We recently received a lovely letter from a Devon couple who for many years fostered donkeys as part of our foster scheme. Below Mr and Mrs Griffiths tell of their fostering experience in their own words.

“This is a short account of our recent experience and may be of help and comfort to anyone who is considering becoming a foster home and who may subsequently be faced with losing one or more of their beloved donkeys.

“We have kept donkeys at our home for upwards of twenty-five years, fifteen of which were as a foster home. Our two final donkeys, Jasmin and Dennis, had been with us happily for most of that time, until the very cold winter of 2010/11 when Jasmin became seriously ill. It was decided between our vet and the Sanctuary that both donkeys should be taken to The Donkey Sanctuary’s hospital where they could be given the warmth and special treatment needed.

“Imagine our distress when the very next morning we received a phone call from the Sanctuary saying that Jasmin had not survived the night and Dennis was naturally in a very stressed state. We were devastated, to put it mildly, but the Sanctuary’s welfare and veterinary departments were very kind. They arranged for us to go to the Sanctuary two days later, where we found Dennis in his wonderfully warm and comfortable stable, by now beginning to show an interest in his favourite apple/carrot/ginger biscuit tit-bits. From the outset, the hospital staff had given him one-hundred-per-cent loving care and attention.

“Dennis progressed well, and after a short period in isolation, was moved to the Sanctuary’s Paccombe Farm where he continued to receive the same special attention. He has now settled contentedly into his “retirement home” with about ninety other donkey friends and we are encouraged to visit Paccombe Farm regularly – often with friends who continue to take an interest in Dennis, and we have now become Dennis’ Fan Club!

“Sadly we have decided it is time to close the donkey fostering chapter in our lives but of course we continue to support The Donkey Sanctuary. We miss our regular walks around the local lanes, particularly on Palm Sunday (to church) and Christmas morning to the local village inn when we would meet various passers-by who wanted to know all about our donkeys.

“The time spent with Jasmin and Dennis has been a delightfully rewarding experience, and enabled us to attend donkey care courses where we have met many like-minded people. Our thanks and appreciation go to everyone in the veterinary and welfare departments and to all at Paccombe Farm who continue to give loving support to Dennis and his many companions, making their lives happy and comfortable in their advancing years.”