A sad day at the Donkey Shelter

[chapsi]

Today highlighted the need we have for help and support... :(

I'd arranged to work after work with the shelter's founder, in our plans to promote the shelter abroad.

Shortly before, the founder received a phonecall from the farmer where the donkeys are, saying that one was found dead...  :'(

We both dashed, as fast as we could.
I got there first and waited for my friend... we walked up together... as we opened the stable's door, there he was, the dead donkey... his little corpse lying down, body still warm... :'( He had blood stained froth coming down from his nostrils, but there was no sign of injury nor the ground had been revolved... it could have been colic, but I'm not that way inclined...

My friend was very upset and I felt as if the floor was getting whisked from under my feet at some point...   
I sat down and I rang Sue and then all my vets... One agreed to come tomorrow to conduct a post-mortem. For the sake of the remaining donkeys and our peace of mind we need to know what happened... :'(

We put the other donkeys outside and covered the dead body with empty paper sacks. Locked the building, let him rest peacefully, as tomorrow his body will be disecated by the vet's knife... :(

No doubt we need help. This young, sensitive, caring man is struggling, but I'll be here too.

All very sad... but I found that I'm needed... here, at Donkeyland

[Knight1]

I'm so sorry Maria, it's so very sad that the little donkey died.  But so good to know that he knew care & compassion in his last days.  I hope for the sake of the others that it's nothing contagous and that they will be fine.  A friend & I rescued 5 donkeys this fall.  I'd never been around them & I fell in love with the little long ears.  Thank goodness we were able to find good homes for 4 of them and the fifth is very crippled but so sweet natured.  He will be coming to stay at a friends stable very near me.  I hope your remaining donkeys stay well, they such delightful creatures.

[Heather]

Oh how sad Maria.  :'(

Hope the vet finds the cause today- worrying for you all.

Heather

[Diane Smith]

 

So sorry Maria, 

I hope the vet is able to find the cause.

[TashaKat]

I'm so sorry Maria  :'(

[Bradders]

So sorry Maria

[greymane]

 :'( :'(

How sad Maria and a terrible shock for you all.

xx

[Danni]

Very sad Maria, I hope the vet can get to the bottom of it, very important for all the other donkey's sakes

[samboc77]

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of this little donkey  :'( It is just so unfair  :'(

As horrible as the postmortum is I hope they find a cause for his passing and that it will not effect the others donkeys health as well.

everyone is in my thoughts.

Well done for being so supportive Maria, the world needs more people like you.

[Lucia]

Oh No! I'm so sorry Maria  :'(

RIP Little Donkey
x

[sueblue]

So sad Maria,awful thing to find,  but it is important to find out why!!
It was probably some sort of crisis, not connected to any thing else, lets hope so!!
love
susan

[whisper's mum]

So sorry to hear this.  :'(

[chapsi]

Sue,
yes, I fully agreed. And I am glad I was there to organise this. My horse experience and maturity are proving valuable...
I rang all our ex and current vet.
Our current vet thought it was pointless conducting a post-mortem (just added expense), as it didn't appear to be contagious  ... then, after an hour ringing lots of times, leaving messages, I got hold of our sweetie young ex-vet ( ), and shortly after his boss. At that moment, I felt a HUGE sense of relief!
C will be doing the autopsy and he said that he won't be charging as it's for an animal charity. I felt very touched by this.  Sue, this really shows that he has a kind heart. So, in the midst of this sordid affair, I found our future vet! 

Thank you for all your kind words everybody. THey are very comforting.
I shall update you on the result this afternoon. :(

[Chesnut_Filly]

So sorry to hear such sad news of your little donkey  :'( :'(

 

[anskatey]

You are definately needed by these little donkeys. It is sad but hopefully it is nothing contagious and he has now found you your vet so will help many more donkeys......