I'm delighted to bring you the latest film clip of our adorable Ashley!
Ashley was sadly orphaned at birth and thanks to the dedication of staff caring for him, and the company of the donkeys he now lives with, he is growing from strength to strength.
He has a huge character! Despite all the efforts by staff to minimise contact with Ashley (to prevent future behavioural problems, which can be common with hand reared foals), he just adores them.
Anyone entering his paddock will know this as he comes straight over for some attention! It's impossible to ignore him because he's getting much bigger and still thinks it's funny to run towards you at full speed or try jumping up at you to play fight! Luckily, he shares a paddock with two other foals his age, Zena and Mr Khan, and can let off some steam playing with them, which I have managed to capture in this short film.
His foal coat has also peaked when it comes to fluffiness and his carers have recently trimmed the hair around his eyes so he can see properly... Bless!
In the next month we're hoping that Ashley and the other mares and foals can be moved out of our Isolation Unit into one of the paddocks at our main site in Sidmouth so that Ashley’s adoring fans can finally meet him.
Oh my! Ashley is beautiful! He and I both lost our moms around the same time, and my poem "Closing Leaves" was written during the time the Sanctuary team and Jenifer Tucker faced the wee hours of the morning bottle feeding him. He is so very special to me! Thank you for the update and beautiful film.
A big hug from me,
Jenny B.
Thanks for the update on adorable little Ashley. He is certainly a lively little soul and has come on in leaps and bounds all thanks to the care he has received. Looking forward to seeing him when I do my Donkey Carer for the Day experience in June.
ahh he's sooooooo cute! I saw him in my magazine and thought "i should visit their website " so i looked for ashley and then saw the video and i just couldn`t get him out of my head all day! rock on ashley!!!!
Wonderful to watch the video clip of little Ashley and his playmate. It brightens up a dreary day and lifts the spirits, to think he has a whole lifetime of security and love, would that it could be the same for all these gentle creatures. We are coming down to Devon to visit in May as a treat for my 60th birthday so are looking forward to meeting Ashley and his friends. I must make sure I bring plenty of tissues with me, as tears will be flowing! Til then give them all a hug from me.
What a DUDE!!!!!!!!
I so miss my donkeys, having worked at the Birmingham centre, sadly left to move overseas.
Ashley will be so spoilt, he is such a character......i see another Oscar in the making!!
:-)