Raven

Raven had been in 2 auctions in a week - Topeka Indiana, and Shipshewana, Indiana, where she was in the kill pen. Raven was very sweet, but her front legs knuckled forward at the fetlock with every step she took. However, her sweet disposition and her need made it impossible to leave her in that situation. She was purchased for $30, plus $14 for a coggins and was brought home to MI by Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue.

In consultation with the medical staff at Michigan State University, she was given a 50:50 chance of improvement after surgery to cut her check ligaments both above and below her carpus (knees). Her surgery was done on Feb 2, 2005 and she went home on the following Friday.

Since surgery, her right leg is doing very well with a normal angle in the splint. She will need to have her right leg splinted for several months to allow the leg to heal in a normal position. This may require a special removable splint that can be easily replaced to allow her to have the splint removed and replaced as required as she gains strength in the leg.

Raven with her new bandages

However, her left leg has not responded very well and will not straighten past the vertical. If the fetlock does not relax (which it appears to not be doing), she will likely require the surgery to be repeated on this leg. The surgery can not be redone until she has fully healed from the first surgery - this will be at least several months. During this time, she needs to remain in a splint to reduce the chances of it regressing.

Raven is likely to be the most expensive rescue donkey around. Her initial exam, surgery and hospitalization cost $1912.17. If she requires special splinting, this will add another $600 to $1200 depending on if one or two are required. Either way, she will need to be bandaged adding several more hundreds of dollars to her recovery.

Raven with Vice President Judy Marteniuk, DVM

She is now able to run and play and has become one of our favorites. She is a beautiful, young, playful and loving jennet who someone just tossed out. We are so happy to have her and be able to see her be a normal donkey. Despite the leg concerns, the antibiotic injections and the constant bandaging, Raven remains a wonderful donkey to be around as you can see from her pictures.

A couple once came to visit Raven, to possibly adopt her, and when they were told TPDR's very minimal adoption fee, walked away from her saying she was at best a $300 donkey! This gorgeous girl is priceless and the small adoption fee that we ask barely covers routine medical treatments such as shots and Ferrier work. We were shocked when they balked at such a small fee.

Sharon Windsor realized the beauty and potential in Raven and decided to adopt her and give her a forever home where she would always be cared for by someone who appreciated her. She continues to thrive and excel under Sharon's wonderful care and has indeed proven to have been a diamond in the rough.