Katie

Height:  ~32" 
Weight: 200 lbs
DOB:  pre-1995?
Sex:  Jenny
Color:  Gray
Breed:  Donkey
​​DNA:  1st TBD,
2nd TBD,
3rd TBD
Category:  Donkey

Katie's Story

 AAE was contacted in early January by an older woman asking if we could take their mini donk and two goats because she and husband were getting older and "selling the farm".  She said the donk, Katie, was older and tiny (28-30") w/a lil arthritis....and the goats were mid-teens, older and a lil arthritis, but they all got around fine.  It seems AAE always has a full house, so we couldn't help in that moment.  When it finally seemed like the load was lightening in early March, we coordinated a pick-up.  We learned one of the goats passed the week before, apparently victim of a predator.  It turned out to be a very heart-wrenching surrender.

When we arrived, poor Katie was emaciated beyond imagine; she was down and lethargic.  She was a bag of bones and couldn't get up.  Her coat was so long and thick, it masked her bony frame.  There was literally, hardly any muscle anywhere on her body (e.g. hips, neck, cheeks, etc.).  Heidi, her lil goat friend, must have been eating Katie's food.  She was beyond plump, and extremely arthritic.  Through some gentle urging and support, Katie got up.  Heidi, too.  We had to lift them each into the transport van.  Thankfully, we were not far from home., and it seemed like the longest seven mile drive.  Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center was called as soon as we got on the road, and they arrived about 10 minutes after we got the girls unloaded and in stall.

It was a sad scene.  The vet was very concerned about Katie's condition.  Katie got fluids with B vitamin, a dose of pain killer,, and blood was drawn.  Heidi got some pain killer and other meds to help her, too.  We needed blood results before we could evaluate Katie's chance for recovery.  While waiting, we started her on a very slow refeeding program using an alfalfa pellet mash.  

Katie's blood results were poor.  Emaciated, arthritis, blind, neuro issues (droopy tongue), diarrhea with crusty poop smothering her hind end, mats, lice, pressure sores, horrible teeth, and an apparent history of foundering.  She should have been done long ago, but somehow, she had moments of "I want to live".  She'd smile with her ears straight up.  She even played with her food bowl and water bucket a couple times.  She'd try to follow you out the door.  She'd rub up on you.

We needed to give her a chance to try some food she could eat (soaked pellets, not hay or cob), water, pain meds, and TLC,  Katie wanted to eat, she wanted to drink water, and she was able to get up on her own....some of the time.  We held onto hope.

After 36 hours, another blood sample was drawn.  Some results improved, but some got worse.  Sadly, she was a bit up and a bit down.  After 72 hours the bad was outweighing the good.  She was losing her interest in food and water, and as much as we wanted her to, it hurt too much to ask her to continue to fight.  Without a doubt, it would be a long road ahead, and with all her body had been through, it didn't seem her lil body could hang on that long.  We helped Katie across the Rainbow Bridge when it seemed she was tiring of the fight.  Heidi was also in poor condition.  The two girls arrived together, and they crossed together...together forever, pain free.

Katie was a remarkable example of incredible resilience, and absolute forgiveness.  She should have hated humans, yet Katie was the kindest, sweetest soul I have ever known.