Tricks, treats, and love help mule find her smile

It turns out you can teach an old mule new tricks. And that’s just what caregiver Priscilla Shatto is doing with a senior mule named Lucky at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s Horse Haven. “I fell in love with Lucky right away,” says Priscilla. “I’m a sucker for mules.”

At first, Lucky was a bit hesitant. She just wasn’t interested in hanging out with new humans. “Donkeys and mules have a high level of self-preservation, so if they don't feel safe doing something, they're not going to do it,” says Priscilla. “You always hear the phrase ‘stubborn as a mule’ when we should be saying ‘smart as a mule.’”

But with time, gentle guidance, and plenty of tasty treats, Lucky realized that spending time with new people could not only be safe but fun as well. With each passing day, Lucky became more comfortable around people, so Priscilla began visiting her each morning and asking whether she wanted a treat (she always said yes).

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Their daily routine soon expanded to include leisurely walks, where Lucky would amble alongside Priscilla, taking in the sights and sounds of Horse Haven. As their bond grew, so did Lucky’s willingness to be around people. She wasn’t just tolerating their company — she had come to genuinely appreciate it.

“She’s fond of company now, but she’s a little quieter about it,” says Priscilla. “She’ll mosey over and stand quietly next to you, but once you start scratching her itchy spots, her top lip just starts wiggling around. It’s so cute.”

Those adorable wiggling lips soon sparked an idea in Priscilla. She wanted to teach Lucky a fun new trick that wouldn’t be too physically taxing for an older lady. “I taught her how to smile,” laughs Priscilla. “I wiggle my finger, and she responds by wiggling her upper lip. It’s her version of a smile.” Talk about cute.

[New friends help shy donkey duo expand horizons]

In fact, all the attention is giving this 37-year-old mule extra pep in her step. “It's almost like she's aging backwards,” notes Priscilla. “She’s getting better at moving around and doing all sorts of different things.”

And now, every morning, Lucky greets Priscilla with a loud hee-haw hello, ready for some treats, leisurely walks, and smiles. Lucky is proof that old mules can learn many new things ... after a treat, of course.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.