Two by Two Rivers Ranch shares their miniature equine pair with the community
HIGHLANDVILLE, MO. – Jonathan and Charity Graif own a hobby farm just outside of Nixa, Mo., where they have a menagerie of animals.
Charity, a former an animal handler at the Sight and Sound Theater in Branson, Mo., have two Quarter horses, two pygmy goats, two dogs and two donkeys (hence the name of their ranch, Two by Two River’s Ranch).
The theater is where Charity met Tuck and Jasper, the two miniature donkeys that served as actors in several productions prior to, and during the time of Charity’s service, from March 2015 to September 2017.
When trained animals are no longer needed for productions, or younger animals are introduced to the acting que, Sight and Sound allows employees the opportunity to purchase the animals. Charity was excited by this prospect, since she knew the donkeys were already trained and socialized, and she had worked with them extensively during her time at Sight and Sound. Thus, she excitedly bid on the pair of miniature donkeys and brought them home.
“It is a hobby for me, so I enjoy taking care of them.”
Tuck, Jasper and their other barnyard buddies get fresh hay approximately six months of the year. The winter months require the couple to keep shelters warm and dry, providing extra hay if the temperatures dip lower than average. Charity said a farrier comes every three months for hoof trims. In addition, the animals are vaccinated and dewormed regularly. The Graifs are diligent with grooming and fly/insect repellent in the warmer months.
While all animals at Two by Two River’s Ranch are cared diligently cared for, Tuck and Jasper are still the stars of the show.
Charity grew up next door to her grandfather’s farm. They had full-size donkeys and ponies. While she was familiar with farm’s equine residents, she was not around miniature donkeys until her handling experience at the Sight and Sound Theater. She said she actually enjoys the smaller donkeys more.
“They are fun-loving, affectionate, extremely playful, and entertaining,” she said. “In addition, they make great guardians for smaller livestock such as goats and sheep. They are smaller and gentle, making them the perfect farm companions for children.”
She went on to say donkeys are herd dependent, meaning they are social creatures and do best when paired with a fellow “partner in play.”
Each donkey’s temperament has much to do with early training. Learning to be social comes at a very young age, with equal parts training and discipline.
Jasper, 19, is the senior and self-appointed leader of the two. Tuck is a spy 17. The two are also very social, having grown up in the limelight of the highly popular theater. They are not bothered by bright lights, loud sounds, excited children or strangers who desire to run their fingers through the soft tuft of fur on top of their head. In fact, they welcome all the attention and affection.
“What endeared me the most about Tuck and Jasper was definitely their affectionate, sweet and social personalities,” Charity said. “Jasper is also very affectionate and playful. He is a little ornerier than Tuck in some ways.”
Jasper has escape artist antics, leading to the couples’ occasional fence repairs. He once jumped over a 4-foot-tall electric fence, “like it was nothing.”
While Tuck and Jasper are retired from the bright lights of theatrical Branson, they still get to show off their acting chops once each year.
Charity grew up attending Selmore Baptist Church in Ozark, Mo. She made friends with a woman who, several years later, attended Nixa Baptist Church with her family. Knowing of the Graifs’ farm, she asked to borrow the two miniature donkeys for the church’s annual drive-through Live Nativity.
This is the third year Tuck and Jasper have participated in the eight-year-running living nativity. The drive-through nativity has productions every weekend from 6 to 8 p.m., typically starting on the first weekend of December. This event serves 2,000 to 3,000 on average every Christmas season. Eighty to 100 people dress up as biblical nativity characters. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the nativity actors and the animal performers. In addition to the miniature donkeys, also included in the living nativity are sheep, a camel, dogs and chickens.
The Graifs transport Tuck and Jasper home each night. The two donkeys welcome adults and children alike to pet them. According to Charity, there is a pit stop at the nativity, where the donkeys are treated to a handful of oats each time they pass.
“They love that,” she said
Taking Tuck and Jasper to the live nativity each year has more meaning than showing off the well-trained duo.
“The Lord has blessed my husband and I with the land and resources to be able to have and care for our donkeys,” Charity said. “It is our prayer and desire to share how He has blessed us, with others. We are always looking for creative opportunities to use our animals for ministry. Our main motivation is to use our donkeys to share with the world the most precious gift we could ever be given, and that is Jesus and His great love for them.”
Christmas and Easter are the two most significant Christian holidays, and there are many biblical connections to the very visible cross-like feature on Tuck’s back. Biblical scholars say Mary rode a small donkey on her trip to Bethlehem, and then a donkey was Jesus’ mount on Palm Sunday.
When Jesus came to the hill of Calvary and saw the tragic event occurring there, the donkey wished with he had been able to carry the cross for Jesus as he was the proper one to carry heavy burdens. The donkey turned his back on the sight, but he could not leave because Jesus. In reward for the loyal and humble love, Lord caused the shadow of the cross to Lord caused the shadow of the cross to fall across the donkey’s back and left it there forevermore as a sign of the love of God.
