Photo by Helen Eden

Talk about a handle… his full name is Rocky Mountain Songbirds Lippyluver Luc. Prospectors often called their burros songbirds, according to Luc’s breeder Janelle Rieger. LippyLuver came from our first impression of Luc. He gently takes your sleeve and hold it with his lips. Yes, LippyLuver is a real word as Jim and Kristi made it up all by themselves, with Luc’s help of course!

In Southeastern Montana we found ourselves donkey shopping on the desert surrounded by dozens to choose from. A certain little white faced boy attached himself to Jim and was right there each and every time he turned around. The year and a half old Luc had picked us and there was no hesitation when Jim slipped a halter on and led him away from his herd mates. Those enormous compassionate eyes seemed to know that we were in need of a life altering metamorphosis and he was the donk to do it. It was quickly decided Luc was getting an Idaho address.

In the beginning, Luc was an only donkey pastured with young horses. He taught them donkey values and was their guardian. When foreign objects such as wild turkeys, ducks, dogs, cats, coyotes even a runaway bouquet of Mylar balloons invaded their domain it was Luc to the rescue. We had found the perfect solution for our young Quarter Horse stock and our little donkey boy had found his nitch.

Today Luc has become a master showman, a parade diva and a trail mount extraordinaire. His honors include the American Mule and Donkey Society’s Versatility Hall of Fame and Continuing Excellence awards. Luc was the 2006 Hells Canyon Mule Days Show high point donkey, not bad for a little ole’ desert donk.

If you liked the wise crackin’ donkey in the Shrek movies, you’ll love our Luc, he is personality plus, a donkey version of Dennis the Menace. Mr. Mischievous, yep everyone knows that Luc did it… whatever it is, it’s his fault! We’ve always got a new Luc story to tell and lots of old ones to rehash!

| When My Donkey Brayed |