Did You Know The Mammoth Donkey Is The Biggest Donkey?

I found this article and had to share it “The Mammoth Donkey Is The Biggest Ass In America” I would like to add one more comment to this, we do not call our donkeys an ass ever.  Around the Donkey Whisperer Farm the word Ass is reserved for the special two-legged human of the world, we think it don’t say it :}

Here is the history of the American Mammoth Donkey - Gifts to President George Washington from the President Of Spain.  Enjoy!

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

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What Is The Meaning Of Easter?

Select Joyce Meyer Easter

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

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http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

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The Movie Buck

In 2011 we watched the movie Buck “a powerful movie explaining the importance of training a human to train the equine (horse, donkey or mule) in a natural way without physical abuse.”  This movie clearly explains how the horse is one hundred percent a reflection of their trainer and or owner.  The movie helps to explain the difference between natural training and breaking a horse.    

We must never forget that a human who will torture a child, animal, woman or man must be stopped!  Please if you see abuse have the courage to be bold and stop this abuse as each of us can be the angel GOD sent to remove the pain and suffering of another.  Never forget we live in a fallen world, good and evil, black and white.

The domesticated horse, donkey or mule is truly the mirror of the emotional intelligence and training ability of their human who owns and trains them.

I highly suggest the movie Buck, I believe each of us can learn how to have empathy if we want to learn and most importantly we can influence others by helping make this world a better place for humans and animals.

We must never forget what it would be like to have a person forcing us to do something with pain and suffering as motivation with the big whammy the person speaks in a foreign language, how very sad.  Please be an angel when you see abuse, be bold, step up and make a difference to stop abuse of any kind for humans and animals. 

Empathy is truly needed in our world for how we treat others starts within ourselves, just because we were abused is no reason to continue the horrific abuse cycle. Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer

If you know a living human or animal being abused please step in and do your best to stop the abuse and be a human angel.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

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Warning Leaving A Halter On A Horse, Donkey or Mule Can Cause Death Or Self-Mutilation

Howdy,

The photo above is of me & Lily taken in the summer of 2009, truly one of my favorite photos a wonderful memory.

Did you know leaving the halter on is dangerous and can be deadly? My horse and donkeys are very athletic they can take their back hooves and itch their face.

Important considerations

*  The halter could get stuck on their hooves, fence or other objects.

* Strangulation can occur when they get the halter stuck on something and fight to get it off

* The halter can grow into the head of the equine (horse, donkey, mule) I have personally seen this and it is abuse

* Dirty itchy halter causes the equine to scratch and work to get it off it’s not natural (think  how you would want to be treated)

Please learn how to teach your equine (horse, donkey or mule) To Catch You!

When interacting with your equine try to make this a time to connect bring a couple of pieces of green apple with you or a carrott  to build a relationship of fair and safe leadership.  Equine work best in training programs that do not require the equine to stay in the prisoner role.  Yes, I said prisoner role, old school training techniques use fear to train equine and this is not a partnership.  Donkeys cannot be trained this way they require natural training with fair, balanced and an honest trainer.  Horses dream of being trained the way donkeys demand to be trained with dignity and respect.

The joy you will receive when changing your training methodology is enormous and your frustration will vanish.  People say “treats make my equine nip” I say “Nope, use this as an opportunity to train” watch your timing let the equine turn their head away and then give them a reward takes just a few training sessions for them to learn how to politely accept a treat.  Creativity is the answer you can do it!

Study Parelli if you don’t know how to play the friendly game and the catching game as they can teach you how to teach your equine to catch you. Bonus your membership is free for one month.  On line videos, magazine and Parelli connect, everyone is studying under the Parelli’s very positive equine support and training.  Working with equine is a dangerous sport you must be careful, have a plan, stay safe and not abuse the equine.  

All of my equine come up to us every time we call them just like my dogs.  The key is setting the animal up for success if each time you have time to be with your equine you are doing things to them that are not enjoyable why would they want to come up?  Treat your equine the way you would want to be treated if you were living your life as an equine and watch the blessings start flowing freely.

The first step in training any animal is taming!  The animal must trust that you will NOT abuse them or hurt them so try to think of it from their point of view and remember awareness is the first step in change.  We subscribe to The Brayer a journal of the American Donkey and Mule Society magazine.  Take a look this is a lovely way to learn more about donkeys and mules!

GOD bless you and your family two and four legs

Melody

www.donkeywhisperer.com

 

What A Farrier Needs

Friends of the Donkey Whisperer Farm,

Thank you for reading my blog, sharing information, photos, posts and most importantly helping our worlds most beloved equine (Donkey, Mule and Horse).

You are the human angel our world needs, Thank You!

Perhaps you are wondering what in the world a farrier is?  A farrier is the human who will be certified in balancing, trimming and possibly shoeing  equine (horse, donkey or mule) every seven weeks.

What is a natural trimmer for Donkeys?  Pete Ramey site explains more

No shoes, balance, trimming and helping keep the equine in optimum balance without shoes

Select Pete Ramey Hoof Rehab for more detailed information on the hoof.

Why should I care how happy my farrier is?

A great farrier is essential to optimum health of your beloved equine.  I highly suggest you do your homework before hiring a farrier to work on the hooves of your equine. Balance, no blood, no soreness is what your equine needs to stay happy.  Remember equine pick up on the emotional mood swings us humans have so keep your farrier happy and calm.

What A Farrier Needs?

A safe equine to work on!  Please do not ask your farrier to train your equine as this is not their job.  A  farrier needs to feed himself and his family and a farrier that gets hurt working on your equine will not be able to work and provide himself and family with an income.  Additionally, a farrier that can’t concentrate on the hoof and is worried for his life will more than likely not be able to do as good a job.

1.  A tame and gentle equine – Teach Your Donkey To Pick Up the Foot

2.  No dogs or children running around causing a distraction for the equine, farrier and you the handler

3.  Put the cell phone down and pay attention to your equine to keep the farrier and equine safe

4.  A place that is close to his truck as he needs to get to his tools without taking a hike

5.  The equine to be held by a competent human that can control the equine and help the farrier stay safe. – Remember this is a really dangerous job

6.  The equine to be standing calmly and as ready as possible

7.  Make sure your equine has had his hooves picked up at least twenty-five times before the farrier arrives – do not make the first trimming appointment be the first time the equine get’s the foot picked up.

8.  A dry place to work, flat, swept clean

9.  No dark places as your farrier needs to see what he/she is doing

10.  A shady place to work and don’t forget Insect repellant sprayed on your equine

11,  Pay him/her the same day he trims the hoof

12,  Make your appointment for seven weeks and keep up with the farrier work

Bonus:  A cool beverage on a hot day

Remember no one knows your equine like you do!  Keeping up with a regular trimming schedule is best for the equine and your farrier.  Partnerships via human and animal form take time and a bit of watering.  You can do this!

Caring for equine takes a team effort; a vet, dentist, and farrier let’s not forget acupuncture, chiropractor and massage therapy as needed.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

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Hoof Abscess

 

The Donkey Whisperer Farm is officially six years old in 2013; time has literally flown by so much has changed and yet so much remains the same.  Rio is now a full-grown Mammoth donkey as he turns seven years old in 2013.  Rocket Man turns nineteen and my horse Lily is eight years young.

The most frustrating and difficult issues I have had with our Mammoth donkey is hoof abscesses. It appears that Mammoth donkeys should live in the desert with no rain poor boy was born in Western Washington with too much rain.  Each of them get their feet picked out daily and their paddock has very little mud and yet the Mammoth donkey suffers from abscess, networking via the internet I have learned this is sadly the health issues associated with Mammoth donkeys.

Before I brought all three equine home I researched, networked and read every book I could get my hand on to create the dryest paddock to prevent hoof problems as I have lived in Western Washington most of my life.  I placed 3/4 clean gravel down on the hill between the two barns to avoid mud, thrush and abscesses.  Rio has had horrific abscesses and we are now laying pin chips down (no cedar) to help him.  I made the decision to shoe Rio’s front (absessing yearly) with Dr. Hills overseeing the process this last fall.  Rio’s custom-made Mammoth Donkey shoes are helping him get more exercise on the gravel as he is running and playing again, he is much more comfortable.

I place 3/4 clean gravel in between the two barns where they walk back and forth day after day to stop the mud.  Additionally I suggest laying pin chips down so they have a place to lay outside and it is soft and dry the only problem I have noted with pin chips is it needs to be replaced at least every other year or it will turn to mud.  

Hoof abscesses in donkeys are not the same as the horse.  Why? 

Donkeys hoof anatomy is of a donkey not a horse. Donkeys are strong and will not show any pain until it is a serious medical matter.  Here is another post I wrote explaining the emergency kit and the hoof abscess.  The horse would be limping much faster than the donkey or mule with an abscess thus the seriousness and need for a vet immediately. Please call the vet for draining a hoof abscess do not leave this to the farrier.

What can you do for your donkey, horse or mule suffering from a hoof abscess?

Call the Vet hopefully you have a vet that has experience with donkeys.   Donkeys are not horses and thus their hooves do not behave the same as a horse.  Please only authorize your vet to find the abscess and drain it,never let the farrier do the vet’s job!  Your vet will cut out a very small hole for drainage releasing the pain and pressure almost instantly.  Never authorize the farrier to do this as this is a medical need not a farrier need.

Follow up maintenance is necessary the hole needs to be kept clean, pick the stuff out of feet every day, I suggest getting a spray bottle and using Beda dine solution with some water in a water bottle to spray the hole clean every day.  We use the solo spray bottle as it gets all the gunk out and keeps it clean, Soaking a cotton ball in beda dine solution and sticking it in the hole is necessary until the hole has grown out.   The hoof will not grow completely out for at least ten months to a year so keeping the hole clean from mud and gunk is a full-time job to say the least.

One of the best things we can do as an owner of donkeys, horses and mules is keep the hooves trimmed and make sure they are being trimmed correctly.  Select Pete Ramey to learn how to trim a donkey, trimming needs to be done at least every 6-7 weeks.  I highly recommend you the owner viewing this dvd and asking your farrier to review it.  Trimming equine is not a back yard hobby and it needs to be left to professionals in my opinion as incorrect trimming will cause abscesses and sand and grit to travel into the white line.  As the owner we must be picking the hoof out each and every day and making sure no thrush is growing in the hoof.  Diet of the equine is imperative to optimum health so test your hay, do not give grain and treats to the donkey just clean water and low sugar hay.  Orchard hay around the Pacific northwest is what we use and a slow feeder is also a good idea as long as it is covered to keep the rain out.

I am trying a new slow feeder out will follow-up with the results in my upcoming blogs.

Video of a Donkey Suffering With A Hoof Abscess

Summary:

Diet, exercise, professional trimmer of hooves every 6-7 weeks, clean out hooves each and every day, clean dry padock, morton loose salt, white salt block, clean water, low sugar hay and no grazing in green grass for the easy keeper. Donkeys are always easy keepers.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

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What A Donkey Needs

Friends of the Donkey Whisperer Farm

The Donkey Whisperer Farm is a hobby farm everything I share with you has taken me over five years with many tears and sleepless nights, everything I am sharing is free to help you help your donkey and mule.   I pray you will not have to learn the hard way and our experiences will help you be the best human partner for your donkey.  After purchasing our donkeys I learned really quickly how limited information is available for the health, care and training of donkeys and mules thus the beginning of the Donkey Whisperer Farm a virtual hot spot of detailed information.

We were going along pretty good with our donkeys and horse until I was in an almost fatal car accident.  Suddenly we could no longer take them out for long walks on the trails or even short walks as well life was all about helping me.  Our donkeys started getting really fat this is not just a thing that is uneasy for the eye to see a fat donkey this can cause an early death.  Horses need to have their weight monitored too or they will get the same health issues.  Donkeys tend to gain weight much faster and do not show any sign of illness until they are limping and can’t walk.

Why Photos Help?

Humans really do not see how fat our beloved equine are getting just like we don’t notice how fat we are getting ourselves until our pants do not fit or someone takes our photo.  I highly suggest taking photos of your donkey, mule or horse and stepping back and looking at them every couple of months to see if your equine is getting fat.  Pictures are wonderful for trimming the hooves a way to watch and ensure all is being trimmed correctly.

Why Share This Information?  Honestly donkeys do not make much money in our world unlike the horse with all the unique professions.  Vet’s really do not have much experience with donkeys in Vet school and the donkey is a left with people guessing what is needed.  Thanks to the horse world the donkeys are starting to benefit from all the equine science medicine.  Please do your part and share information to help a donkey or mule living in your part of the world.

Sadly donkeys have always been the underdog of the equine world as most people think a donkey can’t learn or do anything.  Donkeys are still the most expensive thing some people own in our precious world sadly these donkeys live on very little food and pay the ultimate price death at an early age.  Donkeys in the United States Of America are being abused in another way over eating and eating the wrong thing.

The donkey who is free to eat brush, trees, deep grass will get sugar diabetes in the human form called laminitis the hoof falls apart, white line, abscesses and colic.  This is all preventable if we understand owning a donkey is like owning an exotic equine we must understand how much hay and what kind of hay to stay healthy.   Donkeys require a low sugar diet with clean water and salt along with exercise.

Donkeys evolved in the desert GOD gave them big ears to hear the predator and to swoosh and cool them down in the hot desert heat.

What Do Donkeys Need?

At least one other donkey to be a buddy as they are very intelligent and get lonely and bored very easily.  Additionally, donkeys play different with another donkey than any other animal.

Low sugar hay no alfalfa hay ever no need for grain if they are not working hard.  Clean water, some clean loose salt and I like to add a white salt brick

Hooves trimmed every seven weeks

Do not leave the halter on – teach the donkey to catch you

Need to see the vet at least once a year

Sedation can be tricky – Make sure your vet understands how much and the proper doses as death can occur or allergic reaction such as sweating and sneezing

Gelding is vital to a happy life for a donkey, gelding is tricky  as donkeys need to be tied off each and every time or they can bleed to death and die

Need the human to be have a friendly relationship with donkey before attempting to train – This does not mean letting the donkey boss the human around it’s all about balance and humane leadership

Need fecal test performed with the vet to see if they need to be wormed – I suggest not worming unless they need it have the fecal test confirm they need it

Shots - West Nile is absolutely needed along with tetanus, please let the vet help you as each donkey and farm is unique

Shelter to get out of the heat, wind, rain and harsh weather

Equine Dentist at least once a year – Just like us people equine need the oral part taken care of or great infections, loss of life can occur resulting in a bigger vet bill with more tears

Meals to be on time.  We like to use the slow feeder as they are never ever screaming and crying for more food as our current paddock is a dry paddock.  Be careful to get a slow feeder the donkey will not eat and chew on on.  I just found this slow feeder at Valley vet and it works perfectly.

Talked to, loved on and they make great counselors for us humans

Parelli works for Donkeys, Mules and Horses

Donkeys need the human to understand they think different and react different from the horse.  Donkeys are usually Left brain introverts meaning deep thinkers, smart and scared of new things.  Feet do not move when scared and if really scared they will not eat or drink

Learn best by being left alone and watching the honor equine do the tasks the donkey will be asked to do in the future.  What do I mean by honor equine?  The equine that can stand and get brushed, pick up feet without a fuss, take a walk on-line, whoa, back up, trot on command, walk, get in the horse trailer calm.  My arena is built directly in front of the the paddock so my donkeys can watch my horse and me.  Donkeys can learn to do things without us humans having to do much if we give them time to think and digest what we want them to do.  More time thinking less time drilling, never drill a donkey always end a training session with something the donkey loves to do as they are going to think about this over and over.

Donkeys are not goats – Please don’t treat them like one.  Donkeys love to eat wood but it is not healthy for them to eat green bush and trees as well they are easy keepers and this can make them get the diarrhea and gain too much weight along with fat necks, hoof abscesses, laminitis and colic.  Best to treat the donkey as what they are an exotic equine needing low sugar/protein hay.  In the Pacific Northwest Orchard hay or Timothy hay is the lowest sugar hay.  I have my hay tested before purchasing for the year as we can not look at hay and know how much sugar is in it.

Do you have a donkey or mule question?  I provide free coaching for you and your donkey at Melody@donkeywhisperer.com you may enjoy my website http://www.donkeywhisperer.com for more help.  Yes free it is my gift to the donkey and mule to share free information while I heal from the Semi truck accident.  Sharing and giving back is a wonderful thing I highly recommend helping others to  help ourselves.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

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Rio Our Mammoth Donkey Is All Grown Up – 16’1 hands tall and six years old

Howdy,

Just look at him he is a full-grown Mammoth donkey, no longer a baby Mammoth donkey as Rio is six years old now.   Rio is a Mammoth donkey 100% donkey no horse and he is 16’1 at the withers not counting his ears.

Are you interested to know the story about Mammoth donkeys?

Select History of  The Largest Donkey The Mammoth Donkey  to learn how the Mammoth donkeys arrived in America and how George Washington the President of the United States is connected to the Mammoth donkey.

Rio is the ambassador for the Mammoth donkey his face is posted all over the world to help educate people for donkeys he is truly a gorgeous donkey. GOD is amazing!

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

 

Thinking Of Donkeys as Donkeys Come In Two’s

Howdy,

Do you ever find yourself thinking about donkeys? We have had donkeys in our life for five years now and well it’s hard to remember life without a horse and a couple of donkeys, they are indeed part of our family.  

Why Donkeys? Perhaps GOD understood before I did the importance of donkeys in our life as our donkeys are part of our family now.  I have always been a human that likes to learn, digs for information, steps out of the box to try new things and I am naturally creative.   Thank you Jesus!  The human brain is indeed one of the most important organs GOD gave us.

Why are donkeys so special?  Well they are usually not always but usually more relaxed than the horse and well kinda like a black lab they just want to be loved on, they want to eat, they want to snuggle with their human.  The donkey loves to play tug with their four-legged donkey buddy.  Donkeys love to jump up and grab the neck of their donkey buddy.  Donkeys are donkeys!

What Do Donkeys Need To Stay Healthy?

1. Clean water fresh water, diet, low sugar and low protein  hay  Never feed donkeys alfalfa hay ever

2. Taming – Donkeys need their hooves picked out daily and their feet trimmed at least every 7 weeks

3.  Donkeys need the vet to come and see them at least once a year

4.  Donkeys need their teeth checked at least once a year

5.  Donkeys need us humans to check for sores, lice, or a limp – Watch your donkey learn how they move so you can catch problems quickly

6.  Donkeys need clean fresh water every day and in the winter warm water, Donkeys need lose salt and a salt brick

7. Donkeys need shelter from the weather

8. Donkeys need their human to be on time with meals – My donkeys hardly ever bray as they can depend on us to bring their meals, they do not need to remind us ever

9. It is a myth to believe all donkeys bray all day long they don’t bray unless they are calling out to a donkey or they are upset about meals or something else like a predator coming into their pasture

10. Donkeys do not enjoy a bath, donkeys seem to not enjoy water even on the most warmest weather.  Our donkeys get one bath a year and I hand wash their face just like my horse, never spray a donkey with a hose in the face

11.  Donkeys ears can be broken and not stand up so be careful when touching them

12.  Donkeys can grow lot’s of thick donkey fur for the winter

13.  Donkeys are looking for a great human leader who will take the time it takes, donkeys are visual learners

14. Donkeys can hear things way sooner than the horse

15. Last but final tip about donkeys; never ever drill a donkey, less is more and remember Donkeys never forget anything – Be careful what and how you train your donkey

 GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://wwwyouversion.com/mobile

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

 

For The Love Of Donkeys – Maggots

Howdy,

A photo of my angelic mentor and girl friend Kelly with  A.J. the mammoth donkey (kisses for A.J.),  Kelly & Richard her husband are the care taker of donkeys, mules and horses at Mas Ass Acres, Washington State.  This is the farm where we purchased Rio our Mammoth donkey and Rocket Man.  Here is a little story she wrote explaining “for the love of donkeys” enjoy!

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody

http://www.donkeywhisperer.com

https://www.facebook.com/Donkeywhisperer

This is a story about a remarkable Mammoth donkey named Alma Jean ( AJ for short) who to this day graces my life with her presence.

It was a cool, rainy October morning.  I entered the damp barn feeling the approach of another ominous winter.  For nearly 9 years, I have been the care-giver at a donkey ranch in the Pacific Northwest.  Experience has shown that this part of the West Coast is not kind to the Mammoth donkey.  Much of my time is spent dealing with hoof problems due to wet, cold and inappropriate environment.  Winters are long and often heart-breaking.   In this post, I will not digress into insights, philosophy, natural remedies, diets, footing or current approaches to the causes and treatment of hoof abscesses.  There is as much folklore as to the causes and treatment for hoof abscesses as there are for cancer in humans.  This is a love story that includes all of the above, but focuses on a remarkable donkey.

AJ is about 24 years-old.  She is a magnificent spotted Mammoth with a personality and temperament of a Zen monk: she is kind, loving, gentle, strong, brave and grateful.  On this particular morning one of her attributes was shining through as she limped into the barn (my mind notes ”left hind”): she is stoic and uncomplaining.  Ugh oh, I mumble, abscess.  I go to her and put my arms around her.  I tell her I will fix it ( these days I add the word “try” ).  I go through my “abscess” routine and after about an hour she is more comfortable.  Upon investigation, it is obvious this is one for the vet.  She hoof tests positive close to the apex of the frog and in the area of the sole.  I am well versed on digging for abscesses, but I know my limits.  I will venture into the white line, but not the sole, and not anywhere near the coffin bone.  I call the vet.

We have a wonderful vet!  Cary Hills and Claire Smith are from Sound Equine Veterinary Clinic.  They are amazing and have come to love the donkeys.  Cary arrives and he begins the daunting search for the abscess.  I notice that AJ is unusually uncomfortable.  Most abscesses come on slow and are not as acute.  Her lameness was very sudden, literally overnight.  Cary finds the abscess and there is a huge hiss and a lot of drainage.  We both notice something unusual, but we remain silent:  the drainage is more like serum; a watery yellow color.  My mind takes note.  My experience with Cary is that after he drains an abscess and we pack it, there is relief within hours. 

3 days pass.  AJ shows no signs of relief.  AJ is on pain relievers.I have been soaking with Epsom’s 3x per day (controversial)  flushing, packing, massaging, wrapping her leg, etc………………..we have gone the course.  On the 4th day AJ is losing condition.  I can see she is overcome by the stress of it all.  She has her first episode of colic.  We are heading down the rabbit hole.  We need immediate pain relief, fluids and most likely, anti-biotics and other supportive therapy.  She is too old to endure a long course of discomfort. 

AJ arrives at the Sound Equine Veterinary Hospital.  The rains have arrived.  The mornings are dark, as are the nights.  My heart is dark. I fret.  Donkeys don’t like to be away from home.  I have taken her favorite miniature donkey to keep her company.  Shasta is immortal and loves being at the veterinary clinic where she gets 24 hour attention and is given every conceivable treat known to the equine world.  The vets begin an extensive process of care.  X-rays show an abscess gone rogue: the tract makes an full circle around the coffin bone threatening the bone integrity.  She has slow gut responses and seems depressed.  They go deeper into the abscess seeking more drainage.  No luck.  Anti-biotic infusions are directed into the vein of the leg with the abscess.  She is tubed and treated for colic.  This routine will continue off and on for days.  Finally, on day 3, Dr. Claire Smith suggests maggot therapy.  Maggot therapy?  It is explained to me that maggots are pushed into the tract of the abscess and left until they consume all the necrotic tissue.  Maggots thrive on dead tissue and they adore bacteria. Sounds fantastic:non-invasive, natural, Mother Nature’s remedy.

I visit AJ every other day (the clinic is 1 hour away from the ranch) for nearly 2 weeks. Each time I enter her stall she turns and greets me and asks me for a tummy rub.  We talk.  I scratch.  She turns her liquid, soft eyes to mine. We meet here in a timeless moment.  We know.  A bond is forged unlike any bond I have ever had with an equine.  She is the epitome of everything good in this world.  The vets shake their heads, “There is nothing she won’t let us do. She is an amazing patient”.   AJ continues to accept, surrender and live in the moment.  She is not fighting for her life, she is easing into each moment with a grace and bravery I have never witnessed before. AJ is not resigned, she is fully engaged and participating in her healing journey.

Maggot therapy is taking more than a week as the maggots continue to thrive and expand.  This indicates there is more and more dead tissue for them to eat and enjoy.  We cannot stop therapy now until the maggots die and fall out.  AJ continues to be hospitalized and continues to be patient and accommodating. The call finally arrives: the maggots are falling out……….all 1000 of them!  AJ is more comfortable and she is eating well.  She is beginning to heal.  I am ecstatic!  She is coming home!

7 months later, to this date, AJ continues to heal.  Home therapy has been extensive, yet I cannot think of anything else in this world I would rather be doing.  Caring for her is an honor, a privilege, a great gift.  She has never once complained.  I change her foot bandages, do betadine soaks, clean her feet and wrap them so she can go out to graze.  I do all of this without a halter, without a bribe, without anything, but a glance of knowing between us.  We both know, she is one of those rare souls that truly believes in the absolute good of humanity.  She is a teacher, friend and sister to me.  May I live life with such grace, integrity and bravery as this wonderful Mammoth donkey.

Gratitude to the owners of the ranch for providing the financial support to keep AJ with us.  Special gratitude to our determined and creative vets.  Finally, all my love to AJ and the those wonderful maggots!

 Kelly