The United States First Spanish Donkey

George Washington owned the first Spanish donkey in the United States.

 Picture from Communio

 In 1785, George Washington was sent a gift of two Spanish donkeys from Charles III, the King of Spain.  Charles III learned that Washington wanted to breed mules for work on the Mount Vernon plantation, and promptly sent two prize mules (which were not permitted to leave the country) across the Atlantic Ocean.  Sadly, only one of them, Royal Gift, survived the trip.