11/02/2026
Anyone who has animals knows how quickly things can change and how hard it is to say goodbye.
We have had a month straight of rain, with no sunshine since sometime in mid January and it is been the wettest, most miserable month I have ever experienced. Donkeys don't cope well in the cold or rain and despite thick rugs and a shelter, they were not coping so I had them in the stable to keep them dry and warm. Two nights ago, my lovely jenny Bluebelle (the sweetest, kindest donkey with not a bad bone in her body and truly a heart of gold) had somehow managed to get herself stuck down in the stable. Despite a big thick rug, she had become extremely cold, weak and utterly exhausted by the time I found her the next morning. She was hypothermic and unable to stand, even with my frantic efforts to help her up.
We suspected muscle death (myopathy) from being stuck down and the prognosis was poor. The vet visited multiple times and it was deemed unlikely she would recover with such damage. Hot water bottles were filled and I did my best to warm her up but she was so exhausted and I prepared myself to say goodbye. I didn't want her to suffer.
Last night I slept in the stable with her. I turned her every few hours to reduce further muscle damage from prolonged pressure, trying to keep her warm and comfortable and hoping she would find the strength in the morning to try to stand.
Today, I knew the window for this being survivable was closing but I wanted so badly to give her one last shot. The vet came up and agreed it was worth a chance as she was bright and eating otherwise. I put a post on Facebook, phoned everyone I knew, and asked (begged) for help.
I went from feeling completely alone and a total failure to being overwhelmed with gratitude. Friends and strangers alike dropped everything to come and help give Bluebelle a chance. And somehow… we did it! We got her standing and she managed to stand for three hours unassisted.
There of course is still a long road ahead and she isn't out of the woods yet. She will need repeated turning when she’s down overnight, a very deep comfortable bed, and hopefully continued help lifting her twice a day to increase circulation and blood flow as much as possible. But today, things look more hopeful than I ever dared dream this time yesterday.
Bluebelle has a donkey husband, Gordon. They are a bonded pair and have been inseparable for many years. He has been so quiet and subdued (despite his usual trouble making character) and I’m certain he knows something serious is wrong. For his sake as much as hers, I hope with everything I have that she pulls through and gets back to being her sweet, kind, loving self.
To every single person who came today (especially Odette of Barefoot Performance who came over twice today and brought me dinner when I hadn't eaten and Flora who dropped everything to come help when I phoned her out the blue in tears) and all those who gave advice, sent messages or turned up ready to lift – thank you. You gave her a chance when it felt like there wasn’t one left. I hope we can make it through this.
