"We love donkeys here at Redwings, so much so that when a brand new book about donkeys came out, our staff were all clamouring to help us review it! Here are some thoughts from our Chief Executive Lynn Cutress, who found the author a great personal inspiration..."
‘A-Plus’ for ‘D is for Donkey’
‘D is for Donkey: an A to Z of Donkey Facts and Stories’ was completed by Betty Svendsen just before she passed away suddenly earlier this year. As well as being the author of more than forty books, Betty founded and ran The Donkey Sanctuary for over thirty years. She was an inspiration to me and other leaders of welfare charities.
When I read D is for Donkey I could hear her voice and feel her passion shining through the words and photographs. She kicks off with one of her poems and the ensuing 220-plus pages run through stories of donkey characters, tales from overseas and donkey facts. I am always a fan of ensuring that people learn how different these special creatures are and Betty’s book interweaves important facts with beguiling tales that make donkey education fun – such as illustrating their strong bond of friendship and how hot bran mash with treacle just might do the trick for an ailing donkey’s supper.
You can get away with names for donkeys that could not be ‘carried’ by a horse – Naughty Face – Betty’s first donkey, and So Shy – one of six rescued with a broken spirit- for example. After reading the book I am however tempted by a few of the names for when we next need to give names to a rescue!
Some of the donkey characters included must have reincarnated in our Redwings herd – such as Irene a quiet skewbald who is always up for cuddles, who sounds like Redwings Felicity. Life with the 16.2hh mule Jubilee fathered by a Poitou sounds remarkably like our ‘special boy’ Molasses the mule.
The book is illustrated with a powerful combination of photos of donkeys and recollections of how they enrich the lives of people. I felt relieved by the photo of one of the staff reading out the crossword as my chats with our herds now do not feel quite so out of place. After all big ears make good listeners!
There are contributions from Donkey Sanctuary supporters and staff. You can gain an understanding of the overseas work as well as what is involved in keeping donkeys on such a large scale yet maintaining that personal touch.
D is for Donkey was likely intended for a bedtime read, but be warned, should you start at A for Angelina, you might find it difficult to put it down until Z ifor Zena (who is particularly cute and looks like Redwings beloved and precious little Esther). Much like the world of equine welfare one donkey leads to another. Thank you up there Betty for sharing these final words with us.
Lynn Cutress, Redwings Horse Sanctuary
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