Bereaved donkey finds new forever friend

Raffles lived with best friend Harry and their owners Rosie and Mike Dewhurst at their idyllic countryside home in northern Scotland. But when Harry suddenly passed away in November 2022, Raffles was left heartbroken and stricken with grief.

This was also a very traumatic time for Rosie and Mike, who not only lost one of their beloved donkeys but also saw the effect it had on Raffles.

Rosie and Mike read up on donkey bereavement on The Donkey Sanctuary’s website, but also reached out to our Welfare team for more help and advice. They were then contacted and subsequently visited by Donkey Welfare Adviser Adele Crompton.

The couple shared their story with Adele and introduced her to Raffles. Adele suggested they might like to consider becoming Guardians to another donkey on our Rehoming Scheme, who could become a Raffles’ friend.

Over the next few weeks, and with lots of love and care, Raffles began to overcome his grief. Rosie and Mike were torn between relinquishing Raffles into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary, where they knew he’d have a loving home for life in company of other donkeys, and rehoming another donkey. They eventually decided to apply to become Guardians, and were successful.

Rosie and Mike then received further Donkey Sanctuary training in preparation for the new donkey’s arrival.

Fortunately, they already had two large paddocks on their smallholding, so they divided one in two with post-and-rails and put up new fencing, so that on the day of arrival the two could be kept safely separated. They also cleared out their tack room, which has doors specifically for donkeys, so that each would have their own space.

Then they received the call they had been waiting for – a suitable companion for Raffles had been found.

Bob lived among the resident herd at The Donkey Sanctuary Leeds and had been providing donkey-assisted activities to people in the surrounding community, while being trained for our Rehoming Scheme.

Before coming into our care, Bob was originally bought by his owners at the Appleby Fair in Cumbria. He proved to be a bit of an escape artist and kept setting himself free. The owners were unable to secure him on their land and were concerned for his safety, but wanted the best future for him – so they made the decision to relinquish him into our care.

After spending several years in Devon, Bob eventually found himself at our sanctuary in Yorkshire and joined the herd in the summer of 2022.

With the support of Adele and fellow Donkey Welfare Adviser Nicola Liddell, Bob arrived at Rosie and Mike’s Scottish idyll in August 2023.

When Raffles saw him, he cantered over to meet him across the fence. The pair then spent around 20 minutes trotting back and forth along the rails getting to know each other.

Adele then suggested that Raffles should join Bob. Raffles was quite active and keen to get to know his new companion by displaying lots of interested and curious behaviour – but Bob was completely non-plussed, taking everything in his stride. Within another half an hour they were both grazing side by side.

Rosie and Mike were delighted. Rosie said: “To see Raffles with Bob was wonderful. He had been alone for seven months and now finally both donkeys had the chance of happiness together.

“Initially we spent a great deal of time with both, sometimes sitting for an hour or two observing them and offering cuddles if they came to say hello to us. But as Bob settled, we gave them more time alone. We gave them quiet time and space, and within two months they were fully bonded, playing games together and mutually grooming one another.”

Bob’s character has started to shine through, and Rosie and Mike have discovered that he has two loves in life, apart from Raffles – food and people.

Bob is also friendly and gentle, and while he may be smaller in stature, he doesn’t lack confidence. They seem perfectly matched, as Raffles loves people too, although he is the more curious of the pair.

Adele commented: “It has been a real pleasure to support not only Raffles but also Rosie and Mike on their journey to becoming Guardians on our Rehoming Scheme.

“Rosie and Mike have always put Raffles’ welfare at the forefront of all their decisions, and after lots of discussions we were eventually able to find a perfect pairing with Bob.

“Bob and Raffles have settled into their new friendship as if they have been together for years. I know that they will want for nothing in their new home.”

Rosie and Mike have provided a loving, idyllic home for Bob. Thanks to The Donkey Sanctuary, and with Adele’s support, Raffles now has a new best friend.

Rosie added: “The whole experience has been so positive for Mike and me, but more importantly for Raffles and Bob.”