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Newsletter No.3 - Spring/Summer 1994 Here we are again, six months on and wondering what happened to the time in between. In our case much of it has been spent trying to keep donkeys dry and well bedded in a winter that claims two and a half times the average rainfall in a county that is already far too wet! Thankfully the donkeys have wintered well. Apart from the old scruffy Patch where they are already beginning to lose their winter coats, they are all glossy, well fed and as lively as crickets. The Bungalow The new shelter shed, christened 'The Bungalow' by a neighbouring farmer who helped to erect it, has proved very popular with the donkeys as it is not only dry and warm but large enough to allow the whole family to shelter together. They obviously enjoy the close companionship and benefit from mutual body warmth. Newcomers Since our last newsletter three more donkeys, two more Aylesbury drakes and a kitten have joined us. The drakes, Galahad and Gawain, are true brothers to Lancelot. They arrived just in time to escape the Christmas butchering when they would surely have sacrificed their lives on the table of gluttony and whilst we do not expect they have much awareness of their lucky break, they are extremely happy drakes! Cleo joined us mid-October. A little scrap of a black kitten, she was brought to us from a farm a few miles away. The farmer was unusually attached to her, saying that she was 'a very friendly little cat', but he was concerned that she would be kicked or trampled by cattle or horses as she seemed to know no fear. Shortly after her arrival my colleague, Lea, bought a small book called 'Cat Spells' from which we learned that a cat should have three names - an everyday name, a folk/fairy name and a mystical name. Never ones to laugh in the face of the little people Cleo was suitably appendaged: Cleo for everyday (Cleopatra for posh), Kitty Witch for her folk name and a mystical name which has to remain a secret! We even considered giving her a proper naming ceremony on the appropriate full moon, but as it was again pouring with rain at the appointed hour she remains a very ordinary, very mischievous, totally adorable black bandit.
Lea with Cleo ne Kitty Witch At the end of November Solomon and Jeremiah joined us, Solomon as a reject from a local horse fair and Jeremiah who was supposedly his friend. Solomon is a light brown gelding with wise, knowing eyes. Long in the tooth (he could be in his thirties) and even longer in the hoof, we received the impression that the donkey was being sold with the harness rather than the harness with the donkey. Fortunately the owner was persuaded that the dejected old fellow needed to retire without harness (he could sell the harness for the price of the donkey) and thus, Solomon and his much younger friend, Jeremiah came to the Sanctuary. As so often happens with animals that are traumatised by being shipped about, Solomon developed a nasty heavy cold. He constantly avoided contact with all people and other animals. He was extremely mistrustful of humankind but gradually, as the message began to filter through to him that he was safe, he began to allow us to come nearer, then to touch him. Now he is a convert. Not only does he take the whole cuddling business very seriously, but he will follow us from field to field like an overgrown dog to ensure he gets his share!
Then came Cassie, an eleven year old light brown mare who's owners had to move away and are no longer able to look after her. They heard about the Sanctuary through a mutual friend and rang us to ask if she would be welcome. A date was arranged and Cassie was delivered to the door together with a generous donation towards her upkeep. The whole family was sad to part with her but know they can visit her any time. She has integrated with the other donkeys very quickly and seems to be developing a particular soft spot for Solomon and young Ashtar, probably because they are often housed together overnight. (More about Ashtar shortly). Our very latest recruit is Jilly, a small dark brown donkey mare. Her elderly owners were finding that looking after her was altogether too demanding. Due to a stay in hospital the person who normally attended to Jilly's winter feeding was unable to do so with the result that Jilly lost condition seriously. She contracted severe foot rot so when we met her she was virtually unable to walk and had to be carried to the trailer for her journey to Sanctuary. (Thank goodness she is only a small donkey!). The farrier had to cut away large areas of all her hooves in order to save them at all so Jilly is now bedded down in deep straw in a warm dry stable while she recuperates. She is also suffering from severe rain scald due to being without shelter in an exceptionally wet winter. It will be many weeks before she is able to join the other donkeys on a regular basis but meanwhile she has two gentle companions overnight by way of Cassie and Jacob. Already she is making short sojourns around the yard and showing a much greater interest in food and life generally. Her owners are missing her but are much relieved to know she is being properly cared for. |
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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Jeremiah
is a different character altogether. Obviously he had been well
looked after and was confident about being handled. He is a pushy,
inquisitive fellow who's motto is definitely 'Me first!', though
he is totally without malice. He is an unusual mouse-grey colour
with smart zebra stripes on his legs and a black 'Jesus' cross.