Jesus Finds Missing Donkey

The search for a missing miniature donkey is finally over, and a man named Jesus Lopez is behind the rescue.

Red Sunset, or Sunny, as he likes to be called, was donkey-napped about 14 days ago. Ed and Angela Preston said they were beside themselves because Sunny is like a member of the family.

"My husband and I helped him be born, so he is a really special donkey," said Angela Preston.

Sunny also comes from a line of championship donkeys.

The Prestons, who are from Sunnyvale, were at Town East Mall in Mesquite when Sunny was taken.

The thieves stole the couples' pickup truck and trailer -- with the donkey inside -- on Oct. 27.

Preston couldn't believe what happened.

"You know, you stand there, and your mind can't wrap around; the truck and the trailer and the donkey are gone," she said.

Their first thought was that the truck had been towed, but the Prestons soon realized everything had been stolen, and the couple contacted the Mesquite police.

They also put the word out to Web sites and television stations looking for any help in finding Sunny.

The Prestons were concerned because Sunny is only 6 months old and needs a special diet and shelter.

He was found near Ferguson Road and Interstate 635 in Dallas County on Sunday, running down the street.

Angela said Lopez found Sunny on Sunday night. Lopez's daughter looked around on the Internet to see if anyone was missing a donkey and quickly found the story on the Prestons.

"So he e-mailed us about 10:30 Sunday night," Preston said. "I called him at 11:30 ... and said, 'Yeah, I think that is my donkey.'"

She said Sunny is a little skinny and has a few scratches on his nose but is otherwise in good shape.

Preston expressed thanks to Lopez as well.

"We are so happy that the man got him and took good care of him," she said. "He put him in his garage for the night and bought him oats and really took care of him."

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