In the sun-baked deserts and rugged mountains of California, a resilient icon of the American West roams free: the wild burro, often called a donkey in everyday parlance. These hardy animals, with their oversized ears and unyielding spirit, trace their origins to a tumultuous chapter in history that shaped the Golden State.

Karen Hansen moved from the Bay Area to Northern California in the early 1990s. She was shocked to discover widespread animal neglect and abuse in the area. Unable to turn away, she stepped up, volunteering at local animal shelters and becoming the first in Tehama County to start a "Pet of the Week" feature to highlight adoptable pets and raise awareness of the many animals in need of adoption.