Henry included in the purchase price
Ute shortly before her slaughter date
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
The donkeys are the visitors’ favourites at Gut Aiderbichl. During the day, they stroll around the farm and look forward to seeing the humans and all the snacks they carry in their bags and rucksacks, which they are not allowed to feed them but the donkeys would love to grab.
Henry, a 23-year-old donkey gelding, was probably included in the purchase price of an old house. He was standing in the garden and seemed unhappy because he was standing here alone.
The new homeowner recognised the situation and looked around for a second donkey. That’s how Ute came about. At 18 years old, Ute was to be taken to the slaughterhouse.
The idyll failed due to the renovation costs of the old house
Henry and Ute were supposed to have a good, happy life in their new owner’s large garden. Unfortunately, the planned remodelling costs of the house went beyond the financial framework and it was no longer possible to keep the two donkeys for financial reasons.
With a heavy heart, a new forever home was sought for Henry and Ute. After contacting Gut Aiderbichl’s animal emergency centre, the two donkeys were given the go-ahead to be taken in. The journey went to the Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf animal visitor centre.
Every donkey has its own character
Henry and Ute have been in their new forever home for a few weeks now. They are still exploring the stables and the meadows, and enjoy walking to the cat villa and back again. Benedikt Gruber, manager in Deggendorf, says that the two newcomers still don’t really know which donkey gang they should join. “But it will work out – donkeys are philosophers and want to think about their decisions carefully …”.
Donkeys are very sociable and empathetic, gentle and peace-loving animals. They are philosophers and thinkers and don’t jump to conclusions. Henry and Ute don’t let themselves get stressed. You will never manage to stress a donkey. He stands still, watches and listens and, perhaps, at some point, he moves on. There are reserved donkeys, those who think they are the boss on the second day, those who are arrogant and those who are open to everything and quickly make friends in a group.
Donkeys are highly sensitive. Just as they sense the moods of humans, they also sense the moods of their conspecifics. Perhaps the Deggendorf donkeys are signalling “You’re the new ones. Ok. Be welcome!”.
Let’s see which group they will join in the near future.
Keep donkeys alone?
Grundsätzlich sind Esel in Gruppen zu halten. Keeping donkeys individually is not appropriate for the species and violates the principles of the Animal Welfare Act. Humans or non-species-specific animals cannot replace the donkey’s conspecific.
Henry’s new owner must have realised straight away, that his new friendd is feels alonee. Since donkeys are very intelligent animals, who know exactly how to convey theirmessages, Henry may have been able to get his message across through lautstrong Iaaaah–shouting at attention? So sone needs food, water or attentiont? He must have done well too, because his human brought him Ute.
The desire to keep an animal stems from an ancient basic motive - namely the longing of civilised man for a lost paradise.
~ Konrad Lorenz
Wishing Henry and his Ute many wonderful days in the donkey gang they will choose.
Herzlichst, Ihre Gisela.
