of their faces.
And sweet Rusty dog with be there to steal a pat or two.
🫏🫏🙂🙂❤️🐶🌿🎵