Susie, Fiach & Jilly by the duckhouse.
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Newsletter No. 9 Spring/Summer 1997 Welcome to Spring! As I write this newsletter Winter has lost her grip. There is still time for many a bad day yet but the Spring flowers are out, shrubs are breaking bud and the lowland fields are taking on their emerald mantle. Donkeys are as lively as lambs, delighted to be spending longer days outside yet always ready to come back to their warm houses in the evening. They have had a good winter. An extra bonus to having the new hayshed is that we gained the use of the barn in the yard, so with the other two loose sheds it has been possible to house all donkeys overnight since October 4th, and to keep them in on wet days (most of October and February). Duving very cold periods (most of November and December!) and when the land has been waterlogged, they have been restricted to the yard and sheds in order to save damaging the grassland. This, combined with a strict mucking out/disinfecting routine added up to a winter without the usual hoof infections. Hurrah! Perhaps this is a good time to thank volunteer helpers - Mark, Martin, Niamh who took on the physical work when I succumbed to the 'flu and have continued to be supportive on many levels, since. The help makes an unimaginable difference! Thanks too to Julie for her help with the new brochure and to all who contributed to this newsletter. Donkeys Jeremiah and Ashtar wintered away in order to keep a weanling horse foal company. Despite being fed and checked every day, twice a day, they are delighted to be home with their friends again. Ashtar, in particular, seems to have missed the "family" atmosphere of the Sanctuary and all the personal attention he claims from visitors. Jeremiah is very happy to be reunited with his pony friends Charlie and Sammie. Sadly the ponies' owner, Mick Healy, our dear friend, mentor and neighbour, died in hospital on March 8th, after a long illness, leaving Chavlie and Sammie permanently in the Sanctuary's care. He will be greatly missed and we are privileged to have the ponies as a living testimony to a beautiful and gentle man. Charlie and Sammie recently spent time being schooled for riding and give every impression of having enjoyed themselves tremendously, meeting new people, other horses, expioring new territory and being kept warm, dry and fed throughout the storms of February. Nevertheless there is no place like home and the freedom of a few acres in which to gallop around with all their donkey pals. Thank you to Kean, Sarah and Norley for looking after them so well and teaching them manners! |
Mark Colfer. |
Mick Healy with Cinders. |
Enquiries to: Sue Paling, Sathya Sai Sanctuary Trust for Nature, Cloghogue Lower, Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo, Ireland. Frontpage | All the donkeys | Spring 1994 | Autumn 1994 | Spring 1995 | Autumn 1995 | Autumn 1996 | Spring 1997 | Autumn 1997 | Spring 1998 | Autumn 1998 | Spring 1999 | Autumn 1999 | Spring 2000 | Autumn 2000 | Spring 2001 | Autumn 2001 | Spring 2002 | Autumn 2002 | Adopt a Donkey | Donkey Links | E mail
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