Typically for Bulgaria, March is a mixture between sunny and frosty. It is time for our spring cleaning, though it is coats and bodies we treat rather than windows and floors.

We begin our first delousing for the year. Warm weather means more insects, especially flies so it’s a necessary step in looking after the sanctuary inhabitants.
We usually repeat the treatment every two to three months all the way until late autumn.

Change of routine for the day – donkeys are impatient to go out and start roaming but after breakfast we get them back in the stables. They’ll be going out one by one today.

As each donkey is let out, we treat them against flies and other pests, and we check their teeth. That involves feeling up the molars for ridges that are too high and might need filing.

Donkeys, like any living being, dislike the treatment. They perceive it as intrusive and it leaves them feeling exposed. It is the very definition of ‘necessary evil’, however, because dental care is fundamental for any donkey’s health and well-being.

We are happy to find that most of our inhabitants can congratulate themselves on their good dental situation.

After we have checked every animal, we have a list of donkeys that will need a trip to the dentist’s. They need to be able to grind their food well so the trip is no negotiable.

Without much drama, some of our oldest friends have lost a front tooth or three. They don’t have the human’s predisposition to fret about appearance so it isn’t really a problem for donkeys inasmuch as they can still graze and eat well.

Tiny Natasha has lost her upper front teeth and the rest feel quite wobbly. Losing them too would be an issue so we are going to monitor her weight and food intake.

Manol is observing the proceedings with interest but from a safe distance. Who could blame him?!

Lybcho is the first patient in the ‘dentist’s chair.’

The next patient is already peeking in, curious about all the fuss. There is a line of eight more donkeys behind him, waiting for their turn to undergo the dental treatment that is paramount for their general health.