Over the past few days, pedestrians and motorists in Hayes Valley who thought they spotted a donkey striding down the sidewalk are not mistaken: There is indeed a donkey roaming—sometimes ridden, sometimes led by a handler—around the neighborhood. His name is Johnny Appleseed, Hoodline tells us, and he's a ballerina (but he's always wanted to act).
OKAY REALLY NO ONE AT WORKED BELIEVED ME WHEN I SAID I SAW A LADY RIDING A DONKEY/MULE OUTSIDE TODAY. CAN ANYONE IN SAN FRANCISCO BACK ME UP
— doppelgänger (@ZeroSuitBritney) March 21, 2015
Johnny is part of the current production of Don Quixote at the SF Ballet, and he's a repeat cast member, the ballet's Kyra Jablonsky explained to Hoodline. The breaks offer him a way to stretch his legs and scope out the window displays at Minimal.
Casual ride down Webster St via donkey #RidingDirty pic.twitter.com/sbQb0tuVaN
— Barnett Klane (@BarnettLKlane) March 21, 2015
· Your Civic Center Donkey Sightings, Demystified [Hoodline]