Friday, the adorable donkey from Llandysul could well be the oldest donkey around.

Living with his pony friends in Cwm Tawel, Friday was born in north Pembrokeshire in 1965. This makes the adorable donkey 50 years old. He was purchased by Alan and Anne Tromans of Capel Iwan as a yearling, and is called Friday as he was purchased on Easter Friday. He was used in donkey derby’s and rodeos for many years before he kept thoroughbred foals company, when they were weaned from their dams, at the home of Wendy Hoyland in Pentrecwrt.

When Wendy purchased a dun filly from the Troman Family, she asked if she could have Friday to keep the pony company, and Friday has been with Wendy ever since.

‘ He’s completely spoilt. He’s in at night and has a free run to go out in the day if he so wishes,’ explained Wendy who along with her young sons, William and Tyler, adore the fluffy boy. She added: ‘ He’s the boss of the yard, and gets totally jealous of the other ponies. He’s full of spirit and chases the cats, you’ve got to see it to believe it. My daughter Tibby, will go into the field and straighten his rugs and will spend hours grooming him in the stable.’

But looking after a donkey of this age isn’t easy. His vet says that he is the oldest animal they have on the books, and Wendy says it’s hard work keeping Friday in such good condition. ‘ He will stay with us forever until he has no quality of life, then we will have to make the hard decision. He has so many vitamins for different conditions, but he is happy and if I could, I would have him living in the house with me,’ concluded Wendy with a chuckle.