SEMO DISTRICT FAIR: ANIMALS OF ALL KINDS THRILL YOUNG FAIR-GOERS

She might be Rush Limbaugh's biggest fan.

Dondi, a 7,000-pound, 8-foot-tall Asian elephant, is making an appearance at this week's SEMO District Fair.

"She's definitely a Republican," said Dondi's trainer Phil Schacht as the elephant curled her trunk around his waist. "She listens to Rush Limbaugh with me every day."

Dondi is performing with the circus and providing rides as part of the animal entertainment at this year's fair. Pony rides and a petting zoo are among other attractions that let children get up close to the animals.

The fair continues through Saturday at Arena Park.

The 23-year-old female elephant is a big ham, Schacht said. "She clucks like a chicken and growls like a lion. She can twirl a hoola hoop on her trunk."

The elephant responds to more than 100 voice commands.

But Schacht said performing isn't Dondi's primary job. "We're here to educate people about elephants," he said.

The elephant, purchased by the Schachts when she was a year old, was imported from Tailand. Her mother worked in a teak forest and baby elephants, which nurse for five years, slow down the mother's work.

Babies not sold after the first year are killed, Schacht said. "It's so sad," he said. "They are such marvelous animals."

People are fascinated with Dondi's immense stature and gentle personality, he said.

Across the fairgrounds, the perennial favorite Welch mountain ponies hit the circular trail.

End of the Trail Pony Ride, operated by Jim and Karen Olds, is making its ninth appearance at the fair.

On Wednesday afternoon the Olds were combing the ponies' tails and manes before hitching them up for another evening of rides.

The couple refer to the horses as their babies. In fact, the Olds have been awakened twice this week by their 18-month-old pony, Cloud Dancer, who "falls out of bed."

The pony actually rolls over and gets his legs tangled with the stall. He calls for Jim or Karen to come and untangle him, then goes back to sleep.

Children come back year after year to ride the ponies. They want to know the ponies' names. Some develop a fondness for a certain pony.

The ride features Grayeagle, Tomahawk, Silver Pony, Blue Duck, Blackfoot, White Eye and young Cloud Dancer. The carousel uses five ponies at a time.

At the Co-op Service Center Petting Farm, 14-month-old Amanda Krewson stood eye-to-eye with a miniature donkey. The toddler handed the donkey a handful of hay and giggled as the animal gently took it from her hand.

Amanda's mother, Shirlene Krewson of Altenburg, said Amanda loves animals.

Chelsea Schutt, 3, said she loves animals too, especially the donkey. The donkey looked a lot like a pony, the little girl said.

The petting farm, owned by Neal Franke of Uniontown, has goats, sheep, donkeys, a llama, a heifer, a sow and five piglets.

A white pygmy goat is pregnant and may deliver during the fair. "We're hoping that happens," said Theresa Seyer, who takes a week of vacation to work at the fair. "Last year we had babies and it was so much fun."

A Jacob's Four-Horned Sheep generates a lot of attention. The tiny animal has four horns. "That's the breed," Seyer says in answer to a visitor's question.

Ashli Morgan, 7, and her little brother Matt, 5, of Zalma preferred the cow. But Matt didn't trust the animal enough to pet it.

Seyer, sitting at the front of the tent, said she spends much of her time answering questions and observing. "It's fun to watch everyone, the kids and the older folks also," Seyer said. "Everyone is having such a good time."