Donkey Artwork
This beautiful, tranquil painting of our very own Bunny was created by supporter Margaret Ingham and featured on the cover of our 2020 Winter Newsletter.
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This fun and colourful birthday party picture was drawn by 8 year old Aliyah Penfold (one of our young adopters) in celebration of our Silver Jubilee Anniversary!
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Poems For Donkeys
Heaven for a Donkey A lorry came and took my Mum away many years ago, Ever since that time I feel dead inside and my head hangs low. I cried for so long, my heart was broken; her love was all I knew, The work and the beatings got harder each day the more I grew. I do not understand, what did I do wrong in my life? The load was unbearable and straps across my back cut like a knife Toiled day and night till my bones ached with pain, I worked as hard as they wanted and did not complain. The sores and the cuts on my legs sting and burn every day, Please, be kind with a cool soft bed and little bit of hay. My mouth is dry from dust and my back burns in the heat, I am so hungry, so tired and feel dead on my feet. I stand in nowhere, surrounded by bottles and bags on a tip, Dear God let me lay down forever and feel no more the whip. Thrown out with the rubbish, no good and too old, My tears are silent, inside I am crying, are all people so cold? I think the time has come when God will take me home, Do not weep for me, for I will be in fields of daisies free to roam. I can hear my darling Mum calling, somewhere out of sight, I’ll be happy with her, no more pain; I close my eyes as day becomes night. Anonymous The Donkey Poem Don’t waste your time young lady, she heard the farmer say. That donkey, well he’s stupid; they’re all just born that way. "He’s slow to move, can take no load in buggy or in sack, The only thing he’s good for is a whip across his back" But the young girl, she knew different, she could sense it in her heart She would take the donkey home with her and give him a new start. So the farmer took her money and handed her the reins. Good riddance to bad rubbish, mules would always be the same. Ten years of hurt and ignorance and callous disregard, would need to be forgiven, and left there in the past. As the young girl walked the donkey home, there was no need for speech Their hearts and minds and souls were joined, the silence had been breached. For love can work great magic if you give it but a chance, stooped heads will rise, old dreams come true and broken hearts will dance. This story is no different from many I have heard. It teaches of the power of touch and gently spoken words. The young girl, now a woman, with children of her own, still loves this dusty donkey, she first brought to her home. You see the donkey symbolizes critters everywhere, that never get to share their gifts or know that humans care. Through history, their lives have been, all service, toil and scorn. A million miles of pain laid out along the paths they’ve worn. It doesn’t have to be like that, the answer’s in our hands All animals can share the blessings God first gave to man. Lets take the time to figure out the debt that they have due, Each dusty lonely donkey, with our love, can start anew. by Paula Blanch |
They brought me here late last night
To this place so dark and cold. I heard them say my days are over, Now I feel so all alone. My eyes adjust to this dim light But I see no one I know. I wonder why they left me here So far away from home. I always did my best for them, I just don't understand, Why I never heard kind words of thanks, Or the gentleness of a hand. But wait, I hear a crying sound In the pen right next to me. And when I peered between the boards, A mother cow I did see. I asked her, "Why are you crying? And why do you look so sad? Could it be your master has left you too? Did you do something bad?" She looked at me with big brown eyes, And said, "No, I've been good. My master says now I'm too old To give milk like I should. For each year I'd have a baby, Oh, a beautiful baby you'd agree, And each year they'd take my baby away, The babies that meant the world to me. But now I'm old and tired, And I must go away. To where I'll be a calf again, To run and jump and play. And so I'll pray for you my friend, I hope your end comes fast. Just close your eyes and think of me, And you'll find peace at last." And then she turned back to the corner, And cried her silent tears. And I was left alone again, With nothing but my fears. Soon a man came for me, With a sneer upon his face. He looked at me and then he said, "Gawd, are you a disgrace!" "With ears too long and a ratty tail, And a cross upon your back, The things that I admire in a horse, Are all the things you lack." Well, I had heard those words before, And they always made me sad. I'd often felt the sting of a whip, Since the time I was a lad. He led me to a big bright room, There were people everywhere. And when they saw me standing there, They just looked at me and stared. Then they started laughing at me, And making fun of my long ears. They all were laughing so hard at me, That they didn't see my tears. I let out a bray louder than them, But it only made them laugh more. And that's when a man hollered, "SOLD!", And I was led out another door. Standing all alone again, With my head hanging down so low, I heard the door to my pen open up, And I knew it was time to go. Then with my eyes closed tightly, Against what was to come, I felt a kind hand upon my face, But where could this be coming from? I opened my eyes and saw A little girl smiling bright, She wrapped her arms around my neck, And held me oh so tight! My days are full of sunshine now, With my little friend. We go for long walks in the hills, And my heart is on the mend. She thinks my ears are beautiful, And tells me so each day. I think she knows just how I feel, When I greet her with a bray! by Kathy Dynge |