Newsletter, Spring - Summer 2000

The winter work goes on regardless.

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Newsletter, Spring - Summer 2000

Welcome to the first Sanctuary newsletter of the new millenium. The donkeys were unimpressed with all the hype and proved beyond a doubt that, for them at least, life goes on pretty much as usual. The old year took its toll, however. with both personal and donkey bereavements. The winter itself has been considerably easier than the previous year. Autumn was kind with good weather throughout October so it was mid-November before the donkeys were housed on a regular basis and the hard work of looking after them all was once again rewarded by the sound of contented late night munchings coming from the inner sanctum of the big shed ag they all snuggle up together, dry and warm while the winter storms raged outside. There's nothing quite like it to a donkey fanatic!

Welfare calls were significantly lower than in previous years, partly due to the kinder climate and plenty of winter feedstuffs and partly to the input of Linda Thompson, the new full-time welfare officer for the north of Eire, employed by The Donkey Sanctuary, Devon. UK and based at Liscarroll, Co. Cork. Linda showed great compassion and courage when she voluntarily took over the running of this Sanctuary for two weeks to allow me to spend time with my mother, Joy. before she died. Since joining The Donkey Sanctuary team Linda has continued to add her support, answering many welfare calls and taking in a very elderly stallion from a couple who had rescued him in dreadful condition but who had inadequate facilities for keeping him themselves. Elliot, as he is called. is too old to be castrated but still too risky to live with our elderly mares, some of whom would not survive a pregnancy, so Linda arranged for him to join the "Old Jacks" section at Liscarroll where he will live out his days in the style of a gentleman.

HEZEKIAH
Hezekiah joined us in February. His history is vague except that he was brought in by another animal rescue centre who's vet diagnosed him as having ringworm. Fortunately the ringworm turned out to be a combination of lice infestation and rain scald which had virtually stripped his spine of hair and left bald patches on his legs and face. His feet were overgrown and neglected but he's mending up fine and promises to be an extremely handsome donkey when his almost black coat recovers its full glory. Although in his late twenties he behaves like a donkey half his age, being very sprightly and characterful and much prefering people company to donkey company. At night he likes to take himself off to the hay barn to snooze peacefully by himself, though often he creeps back in the early hours and is to be found accompanying Flynn in the morning. I think he has worked out that Flynn is first on the feeding rosta! He is an excellent alarm clock, bellowing loud and clear at the first sign of light, demanding breakfast and "look smart about it!".

BONNIE LASS
On February 29th Bonnie joined us, separated from her owner through circumstances beyond their control and it is hard to know who misses who the most. Bonnie is mid-brown with the pale points, tiny, very pretty and with a gentle, retiring nature and a slightly deformed front foot. She loves her grub, being cuddled and especially, being groomed. Unlike Hezekiah who is quite aloof with other donkeys. Bonnie is quietly gregarious. preferring the company of the older mares and Flynn to the rumbustious youngsters (which, incidently, has more to do with temperament than age). She's a delightful little donkey and we hope she settles in well with us here.