Amy and Taddeo's love story
Posted on 7 February 2020.Taddeo is 19 years old, and he is a beautiful all white donkey. He has a difficult past. Taddeo as well comes from the big seizure of Colleferro in 2013, the largest seizure of equidae that ever occurred in Italy. He arrives at the Rifugio in that year and, like many of his companions, he bears the suffering he has suffered in his body and soul. His character is harsh and diffident, Taddeo has never met a veterinarian, nobody has ever taken care of his hooves and hair. When we tried to approach him, he kicked nervously. There has been a great deal of work from our staff to get Taddeo used to human contact. A job that is still ongoing, although the improvements of these years are truly extraordinary.
Certainly, also thanks to the help of Amy, a donkey who arrived at the Rifugio from a farmhouse in the Vercelli area. Her owners could no longer take care of her and called us for help. We welcomed her in our facilities in Sala Biellese in 2012. A year later, Amy meets Taddeo in the Rufus barn, after he arrived from Colleferro. If we could apply human categories, we would say that it was love at first sight. But, after all, why not say so? In fact, Amy and Taddeo immediately established a very special bond. It is a couple that has large spaces of independence, while always remaining united. As many of our grooms have been able to experience, Amy's sweet character has contributed greatly to Taddeo's transformation. Once again, the bonds that donkeys establish turn out to be not only an evolutionary behaviour linked to survival in the desert, their original habitat, but also and above all they are a form of care.
Love can work miracles. The love of humans, the love of animals.
Stories like Dante and Margherita are only possible because of your help. This Valentine's Day help us continue to offer care and shelter to all the other donkeys and mules in difficulty. Your gesture can make a difference.
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