IGDIR, Turkey
They say opposites attract, but even so the interspecies friendship between a donkey and a dog has locals in Turkey's Igdir province amazed.
Donkeys are normally considered among the most stubborn of animals, and dogs among the most compliant. But the relationship between Boncuk the donkey and Kaplan the dog, who met in a mountainous region of eastern Turkey, developed quickly and they have become fast friends.
Kaplan is a Kangal, a breed of livestock guard dog related to the mastiff and originating from the Kangal district in Turkey's Sivas province. Boncuk is, well, a donkey. And the two play together constantly, exciting the attention of nearly every passerby.
Haydar Alagoz, who owns the animals, said they lived together in an alley next to his house.
"I bought this Kangal dog from the city of Sivas, and he grew together with this donkey since he was little," Alagoz said. "For this reason, the two have a very close bond."
He acknowledged that the friendship between the two had surprised him. But he added that he believes that animals, too, have feelings of love.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
