10/26/2026
Happy National Mule Day! Mules have been working alongside humans for thousands of years. A hybrid of a male donkey and a female horse, mules combine the strength and size of a horse with the surefootedness, endurance, and resourcefulness of a donkey. Their intelligence, stamina, and ability to navigate difficult terrain made them invaluable partners in agriculture, transportation, construction, and commerce long before modern machinery took over.
Here in our corner of the world, mules played a particularly important role in the history of the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Canal. Throughout the 1800s, mules hauled boats loaded with coal and other goods along the canal’s 184.5-mile waterway between Georgetown and Cumberland.
And that brings us to our girls! 💚
Before coming to us, Dolly and Eva worked for Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, helping keep this remarkable piece of history alive. Their story connects them to generations of mules whose strength and hard work helped build and sustain our communities.
Today, their working days are behind them, and they get to enjoy life on their own terms here at the sanctuary. We’re honored to be caretakers not just of these two mules, but the history of these often-underappreciated animals. We are also grateful that we get to give these two remarkable ladies a safe place to enjoy their next chapter.
Because we believe animals deserve care, comfort, and dignity throughout their lives, and not just when they have a job to do or something to offer us.
Happy National Mule Day, Dolly and Eva! From helping carry a piece of American history to enjoying the sanctuary life, these girls deserve all the love (and snacks) today.
