Made for Mares---The Maxwell adoption story

Maxwell is a 17 year old grey standard gelding donkey.   He was going to slaughter in October 2007 when he was rescued by the Longhopes Donkey Shelter.  He was a thin, intact jack-but he was the nicest jack there could be.  After his neutering surgery he got even sweeter.  For the next year Maxwell lived with another gelding donkey at an adoptive home.  He returned when the family experienced financial and health problems.  That turned out to be good news for Maxwell, because his return revealed that Maxwell loves horses far and above other donkeys.

My donkey “Maxwell” was adopted in the fall of 2008 from the Longhopes Donkey Shelter.  The adoption took place after long consideration and some barn preparation.  Since Maxwell’s arrival, he has been nothing short of pure joy.  He was adopted for the job of being a companion to my mares, so one horse could be taken out, and the other not left alone.  I picked out Maxwell for the reason that he was said to like mares.  That is the truth.  Maxwell and the mares all get along very well, and the have become a very cohesive herd that always looking out for each other. 

I think if Maxwell were another animal, he would be a small lap dog.  He frequently falls asleep in my arms or across my shoulders if I am sitting down.  He loves attention and especially loves lower back massages.  He has quite the spunky personality. 

My equines are all rescues and all have stories to tell.  Although, I must admit, I don’t always know what they are trying to say, but they are very patient with me while I try to figure it out.  Even though they are the rescues, I think they have been sent here to rescue me.  I am a two year breast cancer survivor.  That situation put many things into perspective for me……what really is important in life and not to wait around for it to happen. 

After adopting the two mares and boarding them for a time, there was no way, in my mind, to not live with my equines.  So we sold our house, bought another house with some property and a barn.  We then, brought the two horses home.   A few months later, came Maxwell.  He has made the barn complete.  He makes you smile every time you look at him.  For me, I couldn’t ask for anything more from him.  I feel it is the simple things in life we should appreciate the most and be thankful for.  Maxwell, Pache and Lucy, my family and friends, and being here to enjoy it all, are what I am most thankful for.    I hope you all are as lucky as I am…..to live the life you want, and be happy doing it!! 

Donna

Larkspur, CO