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
While quickly hunting for donkeys in Scotland, I found this lovely story from last year and am sure many new friends will be happy to read it, and old friends will enjoy remembering the first time they read it. With Palm Sunday looming, it is great to hear all the modern stories of donkeys being honoured. Happy Easter to all the donkeys and donkey lovers. Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, anyone selling Easter chocolate donkeys??
Though our eyes are small, we can see enormous things! And so the gestures of this small town in Scotland and the love of one family to share their coquettish Donkey for Easter remembrance. Such a huge thing Easter, in its many forms it still can enlarge the understanding of our lives that are framed on this earth. The cross on each Donkeys back could not give us a clearer sign of how much these humble creatures serve heaven and humankind. Not in a shadowy haunted way, but in a way that light laughs on the breeze or the wind in the trees makes our 'heart leaves' tremble. Shona brought smiles and laughter as it should be when we are remembering a gift. Thank you Fiona from Scotland! I will add to this Easter celebration by posting my poem again entitled,
Especially Born (Enter Into O, Jerusalem!...Donkey)
On the day you were born
Your mark was there on your back
The foal of a Donkey, waking all things anew.
Such wisdom you learned
As you patiently grew
It's as though, somehow, you already knew
Amidst all of life's trials there was something
Especially for you.
You'd never be God's Secretariat
Or the great Barbaro,
But when God's Son needed a companion
He chose a Donkey, just like you.
You were there at His side
Simply carrying His burden,
Not with fanfare or power
You bore no king to his people
But a promise of Love,
You were His soul's quiet symbol.
As Christ carried that cross
It was drawn on your back
To the crown of your head,
As a living sign to remember -
Not to fear God,
But to be knowing instead.
What a delightful account from Robert about Shona's Easter activities and what a lovely family the Cunninghams must be! In these days when our younger generation are often criticised for their actions or behaviour it's refreshing to read such a well written account from a 15 yr old boy. Being the owner of two wonderful foster donkeys myself I can agree that his interpretation of Shona's thoughts on the day were more than likely correct! I often imagine what mine are thinking or saying to each other and I bet she loved being the centre of attention.
I can also imagine the apprehension wondering if she would go into the church, unfortunately our donkey's guest appearances are usually at the village pub and when I was asked if I could take one inside it was with some trepidation that I led him towards the door one Christmas Eve. In he walked totally unpeturbed by the noise or the crowd, stood for the obligatory fuss, allowed the landlord to walk him around the carvery wishing everyone Happy Christmas and then calmly walked out again.
Once outside he looked at me with soulful brown eyes as much as to say "Well, what did you think I was going to do?". Robert is so right, donkeys love doing things with you and the rewards bring laughter, joy and happiness in abundance.
Well done Robert and family - keep it up!