And our friends that were lost in 2010:

In Memory

They come into our lives with their long ears and their loud
brays, and for a short time, we are allowed to love them and nurture them.

We have the privilege of feeding them, brushing them,
and keeping them supplied with their favorite treats.
In exchange for this, we receive their unconditional love.
They are always there for a rub, a pat, a hug or for consultation
with us when we have a problem that we need solved.
They always listen and offer only love back in return.

But then, their time on this earth comes to an end,
and they are called home. There they'll wait for us
until it's our turn to meet them again, knowing
that their time spent with us, was the safest they ever felt.

In memory of three TPDR donkeys,
Eeyore, Franklyn and Cricket, who passed out of
our care during the past year. Until we meet again,
rest easy and know that we are missing you

Eeyore was adopted and loved by the Smoke Family
of Britton Michigan until his passing during the fall of 2010
Kathy says:

We adopted a donkey some 5 years ago, ( I can't actually remember the year)
Maximum Power (renamed Eeyore/Donkey by my grandkids). He foundered
severely on the late summer pasture and after 2 months of trying to bring him back,
he could no longer stand and we had to have him euthanized. He had
foundered previously but we were able to fix him up, but nothing worked this time.
I wanted you to know.

Eeyore was my buddy, he called out to me every time he saw me....
I truly miss him and the personality he brought to our farm.
My grandkids are so sad.... I had to tell a fib and tell them he went to
a donkey hospital because his feet were so sore and I couldn't help him anymore.

I may in time think about another rescue but I don't think any other donkey
will ever be able to replace Eeyore. He wasn't always the easiest to
deal with, he could be very opinionated but he truly loved me and anyone
here would say the same thing. He and I had a connection. I was the only
one he didn't try to bite. :):):) and I was the only one he brayed for as soon
as he heard or saw me. We talked a lot. He was an amazing little guy.
He was too gentle to baby sit our young colts so he had to stay with the
older geldings or he'd baby sit young fillies who just needed company.

I just wanted to let you know he was well cared for and loved to the
minute he passed away. He is buried next to my older broodmare, they got along well.

Franklin was adopted and loved
by Linda Kaye until his recent passing.
Linda says:

"Dear Sharon, I know I haven't spoken to you in a long time,
and I am sorry about that. I just wanted to let you know;
I had Franklyn humanely put to sleep this morning.
He had done remarkably well over the last 8-9 years.....
then started having some renal problems. His kidneys were
shutting down and the last couple of days had only picked
at his hay and would not eat grain/ apples/ carrots/ or treats
of any kind. Totally not like Franklyn.
"Old Donker" gave me immense pleasure! ......
He tooled around the farm with no halter, grazing as he pleased,
wherever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
When he got tired he went back to his stall.....
bedded with 2 feet of straw for his lounging pleasure.
He never failed to kiss, snuggle, and generally be a LOVE.
Thank you for letting me have him.
My vet, the horse dentist, and other equine professionals
gave me his age to be around 45.
Rest assured he lived the very best life I could give him."
Linda Kaye

Cricket was adopted from TPDR and loved by Ken & Chris Wilson
of Hanna, Indiana until her passing on Dec 13, 2010. The barn
is just not the same without her, she is greatly missed by all.

We said goodbye to Hope today......

RIP -May 13, 2011

She came to TPDR in the winter of 2008.
She bore the most haunted, helpless look
we have ever seen on a donkeys face.

She had suffered years of neglect and
at some point had even been shot.

She had three wonderful years here with us.

There should have been more time, but the effects
of constant pain medications eventually take their toll.

My tears fell silently on her beautiful face as she left us.

She went with her head lying peacefully in Sharon's arms.

Sharon says: "Oh, she knew how I loved her but today
was for her and not for me. "

Rest in peace dear Hope

Rescuers are Special People at the Rainbow Bridge

Unlike most days at the Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold & gray, damp as a swamp & as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals that had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on & started to gather at the pathway leading to the bridge to watch.

It wasn�t long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low & tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth & made healthy & vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here & the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, Alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals that were with their people could pass over The Rainbow Bridge. With no place else to turn to, the elderly animals turned towards the fields before The Bridge & saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly & infirmed. There weren�t playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway & waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn�t understand what he had just witnessed & asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him. �You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying & his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue & passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge. The first animal thought about this for a minute & then asked, �So what will happen now?� As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted & the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person & among the older animals, a whole group, was suddenly bathing in a golden light & they were all young & healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life. �Watch & see� said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting, came to the pathway & bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored fell into line & followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

�What Happened?� he asked. �That was a rescuer� the second animal answered. �The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn�t place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge� �I think I like rescuers�, said the first animal. �So does GOD�, was the reply.

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