Tulip

Name: Tulip (bonded with Opal)

Breed: Donkey

Age: 20

Story: Bonded sisters, Tulip and Opal were lifelong besties who were taken to the auction, a place where elderly equines don’t fare well. Luckily, good Samaritans found Zeb’s Wish and we were able to bid on both she and her big Sister and get them out of there. Tulip was a beautiful lady donkey that was a bit shy of people and takes some time to warm up. We were making great strides with her through Positive Reinforcement (Clicker) training and she was starting to enjoy a certain amount of human touch but we were still unable to get her to trust us with her feet and she was having some really big issues due to not being able to care for them.  We made the decision that we could not wait for her trust to come around and decided on Prone Anesthesia to care for her feet and do her dental all in one session. Although this type of sedation is commonly used, with any medical procedure, there is always a very slight risk things may go awry. Tulip did not regain the use of her back legs when she emerged from anesthesia. After 2 days of heroics on behalf of sanctuary staff, volunteers and veterinarians, and Tulip herself, we recognized that she was not going to recover so we lovingly let her go. She fought so hard and Michael was there to hold her in love while she passed. 

Tulip and Opal were so bonded and all eyes now went to Opal as she is quite elderly and fragile.  We are glad to report she has found new connections within the herd and has soldiered on without her Bestie.