When the Brooker family moved to Rolling Hills just a year and a half ago, they didn’t arrive alone - they brought along two particularly charming (and vocal) companions: Giselle and Anferny, their beloved donkeys.

Giselle, a graceful 9-year-old mama donkey, and Anferny, her energetic 3-year-old son, became part of the family even before their Rolling Hills renovation was complete. “We bought them from someone rehoming in Simi Valley,” the family shared. “For a few months, we kept them tucked away behind Sorel Lane until the property was ready.”

Giselle came with her elegant name, but it was Levi, the family’s patriarch, who felt that Ferdinand—the original name of the younger donkey—simply wouldn’t do. “He insisted on renaming him Anferny,” they laughed.

If you’ve ever heard a surprising bray echo through the hills, you’ve likely already met them. “They bray. A lot,” the family admitted, “and they can open gates too.” Mischievous and clever, these donkeys have made quite a name for themselves in the neighborhood.

Their favorite treats? Alfalfa and watermelon, of course. And perhaps nothing delights the family more than the sight of Giselle and Anferny sprinting up the easement at full speed to reunite after a brief separation - a heartwarming scene that never gets old.

These sociable equines also enjoy the company of their four-hoofed neighbors. “They love their horse friends,” the family said, proving that these two are already well-integrated into the Rolling Hills animal community.

Giselle and Anferny have certainly made their mark in Rolling Hills—charming, noisy, and completely unforgettable.