Jenny arrived from Coopershill in February.
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Newsletter Spring 2001 Welcome to our Spring 2001 Newsletter. It has been an extraordinary winter in many respects, not least with the weather which started with bitter temperatures and almost monsoon rain throughout October and November but then became uncharacteristically cold, dry, bright and frosty and with an unusual amount of snow for a good part of December, January and February, a change of climate much appreciated by the donkeys who tolerate the cold well with their thick woolly coats, but detest the wet and windy weather usually endemic to Irish winters. Many of the older generation warn of the old saying "every month curses a dry February" so we very much hope we don't pay throughout the rest of year for what has been a fairly dry winter overall. The new winter quarters for the donkeys which was built in appalling weather conditions by friends and neighbours Joost and Jurgen, works really well and is popular with both donkeys and visitors, to say nothing of workers who have everything close to hand. By the end of February numbers had increased to 24, a figure which could not have been accommodated in the old sheds. The "golden oldies" stayed in the part of the haybarn they had commandeered throughout the summer and enjoyed being able to chat with their younger companions over the half wall between the two buildings. All we need now is another haybarn for storage of straw and hay! |
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Early in November we were pleased to be able to help with a 6 week old donkey foal who was suffering from severe double pneumonia. The little fellow had been without shelter in atrocious weather since his birth on September 23rd, and as a donkey foal has absolutely no waterproofing in its coat, he had become thoroughly soaked and chilled over a prolonged period. His owner had not understood this and was devastated. A vet was called who returned daily for over a week to give fluid under the skin, shelter was provided with an infra-red lamp and deep bedding, and for three days and nights the mare was hand-milked in order to force-feed the foal. When the foal was strong enough to be moved he came to the Sanctuary with his Mum for continued care until the warmer weather, as his owner often has to work away and the little fellow needed constant monitoring for some weeks. |
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A 'Flectalon' coat was tailor made for him that would retain his body heat even in the event of his getting wet and fortunately the mare looked after him well bringing him to shelter at the first sign of bad weather. Over a long period he has made a full recovery and now delights visitors with his amusing antics and jolts the oldies out of their complacent snoozes with his boundless energy. He'll be greatly missed when he does return home, though it's good to know he will be reunited with three younger, fun loving playmates. At the other end of the scale we were sad to lose dear old Jasper, a pale grey working gelding in his mid to late thirties who was relinquished to the Sanctuary by Mick Burke of Ballysadare and who had been fostered by Mrs. Joan O'Hara at Coopershill, Riverstown to keep her mare of 31 years company. Jasper and Jenny had been inseparable for the years they had been together so naturally there was some concern for Jenny's wellbeing when her dear friend died. Mrs O'Hara decided to let Jenny come to the Sanctuary to be with other donkeys as she would be unbearably lonely on her own. It was a brave decision as Jenny was born at Coopershill and has been the family pet for all of those 31 years. Parting with her, even over such a short distance, was obviously a wrench but it seems that for Jenny, at least, the decision was correct as she has settled in beautifully. She joined the 'golden oldies' of her own volition and now spends most of the day lazing around in the barn with her new friends, making occasional forays into the field for a munch of the green stuff and a quick sunbathe when the weather is good, then back for a fill up on hay, straw and titbits. I'd love to think I could be as adaptable and amenable at her age (pro rata!) |
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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