Donkeys are smarter than you think

Yesterday I was reading a book when I kept hearing the noise of a horse neighing. Well - I was a little confused as I didn't think donkey's neigh. They just he-haw (with everything they can muster). I looked out the window to see James riding Dink the donkey. I thought this was funny so I went out to catch a better look. We decided to put Dink back in the corrale and get Jack the mule out (he was the guilty neigh-er). He seemed to be jealous of Dink's good fortune. As we were getting Jack ready for me to take a ride (sorry - I don't have picture proof of that one), I noticed Dink jostling with the gate latch. I said to James: "It's just a matter of time before he figures out how to get that gate open." Really - I wasn't too worried. Maybe I have been stereotyping donkeys but I didn't think he was smart enough to make a run for it. When we got ready to put Jack back in the corrale, Dink proceeded to open the gate. Oops! We put the animals up and James jimmy-rigged the latch on the gate. We went inside. After a few minutes I looked up from my book and saw Dink walking across the driveway. Oops again! James' jimmy-rig didn't work. So we got Dink back in his place and James' fixed the latch again. Sometime during the night or early morning Dink worked his magic again. This morning we discovered Dink and Jack had made a run for it. They headed off for some greener pasture. We got them back. (OK - "we" didn't. Mike and James did. But I was ready to get some carrots to lure them back. I've heard that works.) So far the latch is working. But I give the donkey credit. The cows never even noticed the open gate. Or - maybe they're smarter than we think too. They know where there food comes from. That's my farm adventure for the day.