I am so pleased to have the opportunity via the Forum to share our experiences of fostering donkeys from the Sanctuary. I do hope other foster owners or prospective owners will take advantage of this site to swop stories, compare experiences or merely just to chat.
This is how it all started ....
As all like minded people will agree there is something about donkeys, I just love everything about them - the way they look - the way they feel - the way they smell (sweet and comforting) their stoic natures and the look in those large soulful eyes that never quite convey exactly what they are thinking!.
I was talking to a colleague at work one day who told me about the Foster Scheme at the Sanctuary and suggested we go down for a look round. We had recently acquired a piece of land next to our home and kept a few sheep so this seemed like a good idea. Of course, as I told my husband we were only going 'for a look' and no decisions would be made. Famous last words, we were probably hooked within the first 'Hee Haw' and home we came with the Fostering Form which I completed and sent back immediately.
We were soon contacted by our area welfare officer who came and told us what we would need to do in the way of preparation before we could go on the waiting list. At this point I should stress that there is alot more to owning donkeys than you may think. In our case we had to start from scratch as we had no shelter in the field and therefore needed a shelter or stable. This not only meant obtaining planning permission which took nearly a year but then getting the stable built etc. In addition to this we also had to complete the statutory courses for new owners at the sanctuary. In all it probably took about two years for everything to get sorted, so as you can imagine by the time we got the call to say that two suitable donkeys had been found for us the excitement was almost too much to bear!
Enter the 'Little Angels'....
On a wet miserable day in May 2008 a very large Donkey Sanctuary lorry arrived outside our house, the tail gate went down and out walked two of the most beautiful donkeys I have ever seen - turned out in 'show condition' they walked down the ramp totally at ease and seemingly unaware that their arrival (which caused me to burst into tears) marked the beginning of a new life for both them and us.
To be continued.......
Hurry up Hettie. Cant wait for the next episode of how your two foster donkeys settled down. What are their names etc. Must hear more.
It's difficult to describe the feeling both my husband and I had after the necessary paperwork had been completed and the sanctuary lorry and our welfare officer left us. Excitement, trepidation, disbelief that they had actually arrived at last, and most of all would they settle down and be happy with us? In fact during the first few days I spent every spare minute down at the field just watching them and I am sure (now I know them better) they were probably quite amused at my attention!
The first few weeks were quite a learning curve for all of us, as with any new animal you need to establish a routine and decide what works and what doesn't. I must say at this point that for any prospective novice owner that the support from both the Sanctuary Training Centre and our Welfare Officer Nicky was, and continues to be exceptional. After three weeks we had a 'settling in' visit from Nicky and after getting ticks in all the boxes out came the dreaded tape measure. Shock, horror, they had both put on a few inches - I was mortified, should I enroll them at Weight Watchers or or send them to the gym? We had been so careful not to give tit bits but hadn't realised how rich and plentiful our grass was. This then started a new regime of restricted grazing and took some time to get the balance right, but finally the inches started to drop, although I confess that I still hold my breath every time the tape measure comes out when we have a welfare visit!
As both my donkeys have been in previous foster homes I think it may not be appropriate to identify them by their proper names. They have however, as with all my animals acquired nicknames that have grown over the months as I have got to know them better and these are the names I will introduce them by.
'China Boy' is 18 yrs old and named because he reminds me of delicate china model donkey I was given. He moves so gracefully sometimes you don't realise he is next to you, he has impeccable manners and adores to be 'head hugged' - a real baby.
'Uncle Bulgaria' is 20 yrs old and named just because it suits him so well. He's cuddly and bear like and although he's not so keen on being cuddled he suffers it with a bored expression as much as to say 'these humans!' He does sometimes try and take liberties and seems to take great delight in sidling up behind visitors (particularly females) and nudging them with his grey velvet nose, causing them to glare accusingly at my husband! Despite that he is totally dependable and nothing seems to phase him.
We try and get the donks out for a walk round our village when we can, both for the exercise and mental stimulation which they enjoy. They are becoming quite well known now and we have had many laughs and adventures already, but I will save those for another time.
Just read your comments today Hettie and reminded me of all the feelings i felt on meeting my foster donkeys for the first time that was 6 years ago and i still get a lump in my throat when i think about it. They have made our lives so much richer for having them
Neddy Megan & Noddy are such characters and we love them dearly.