The Joys of the Geriatric Donkey                      Barbara Proctor

“When she first arrived she was in pretty poor condition, she didn’t want to be caught, her feet were like pixie shoes, she had a huge belly, her ribs stuck out, and most of her hair was falling out or had already fallen out.  We wormed, vaccinated and bathed her.  What a difference a bath made!  Next we contacted our farrier.  Flower was having none of it, so she was tranquilized and her hooves were trimmed and reshaped as good as could be considering the years of neglect.  She is now very good for the farrier and basically in great health although she lacking many teeth.  Flower is very active and is the lead donkey.  She is always up front wherever they go on our

Flower, joined the Proctor family of Florissant, Colorado in March 1998.    The local Brand inspector then traced Flower’s out-of-state history and determined she is     60+ years old and had numerous owners.   Flower is now retired in the Proctor’s herd of 10 donkeys.

acreage.  Flower runs and plays just like she is many years younger.  However, she does like to come into her 12x12 stall every night to get a goodnight sleep, her grain and alfalfa hay.  In the winter (and when ever she requests it) she gets flaked beat pulp with molasses for a little added treat.  In the winter she also wears a turn out blanket to help keep her warm and dry.  She lets me know when she wants it on and won’t leave the barn until she is dressed properly!  Flower’s best friend is our 20+ donkey-Maggie Mae.  They are never far from one another.  Maggie Mae watches over Flower, shares her stall and of course Flower’s alfalfa hay.  I wouldn’t trade a minute of any of the years that Flower has been apart of the family; I just keep enjoying her in my life one day at a time.