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The Donkey That Saw Her Through Her Grief

by Megan Troise

When Robin Birdsong met Ronnie the donkey, she knew he was different than all the other animals she had saved. They had both lost a child. Robin knew exactly how Ronnie felt and she was determined to help him heal. See more stories like this in All Creatures magazine.

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Not long after opening the Enchanted Farm Sanctuary in Newberg, Oregon, Robin was contacted by a couple who was worried about their donkey, Ronnie. He didn’t seem to have the will to live after losing his son in an accident. Robin knew his pain and brought him home.

Not long after opening the Enchanted Farm Sanctuary in Newberg, Oregon, Robin was contacted by a couple who was worried about their donkey, Ronnie. He didn’t seem to have the will to live after losing his son in an accident. Robin knew his pain and brought him home.

It took Ronnie several months—and one special bonfire—to warm up to his new home. Eventually, he began eating again and socializing with the other animals.

It took Ronnie several months—and one special bonfire—to warm up to his new home. Eventually, he began eating again and socializing with the other animals.

When Robin saw the shift in Ronnie, she knew she had made the right decision in bringing him to the sanctuary.

When Robin saw the shift in Ronnie, she knew she had made the right decision to bring him to the sanctuary.

Ronnie now spends time with two other donkeys, Merlin and Morrison, at the farm, though Robin says Ronnie is the “head honcho.”

Ronnie now spends time with two other donkeys, Merlin and Morrison, at the farm, though Robin says Ronnie is the “head honcho.”

Ronnie is like a father figure to Merlin and Morrison but that all the animals look to him as their leader.

Ronnie is like a father figure to Merlin and Morrison; the other animals in the sanctuary also look to him as a leader.

Ronnie checks on the other animals every day. He’s not only social but stylish—he likes to wear scarves.

Ronnie checks on the other animals every day. He’s not only social but stylish—he likes to wear scarves.

Providing a safe home for all of the rescues is exactly what Robin’s broken heart needed.

Providing a safe home for all of the rescues is exactly what Robin’s broken heart needed.

Devastated after loss, both Robin and Ronnie needed a place for that love to go. They found that place in the sanctuary.

Devastated after their respective losses, both Robin and Ronnie needed a place for their love to go. They each found that place in the sanctuary.

The two are forever bonded because of their shared tragedy. Through love and time, they were both able to find happiness and purpose again.

The two are forever bonded because of their shared tragedy. Through love and time, they were both able to find happiness and purpose again.

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Nanook the dog in the snow.

How This Dog Rescues People in the Alaskan Wilderness

Photo credit: Todd Plitt

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