Oh, sad news. Niner will be missed. RIP.

contrary to this report the city does Not own the pasture
its privately owned

Losing Niner is so sad. He helped to make Barron Park a unique place.

Niner will be missed. I hope a companion for Perry can be found soon.

Niner has been passed away for a week now and does anyone know where is Perry? Children want to see Perry and know that he is not dead too. This whole neighborhood and community is grieving.

TO: Where is Perry?

"Perry has been removed from the paddock and relocated for what handlers said will be a short stay. Harding-Barlow said she hopes that another donkey companion can be found for him."

I'm often saddened that my grandmother,Oma - Josina Bol, is so seldom mentioned. She fed and cared for the donkeys for many decades. As kids we loved to gather up the carrots and others veggies and tromp over to feed the donkeys with her.

One correction to this story. While I do not remember the exact date of Dr. Bol's death, it was in the early 1970's that the Bol Family offered the "donkey pasture" to the community at a below market price if it would be made into a park. What is now Bol Park was dedicated in 1974, one year prior to the annexation of Barron Park to Palo Alto. The residents of Barron Park taxed themselves to be able to establish the park. Keeping and caring for the donkeys became a permanent part of that project. Upon annexation to Palo Alto, the city assumed ownership of the park as well as the former Southern Pacific railroad right of way, which had been given to the Barron Park community as a gift. The city then developed the right of way into the current shared pathway. It is correct that I was the president of the Barron Park Association during this time.

Sorry to hear of Niner's death. We have always enjoyed our time spent at Bol Park. Thank you, Bol family for what you have done for Palo Alto. I have lovely pictures to remember Niner by. Looking forward to the return of Perry and truly hope that a great companion will come to share his space with him.

So when can we put up a statue of Niner. I believe its quite appropriate, and as the article mentions donkeys are wiser than men. Why not rename one of our schools after him? it would be much better than honoring eugenicists like Terman or JLS that advocated for policies we would now associate with dystopian fascist nightmares.

Rename Terman or Gunn to Niner Middle/High School!

Thanks for the memories, Niner! I hope this area of Palo Alto can retain its unique equine and rural character.

This is really sad. I always looked forward to seeing Niner on my walk and I eventually considered him "my boyfriend". Once he entered his mellow stage he would bray when I approached and let me touch his face. He relaxed and hung his head on the fence, and got a kind of contemplative expression. And he wouldn't let Perry near me. Then, one day I found out that he had another affectionate friend, too! There was a friendly Russian lady in the pasture giving him enthusiastic hugs and kisses, and he was clearly enjoying the attention. I will miss him a lot. It's nice to hear about his history.... so many things he never told me! I guess it's like that with obituaries: yet, it seems wrong that we only get to know more about a beloved after they die. Thank you Bol Family, Inga Harding-Barlow, and Dick Placone for enriching the lives of those of us who love animals.

Great story, Sue Dremann. Thanks for writing it.

That's really sad! His memory will be a blessing to us all. I am very grateful that many of us got to share some time with him, and its something very special about Palo Alto. He lives on in our hearts and wherever he is, I bet he's really happy.

Thirty-two is a ripe old age for a donkey, especially one in captivity. They are prone to founder and colic.

Rest well, Niner.

Which Burris were there in about 1982? We used to run through there at noon, and the Burris would be standing in mud up to their "knees?" And looked so miserable, they did not look well-cared for and I was very sad. Remember 1973? I think it still holds the record for total rainfall.

In my previous comment, I meant "1983." Wish there were an edit function.

Thank you to the thoughtful caring donkey handlers who “camped” at the Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic in Salinas CA for Niner’s last days, staying with him and Perry all day, petting them and talking to them.

Perry can be brought back to Palo Alto anytime, but he would be too depressed coming back to the paddock in Barron Park without his mate Niner. It is best to adopt one or two donkeys and then bring Perry to join them in Parry’s paddock.

Donkeys are “herd” animals. Donkeys feel best with equine companions. Also older animals feel more comfortable with another older relaxed animal, as younger animals are more active and can frighten an older animal who can't see or hear so well, so it would be best to try to adopt older donkeys. Older donkeys also feel vulnerable due to the loss of eyesight and hearing and they definitely prefer to have at least one friend for comfort although two companions would be better.

Did Niner die of old age, or an illness? I ask because I have known donkeys in captivity to live to be 45 or more. I know of one in my veterinarian's practice who lived to be 51.

These days, with regular worming, proper nutrition, monthly doses of psyllium to clear sand from the gut, and equine dentistry, all equines are living beyond their previous life expectancies.

Back in the late 80s & early 90s, I used to lure-course my Whippets on (is it) the Gunn High School playing fields -- My 2 young sons and I always enjoyed visiting "Mickey the Donkey", who was in residence there at the time, and feeding him carrots I would bring with for that purpose ... He really loved all the attention from us & would always sniff nose-to-nose with the hounds as well.