Sad day for those of us who frequent the Tucker Creek walking trail.

I’m sure many of you have met #DariustheDonkey. In a very short time, he has become a favorite among so many people. The kids absolutely love him, and he gives them an experience unlike anything else we have here in town. It’s something simple, wholesome, and accessible to everyone. Something that means even more during times when many families are struggling.

Darius has quickly become a staple of the trail, the neighborhood, and the park.

This evening, my son wanted to go fishing in the creek, so we headed out. As we came through the park, I noticed a woman in a wheelchair waiting by Darius’s pen. Seeing her brought a smile to my face, just knowing Darius was bringing her joy. At first, he didn’t see her, but her husband walked around the side of the pen and called his name. As soon as Darius noticed them, he moseyed right over.

The woman smiled and commented on Darius’s braying. I replied, “Yeah, he likes to talk.”

That’s when I learned that neighbors had made complaints about him, and that his owners were considering what to do because they want to be good neighbors and do the right thing. That says a lot about the kind of people they are. Through my son and other children, I’ve learned they are incredibly kind and generous people.

But I could tell this woman was heartbroken. At one point, she even said, “He’s my emotional support animal.”

Y’all, I’ve seen everyone from toddlers to senior citizens stop by to visit Darius. Just a couple of weeks ago, while my son was fishing, I watched a family bring their little daughter, probably no older than three or four. She sat in a tiny lawn chair and fed Darius baby carrots. That’s the kind of moment that becomes a core memory for a child.

I don’t know. It just hurts my heart.

It hurts for everyone who has bonded with Darius in such a short amount of time. It hurts for the children who look forward to seeing him. It hurts for members of our community who find comfort, joy, and companionship in his presence.

And honestly, it hurts for Darius too… because if you’ve ever met him, you know he absolutely loves being the community’s famous donkey.

We love you, Darius.

And we hope a compromise can be found that allows you to stay.

Full disclosure, I am in no way affiliated with the owners, nor do they have anything to do with me making this petition.