Name: Ellis

    Type: Standard Donkey

    Color: White

    Markings: None

    Sex: Gelding

    Birthday: 1/1/2017

    Name: Elinor

    Type: Standard Donkey

    Color: Roan

    Markings: None

    Sex: Mare

    Birthday: 1/1/2008

Elinor and Ellis are the epitome of a loving relationship between a son and his mother. Part of an effort to save a larger group of several very neglected donkeys, the Ark Watch Foundation and Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue asked Red Bell Run to take Elinor and Ellis, an older jenny and her newborn white baby jack. The idea was that the pair weren’t in as poor condition as some of the others, but it turned out that Elinor and little Ellis were quite ill with pneumonia. The pair were under the care of Dr. Sutherland at Reata Equine Clinic in Texas for several months, and there were several times when we were told that little Ellis was on the edge of death. However, each time he managed to rally, and today has grown into a beautiful white donkey who adores his mother!

They are rarely seen apart although Ellis will now go and play with the other young gelding in the Longears Lounge barn, but they share a very close bond. When Elinor’s age and arthritis prevented her from going down into the lower area we call the “Donkey Woods”, Ellis, too remained behind, not willing to leave his mom. Elinor stays up in the large dry lots by the Longears barns with other members of our herd who have medical issues or are in the geriatric group that stays where our staff can keep an eye on them throughout the day. Ellis is quite happy to keep Elinor company and Elinor is very tolerant of her “grown up” child.

Ellis is an unusual color in the donkey world, being white, and his skin, especially his nose, must be protected from the sun. Because of this, he is regularly checked for any sign of sunburn or irritation around his eyes. He will require consistent observation since donkeys with his skin color (pink) are prone to developing cancer. His personality is a bit mischievous, but overall, he’s quite engaging and loves to greet people on tours!