Donkeys are capable of great affection for those who treat them well.
An old woman, known to Mrs F--, had a donkey which usually grazed on
the roadside near her cottage, and when he saw any person about to enter
her abode would instantly run to the door and defend it against all
intrusion till the dame herself appeared. If any one annoyed the old
woman--as the boys around would sometimes do, for the sake of seeing how
the donkey would behave--he would kick out at them fiercely, put them to
the rout, and pursue them for some distance.
When the dame wished to ride, he would proceed with the greatest care
and gentleness; but if any other person attempted to mount him, the ass
very soon convinced them that their will and power were useless in a
contest, and the effort usually ended in the rider being roughly thrown,
and perhaps kicked.