inourmemories

We have rescued almost 400 donkeys and placed more than 350 in new homes. As a result, Longhopes is usually a bridge between a donkey's last home and their next home. But some donkeys come to us for permanent sanctuary. Still others come to us for a humane death. These are some of their stories

Regardless of how long we knew them-they all have a permanent place in our hearts

"Rocky" arrived in 1999 at the age of 43 when his owner had to move He was a very sweet grandfather figure to the other donkeys. He had multiple geriatric problems but we were determined to give him a comfortable warm home

for as long as he needed it. On a sunny day in 2001 Rocky laid down after breakfast and silently passed away. He taught us more than we can ever explain.

"Rachel" was removed from a horribly neglectul situation by an animal control in 2000 but sadly she was then passed between two other animal shelters before Longhopes agreed to take her. Despite our best efforts Rachel decided Longhopes was a safe place to let go-so she stopped eating. Due to incurable hoove problems, she was humanely euthanized to avoid further suffering.

"Cheyenne" was a timid but sweet 21 year old molly mule with progressive navicular disease, whose owner placed her with Longhopes in 2001 to protect her from the torment she experienced in the company of horses. Cheyenne fit in perfectly with the donkeys and had several different beaus at Longhopes. In 2002 she made her film debute in an episode of "Busted" which aired on Animal Planet. She died shortly thereafter from a burst aneurism.

"Sammy" was 20+ years old in 2006. After many years of being denied proper medical care and being fed dog food which produced stomach ulcers, his owner gave him to a family who kept him in their backyard with dogs who ate his food. Sadly the owners failed to recognize that Sammy was slowly starving to death due to chronic health problems. Our efforts to reverse that process were too late and so Sammy was humanely euthanized at Longhopes to prevent further suffering.

When we responded to a rescue request in Steamboat Springs, we expected to find a young donkey. Instead we were presented with an old molly hinny in terrible shape. Knowing that the owner would not get "Fannie" any medical care we took her to Longhopes. A medical exam confirmed she had a chronic muscle problem and very painful glaucoma. She was humanely euthanized to avoid further suffering.

"Jolly" was a 15 year old gelding donkey on his way to the slaughterhouse when we took him before a winter storm in 2005. Over the next 14 months we tried several treatments to eliminate his chronic and congenital pain symptoms. At times we saw improvement but it was short lived. Being unable to manage his pain and unwilling to watch him struggle to walk, Jolly was humanely euthanized in 2007. He left a good friend "Toby" and many volunteers who had become attached to him.

"Tag" was a short feral donkey with lots of battle scars and a blinding injury to his left eye when he arrived in 2001. Despite a lifetime on the range, it didn't take him long before he was gentle and fun to have around. He loved to play with his buddy "Bailey" and they were never apart. Severe arthitis gradually weakened his bones until he broke his leg. He was humanely euthanized in 2007. It was a difficult loss for Longhopes because he was so very sweet throughout his time with us. He is greatly missed.

"Mira" was a crippled, starving, pregnant 13 year old jennet when we took her off a slaughter truck with her daughter and granddaughter. We have never since seen in as bad of shape as Mira's. She was also pregnant so that put extra strain on her hooves. A few months after her arrival at Longhopes she gave birth to our famous "Miss Bliss" but was not lactating so Bliss had to be raised as an orphan.

It took years to reshape her hooves as they grew out. When we finally thought we had her "fixed," she developed ringbone in her front legs. No amount of Western or alternative treatment could reverse the damage. Nevertheless, Mira was also quiet, friendly and well mannered.

Winters were particularly difficult for Mira. So, she was humanely euthanized just before our first winter blizzard of 2008. Mira taught us so much about the resilience of donkeys and their capacity for rehabilitation. She is greatly missed.

"Snoopy" was Longhopes. He arrived in 1999 and he was our mascot until he passed on December 3, 2008. Snoopy was about 15 when we took him off a slaughter-truck. Thin, scarred and afraid, it took many months to earn his trust. But once we did, he was determined to stay at Longhopes-so he became our mascot. He was the poster child for donkey rescue. He needed so much rehabilitation and he proved what could be achieved regardless of the length of prior physical abuse and neglect.

In the latter years, Snoopy had his own stall (no other donkey got that treatment) for comfort and privacy. He was known as the "Hugh Hefner" of Longhopes (without the girls).

Snoopy never had any special friend at Longhopes but he did have a job. We'd make him babysit new or young donkeys.!!! He hated it.

Nothing will be the same without him.

"Doc" was rescued off the slaughter truck in March 2009. Unfortunately he had bladder stones and a tumor in his mouth. But you'd never know it-he was a darling young mammoth gelding. He was saved with "Wyatt" his close companion. Sadly, Doc did not survive surgery to repair his bladder. But he did live long enough to make sure Wyatt was safe and acclimated to Longhopes.

"Basel" was about 30 years old. He arrived at Longhopes in 2005 off the slaughter truck. In 2007 he was adopted but in 2008 his adopter died of brain cancer so Basel returned to us. He seemed very content back at Longhopes and buddied up to Bailey. Neither had good teeth so both were given permanent sanctuary to manage their special diet. He and Bailey loved to graze in the backyard (a special privledge).

He was in great spirits until the day he suffered a twisted stomach and had to be euthanized to end his suffering.