Amherst couple knows each member of donkey herd by name

They gaze curiously, approach slowly and nuzzle lovingly — dozens of miniature donkeys that have been raised and doted on behind a nondescript white-brick home beside U.S. 29 north of Amherst.

They may be the most unique pets in Amherst County.

The sign on a fence near the barn that Charles and Rose White built themselves says it all: “We have a commitment to our donkeys, to provide them with the best home and as much love and attention as we possibly can. When we place one of our donkeys in a new home, we expect their new owner to provide the same care and loving attention as we do.”

They know every single member of their 40-plus donkey herd by name and talk to each as a family member.

Except when they eat their breakfast of corn and grain.

The donkeys like their food, and visitors are advised to avoid their back legs.

“People don’t realize this farm is here and what is involved and what we’re doing,” Charles White said. “It’s worth your time and money.”

Gilded males sell for about $750, and females, depending on the color, sell for $1,500 to $3,000. People from all over contact them. “We’ve met some great people.”

The land once was a 175-acre cattle farm, but the couple can raise either eight cattle or 40 and as many as 60 Mediterranean miniature donkeys. They downsized and kept the best 40 acres for their home, hence the name Lower Forty Farm. Rose also drives a school bus.

“It’s the other livestock, the alternative livestock,” Charles said. Each is registered with a formal name. They also have everyday names: Hooter, Chantilly (the 2002 Virginia Grand State Champ, and her father, Dodger, the 2004 Virginia State Grand Champion), Jeanine, Gabby, Whisker, Shenandoah (has a heart-shaped spot), Sunrise, Sunburn, Buttons, Cha-Cha, Jill, Magic Place Shining Star (also known as Jenny), Jason, (born on Halloween), Booster, Bee-Bee, Jasper and Fannie.

Every one has a different personality. “Every one of them is different in some way,” Charles said.

Then there’s Barack. He was born on Election Day, he’s the symbol of the Democratic Party and he has more than one color — gray and sorrels.

“A Democratic donkey on a Republican farm,” Charles mused, wearing a military dark-green Lynchburg Hillcats cap with a U.S. Army patch, from a Hillcats promotional night. He attends every game and has memorabilia that would be the envy of some fans.

Little Orphan Annie required special attention.

Her mother rejected her, and she needed to nurse for milk. So, they briefly bound the mother so that Annie could nurse. Then, they fed her by hand, every two to four hours the first week.

Finally, they got a standard cooler, removed the spigot, affixed a sheep’s nipple with a hose clamp and poured in warm milk every six to eight hours.

Annie now is doing fine.

“These things are really smart, and they train easily,” Charles White said. “Once you train them, they don’t forget.”

Anyone who relates to one of the donkeys likely will immediately feel a calming effect because they are so gentle and loving, Rose said. “If you ever need therapy, donkeys are the ‘people’ to be around,” she said.

The couple eventually will sell off the herd and retire, because they must attend to the donkeys daily. “It’s a confining thing,” Charles said. “We like them so much we’ll keep a couple.”

For information, visit http://www.lowerforty.com or call (434) 946-7596.