We make pick-up plans and on the day, we find Velik waiting for us outside, nearby his house.
VELIK, THE GREAT ONE
26 February 2025
In the spring of 2024, a new donkey travels from Ilinden village to join us at the Valley
We are familiar with Velik; he has been involved in our outreach program for the last few years. He lives in the village of Ilinden in a single-occupant household. Man and donkey are both getting to the age where rest is natural so in April, we get a phone call asking if we could take Velik to the Valley and have him spend his later years grazing happily an leading a quiet life.
We ask the man about his donkey’s name and, with considerable self-irony, he tells us he name him after every single other donkey in the region – Marco. He is quite chuffed to hear that since we can’t have a Valley full of Marcos we’ll have to give the donkey a new name and chose to call him like his human – Velik. (Velik means ‘Great One’ in Bulgarian.)
We had been treating Marco/Velik for a very stubborn case of pododermitis. We have also diagnosed him with typical arthritic degenerative problems. So we make sure the donkey gets a painkiller before embarking on his journey to the Valley.
Ready to hit the road.
First thing first – a thorough grooming session is part of Velik’s Welcome to the Donkey Valley ritual. He is sure to appreciate it greatly – his coat needs it.
Next step is trimming his hooves. He shows us immediately that he is as calm as can be under these new circumstances.
Velik barely uses his right leg anymore – his knee has a swelling and is likely quite painful.
Time to check the mobility of his front right leg where the signs of arthritis are most pronounced.
Velik retreats to the stables where he feels the most secure after the big change happening in his life within one single day.
A few months later, it is time to check on Velik. He has to wear the special head protective net that other donkeys do, too – all of them hypersensitive to flies and some grass. The eczema they both cause is aggravating and the net certainly helps.
Other than that, Velik has settled in well. He is a self-sufficient donkey whose favorite place is the haystack – Velik shares the belief that it is always time for a little snack.
Unfortunately, his old bones can’t always support his weight and he needs a helping hand or two to get him back on his own four feet. However, fortunately, now that he is at the Valley, he is never alone.
His healthy appetite never changes and we’ll take that as the best sign that there’s still plenty of life in the old donkey.
