After reading last week’s https://justmakethecoffee.com/2014/06/13/photo-friday-29/
Southernruralroute.wordpress.com asked, “How did Happy get ONE zebra stripe?”
I didn’t know, but I knew he wasn’t alone. My first donkey, Apple Jack, was my first husband’s (Gary) idea. Apple Jack had a cross. The two jennies (females) we purchased later, had crosses, as did their offspring.
When I asked Gary why he wanted a donkey he said, “If it was good enough for Mary, it was good enough for him.”
Good enough.
Now, regarding that “zebra stripe.” I did know that donkeys can be crossed with zebras, resulting in zonkeys. I kid you not. Here’s a pic from the internet:
Again, I still didn’t know how/why the stripe. This is what I found from First Mainland Donkey and Mule Club News:
Only standard and miniature donkeys have a cross and stripe, mammoths do not. The cross is a dorsal stripe of darker hair down the length of the back crossed by a shoulder stripe across the top of the body at the withers. There is a legend that the cross on the back of the donkey is the shadow of the cross as the donkey stood at the foot of the cross when Jesus died.
I climbed up on Happy’s gate to get an “aerial” photo of his cross. He obliged by biting me on the foot…. Anything for the picture.
As with other questions I do not have a completely full answer for, I just say,
“It is what it is.”
Thanks for the questions!
Just Make the Coffee 
Zonkey! That made my day – and it is yet early. Thanks! 🙂
Whew! I can take it easy the rest of the day (now that I’ve done my good deed)! 😉
Aw…..that little zonkey is adorable!! Oh, and so is Happy!
I probably “need” a zonkey.
And a Zebra crossed with a Horse is called a Zorse. We learned this from our riding instructor.
Cool! Hadn’t heard of that.
Interesting. I’d never noticed the stripe.
It’s fun to learn!
Yes, it is!
I have ALWAYS wanted a donkey! ALWAYS!!! So I’m really glad to see yours!!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
They are such interesting animals.
WOW! That was interesting. Thanks for researching it for us. Seems reasonable that it could be the shadow of the cross. I don’t think the Bible tells us everyone who was there. Maybe it was Mary’s mule. That zonkey with the big ears and striped legs is CUTE. Now I want you to have a zonkey.
Well, it is interesting that they have been around since Bible times, anyway.
I kinda want that zonkey, too!
Should we take up a collection? 🙂