Love is: waking up with a bray
Posted on 13 February 2019.There are many kinds of love and re-homing a pair of donkey is definitely one of them. To thank all our gorgeous donkey guardians who have opened their homes and hearts to 49 donkeys of our sanctuary so far, we asked to one of them, Fabio, to tell by his very own words his "wonderful adventure" with donkeys Paolo and Zoe.
How it all started
I have always been passionate and very sensitive to animals, even if, before knowing donkeys, I had dealt with those considered more "traditional", like cats and dogs. And it was while I was volunteering in a dog kennel that I met a donkey for the first time. There was a slaughterhouse nearby, and one day I saw a donkey. I tried in every way to save him, in despair I even offered to buy it, even knowing that is not an effective way to help, but there was no way: I could not save him and I still despair when I think about/cite>.
After a while I changed my house and I looked for one with a large plot of land, thinking of taking a horse. In the meantime I met Il Rifugio through your Facebook page, I called Fabrizio cite>(our welfare officer) for a case of mistreatment and we stayed in touch. So it was natural to think of applying for the fostering of two donkeys.
Love at first sight
The first time I met Zoe and Paolo was at Il Rifugio, where I had come to see them after Fabrizio had spotted them as the best match. I keep the first picture we made all together: a selfie.
When they arrived in their new house... well, they did not even consider me! They got off the trailer and immediately started to eat and explore. Fabrizio told me "It will take some time before they recognize you and come to you". Instead, three days later I sent him a picture: they were already looking cuddles.
Of course, in the early days I had to explore a relationship different than the one you have with a dog or a cat. We met each other and I learned a lot - and I'm still learning: Fabrizio gave me some tips and every month there is some improvement: now their stable is totally insulated, the fence has been replaced and even safer, ...
About branches, wheelbarrows and brays
Zoe and Paolo are beautiful, funny, young ... I'm a lucky boy! Zoe is more clever, like all females, while Paolo is more goofy, in a good way, but he is also very curious: he is passionate about wheelbarrows, it is great to see him while leaning on the handles or when he grasps some tools, from the watering can to shovel. They appreciate more these impromptu games than those made on purpose: last year, for my birthday, I had given them a ball with handles, but they did not consider it - they appreciate much more the big branches that I put here and there in the lawn so they don't get bored. And then they are always careful, they control everything: when a horse passes, they follow braying out loud and do the same when there are some cyclists. It is not a problem, also because I live in a wood, without neighbors.
And again, their voice is the sign that the day has started: every morning at 5.30 am they wake me up braying, and if there's a little delay I go and check if everything is fine.
A wonderful adventure
Fostering is a choice that should not be taken lightly: it must be evaluated well and there must be strong motivations. It's not like buying a shirt: it's a decision that involves other living beings, it requires commitment and it's not enough yet, because we have to take into account that there can always be unexpected events. But if it is done with awareness, it is a choice that opens the door to a wonderful adventure: that's why I would do it again and again.
