Florida's residents may have been suffering through one of the state's coldest snaps in decades, but little Burrito found the cool conditions perfect for a little rabble-rousing.
The eight-month-old donkey, well insulated with a white woolly coat, was more boisterous than ever during a 12-day period when temperatures dipped daily below freezing, according to owner Lindley Paxton Barden.
"He was really bad when it was cold," she says of his boisterous behaviour. "It was like lighting a firecracker," she says.
The little donkey, originally named JB, grabbed headlines in May after his mother was shot within minutes of his birth.
He did not have a chance to get colostrum from his mother and his life hung in the balance for a fortnight.
But thanks to the love and round-the-clock attention from Lindley, who adopted him, he is now thriving - and causing as much trouble as ever.
The wee fellow spends his days hanging out with a pair of calves - the so-called Cow Boys, Bobby and Charlie Brown - but he has a real treat in store in coming weeks.
Lindley is about to have four acres securely fenced off so Burrito, the Cow Boys, two pigs and three goats can enjoy more space.
"I can't wait to get him into the four acres to run around in," she says.
Burrito eats well and has filled out nicely, but he is still vertically challenged.
Lindley said she understood that Burrito was a miniature donkey, but from what she could gather his mother appeared to be of normal size.
 Burrito seemed to enjoy the cold snap that hit Florida recently. |
His size meant she was reluctant to put him out with her full-sized horses.
Burrito's high spirits and boisterous behaviour can be put down in part to youthful exuberance - plus the fact he has yet to be gelded.
Lindley says she had been told it can take 8-18 months for a donkey's testicles to descend. She is still playing the waiting game but, come what may, Burrito won't be retaining his Crown jewels for too much longer.
His big personality and boisterous habits are not his only signatures.
Burrito loves to roll in anything that will make him dirty. Mud is probably one of the better options, but he'll even opt for some cow manure if there's nothing else that will provide him with a suitable patina of grime.
Burrito still has a few problems with boundaries, with a tendancy to nip and jump up, but Lindley is working to pull him into line.
Lindley said Kyle Mason Driver, the youth who shot Burrito's mum, reported to county jail on January 8 begin his sentence of 11 months and 15 days.
She understood that, after he served 30 days, he could apply to join a road crew, which helps clean up roadways.
A troublesome youngster Burrito may be, but Lindley loves him to bits and his exuberance is most likely the little white donkey sharing the love.
Lindley says she cannot wait to see him running around in his new pasture and she will have her camera at the ready to record the moment.
But first up will be a good bath to look nice for the camera. However, on past performance, the gleaming white coat will just be another invitation for a roll in his new digs!
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