Name: Punky

    Type: Miniature donkey

    Color: Grey

      Markings: Donkey cross

    Sex: Jenny

    Birthday: 1/1/2014

Our little Punky (named after Punky Brewster) came to us from a horrific hoarding situation in Oklahoma. We were advised that Punky and a group of other donkeys, some pregnant, were on a property without any feed source, no running water, and no care. The lady who had them meant well, but suffered from several issues and was in no position to care for herself, much less a herd of donkeys. Once again, the Circle of Friends Rescue Group in Oklahoma came through. After much convincing, the owner agreed to release the donkeys and a hauler was dispatched immediately. It was a truly pitiful group. One of the older, pregnant jennies went down on the trailer on the way to the quarantine farm. She survived, but it was touch and go. Punky, although skinny, wormy and with feet that had clearly not seen a farrier in a very long time, recovered with good vet and farrier care and a good nutrition plan. After several months and a lot of false starts, Punky and her friends arrived at Red Bell Run. 

Today, Punky, who is a miniature donkey, lives with her buddies at the Longears Lodge barn and track system. She can usually be found buddying up with one or more of her herd. She gets along well with the other donkeys, several of whom are always around to take care of their little friend! Affectionate and a little clown, Punky is a staff favorite and good equine citizen, easily handled for vet and farrier, and always willing to come up for a treat! 

    Name: Sylvester

    Type: Donkey

    Color: Brown  

      Markings: Donkey Cross

    Sex: Gelding

    Birthday: 11/13/2015

    Name: Sylvie

    Type: Donkey

    Color: Brown & White 

      Markings: Pinto

    Sex: Mare

    Birthday: 12/30/2003

    Name: Buddy

    Type: Donkey

    Color: Brown

      Markings: Donkey Cross

    Sex: Gelding

    Birthday: 1/1/2017

    Name: Jo

    Type: Donkey

    Color: Grey

      Markings: Donkey Cross

    Sex: Jenny

    Birthday: 1/1/2007

    Name: Raisin

    Type: Hinny

    Color: Dark Bay

    Markings: Snip

    Sex: Gelding

    Birthday: 1/1/2007

In 2019 Celine Myers of the Ark Watch Foundation contacted us about a hinny named Raisin she had saved in Texas. He was in fairly decent shape and was a companion to a blind hinny named Bennie. Both needed a place to go and since Bennie was blind, we didn’t want to separate him from his friend, Raisin. In due course the pair arrived at Red Bell Run and were placed in the Longears Lodge barn. They were inseparable and lived together at the back of the barn in a specially designed dry lot area so that Bennie could find his way around. 

However, we began noticing that Raisin had white areas in his eyes. Although he didn’t seem to be in pain, it was quite concerning. Our vet, Dr. Setlakwe examined Raisin and determined that he suffers from a disease called IMMK, or Immune-mediated keratitis. This is a non-infection eye disease that causes the immune system to attack the cornea of the eye; it can lead to blindness. We noticed Raisin would have flare ups anytime he was stressed, so every effort is made to keep his stress level to a minimum. With medication several times daily, Raisin’s IMMK remains under control, and even though (being a hinny) he isn’t overly fond of having his eyes medicated, he’s a good boy and tolerates the procedures as long as there are treats involved!

Sadly, Bennie eventually had to be euthanized because of his eye issues which left Mr. Raisin alone, but not for long! Raisin proved to be quite resilient and eventually became best friends with a donkey named Moe, a Quarter Horse named Pops, a red molly mule named Dory and a little miniature horse named Spicy. Raisin and his group have private stalls in the Longears Lodge barn with attached porches and dry lots that open onto a lovely pasture. We call them out little group of “misfits”, but they really aren’t. They’re all just adorable and we’re so glad that they have found each other!

Raisin spends his days wearing a special UV-rated fly mask to protect his eyes, palling around with his buddies in the Longears Lodge barn area, and snacking on lush grass. All in all, we’re happy to say that Raisin is doing well and his eye issues are under control!