01/10/2026
I'm sad today, but I'm also happy.
About 18 months ago, I was contacted by a lady with two donkeys who wanted to rehome them. The problem was, they were very feral. They were 15 years old and had not been handled much since they were babies. She wanted some help to get them handleable for a new home.
Well, I happily took the job. I love the long ears. They make you think a lot more outside the box and really pay attention to yourself.
I found the two donkeys living on about a quarter acre of rocks, trees and slopes. They had some shelters, but nothing you'd want to be stuck inside with a feral donkey!
The gelding, Sam, was somewhat handleable. It was possible to get a halter on him and even do a small amount of leading, but he was also quite pushy and aggressive from being hand fed treats to get him to do things. He was in need of hoof trimming and handling his feet was a big challenge for the farrier. It was obvious that Sam was not a happy camper about much of anything.
Sierra, the jenny, was a different story. With very little handling, even as a baby, she was quite feral and just getting close enough to her to pet her was a challenge, considering the terrain and her ability to utilize that quarter acre to her advantage (or so she thought).
I set about the task of getting Sam happier and more willing to participate, and getting Sierra to allow some peace with humans to guide her thinking.
I loved the job. I got to see them once a week, so things went slowly, but steadily. Sierra had some setbacks and a minor trauma at one point that put us farther behind than I would have liked, but she eventually could be haltered and learned to lead and follow a feel, to a point. Handling her feet never got managed as she was so traumatized about that issue, and I wish I could have spent more time with her on that.
Sam's aggressiveness and pushiness faded over time as he learned what the boundaries were. I could even allow him to stand next to me with his head near my elbow and he would not push, but became quite peaceful and calm. He was still getting bribed with treats for the farrier, but at least that was going much better, too.
They had reached a point the lady almost considered she might just keep them, they were doing so well and had changed so much, when I found the perfect place for them. It's a rescue and sanctuary called Oscar's Place. As I write this, they are waiting inside the trailer for their trip to their new home. I am so happy I was able to get them this far and that they could go someplace where they would be well cared for. But I am sad, because I fell in love with them and will miss them very much. They are my friends.
Oscar's Place is a bit too far for me to drive for a visit. Maybe someday I can get there. I would dearly love to see Sam and Sierra again, happy in their new home.
