Little Orphans

Our friend and neighbor, Karen, called us about two baby donkeys (one was only 6 months old) that had been abandoned at a sale barn a few hours east of our FHF Ranch. A man had purchased them with the intention of taking them to slaughter, and Karen just couldn't let that happen... and so, Operation Salt & Pepper went into full effect. We didn't know if the little white donkey would make it - she was tiny, and she was nothing but bones. We also didn't know if they were sick or injured, so both baby donkeys would need to be quarantined away from our other animals and see a veterinarian as fast as possible. Karen drove hours for the exchange that took place in the parking lot of a gas station. Then, we drove hours in the opposite direction to get them to our friends at the Humane Society of North Texas, who agreed to quarantine them for a month and provide initial veterinary care. It was an all-day labor of love from sun-up to sun-down, and we would gladly do it all again.

We've named them Salt & Pepper, and they are now the total joys of our Ranch. Shadow, our 3 year old donkey, has become their caretaker. Although Spirit, our pony, can often be found napping with the babies in a stall. After just one month at the Ranch, they already greet us in the morning with all the other kids and roll happily in the mud on our hill.

Salt gives hugs. If you squat down beside her, she wraps her neck around yours and lays her head down your back. Thirty days ago Pepper ran from us when we approached, and now she loves having her neck scratched. Sometimes when you're squatting for a Salt Hug, Pepper will even come kiss your nose. There is nothing more rewarding than this love!

To see how beautiful these two babies are today, watch the second video below. Fluffy and a little chunky (says our vet).