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There is no need to remind
anyone of the problems of Foot and Mouth which kept the countryside
closed for the Spring and early summer this year but thankfully
our visitors returned with enthusiasm once we were able to open
the gates again in June and added to the spirit of a very busy
summer.
TESSA
Our resident four leggeds have all had a good summer with the
possible exception of Tessa who hurt a front leg late in September.
It was her mate, Benny, who alerted us to a problem when he came
to the gate braying, nagging and insisting someone followed him.
On granting his wishes he went straight to where Tessa was lying
with a nasty cut on the outside of her left knee joint. Benny
stayed with her while wound dressings were fetched, nuzzling
her and gently nibbling her neck. The leg was obviously extremely
sore, so although Tessa was persuaded to get up she was reluctant
to try and walk down to the yard and stable where she could be
treated properly. No amount of pushing, pulling and gently persuading
was having any effect but Benny sussed out the situation, moved
in behind Tessa and nipped her bum and heels to get her hopping
then stayed behind her administering the occasional timely nudge
until she was safely down in the yard! Once satisfied she was
in good hands he cleared off back up the field to his mates but
that evening ,and several evenings afterwards, he arrived back
down to spend the night with his little friend. Tessa is recovering
but slowly. The wound was deep and heavily infected so required
regular cleaning and dressing alongside two courses of strong
antibiotics. X-rays show there is no obvious damage to the bone
but it may be painful for some time to come. Our thanks go to
Evi for her excellent veterinary care.
Much of Tessa's nursing
fell to Emma who generously spent her holidays Sanctuary-sitting
to give us a week's break before the winter. Emma is manager
of one the farms for The Donkey Sanctuary UK where she is responsible
for over 400 donkeys and 8 staff. By comparison looking after
this Sanctuary was child's play but it says much for her character
and dedication that she swopped a life of working with donkeys
for a holiday working with more donkeys! We owe you a big 'thank
you' Emma.
JOXER
Followers of the Donkey Sanctuary, Ireland will have read about
Joxer. Joxer was found wandering loose on the road by the Gardai
who reported him to the Sligo SPCA and hence to ourselves. His
misinformed owner had tried to cure a heavy lice infestation
by pouring diesel and tar over his back which had, not surprisingly,
severely burned the skin. A secondary infection resulted in him
being very sore indeed. Fortunately the Gardai found the owner
who was happy to relinquish the little fellow into care. As Joxer
was a young (12 year old) stallion he was too active to risk
bringing here with all the elderly mares, so we asked Chris,
voluntary welfare officer for The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland to
intervene.
Joxer was in perfect
hands. Chris and his wife, Helen, run boarding kennels and recoursed
to one of their very expensive anti-bacterial dog shampoos to
remove the gunge that was encrusted on his back. £25 worth
to be exact! Once cleaned up, his sores treated and his overlong
hooves properly trimmed, Joxer was transferred to the main Sanctuary
at Cork where he is recovering well.
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