Monday, August 30, 2010

Now, Where was I...?

Oh yes, I was going to tell you about a new arrival at PrimRose.

It happened this way. The woman saw a notice on some sort of bulletin board in the ether and it said a lonely donkey was looking for a home. She made contact with a very concerned woman who said the farmer next to her had received a herd of steers and there cowering in the back of the trailer was a bedraggled donkey with deformed feet. The farmer was surprised and far from pleased as he had no desire to be a donkey caretaker. It transpired that this was quite a large donkey who was in decent body weight but whose feet had collapsed and grown freakishly long from years of neglect. The donkey had survived by eating the very rich cattle food but it had taken a toll on his teeth.

Herself put Sheila in touch with the kind neighbour of the farmer and a pickup of the donkey was arranged for the next day. On arrival, it transpired that the farmer had locked the gate to the paddock and gone away for the day. Thus, the poor footsore creature was made to walk a long way around the back and down a rocky hill filled with holes. He was exhausted and in pain when he made it to the trailer. He was in such agony that Sheila, who has seen many sad cases, just hoped and prayed he could make it to the sanctuary.

He did, and was greeted by a bevy of volunteers who descended on him, handfeeding him treats, which were a novelty to him, and combing out some of his long matted coat, whilst allowing him time to look around and take his bearings. He was helped to a paddock with a run-in but as he had never been indoors in any sort of structure, he preferred to lie under a large, shady tree. His food and water was transferred over to him and he tucked into the hay and then lay down for a long rest. An emergency call from the farrier confirmed that his feet were indeed in wretched shape but she does feel he can be made comfortable. He has been named O'Sullivan after the quite wonderful human who facilitated his rescue. She deserves a big thank you for taking time out of her hectic schedule to improve the lot of a throwaway donkey that wasn't even her responsibility. I have researched the concept of karma and I devoutly hope a vast quantity of it is on the way to her.

O'Sullivan is improving daily, especially in his overall outlook on life. He is being pampered and loved by everyone around him and his coat is now free of mats and is the snowy white it should be. His feet have had their first trim and the vet estimates his age as mid-twenties. He is on pain meds for his feet for now but hopefully time will prove to be the best healer and allow him to lead the life he deserves.

Meanwhile, another rescue donkey, Simon, was taken to the sanctuary last week. He comes from a household where the male human detested him so much he threatened to kill him if the woman there didn't get rid of him immediately. Though equally bullied herself, the woman called Sheila and begged her to come and get Simon. Simon is quiet and shy - in no way a being who should provoke rage and hatred from a human, but there you have it. His tail has been broken and no longer works to swish flies away or to express donkey thoughts. Twisting tails and hoisting reluctant donkeys into the trailer is the preferred loading method of some and the results speak for themselves.

There are photos and I will chivvy the woman into posting them - they had to be scanned or scoped or serigraphed or something and so are somewhat harder to get onto the blog.

6 comments:

billie said...

Oh, Sheaffer. I get so sad when I read these tales, and yet at the same time feel such joy and gratefulness for people like The Woman and Sheila, who find ways to help.

The very idea that someone would wrench a donkey tail makes me ill.

And angry.

BumbleVee said...

I'd like to wrench their necks, the miserable humans...

Thank goodness for ladies like Mrs. O'Sullivan... she's the best....

I hope the poor big guy feels loved and wanted with all the pampering and grooming .....hugs to the volunteers.... and, please let his feet feel a bit better too.....

how I wish just wishing it could make it so.... we could use a damn big magic wand right about now!

ponymaid said...

Billie, there is a strange and alarming world beyond the safety of our collective gates. I confess, I simply don't understand it. Jack and I both use our tails so vigourously that I can't imagine being without that form of expression and fly protection. The pain a donkey must feel when someone wrenches their tail hard enough to break it...well, I don't care to think of it.

ponymaid said...

Vee, what I find most alarming is the number of humans who simply can't or won't recognize that other species are sentient beings. They fully understand that someone wrenching their arm would cause them pain but breaking a donkey's tail is no more to them than snapping a stick or casually tearing a piece of paper. If you find that large magic wand, please let me know immediately. First thing we will do is fix Simon's tail.

PrimRose said...

Hi - Sheaffer, O'Sullivan and Simon are doing just fine and have become great buddies. They will stay together as a team and it is obvious Simon is very protective of O'Sullivan. Sometimes good things come out of bad situations and this is definitely one.Hi to the woman and thank you for keeping her in check, someone has to!! Sheila and PrimRose

ponymaid said...

PrimRose (and Sheila) - that is very good news indeed! I'm glad to hear the lads have teamed up to enjoy their new life at the sanctuary. They deserve everything good that happens to them. In regards to the Woman - I do my best but it's like trying to oversee moving water- it can be restrained somewhat but will have it's way eventually...