Fan ... Holly watches Shrek with the Ferrier family

DONKEYS at the dinner table may not be a common sight, but it is for one Cornwall family who are frequently joined by two of the furry beasts.

Animal lovers Tim and Jackie Ferrier keep an open door policy for their pets, which means six-year-old Holly and her one-year-old colt Charlie are constant companions.

Mrs Ferrier said: “Donkeys are very companionable and love just being with people.

“We have to make sure things are kept out of the way - especially the fruit bowl.

“Obviously we do not feed them anything hot but if we have a cold lunch it always has to be shared - everyone gets some.

“We have even set a place for them at the table before because if we want to have lunch in peace we give them a plate so that they can just eat from there rather than us having to feed it to them.

“Holly and Charlie have a fetish for French toast so much in fact that they get a box of the food every year as a Christmas present.

“They just love being involved, but are probably in a bit of confusion over what species they are!”

The Ferrier’s menagerie also includes four dogs, three cats, two sheep, one foal, four ducks, eight hens and one cockerel.

Luckily, the couple’s children James, 12, and nine-year-old Lucy don’t feel left out.

Mrs Ferrier, 42, added: “They don’t mind it because they have grown up with it and are used to it really.

“It is very amusing because friends come over and there are chickens wondering around.

“It is definitely different.

“Life would be boring if we were the same as everyone else.”

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This story was on the home page of THE SUN
www.thesun.co.uk on 8th Oct 2008