Teddy has been part of our outreach program for a few years.

Like many of our donkeys lately, Teddy comes from the village of Debren. He is quite an elderly gentleman at 30 years of age. 

Teddy has been helping an elderly couple with their family farm for decades. The last time we stopped by, we talked about retiring Teddy to the Valley.

So the time comes to pick up Teddy with our trailer and take him to his new home in the Donkey Valley.

The donkey was a faithful helper but his owners are retiring. Despite his age, Teddy is an energetic, sprite donkey and there are concerns he wouldn’t let anyone ride him or handle him.

At any rate, Teddy has also been a beloved companion. Saying goodbye is very emotional but everyone believes Teddy deserves to live a happy life in retirement with other donkeys.

We make sure Teddy is safe and secure, but comfortable too. It isn’t a long journey but Teddy doesn’t know why he is making it so his comfort matters a great deal.

We fill up the paperwork and are ready to go!

It was a smooth ride and Teddy is about to set foot in his new home. 

The donkey will spend his first few days or even weeks in the first stables where we keep an eye on newcomers, sick or injured donkeys.

A nice little graze is just what the doctor ordered to make yourself feel at home. Speaking of doctors, Teddy is in excellent health but will soon have to visit the dentist’s. 

We wait for a couple of weeks for Teddy to get used to his new home. Change is stressful as it is; plus, no one enjoys the trip to the dentist’s, no matter how beneficial it may be.

Thankfully, Teddy responds well to the anesthetic and is very calm during the treatment.

He needs to have his teeth cleaned from the considerably built-up tartar. It will certainly make digestion better.

Two months later Teddy has settled in the Donkey Valley very well. He is enjoying the companionship of other donkeys and has fantastic appetite – always a good sign. Happy days at the Valley, Teddy!