Now the treatment begins. As you can see from the last photo he needs remedial work on his hooves. This is the worst one. He will settle in for a few days to get used to us, then Aris the farrier will come and start the treatment. Although we have been taught how to keep the donkeys hooves in order, we do not risk working on badly deformed hooves like this in case we make matters worse.

Bobby had been well looked after by his owners, who had used him to work until a few weeks ago. Being in a remote village they would not know that there was a fully qualified farrier based in Crete.


Later this month we have a specialist equine vet coming whose visit is undertaken by the Greek Animal Welfare Fund and paid for by The Donkey Sanctuary. During this visit we treat working donkeys in the surrounding area, so those few days will be very busy feeding, cleaning etc. the 16 we have, driving round the villages to find donkeys and advise the owners when the vet and farrier will be coming.

As you can imagine, what we do comes at a price and Crete is now a very expensive place. Hay which we feed the donkeys costs 12 euros a bale here compared with 3 in northern Europe. If there is any way you wish to assist please contact us.


Alistair

Beauty came from people we know and when we went to collect her we were shocked at her condition. She was lying down and had the greatest difficulty getting up. Had we known we could have taken pain killers which would have relieved the pain very quickly.

When we got her back to the stables we gave her painkillers while she was in the trailer which made it easier for her to get out. In the stable we then examined her and discovered a bad abscess in one hoof which we started to treat immediately. This requires daily cleaning and dressing.

Now while she is still wearing a silver shoe, of duct tape, to cover the dressing she is very lively and looking very different from the donkey who came less than two weeks ago.

Yesterday we hoped that Aris, the farrier, would come to treat 3 donkeys who need some remedial work on their hooves, but his workload in the area was too much. He phoned to say he would come on Monday. Aris comes with the GAWF outreach programme but also comes when he is in the area. He refuses payment, so we reached an agreement that he would have some fresh eggs from our chickens. Hope to include news of this visit in a day or two.

As part of Ierapetra’s Kyrvia festival, the Kalamafka Syllogos organizes a day celebrating the cycle of bread making which includes lots of food, traditional music and a demonstration of threshing of the barley in an Aloni, using 2 donkeys.

Last year,we went along to see and enjoy the day. However due to the appalling treatment of the donkeys – beaten with large sticks by a number of the men and bleeding legs and mouths, from badly fitting equipment, the experience was far from enjoyable.

We published photographs on our website, and asked the Greek Animal Welfare Fund to make representation on our behalf and we resolved to do something about this cruelty to ensure that it was not repeated..

Initially we spoke to our vet, Michalis Spiridakis who is a councillor in the Dimos of Ierapetra and a member of the Kalamafka Syllogos, but because of other commitments on the day, he had not been aware of the problems – but he agreed that something definitely had to be done, especially when we showed him photographs of how the donkeys had been treated.

An article also appeared in the Kathimerini magazine

A number of discussions were held to formulate a way forward, culminating in a meeting with the participants prior to this year’s event to resolve the issues and ensure that no repeat of the previous year would happen.

It transpired that a number of members had been upset by what they saw and a number of children had been most upset and in tears, so there was a will to do more. The syllogos wanted to present the very best of animal welfare to visitors and were totally open to suggestions.

Even on the day of the event, further discussions were held and a formula was agreed that;

1.Only people directly involved with the donkeys would work with them during the day.

2.No sticks would be used to induce the donkeys to perform.

3.A weight ‘limit’ of 2 or 3 small children being towed on the board was agreed.

4. The donkeys should have adequate rest, food and water breaks.

The Aloni demonstration was a wonderful event and from the outset, we were approached by many members of the syllogos who thanked us for helping in guiding them on the way forward. The participants were proud to be involved in such a splendid display, one man even went as far as to say that he would not be beating a donkey in the future – he would only beat his wife!!

We know both husband and wife and you an be assured that this was a pure joke.

So, while many people call for the laws to be invoked, police called etc -.it can be that with sensitive communications, delicate pressure, showing people the past evidence they can be encouraged to see and agree that they do not want to be part of a spectacle which upsets people and causes offence.

Well done to the people of Kalamafka, and a big thank you to vet Michalis Spiridakis who was instrumental in ensuring that this years’ event would be acceptable to all visitors.

Syd arrived with us on Sunday afternoon. After a short journey in the back of a truck I walked him the rest of the way to our sanctuary. He is settling in well

Syd walks well and without problems down to the sanctuary. he stops on the way for a roll!

He is introduce to the other 'oldies' over the fence. He wants to talk to them

This is probably the first time in his life that he has not been tethered or tied up with a rope.

He has made friends with Zak

He nearly runs when he sees us the next morning. He is one happy donkey now

The wound on his leg is still not completely healed but it is a lot easier for us to treat it now that he is living here with us.

http://donkeycarecrete.wordpress.com/the-donkey-with-legs-tied-together/