Sanctuary Donkeys (permanent residents of our sanctuary)
Darby was born here at the sanctuary. His mama was a wild BLM burro and Mama and his brother Clancy are permanent residents here. Darby loves performing (he hopes to someday be on “The Voice” and he loves shoes. When we get visitors, he inspects everyone’s shoes. He is also an unashamed mama’s boy…
And now meet our CEO and head donkey Bowie….
My donkey habit started with this guy...years ago I read a really good book called “Saving Simon”. I’d had a fascination about donkeys since reading about Brighty of the Grand Canyon when I was young, but after reading Saving Simon I started looking for one. I had two horses, Sunny and Murphy and figured hey, what would one donkey added to the mixture matter?
Bowie had me wrapped around his little hoof in no time. I fell in love with him. His personality, and the fact that he could manipulate me into doing just about anything he wanted. I could tell him that he absolutely doesn’t need a cookie, and he gives he that hypnotic stare. Next thing I know, the cookie bag is empty and he’s got a smug look, with crumbs on his muzzle. I’m not sure how he does that
Sugar and Eugene came not long after from a bad situation and so on and so on. It’s hard after you get to know these guys to think that anyone could possibly mistreat them, but donkeys have not had much kindness throughout history. Their sense of survival and having to think about something is often mistaken for stubbornness when it’s really intelligence. You are never going to force a donkey to put himself in danger. That is why they are such good riding companions. You have to be the alpha with a horse, but with a donkey you need to form a partnership.
Bowie runs a tight ship here at the ranch. He is not to be trifled with, and every donkey that comes here is vetted by him. He is short, but he is mighty and takes no prisoners. There is not a gate made that Bowie can’t open….Seriously.
I’ve packed with Bowie, Bowie has visited nursing homes, he has shopped in his favorite store, Tractor Supply, he has tolerated being dressed up as an elf, a ghost, a witch, a leprechaun and even an Easter Bunny (he had the ears already). He has run in donkey races and has attended birthday parties. He pretty much is game for anything and he knows he has my heart.
So come meet our Bowie, head donkey. This all started with him.
Dutch is a beautiful white donkey that came from Kansas with our Otis and two other Poitou cross donkeys He is more than 50 percent Poitou Donkey (a rare, endangered French Donkey). The lady that raised him bred Poitou crosses. She was said to have passed away and left the property to her caretaker with the caveat that he would take care and carry on the breeding program. He didn’t fulfill her wishes and sent everybody to auction where we heard about them. Their feet were in terrible condition and they needed immediate help. They could barely walk.
Our farrier Josh had to use a saw to cut them back, and our awesome vet Nicole Tavil took x rays to check the coffin bone condition. We were lucky, and they came through it and are now in great shape.
My vet calls Dutch the donkey with multiple lives...We almost lost him numerous times with colic and a terrible accident...he had surgery but he is doing great nowadays and is the happiest, sweetest guy who is like velcro by your side.
. Yes, we got Dutch castrated after he came to us, but not quite fast enough as he is Clancy’s dad. He was our only oops, but we are so happy that it happened…
Dutch is probably in his mid 30s we think. His teeth are bad enough that he doesn’t eat hay anymore, so he is on a senior feed, beet pulp, alfalfa pellet mash with all kinds of goodies in it.
He is the sweetest, slow moving guy who doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. He loves to go for walks still and he just was clipped for the hot summer here (yes, the insane clipper strikes again)