Irene Rinio, 80, the only inhabitant of the tiny Greek island of Kinaros, has received a donkey as a companion, ten years after the death of her husband. Journalist Vasilios Saribalidis announced the gift on Facebook on November 19, stating that the donkey’s arrival fulfilled a long-held wish of Mrs. Rinio’s.
Rinio, whose birth name is Irene Katsotourchi, has lived alone on the two-square-mile island since her husband passed away in 2013. She was born on the nearby island of Amorgos and spent her childhood on Kinaros. After marrying, she and her husband lived on Kalymnos before emigrating to Australia. They eventually returned to Kinaros.
Saribalidis shared photos of a joyful Rinio resting her head against the donkey and posing with the animal and a dog. He promised a video of the donkey’s arrival on YouTube soon.
Kinaros, located in the Aegean Sea approximately 160 miles southeast of Athens, presents a unique and isolated living situation for Rinio. This heartwarming story echoes another recent instance of animal companionship, where a stray dog named Wesley, found injured and living amongst a pack, was nursed back to health and adopted by a loving family.
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