Sad & Lonely Donkey in Vancouver Gets Second Chance at Sanctuary and People Are Touched
A lonely donkey has found a new life at the Home for Hooves Farm Sanctuary in Duncan, British Columbia. Earl Grey was in rough shape after his owner died. When he was brought to the sanctuary, it seemed like the donkey had been through the worst. But the love and care the animal has received since coming to the shelter has been incredible. His transformation was day and night.
Early Grey's old owner was the only person the animal knew in the world.
The donkey was brought to Home for Hooves six weeks after his owner died. President and founder of the Sanctuary, Michelle Singleton, told Global News that Earl Grey had some physical and mental concerns that needed immediate addressing.
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“He was by himself," Singleton said. "Also, his hooves hadn’t been looked after, so it was almost like wearing shoes that were five times too big."
"He wasn’t able to run or do anything like that because they were so overgrown and also the space that he was in as well was just a backyard, essentially," he added. "So he didn’t have space to run and graze and do all the things that donkeys should be doing."
Donkeys really need to be with other donkeys, Singleton explained, they're very social. After he was rescued the sanctuary did everything in their power to try and give the donk a social outlet.
"We actually had one of our foster moms over here kind of visiting with him and getting to meet him, and she had the idea of giving him a yoga ball because she’s used them for her horses," Singleton said.
They also cleaned up his hooves, making it easier for the animal to get around.
"So [the foster mom] brought it over, gave him the ball, and he was like ecstatic because he had his new hooves, he was able to run around and rip around his pen. And then this ball was just like pure joy for him," she added.
At first, Early Grey would cry anytime that his new caretakers would leave them, but the ball changed him. When the object accidentally broke, Earl Grey was heartbroken. Home for Hooves put out a call on social media asking for yoga balls and were inundated with offers. At one point Singleton had to ask people to stop sending them in. The generosity totally touched Singleton's heart.
"Honestly, he’s just this donkey who came from a backyard. Nobody knew him," she explained. "And you know, he’s nippy and he has some manners and stuff that we need to teach him, but it’s just nice to see that he has such a fan club."
Early Grey has since made three friends since coming to Home for Hooves. Singleton said he doesn't cry anymore.
"They sleep at the gate together, they eat together," she said. "And he has friends and he’s not by himself."
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