Forget Santa — it's a busy time of year to be a donkey.
The barnyard animals that have non-speaking parts in the nativity scene should not be overlooked this festive season.
Hugo, the 11-year-old Jerusalem donkey, is booked solid this December. Owner Fleur Cutfield says he takes his popularity in his stride.
He has a big booking on Christmas Eve at one of the major churches in Auckland and lots of events during the festive season. Yes, Cutfield nodded, Hugo is typecast.
His other busy time is Palm Sunday when he does three gigs back-to-back and gets to check churches in the CBD.
Donkeys have long been a biblical symbol of humility and service. And as I watched Hugo dutifully plod around the car park of a Mangere Early Childhood Centre, I got that sense.
Cutfield, a former teacher, runs Little Bo Peep's Mobile Farm and educates children about how to be gentle around animals big and small.
She made the point it isn't a petting zoo — it's a mobile farm. The animals have to enjoy the experience, too. She then told me I was annoying Hugo by patting him on his back. "It's too tickly - like a fly in summer," she said, and proceeded to show me how to pat Hugo properly.
Hugo has a life expectancy of 40, so there should be many more Christmases to come.
The biggest preparation is caring for his hooves which need attention with all the wet weather we've had.
The guy with the twitchy ears does make his presence felt. When he came to visit the TVNZ building, he let out an almighty bray in the car park — have a look at the video above.
Hugo is the centre of attention wherever he goes, and undoubtedly spreads peace and joy.
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