Depressed goat lifts hunger strike after reuniting with donkey friend

(Image credit: YouTube)

last updated 8 January 2015

Mr. G, the goat, and Jellybean, the donkey, lived for years in atrocious conditions on a California farm. But at least they had each other.

When animal welfare officials recently seized the buddies along with dozens of dogs and other farm animals from the reported hoarder's farm, the goat and donkey were sent to live in separate animal sanctuaries.

And although Mr. G was given new, clean digs at the Animal Place in northern California, and offered treats like sweet grain and apples, the goat retreated to a corner, refusing all nourishment and contact. After four days of this self-imposed hunger strike, and a check-up that revealed the goat was otherwise healthy, officials agreed Mr. G needed its friend. Dedicated employees spent three days tracking down Jellybean and drove 14 hours to pick him up.

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Lauren Hansen produces The Weekâ€™s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.