Snickers the donkey loves attention and cuddles from everyone on the farm—but from one special little person in particular.
Ever since Snickers came to live with the Koppert family on their alpaca farm, the donkey took straightaway to their 3-year-old son, Gunnar. Now firm friends, donkey keeps watch over his young charge like a protective big brother.
After one of the six alpacas on their farm in Ontario, Canada, was attacked by a neighbor dog, Brandon and Damaris Koppert started to look into suitable guard animals. Their research led them to donkeys—known to kick, bite, and bray loudly if disturbed by an intruder.
“We posted on our social media that we were on the hunt for a donkey and we had a lovely family reach out,” said Damaris. “They told us about their donkey that was looking for a new home that had a little more time for him. His name was Snickers.”
The couple, who also have a 10-month-old daughter, Mia, went to meet him. “We knew he would be the perfect addition to our herd/family,” she said.
When 7-year-old Snickers arrived at the farm, Kloud 9 Acres, everyone was very curious about him—especially Gunnar.
“They would slowly walk up to each other and Snickers would put his head down and let Gunnar pet him,” said Damaris.
It took a little while for humans, alpacas, and donkey to get used to each other, but Snickers quickly fit in. According to stay-at-home mom and farmer Damaris, the connection between boy and donkey was instant.
“It was so cute to see their bond form,“ she said. ”Soon, Gunnar was also looking for Snickers in the pasture and making sure he got his treats and cuddles every time.”
As time went on, the love grew stronger and stronger.
Snickers always “asked” for Gunnar when the couple came to the pasture, the mom said, and would follow him around the whole while.
Gunnar, who was 1 1/2 years old when the family got their first alpacas in 2020, helps out a lot around the farm. As the eldest child, he has a strong need to help and protect his little sister and the animals.
“He has a lot of energy, so doing the chores and being around the animals helps him release that energy,“ his mom said. ”It also teaches him to respect animals.”
Always going along to the barn when he wasn’t yet old enough to help with chores, Gunnar watched and learned.
When he was big enough to use a shovel, he couldn’t wait to assume cleaning detail, Damaris said. Never did they have to force him to help out. Rather, they made it fun, so as to encourage his helping behavior.
“He likes to feel like he is part of the team and it’s so amazing to see his work ethic grow,” she added.
One of Gunnar’s favorite tasks is to make sure Snickers is clean. “If Snickers has dirt on him, Gunnar will make sure to grab a brush and clean him up,“ Damaris said. ”And Snickers absolutely loves it, standing super still for his little man.”
His next goal is to get a small saddle so Gunnar can learn to ride his donkey pal.
Damaris says Snickers, who has turned out to be an excellent guard animal, is quite the character, who “absolutely loves human attention and cuddles.”
“If we come into the pasture, all eyes have to be on him,” the mom said. “He gets a little jealous if we spend too much focused on the ladies (alpacas).” The donkey keeps an eye on Gunnar, too.
Since they don’t know Snickers’s exact date of birth, the family celebrates on the same day as Gunnar’s birthday. He has certainly found a happy home, with plenty of cuddles and little treats from Gunnar—apples being his favorite.
Regularly posting updates on their social media, Damaris says they get a stream of comments.
“People have fallen in love with their bond, saying how it makes their day every time they see them together,” she said. “Even if they are having a bad day, Gunnar and Snickers will brighten it right up. Some have even said it has really helped them deal with all the difficult times they are dealing with these days.”
