Saying goodbye to Ripple

Ripple had been suffering from equine asthma for a number of years and had been undergoing treatment to help manage the condition. He also had a history of liver problems.

Liza Macmaster, Farm Supervisor at Paccombe, had been closely monitoring Ripple in recent months: “Results from his blood tests have not been good and unfortunately his bad days were becoming more and more frequent."

“We also discovered a sarcoid on him, which had become ulcerated. Due to his poor health, it was decided that he was not well enough to undergo surgery so the heart-breaking decision was made that it was time to say goodbye.”

He did not suffer and was put to sleep gently, surrounded by his best friend Billy O, and the team at Paccombe Farm who have cared for him during his retirement.

A tribute to Ripple

Sarah Murray, Equine Assistant at Leeds, recalls her happy times with Ripple: “He was such a character, cheeky and playful but also had a calm and relaxing side to his personality.”

“He was a big softy too and gave just the best cuddles. He also loved his food, although he would try and eat things he shouldn’t, with his grooms having to wrestle paper, Christmas decorations, clothes and various other things out of his mouth.”

“He always enjoyed a good play with the other donkeys too, once picking up a tarpaulin sheet to chase another donkey, who ran off terrified of the massive blue sheet chasing him across the arena! It was always fun having Ripple about.”

“You needed to have patience with him though. He was never in a rush to do things: If he didn’t want to move, you wouldn’t be going anywhere unless it was his idea. Ripple chose what he wanted to do, whether it was going for a walk, watching the staff working or just relaxing and taking everything in”.

Equine Coordinator Laura Lambert added, “We are going to miss his laid-back attitude and his big wobbly bottom lip. Rest in peace Ripple”

Life at the sanctuary

Born in Dundee on 1 January 2006, Ripple arrived at The Donkey Sanctuary Leeds in December 2009. A big donkey with a big heart he soon formed a special friendship with his grooms, enjoying resting his head on their shoulders and wobbling his famous droopy bottom lip.

He loved receiving lots of human attention and was an integral player in the Donkey Assisted Activities (DAA) at Leeds supporting countless vulnerable people throughout the local community. He appeared on the CBBC children’s television programme Something Special, which showcased his DAA work, and was filmed at The Donkey Sanctuary Leeds.

Due to his health issues, Ripple retired from the adoption scheme last year and moved on to new pastures down on Paccombe Farm, Devon, along with best friend Billy O.

Thanks to our expert veterinary team, Ripple received the very best treatments for his condition, occasionally having to wear a nebuliser to help administer effective medicine, as Sarah Murray remembers: “When he started on his nebuliser it never phased him having a huge thing on his nose for 20 mins at a time. He was so brave.”

After so many active years at our sanctuary in Yorkshire and his retirement in Devon, there is no doubt that Ripple will be missed by many; staff, visitors and adopters alike.