Henry included in the purchase price
Ute shortly before her slaughter date
From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
The donkeys are the favorites of visitors to Gut Aiderbichl. During the day, they stroll around the farm and look forward to meeting the humans and all the snacks the latter carry in their bags and backpacks, which they are not allowed to feed them, but which 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 recognized the situation, and looked around for a second donkey. That's how Ute came to be. Ute was to be taken to the butcher at the age of 18.
The idyll failed because of the renovation costs of the old house
Henry and Ute were to have a good, happy life in the large garden with their new owner. Unfortunately, it so happened that the planned conversion costs of the house were beyond the financial scope and the keeping of the two donkeys was no longer possible for financial reasons.
With a heavy heart, a new forever home was sought for Henry and Ute. After contacting the animal emergency center of Gut Aiderbichl, the commitment to take in the two donkeys could be given. The journey went to the meeting yard Gut Aiderbichl Deggendorf.
Each donkey has its own character
Henry and Ute have been in their new forever home for a few weeks. They are still exploring the stables, the meadows, like to walk to the cat villa and back again. Benedikt Gruber, caretaker in Deggendorf, says that the two newcomers don't quite know yet which donkey gang they should join. "But it will work out - donkeys are philosophers, after all, and want to think their decisions through carefully ...".
Donkeys are very sociable and empathetic, gentle and peace-loving animals. They are philosophers and thinkers, and do not jump to conclusions. Henry and Ute don't get stressed. You will never succeed in stressing a donkey. He stops, watches and listens and, maybe, eventually, he moves on. There are reserved donkeys, those who already 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 fellow donkeys. Perhaps the donkeys of Deggendorf give the signal "You are the new ones. Ok. Be welcome!".
Let's see which group they will join in the near future.
Keep donkey alone?
Basically, donkeys are to be kept in groups. Keeping donkeys individually is not appropriate for the species and violates the principles of the Animal Welfare Act.. The human being or an animal foreign to the species cannot replace the donkey's conspecific.
Henry's new owner must have noticed right away that his new friendd feels alonee. Since donkeys are very intelligent animals arewho know exactly how to convey theirmessages, Henry may have been able to communicate through lautstarkes Iaaaah-screaming to draw attention to itself? So sa needs for food, water or attention communicatt? He must have done well, too, because his human brought him ute.
The desire to keep an animal arises from an ancient basic motive - namely the longing of cultural man for the lost paradise.
~ Konrad Lorenz
Let's wish Henry and his Ute many wonderful days in the donkey gang they will choose.
Sincerely, your Gisela.
