waldo

Waldo was one of our first saves in 2023. He took us in to uncharted territory with the most shockingly terrible feet we have ever seen. He was the only donkey left on the feedlot after an effort by several rescues to save dozens and not let any ship to slaughter. Anyone would have taken one look at Waldo’s hooves and understandably seen massive vet bills and probable euthanasia. This is where we stepped in.

Waldo’s hooves had completely curled backwards, forcing him to walk on his knuckles. That he could walk at all was a miracle in itself and he got around without showing signs of pain. A real trooper, he seemed oblivious to how bad it was and learned to manage his disability. After ten years of total neglect that allowed this to happen, all he wanted was love and kindness.

The first thing we did was get him to a veterinary hospital to see what we were dealing with and what - if anything - could be done about it. By the time Janelle and I got over to meet him, he was happily munching on hay and starting to put on some much needed weight. Janelle knows everything about feet and was part of the consultations. When we were discussing all the possibilities for him, including euthanasia, she quietly said, "I know what Waldo would want. He wants to live.” That was that.

We took him to the vet hospital in California, where they were as shocked as we were by his feet. Dr. Wade Walker consulted numerous other hoof specialists and got some very positive advice and feedback. We had to thoroughly weigh up what Waldo would have to go through for his feet to turn in the right direction and grow healthily. It involved surgery to cut his tendons. Other considerations were how well he would tolerate surgery, if he could then bear weight, and get back up. We probably did more research and intense investigation into the options for helping Waldo than any other donkey.

There were so many if's going into this and none of us were going to let him suffer. We were all prepared to stop trying if he was in pain or not doing well at any stage. Waldo astounded us, once again, by sailing through surgery with flying colors. He got back up without needing a cast on his lower legs for support and walked upright on his feet. We anticipated 3-6 months of rehab, but once again, Waldo astounded us. After a month at the hospital and further trims, Dr. Walker was amazed by how quickly Waldo had progressed and was able to walk on his new, forward-facing feet. He felt the best thing now would be encouragement to walk about with other donkeys - and a social life would be the best thing for mental stimulation.

When he was ready to come home, my hubby, Chris, offered to go with me to pick him up as a Valentine’s present. He knows the way to my heart - our first date was spent saving a donkey. Waldo unloaded in Malibu and belted out a bray with an unparalleled exuberance for life. A song filled with so much triumph and joy that I threw my arms around his neck to hug and kiss him in celebration. We did, however, keep him at the old ranch for a while where the volume of his voice wouldn’t disturb any neighbors!

The least of Waldo’s problems was the fact that he was still a jack when we rescued him - but it did become a problem. When he met other donkeys or horses, he tried to mount them. This was his inclination even a few weeks after he was gelded. He didn’t make any friends in Malibu, consequently, so we decided to take him to Oregon. Our thought was we would find him a nice lady friend once his hormones settled down. We released all the Malibu arrivals into a spacious pen with Pony Boy and Rusty leading the way. Bringing up the rear was Waldo, braying his victory call as he ran down the road with mustangs.

Up until that point, BonBon the mini-mule had palled around with the baby zebras. Rambunctious and playful, he was always looking for a tussle and would chase them around trying to play. Then he met Waldo and these two loved each other. Just like that. They lie side by side lazing in the sun. They choose to share a hay tub when there are enough for each to have his own. They move at exactly the same speed and in the same direction. Waldo and Bon Bon were just meant to be. They only part ways in their relationship with humans. BonBon wants nothing to do with them, but Waldo is a love bug, who can’t get enough hugs and scratches.

I believe Waldo understands what we did for him, that we knew he wanted a fighting chance and gave it to him. He has a beautiful soul, is both a lover and a fighter, and I love him. He loves me right back - perhaps with a touch of codependency. Any time he hears my voice, he comes running to the fence to say hello. He falls into a blissful trance as I massage his ears. Many a video I have recorded about other residents include him braying in the background. He hears my voice and breaks into his song of love.

He’s one of my favorite saves. I am so proud of all he’s done to show people that euthanasia doesn’t always have to be the first option. Since Waldo’s surgery, Dr. Walker has performed this procedure to help other donkeys walk normally again. All the good that comes around to him, Waldo gives back three-fold.

#skydogwaldo

Mustangs and burros need your help 

In addition to supporting our work by donating, becoming a patron on Patreon or sponsoring a Skydog, there are several important pieces of legislation to protect American equines currently moving through Congress. It only takes a few minutes to contact your Rep and Senators and urge them to support these bills:

Save America’s Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act of 2023 (H.R. 3475 in the House / S.2307 in the Senate). This bill will shut down the slaughter pipeline that sends some 20,000 American horses and donkeys to savagely monstrous deaths in foreign slaughterhouses every year.

The Wild Horse & Burro Protection Act of 2023 (H. R. 3656) This bill will prohibit the use of helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft in the management of wild mustangs and burros on public lands, and require a report on humane alternatives to current management practices.

Ejiao Act of 2023 (H.R. 6021). To ​​ban the sale or transportation of ejiao, a gelatin made from boiling donkey skins, or products containing ejiao in interstate or foreign commerce, which brutally kills millions of donkeys primarily for beauty products and Chinese medicine.

You can Contact Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121‬, submitting contact forms on their individual websites, or sending one email to all three simultaneously at www.democracy.io

See our How to Help menu for other actions to ban zebra hunting at US canned hunt ranches, stop production of Premarin & other PMU drugs, and defund the Adoption Incentive Program.