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<DIV>This news flash is brought to you by "Abbott's Abbey." "Abbott's is aware and sensitive to your need to sin in times like these, so Abbott's is running a half price sale on indulgences this week. Remember, Abbott's is always open to serve your sinning needs. When you think sin, think Abbott's."</DIV>
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<DIV>And now the news:</DIV>
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<DIV>The shortage and high price of grain is continuing to have an economic impact on the residents of Trelac and Bonwicke, resulting in increased demand for donkeys. People are beginning to realize that the sporty donkey can go a lot further of a bucket of grain than a horse. And, while it's true that that you can't go as fast on a donkey, the cargo carrying capacity is nearly the same. The increased feed savings is causing many people trade their feed guzzling horses in on the economical donkey. Rizardo d'Artusio, donkey enthusiast, added that with the donkey you also get a sporty pen stripe down the back.</DIV>
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<DIV>Trelac Stables reports that they are nearly sold out of new and used donkeys, and that they are unable to get any more from their supplier, GMC. When interviewed, the head mammal breeder for, GMC (General Mammal Cooperative), Richard La Bouef, said that he is aware of the donkey shortage and GMC has stepped up their breeding program to produce more donkeys. The sudden popularity of donkeys has taken GMC completely by surprise, and it is going to take them some time to re gear up their breeding program for donkeys. La Bouef notes that it wasn't that long ago the horses were the rage, and that the bigger the horse the better. It wasn't only the knights that liked to be astride of stallion. The large stallions were also popular with the ladies (although they did seem to have more trouble parking them.) </DIV>
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<DIV>Noting that people like the white donkeys and are willing to pay more for them, La Bouef says that GMC is also making efforts to breed more colorful donkeys. Right now donkeys only come in black, brown, grey and shades there of, but GMC is currently working on a breeding program to produce one that is slightly blue. If successful, GMC plans to market it as the Eeyore.</DIV></div><br>
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