Cookie brings comfort after tragic loss

Paula, whose story we featured last year, was left ‘completely blindsided’ after her donkey, Yorkie Boy, passed away just 16 hours after displaying concerning symptoms in September last year.

What started as a routine Monday for Paula had ended in tragedy by midday the following day. At 8pm on Monday night, she made her way down to the stables where Yorkie Boy and companion Fergus were awaiting their bedtime routine.

“Every night, Fergus and Yorkie Boy would munch on a treat,” Paula says. “On this occasion, Yorkie Boy refused his, which instantly set alarm bells ringing. I noticed he kept lying down and standing back up and he also kicked out his back legs a few times.

“His behaviour was enough for me to think ‘this isn’t right’. I called my friend Hazel, who has experience working with equines all over the world. She observed Yorkie Boy’s behaviour and said she thought it might be colic.”

Paula also called out a local equine vet, who confirmed Hazel’s suspicions – Yorkie Boy’s symptoms were indicative of colic.

However, it was only after Yorkie Boy was sedated to allow the vet to take bloods that his situation worsened. Once he came back around, Paula noticed that Yorkie Boy was cold to the touch and shivering.

The following morning, Yorkie Boy’s breathing had become rapid and laboured. Paula called the vets once more, who asked her to transport him to a veterinary hospital in Edinburgh.

Sadly, Yorkie Boy passed away unexpectedly during the journey to Scotland, leaving Paula in ‘complete shock’.

“I could not believe he had gone,” she said. “I never saw it coming. It really affected Fergus as well. He was travelling to Scotland with Yorkie Boy and experienced the whole thing. It explains why he grieved so hard for his friend afterwards.”

In the weeks following Yorkie Boy’s death, Paula noticed that Fergus was becoming more detached, preferring to keep to himself.

“He had always been so keen for cuddles and attention,” she recalls. “But when I tried to approach him he would just walk away.

“It was so upsetting because I could see his level of sadness, but there was nothing I could do.

“Not only was I dealing with the loss of Yorkie Boy, who had left a massive hole in my life, but I was seeing a hurting donkey who was slowly detaching from me, which was troubling me even more.”

The start of a new friendship

In the weeks that followed, Paula spoke to our Donkey Welfare Adviser Sally Bamforth to express an interest in rehoming another donkey to provide comfort to Fergus.

A match was soon made in 15-year-old Cookie, who arrived at Paula’s home in Northumberland in November last year.

“Losing Yorkie Boy never deterred me from looking after such wonderful animals,” Paula says. “I remember when he arrived, Cookie couldn’t get out of the transporter fast enough.

“He was nose to nose over the gate with Fergus in a matter of minutes, and soon enough they were side by side together in the paddock.

“Fergus was so excited, and I remember feeling overwhelmed with relief and joy. I hugged Fergus’ face and told him he has a new friend to spend his life with.”

In the months since Cookie’s arrival, the relationship between the two donkeys has gone from strength to strength. It’s been a lovely period for Paula too, as she has once again found the joy in close donkey companionship.

“From the day of his arrival, Cookie loved affection,” Paula says. “He is such a character, and makes me laugh every day. He fills me with joy and it has been wonderful seeing him and Fergus growing together.”

While Fergus is still coming to terms with the loss of his friend, Paula has noticed a major upward shift in his mood.

She hopes that as the months go by, he will soon bounce back to his old self.

“In the ten weeks between Yorkie Boy’s passing and Cookie’s arrival, Fergus would call for attention,” she says. “He would bray loudly whenever I left, despite not seeking out my affections.

“I haven’t heard him bray since Cookie’s arrival, which must mean that he is now content in his life once more.

“Hopefully, Fergus and his new friend will spend a long and happy time together.”