I received a lovely email from one of our welfare officers in Scotland today. Elma Cunningham provides advice and support to donkey owners, and follows up reports of neglect and cruelty in, wait for it.... Ayrshire, (North/South/East), City of Glasgow, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Falkirk, Midlothian, The Borders and West Lothian!!!
I received a lovely email from one of our welfare officers in Scotland today. Elma Cunningham provides advice and support to donkey owners, and follows up reports of neglect and cruelty in, wait for it.... Ayrshire, (North/South/East), City of Glasgow, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Falkirk, Midlothian, The Borders and West Lothian!!!
Her two sons, Robert (15) and Gavin (13) work hard to help care for their own four donkeys and always lend a helping hand when any relinquishments to the Sanctuary arrive in her small holding base. She tells me they spend lots of time with the donkeys to make feel welcome, grooming, picking out feet, and anything else that might need doing. They even assist with Donkey Sanctuary workshops too.
Robert has written this lovely article and I think it is something worth sharing with you all. Enjoy!
A busy Easter!
I thought members would like to know how busy our donkey Taponoth Seonaid (Shona to family and friends) has been over the recent Easter Festivities.
As Mum has been a bit unfit Gavin and I have been responsible doing all stable chores and recently for getting Seonaid ready to go to her Easter engagements. It’s hard work polishing bridles, grooming, oiling feet etc but when the handler (that’s me) is dressed in suit and bowler the whole picture is totally professional and really raises the profile of the humble donkey. Gavin prefers to work behind the scenes polishing, grooming etc and is proud of our donkey as she sets on her way. Oh yes and don’t forget Dad, he does the driving. Mum at present directs the traffic!!
On Palm Sunday we took Seonaid to Burnhead Parish Church where she stood at the centre of a short outdoor service and then led the whole congregation to worship in church. She was greatly received by everybody and even managed to clear her nose when the Minister announced Amen at the end of prayers before she led off towards the Church. She collected so many carrots, apples and polo mints en-route we had to ration them and share them between our other donkeys when we got home. (There’s still some left at time of writing!)
Later on that same day we took Seonaid to South Dalziel Parish Church, Motherwell. Once again she was welcomed with open arms, posed for umpteen photographs and led the whole congregation on their annual Palm Sunday walk. The Minister said a special blessing for Seonaid and read out G K Chesterton’s poem The Donkey. Seonaid actually moved her ears when she Minister said the line “… and ears like errant wings.”
Mrs Morse sent a Palm Sunday rosette to Burnhead and South Dalziel Sunday Schools, we are sure they will be very proud of them.
Easter Sunday saw the trailer back on the road taking Seonaid to The Church of Destiny, Pollockshaws, Glasgow. We were on tender hooks the whole journey wondering if she would go into the building to play the part. Well, we arrived, the caretaker opened the double doors and she marched straight in to the neighbouring games hall!
Next question! Will the donkey go into the Church? The colour drained out of our faces! Seonaid rose to the occasion, walked up the carpeted ramp, along a narrow corridor, awaited her Q and entered the church like a Holywood Actress. She walked right to the front of the Church, stood under the spotlights and listened to the praise. I am sure she was thinking, “Well, here I am, the humble donkey, and I know you are pleased to meet me!”
While in Church, Mum told the congregation why the donkey has a Cross on its back, showed the Crown of Thorns and talked about the Prophet’s thumb mark. This led to further applause which I am quite sure Seonaid enjoyed.
As I led her out of the Church and back to the trailer amidst endless applause, I couldn’t help but be so proud of our donkey. She carried the whole thing off like a professional.
If anybody out there has done similar things at Easter I hope you enjoyed yourselves as much as The Cunningham Family did. Do things with your donkeys! They will repay you!
God Bless
Robert Cunningham
Carluke, Scotland
