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Minnetonka Mom Reaches Out to Youth with Horses - Minnetonka, MN Patch
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Second Life for Neglected Donkey
Published : Tuesday, 22 Dec 2009, 8:57 PM CST
Trish Van Pilsum
trish.vanpilsum@foxtv.com
Terry Dokken is what you call a farrier, someone who shoes horses and donkeys. He's used to tough cases, but two of his were among the worst the University of Minnesota veterinary school has seen.
The Animal Humane Society and Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue took a pair of donkeys from a farm in Carlton County, calling them Donkey No. 1 and Donkey No. 2.
The donkeys were brought to the university covered in ticks and lice. Their feet hadn't been tended to in years. Donkey No. 1 was the worst and couldn't be saved, while Donkey No. 2 stood a chance, and received a new name -- Eeyore.
Eeyore's hooves are so over-grown, he has been forced to walk on the side of his feet.
"It's basically trying to carve a hoof out of a misshapen piece of wood," Dokken said. "You just have to visualize and make appear."
Dokken brought in other farriers. They discussed taking it in steps, but the foot was sitting so poorly they decided to cut it off.
Ne would think Eeyore would be thrilled to leave the university with his new foster mom, but maybe to him trailers mean trouble.
Using new x-rays, the farrier fine-tunes Eeyore's feet, which may have to be redone monthly for another year. But progress is already dramatic.
The senior investigator for the Animal Humane Society is hoping o charge Eeyore's former owner with neglect. In the meantime, there are so many animals suffering now that rescue organizations are running out of money.
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/minnesota/eeyore-rescued-donkey-carlton-county |
