07/14/2025
Poppy and Daisy. These two standard gals are as beautiful as their names. Poppy, who has been at the sanctuary since 2013, has bonded with Daisy who joined the gang last year.
Daisy reverted back to feral status and has been “a tough nut to crack”, so to speak. We always provide lots of space with newcomers. Sometimes it takes a few days, a few weeks, even months with some. Moving somewhere new can be traumatic in its own, but then when you add trust issues, handling concerns, social disruption and more, it can take a lot longer. Patience and not losing hope is key.
Daisy has found her place and is happy and comfortable with her equine family but still finds us as less than desirable. Any time we have had to assert ourselves for her own health- vetting, hoof trims, has set us back. Kind of a 1 step forward, 2 steps back, situation. We get it. We can never stress enough how everyone is unique. That goes for all species. Donkeys are incredibly sensitive and it takes time, a lot of time with some to prove you’re trustworthy of their friendship.
We have begun a new routine to hopefully help ease her in. Poppy, who once went through similar, is very much trusting in us. We have begun feeding just Poppy and Daisy in the catch pen. Hoping a smaller space where she can observe us working with Poppy will get her interest going. Of course there’s always a pocket full of treats during these sessions. She has the curiosity so hopefully the trust will come next.
