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.
So sorry to hear the sad news. I saw both Lady and Little Pippa in the yard being groomed the other week, they both looked lovely. I am sure you will all be giving Little Pippa lots of extra attention to stop her pining.
I read your post with plenty of tears Jenifer so I it must have been a truly heartbreaking day for you even though you understood she had to be put to sleep. She will suffer no more pain now and will have joined the Donkey Sanctuary in Heaven. I hope Pippa will not be grieving too much. My thoughst are very much with you.
As I read your blog about gentle Lady's passing I find myself with tears. I remember her as my first Sanctuary donkey that I fell in love with. Her dignity in times of pain with her feet are an inspiration to me always and she will sparkle in the sky for me now as "Lady Hesper" the evening star ( a secret name I had for her).
I hope Jenifer, you will get many donations toward helping donkeys with similar foot problems. I will be giving a program at the local library where I work and Lady and Pippa are my example of the close friendships donkeys can have with one another. I also have a donation JustGiving page for the Sanctuary as my 50th birthday approaches! . All for those donkeys I have loved and written poems about. I will never meet two now, Fred and Lady, but I am looking forward to my visit someday. And Pippa will get a long and loving hug from me!
Thank you and to good memories,
Jenny B.
A Handmaid's Tail (for Pippa) - a poem in tribute.
Such sad news, never easy to have to say goodbye to such a loved animal, I know. On the other hand: she wasn't alone, she was surrounded by friends and she is without pain. Thank you for taking such good care of the animals.
I will donate by post and hope that Little Pippa will fnd comfort in a nice group. With such good looks, I am sure she will.
All our love to all over there,
Paola
Amsterdam
My tears, like so many others, are joining yours Jenifer, over the loss of your lovely Lady. Your very moving words brought back to me the last moments of our dear donkey "Arthur" when I also held him in my arms until he left me. What a sad time for you, Dave and Little Pippa, I am so glad you have each other for comfort. My gentlest thoughts to you all.
I was in tears myself when I read the terrible news. There is the Channel and a good stretch of land between you, Little Pipa and me, but nonetheless, I'll stretch my arms over both to give you a big conforting hug. And I know that, across the Irish see, my little Jacinta from Liscarroll also sends her love to you and Little Pipa.
Hi Jenifer,so sorry to hear of the loss of Lady.
Chris
I really understand your pain and tried not to tear up as I read your blog. I recently had to put down a pony I had for a very long time and make that extremely tough decision to put her down due to colic. I have recently gotten into donkeys after a lifelong history of horses (still have one but he's a minority now). I have taken in a neglected spotted donkey named Dutchess who also had bad over grown abcessed feet. I am happy to say she is back on her feet and looks so much better and is not the dejected donkey I first took in. May her improvements be dedicated to Lady!
How painfull it is to take THE decision to put our old faithfull friends, dogs, cats, donkeys... to sleep. Because we love them so much we must stay beside them till the end, waiting for the very last breath of life. And we all know how painfull it is!! Lady is now in heaven with all the pets, waiting patiently to see us again One day 'll come we 'll be together for ever. Jenifer, I hope you 'll understand what I wish to express here with all sympathy.
Jean-Marie Colleye (Liège, Belgium).
Jenifer, we were all so sorry to hear about Lady. I personally have just shed a tear for lady and yourself. Take lots of care, Lisa,Len and Corey Harrison-Greenwood.
Dear Jenifer
We met you at this year's Donkey Week, you came to our 'digs' every morning to greet us. We were first yearers and you made us feel very welcome. I was so sorry to read about your loss of Lady and I am sure being surrounded by all those beautiful creatures will ease your pain a little. Best wishes to you and Dave and of course Little Pippa, hope to see you again next year.
Marion
Thank you to everyone who has been so generous in making a donation in memory of Silver Lady and for all the messages received, not only posted here but for the lovely cards you have sent - thank you from my heart.
I went to see Little Pippa today and she is doing OK. I was told by Emma down on the Main Yard that Little Pippa follows here everywhere. She used to be quite an independent little donkey, but was always there when Lady needed her. Often she used to trot up to the top of the field, coming down to check Lady was OK, before heading back up to graze. Now she is staying close to the grooms who are all giving her lots of TLC.
She has also made a friend with Mene who sadly lost her best friend, Bowbrook, a few weeks ago. Out of sadness, comes friendship.
Hi Jenifer
How lovely to hear of Little Pippa and Mene making friends, they will be good for each other. I was concerned for Mene, when I saw how sad she was at the beginning of this month. I look forward to seeing them both in August.
Oh Jenifer like so many people I too am in tears reading of your very sad loss, I feel sure we saw Lady along with Pippa when we visited in April. We both know what losing a dear pet means so our heartfelt sympathy goes to you and Dave. Lady had a wonderful life and for that you will always remember.
With Love
Sandy and Steve x
Dear Jenifer, Your story about Lady is so familair. We had to do the same thing for Mini, a small 10 year old donkey who lived with us from the day she was born. During her life the problems and pain in all her four feet became worse and worse. Glucosemine and painkillers didn't help anymore. We tried everything to releave her from the pain. The last thing was to decide to bring her to donkey heaven. I hope Lady and Mini will meet.
Working with and for donkeys is great. I love every minute of it and eventhough these decisions are very hard to make and we cry our eyes out, we know it is for them to be helped. Here on Aruba, donkeys still live in the "wild". Imagion nobody can help them to get rid of the pain. I wanted to let you know that I know what hard it is to make decisions like this....... Take Care, Desiree Eldering - Aruban Donkey Sanctuary
WE were so sorry to hear the news.
One of our dogs had to be put to sleep recently, and we know what it is like.
However, the ending was so very very peaceful, and looking back, we were so grateful to the vets.
Our thoughts are with you, Jenifer.
Jenifer - we are so sorry to hear this sad news xx
I m so sorry for your loss. I lost my horse a year ago after having her in my life for many years, i would just like to share the Littlest Angel of Mine poem by Terri Onorato that helped me so much when my baby left me hopefully it can bring you comfort too.