The blogs I write are to share with you my personal thoughts and not those of the Sanctuary. In them I talk about the highs and the lows of my job working at the Sanctuary. This blog has been difficult to write because it's about the loss of a very special donkey - my own.

09:02 VETS OFFICE displayed as I picked up the phone to Vicky. It was the call I was dreading. Lady was in chronic pain and the decision to put her to sleep was one of the toughest decisions to make. Before going over to the Main Yard to be with Lady in her final moments, I put my face into my hands and wept.

Her best friend, Little Pippa, was by her side. The other donkeys in the yard were aware Lady was in distress and several of them poked their noses over the stable door to check on their friend.

I couldn't let Lady go without my partner, Dave, saying goodbye and while I waited for him to arrive I sat with Lady cuddling and grooming her for the final time.

Lady was put to sleep while I cradled her head in my arms, with our friends Nicky, Pete, Kelly and Philip close by.

Many of you who have read Little Pippa's blog will know that Lady had constant trouble with her front feet. To help ease her problems, she used to wear special plastic shoes, but sadly even these couldn't help any more.

In 2007 I relinquished Lady and Little Pippa to the Sanctuary when I moved from Essex to join the staff. Hardly has a day gone by without me going to see them. Since July 2008, both Lady and Little Pippa have been on the Main Yard and met many visitors to the Sanctuary and she will be missed by them and the staff.

Friday was a very difficult day for me and I want to thank some of the staff who rallied around and supported me. Debbie for not only taking me over from the office but staying with me. Amanda for kindly collecting Dave from home. My thanks to all the staff who came to say goodbye to Lady and all those working in the background to make things as painless as possible.

In memory of Silver Lady

To help raise funds for The Donkey Sanctuary, my wish would be to raise money to help other donkeys just like Lady.

She had a new set of plastic shoes put on every four weeks which cost in the region of £500 a year.

If I could just raise that amount and for one other donkey, my wish would be fulfilled.

Please visit my Justgiving fundraising page if you would like to help. Thank you.