Donkeys Dine at Family Dinner Table
Welcome back!
Guess who’s coming for dinner? While who’s on the guest list is imperative to throwing a successful and memorable dinner party, it’s far from the norm at the Ferrier’s, where dining with Polly and Charlie — a pair of donkeys — is a daily occurrence.
Holly watches Shrek with the Ferrier family. Photo Apex
Tim and Jackie Ferrier have an open-door policy for their pets, with 6-year-old Polly and her 1-year-old colt Charlie as constant companions that dine with the family every day.
The furry beasts have a penchant for French toast, bananas, biscuits and sandwiches, and are free to wander around the family’s home as they please.
Holly and Charlie join the family in the Ferrier’s kitchen. Photo Apex
The animal lovers so love their pets that they moved to a small piece of farmland 3 years ago to indulge their passion for critters.
Precious Polly was first let into the house 2 1/2 years ago when she was saved from a life as an Irish street pony, to keep Jackie company while her husband worked away.
“We’ve been here nearly 3 years and have always been animal lovers and wanted to own a donkey.”
Photo Apex
“Donkeys are very companionable and love just being with people. We have to make sure things are kept out of the way — especially the fruit bowl.”
Among the Ferrier’s menagerie of furry companions are 4 dogs, 3 cats, 2 sheep, 1 foal horse, 4 ducks, 8 hens, and 1 cockerel, all free to roam the family’s country bungalow.
Holly listens as Mrs Ferrier reads from her local newspaper. Photo Apex
“Obviously we do not feed them anything hot but if we have a cold lunch it always has to be shared — everyone gets some.”
“We have even set a place for them at the table before because if we want to have lunch in peace we give them a plate so that they can just eat from there rather than us having to feed it to them.”
“Holly and Charlie have a fetish for French toast so much in fact that they get a box of the food every year as a Christmas present.”
“They just love being involved, but are probably in a bit of confusion over what species they are!”
Bedtime as Holly curls up in the lounge. Photo Apex
All 29 pets are allowed to wonder around the kitchen and front room of the Ferrier’s home in Bude, Cornwall.
Fortunately, the couple’s children James, 12, and nine-year-old Lucy don’t feel left out.
“They do not mind it because they have grown up with it and are used to it really.”
Photo Apex
“It is very amusing because friends come over and there are chickens wondering around.”
“It is definitely different. Life would be boring if we were the same as everyone else.”
Source: Daily Mail
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I had a friend who had a mother who would let her piglet in the living room. I found that bizzare, yet humble.
how old are those donkeys? have they been eating at the table for a long time?
yeah, i was saw in tv
its funy
Can I be as bold to ask, what happens when the donkeys use the bathroom inside your house :/
i think its amazingly inovation that donkeys are guided to sit like human beings and dine at human dining table