Ee-aagh: The donkeys free to wander around a family's home... and indulge their obsession for French toast

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated:


A donkey dinner party is not something you expect to see every day but for one family it's a daily occurrence.

Particularly partial to French toast, bananas, biscuits and sandwiches Polly, six and her colt Charlie, one, dine with the Ferrier family every day.  

Animal lovers Tim and Jackie Ferrier moved to a smallholding three years ago to indulge their passion for animals and like to keep an open door policy to all their pets.

Enlarge   Mischievous Holly the donkey joins in the family fun with owners Jackie & Tim Ferrier at their home near Bude, Cornwall

Mischievous Holly the donkey joins in the family fun with owners Jackie & Tim Ferrier at their home

Enlarge   Donkeys Holly & Charlie (white) join in the family fun inside the home of owners Jackie & Tim Ferrier from Bude, Cornwall

Donkey duo: Holly is joined by Charlie in the Ferrier's kitchen

Polly was saved from a life as an Irish street pony two-and-a-half years ago and she was originally allowed into the house to keep Mrs Ferrier company while her husband worked away.

Set within five acres of pasture and orchards their country bungalow is home to a whole menagerie of animals including four dogs, three cats, two sheep, two donkeys, one baby horse, four ducks, eight hens and one cockerel.  

Mrs Ferrier, a keen horsewoman, said: 'We've been here nearly three years and have always been animal lovers and wanted to own a donkey.

'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.

Enlarge   donkey

Well read: Holly listens as Mrs Ferrier reads from her local newspaper

Holly curls up in the lounge for a well-earned rest

Sleepy time: Holly curls up in the lounge for a well-earned rest

'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!'

Not content with just allowing the donkeys into their home they allow all 29 pets to wonder around their kitchen and front room of their home in Bude, Cornwall.

Holly is one of a pair of donkeys belonging to the Ferriers and enjoys nothing more than spending time in the house with her owners

Holly is one of a pair of donkeys belonging to the Ferriers and enjoys nothing more than spending time in the house with her owners

Mrs Ferrier said her two children James, 12 and nine-year-old Lucy 'do not mind it because they have grown up with it and are used to it really'.

'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.'

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