Donkeys Adopted In June 2009

Smokey has been adopted by his Foster "grandpa" Don Skinner of Parma, Michigan. Congratulations to everyone!!!

While attending a large exotic animal auction this past October this very pretty little miniature gelding was chased into the sales ring. I was quite surprised to see him as we had carefully looked over what we thought were ALL of the donkeys to be sold at auction that day. In dealing with countless rescue donkeys I have seen more than my share of frightened animals. This little guy tops the list. He raced around the ring so fast that twice he lost his footing, slipped and fell to the ground. A large portion of the crowd took delight in watching this terrorized youngster in a state of pure panic. The louder the crowd laughed and cheered the faster Smokey ran. When the gate to the sale ring finally closed behind him he belonged to us.

We were able to lead him from the auction barn and load him into our trailer without incident. Upon arriving home, I put him in a pen with a bit of hay and water and left him to rest from his ordeal.

Within a few days of getting him home, I decided to try to look into his history. He came to the sale with a fairly recent Coggins test so I decided to start with the information listed there. He had come from a well known donkey breeder in a mid-western state. They had bred and then sold him along with another donkey to the individual that sent him to auction. Why was he sold again just a short time after being purchased? Because he was so shy and frightened! I looked up this breeders website, and there he was pictured as a foal( he is now a three year old) offered for sale. His description states that he is shy, but will improve with age! When I spoke to his breeder by phone she was very nice and explained that they had A LOT of donkeys and he just sort of fell through the cracks so far as socialization. Just not quite enough time to spend with the number of foals they produced that year.

Because of this Smokey wasn't a suitable pet for his first owner, so was gotten rid of at the first available sale. Then came his ordeal at the auction barn. Life has not been good for this little three year old baby. He will lead, but it is evident that it's because he has been made to do so---not because he enjoys the company of the person on the end of the lead. He will take a treat from your hand if you are perfectly quiet and stand still. He hates to be brushed, something almost all other donkeys love. At this time Smokey fights EVERY friendly advance from us. How heartbreaking as he is so totally consumed by fear that he is missing the good things life can offer him.

Smokey kept in touch with us during his time at the Skinners, before he became a full fledged family member.....

Hi Miss Sharon,

This is Smokey, just wanted to let you know my grandpa and I went for a long walk today. I am getting a lot of attention that I relay like. I am still very shy but, when I went for my walk with my grandpa I walked very close to him sometime I walked beside him. Grandpa and I will be working on a new fence for around my condominium. He told me I could be with him so I could watch him work on the fence. Grandpa loves to have me close .

I have a new friend his name is Mickey, Mickey is one of Grandpa horses, he watches the other horses so they do not get to close to my fence. It make me happy to have a new friend. Thank you for letting me come and stay with my new Grandpa and Grandma I am looking forward to making them happy. I am so thankful to you for rescuing me and making a change in my life, I will work real hard to make you proud of me.

My Grandpa has a question for you. He said my hay is not as good as he would like and wondered if he should supplement it with a little bit of sweet feed. My hay the same hay that he feed to his horses. He said it is a little stemy. He just does not want me to get to fat.

Please tell Stormy and Jasper I said hello.

Your Donkey friend,

Smokey

***UPDATE 2-4-09**

Hi Miss Sharon,

Thanks for the answer to my e-mail. It was nice to hear from you. It was also nice for you to tell Grandpa Don about my grain. He said he wanted to make sure it would be all right before he gave it to me. I am sure I will enjoy my breakfast. Grandpa told me that he would give me some oats in the morning.

Every night Grandpa comes and gets me and we go for a long walk. I am guessing it is about a half mile or maybe a little longer. We first go up to the house and Grandma gives me a treat of carrots or graham crackers. I look forward to my treats. I sure do like the graham crackers. On our walk about every 150' or so Grandpa Don stops and I let him pet my neck and sometimes my back. I also let him give me a hug sometimes.

I gave Grandpa Don a real big treat today. I have been so good for him. When he came into my pen this afternoon he took off my lead rope and I let him put it back on later when we went for our walk.

Grandpa Don told me tonight he might be coming up to the rescue and see my brothers and sisters this Friday if that is alright. He said he is going to put some more plastic on the boards and Grandma and Penny might be coming as well. It will probably be noon before we can get there. I sure hope it warms up soon. Grampa said he left a message on your phone to let you know they might be coming.

Grandpa tucked me in my stall tonight because it was so cold out. He said he would feel better if I stayed in so I would not get too cold outside. My place is nice but I am really looking forward to my new condo. Well, that is all for now.

I know how busy you are with all my friends so please don't feel you need to answer my emails all the time. I just like to tell you how I am doing.

Love,

Smokey

CONGRATULATIONS SMOKEY, on your wonderful new forever home!