It's 1 o'clock in the morning and little Ashley's has had his midnight feed... and of course his cuddles too! When I arrived, I peered through the stable door thinking he might be asleep, but no. His little face was peering right back at me... as usual!

Earlier in the week Ashley hadn't been very well, but could tell that he was feeling a lot better because he was so alert and eager to drink his milk, which he's now doing from a bowl rather than a bottle.

It was quite amusing when he finished his feed. He looked up at me and his little muzzle was covered in milk which he promptly wiped all over me before wandering off to check his stables mates on either side of him.

On one side he found Oonagh standing by her foal, Mr Khan, who was sound asleep. And on the other was a donkey called Breda. She was stood quietly watching Ashley all the time. It's not surprising really because Breda is the sister of Ashley's mother.

I felt she also deserved a cuddle and wondered what was going through her mind. While she rested her heavy head in my arms, I also felt a little sad to think that not only had Ashley lost his mother, but Breda too had lost someone close.

There's another hour to go before Ashley's next feed at 3 o'clock. In the dark of the night, all is very still and quiet here at the Sanctuary, except for owls hooting in some distant trees.