Most people have never hugged one donkey, Maria often manages to hug two at a time. She adores Lulu and Fanny, and they love her back. Donkeys can be imperious and difficult, but Lulu and Fanny even let Maria rub fly ointment into their ears. They need this attention, it nourishes them, as it does us. I get to hug Fanny pretty often, Lulu on occasion, when she deigns to let me.