Depressed Goat Ends Hunger Strike After Being Reunited With Donkey

The last thing you might have expected to read when you opened your computer today was a story about a depressed goat. But, what about a depressed goat which went on a hunger strike because he missed his best friend, a donkey?!

According to officials in California the goat, named Mr G, loved his donkey friend, Jellybean, so much so that he refused to eat a thing after the two of them were separated

The goat, the donkey, and a number of dogs were seized from a southern California home, where they were being kept by an owner who abused and neglected them.

The animals were taken to different sanctuaries, but when Mr G arrived at Animal Place in Grass Valley, Calif., he refused to eat, go outside or play and just laid in his stall for six days without moving.

Even though he was offered all the delicacies that goats love, including sweet grain and apples, he point-blank refused to eat.

When officials ran out of ideas as to what they should do to help Mr G to return to health they decided that perhaps reuniting him with his donkey friend, Jellybean, might work. And indeed it did! A volunteer from the sanctuary drove a massive 14 hours to collect the donkey.

As soon as Jellybean arrived, Mr G could be heard moving and: “immediately leaped to his hooves and ran to the door,” officials said. Apparently Mr G then, “erupted from his prone position, snorting and inhaling Jellybean’s presence. He rushed after her into their outdoor pasture.”

The depressed goat, and donkey named after a candy, are now hanging out in the same stall and the good news is that Mr G has ended his hunger strike and is eating normally now.

In a blog post Animal Place wrote: “Never doubt the depth of emotions other animals possess. Mr. G’s grief was as deep and mysterious as a human’s. His joy at reuniting with Jellybean was as beautiful and inspiring.”