FIVE BEAUTIFUL NEW RESIDENTS THIS PAST WEEK

A few of our donkeys enjoying their time on pasture

It has been a most interesting week at the Refuge.  We have welcomed five donkeys to our home here in Turtle Valley, BC.  First to arrive were Annie and Socrates.  Annie is a female mammoth with dark, almost black hair and a white underbelly.  She is friendly and very vocal and, as we are finding with most of our new donkeys, extremely overweight.  The vet tells us she MUST lose 150 pounds, and if any of you, like me, have experienced the battle of the bulge, this is an immence undertaking.  She is up on the mountain each day getting lots of exercise but her food will have to be rationed for at least a year to accomplished that degree of weight loss.  Annie carries her extra weight along her neck and in pockets on her back and sides.  It is the side and back fat that is dangerous as it puts pressure on her heart and can be lethal.  Her care program has already begun and we will all get to watch her transition to health.
Socrates is a lovely boy and is light coloured.  I have never seen a mammoth donkey with such lovely light grey and white colouring.  He is not very social with us yet, preferring to be on his own.  He spends a lot of time lying down or standing quietly against the barn - more than the other donkeys tend to do.  We are working with the veterinarian to determine what we can do for him.  Suffice to say that he seems to be very uncomfortable.  He too is overweight but not to the degree that his friend Annie is.
For now, they are with each other in a paddock at the Maximo Barn and are getting lots of attention from staff and volunteers.  Visitor interaction is being restricted until we get the okey-doke from the veterinarian and they are ready to join a herd.

Marguerita (left) and Hilda

Next to arrive were Hilda and Marguerita from Alaska.  Shirley noted on her facebook page how long it took for them to get here.  I believe it was at least 6 days travel for the Two Cuties.  Look at the picture and you will see why they got their nickname.  The little black and white one is Marguerita and she is adorable.  Among all the spots is the characteristic "cross" down her back and across her shouldets.  Hilda has colouring similar to Bea, Franny and Fez.  They are minis and for now we have them in a corral in the Maximo Barn where they can chat with the other minis but are still separated until we get clearance from the veterinarian to introduce them to the herd.  They both look to be in good health including hooves and this is a rare treat for us.  We had been expecting these two donkeys since before Donkey Days but the decision for the previous owner was a very difficult one.  She was leaving the north and couldn't leave them behind in questionable circumstances, nor could she take them with her to her new location.  We are pleased that she decided to do what was best for the donkeys.

Rosie (left) and Jenny

Last to arrive was Jenny.  As mentioned in the last posting, she had witnessed the death of her long-time companion and was at risk in her present situation.  The owner told me that after her friend died, she licked him and tried to clean his wounds.  My heart breaks just thinking about it - both for Jenny and for her owner.  When Jenny first arrived, she was placed in the Maria Barn and as I leaned over the railing with the owner, we shared a moment of great sadness for the situation.  Then, as only a donkey could do, Jenny walked to the gate leading to the mammoth donkeys and we witnessed her and a mammoth touch noses through the gate.  In that moment we seemed to know that donkey magic prevailed and all would be well.  As Jenny and her new friend moved their heads in tandem up and down the gate, we saw that all important first bond occur.
We have moved Jenny up to the Maximo Barn and she is now in a corral right beside Rosie who will become her new herd mate as soon as they receive medical clearance.

George and Jorge - a truce is called for meal time

So we have Rosie and Jenny, Hilda and Marguerita, Annie and Socrates and the infamous George and Jorge who all, for various reasons, have not been integrated into the appropriate herd.  Rob has his work cut out for him, as it is he and Shirley that make the magic happen by choosing the right donkeys for the right herds.  And trust me, this is not an easy process nor one that is taken lightly, particular with the jacks (males).  Girls are so co-operative - boys, not so much.  Heehee. 

The intake of these five donkeys has put a tremendous burden on our already stretched budget.  A typical intake costs in excess of $700 for transportation, veterinarian costs, farrier costs and often, dentist costs.  If you can help, please consider making a donation by going to our website at www.turtlevalleydonkeyrefuge.com and clicking on the Donate Now button.