Andy Merrified (author of The Wisdom of Donkeys) recently travelled out to Mexico to see first hand the plight of working donkeys and how the Sanctuary is helping to alleviate their suffering.

This trip all came about after Mal Squance, our Deputy Chief Executive, read Andy's book and realised how he had been totally charmed by donkeys and was a convert! So she asked Andy if he would donate his time and writing skills to write an article based on our work.

Starting next month we will be serialising Andy's short story in which he writes about his trip to San Bernabe market where the Sanctuary is working to end the suffering that animals have to endure. At Coacalco rubbish dump he witnesses impromptu surgery on a donkey less than a year old during one of the weekly visits our mobile veterinary team makes to Coacalco.

In contrast to Mexico City, Andy journeys on into Veracruz with the mobile team passing mango trees and fields of sugar cane. Despite Veracruz being a rich province, there are very poor people and very poor donkeys living in the villages. Their destination is Santa María Tatetla to set up the weekly clinic to treat hundreds of donkeys aided by student trainees for practical, hands-on experience.

Andy also writes about a little boy called Victor who's best friend is his donkey. Every day he goes to school on his donkey and on one particular day, our mobile team visited Victor's school. Along with his classmates, he watched a puppet show given by our educationalist and trained psychologist.

This short story will touch your heart and give you an insight into our work in Mexico as well as express Andy's thoughts about what he saw travelling with our mobile teams.

The first part of Andy's short story will be available to read on our website on Monday 2nd November 2009.

Related articles by Andy Merrifield

Four skinny legs and two floppy ears
Never ending saga of clip-clopping martyrdom
Animal mahem and human chaos