Furax passed away
On Saturday 15 October 2011 we had to put down Furax.
He just couldn’t take it any more…
Furax had been constantly ill from when he arrived here in March earlier this year, with Charlotte and Chipie (II). He was unable to pass his bowels by himself and that cause a lot of problems. Last spring you were already able to read about his illness.
In his last weeks Furax needed my help for up to 10 times a day, even at night. Despite my help he kept falling to the ground every time. Only lots of medication could keep him going, but this was never a solution for his problems.
When Furax turned very ill again on 14 October it turned out that he could never be without all these heavy medicines. That’s when we decided to end his life, and he passed away peacefully that Saturday.
Up until his last moments, mentally Furax was very well and he really did want to live on. But his body had decided otherwise.
We now also know how he had become this seriously ill. Last January, Furax fell into a hole and was dragged out by a tractor. This damaged his back and probably also his vertebras. This would also explain the strange way he used to walk.
Because of the many hours a day we took care of him and because of his loving character, we had a very special bond with Furax. There was no other choice, but the pain of having to miss him is devastating.
Rest peacefully, dear Furax.
Rositha’s unexpected death
Rositha died very unexpectly on Sunday 14 August 2011. On Sunday morning she was lying in the field and we managed to help her get back on her feet. She walked over to her best friend Poupoune and seemed fine again. But an hour and a half later, Walter found her dead in the stable.
For the first time Rositha was beginning to live a happy and normal donkey life, among her new donkey friends. She also started to realise that humans were trustworthy. Unfortunately she has only had three and a half months to enjoy her newfound happiness. We miss her very much.
Death of Augustin and Karuso 
2012 couldn’t end worse...
On Thursday 15 November 2012, Augustin was lying with his head in my lap while the vet put him down.
Late September, Augustin had fallen rather awkwardly but he was recovering well. And just when he was doing better, we found him lying in his stable, unable to stand up. There was no change in his condition and the vets couldn’t help him anymore. His health slowly deteriorated, so I had no choice but to put him out of his misery…
Right after Augustins death, Karuso lied down in another stable and he aswell was unable to stand since then. Karuso had always been very sensitive for hoof conditions and was currently suffering one. But he seemed to be doing better. From the moment he lay down on the ground, his condition worsened rapidly and he was in a lot of pain. Medication did nothing for him and in this case too, the vets didn’t know what to do.
On Monday 19 November 2012, Karuso – with his head nestled in my arms – was put out of his misery by the vet.
The donkey shelter is in mourning and I am a broken man. To have to put down two of the loveliest donkeys in one week…
I would hereby like to thank Henk Maas, my ‘Thursday volunteer’ at Aide Aux Anes, who stood by me during those difficult days.
Augustin ( 1984 – 15 Nov. 2012 ) rest peacefully.
Karuso ( 19 April 1998 – 19 Nov. 2012 ) rest peacefully.
We will never forget you.
Dalton has died.
It pains me to have to say that on Wednesday 7 August, Dalton passed away.
From the beginning of his stay here, in December 2010, Dalton had suffered pain in his belly. He had to lie down a lot, and then had difficulty getting up on his hooves again.
In July this situation deteriorated. At the end of the month it was so bad that he was treated with various medications and I had to constantly empty his bowels by hand, because he was unable to relieve himself.
Dalton’s hind legs seemed to be paralysed and he was unable to get up. It got even worse and he was suffering.
I have had to make a tough decision and called the vet about euthanizing Dalton. With his head I my arms Dalton went peacefully to sleep…
Just last month in the newsletter, Dalton was our Donkey in the spotlights...
** Rest in peace my dear Dalton. Thank you for everything. We will never forget you... **
Pépère died.
It had been in the back of my mind every day for some time, but every day he just continued living happily.
Until Wednesday 3 December 2014.
That morning Pépère was not waiting at the gate, for me to bring him his daily extra meal.
I found him in the abri, where he most likely had peacefully fallen to sleep.
The day before, everything had been as usual, so he probably ‘just’ died of old age.
Pépère had lived with me since May 2007 and we had a very strong connection. My friend for life Pépère is gone. I will never forget him.
He lived to be 37 years old.
Deceased donkeys
These donkeys have died in 2015…
September 21st : Poupoune
September 21st : Fanchon
October 1st : Zorro
And on January 6th 2016: Nanette
Sophie deceased
On monday april, 10th 2017 I had to let sleep Sophie...
From June, 3 th 2009, the day that Sophie is become to live here, she was already ill.
The former owners wouldn’t take care of her anymore.
Sophie had a chronic bowel disease, comparable with Crohn’s disease.
Times she was bad, times she was pretty good.
But always the situation was was “acceptable” for Sophie.
Since a while Sophie got also problems with getting up and walking (including rheumatism).
And very recently the situation deteriorated….
Sophie couldn’t anymore (getting up)…
The veterinarian has at my request Sophie – with her head in my arms – euthanized.
Dear Sophie, thanks for all the love you have given me in the eight years you lived here.
Rest in peace dear Sophie, I will never, but really never, forget you.
Deceased donkeys in 2016
June, 19th donkey Diane has died at the age of 26 and August, 9th donkey Chipie (age unknown).
Décés de Kaïd...
C’est avec une immense tristesse que je dois annoncer que mon âne bien-aimé, Kaïd, après avoir été très malade pendant huit semaines, n’a pas survécu.
J'ai fait le maximum - et même plus - mais parfois tu ne gagnes pas...
Le samedi 2 mars 2019, Kaïd a été libéré de ses souffrances.
Kaïd ne souffre plus et, après un certain temps j'espère moi non plus.
Je pense que je n'ai jamais autant aimé un âne.
Repose en paix mon cher Kaïd et tu garderas toujours une place dans mon coeur ...
Kaïd * 12-04-1998 - † 02-03-2019
Tic est décédé.
Pour la première fois en 13 ans, j'ai dû faire endormir un âne dans un pré. Et de façon totalement inattendue.
Dimanche matin 12 mai 2019, 30 ânes sont venus me voir dans un pré à mon arrivée. Mais un est resté loin, couché....: Tic.
Après des recherches Tic semble être complètement paralysé à l’arrière.
Pourtant, il semblait tout à fait en forme avec un gros appétit, mais il ne pouvait pas bouger ses jambes arrières et donc ne pouvait plus marcher.
Une vétérinaire spécialisée à l'ostéopathie a traité Tic deux fois et chaque jour je le levais avec des cordes attachées sur mon télescopique et m'occupais de nombreuses heures de lui. Mais aucune réaction ou amélioration.
Lundi 20 mai 2019, la vétérinaire a libéré Tic de ses souffrances et il est parti avec sa tête dans mes bras.
Seulement quatre jours avant d'être paralysé, Tic était encore visible en pleine santé à la télévision française ....
Cher Tic, je ne t'oublierai jamais et tu resteras dans mon cœur pour toujours.
