Lavender Dreams Farm & Donkey Rescue

What a summer! We barely had a summer and suddenly it was Fall and now we have already had snow. We hustled this year to get the new shelter completed for the donkeys and to get new feeding stations for them. We have a new dog kennel now for foster dogs and over 2 dozen doggies were here over the past few months on their way to new homes, other fosters or rescues. We helped with so many cat rescues I lost count. We are involved with a massive cat and dog situation now with over 85 cats and kittens and 20 dogs ranging from 5 pounds to over 100. These animals all came from 4 cats and 2 dogs the people got at a feed store TWO YEARS AGO! They have been apparently been breeding non-stop for the past 24 months. They are covered with fleas and ear mites, are mal-nourished and need to be spayed and neutered. So far 10 males have been neutered. Pend Oreille Spay Neuter Alliance is helping to see this through but that organization consists of 2 people so it is a big job and we are expecting more snow this weekend.

We got our hay in. A huge job with over 12 ton squeezed into our pole barn. We barely have room for our pickup and my tiny care but ya gotta keep the hay dry!

We took in 2 more donkeys last month and they are adjusting well. They had a lot of issues from neglect and abuse. They were also very thin due to poor nutrition and scared of everything, But slowly they are learning that life is good here and that we can be trusted. I love to watch the donkeys we bring in blossom. Most have never had a kind word or gentle touch.

We have a lot of donkeys now. This economy is scary. People are even abandoning their animals along the roads and one donkey was found tied to a friend’s gate. I had 9 calls last Wednesday before noon with people wanting me to take their animals from birds to dogs, cats and donkeys. It is never ending and I can only do so much but each animal matters and I do what I can. Thank you so much to those of you who have contributed to our rescue efforts over the years. We could never have done it without you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shirlie Jean has come so far since we rescued her. I didn’t know if we would ever be able to even touch her after the neglect and abuse she endured for years. Here she shares a hug with my donkey whisperer husband. Why do we do this? Rescue the down trodden and forgotten? This picture says it all.

This weekend I was all set to pick our Damson heirloom plums for jam. To my surprise there were NONE on the tree Saturday morning. None. The night before there had been hundreds. There was just one shriveled plum on the ground. There were also quite a few branches lying about, looking like they had been snipped. Deer would have eaten the branches but would not have been able to reach the fruit. Later that day I was up on the ladder in the barn looking for something in the loft when I saw a big pile in the corner. It was all the plum tree leaves, twigs, fruit and branches!! What could have done that? There is no way to get up to the loft without a ladder (which is moved to that area when we need to get up there) and this was all done in about 48 hours!!! Here is the picture of the pile but no evidence of who did it!

This is our newest bundle of joy. Christopher was part of a massive rescue that we were part of and had been in a cage most of his life. He does not walk very well but is quickly building up the muscles that atrophied while being penned up. He is sweet and playful, accepting of all the cats here and loves David. He is learning how to be a cat and loving it!

It has been an amazing month here. We have been involved with a huge rescue involving dozens of animals. It has been pretty much 24/7 on the phone and internet - connecting with other rescues, sanctuaries and foster homes. We have transported animals to 4 states and fostered some of these animals ourselves. But this is a happy ending story as many of these animals have found new homes, including Christopher (see his story on website) who had been in a cage so long he does not really know how to walk or act like a cat.

The 2 newest donkeys we rescued continue to thrive on good hay, open space and love. Brayson is still struggling with a massive infection that the vet can not seem to get a handle on. Nothing seems to work and it has been almost a month now. He is no worse so that is good news. We continue to do all we can for him. This has been a good bonding experience for him as he was badly neglected and obviously abused. Shirlie Jean is content to just be with us and Brayson. She is very happy to be reunited with Brayson.

The lavender is in full bloom and there are literally 1000s of flowers in full bloom. The donkeys have finally shed (with lots of brushing) their winter coats. I have been gathering wild herbs for this years’ salves, tinctures and liniments. It’s a grand year for herbs with all the rain and I have dozens of herbs in alcohol, glycerin or oil sitting in sunny windows.

I love summer and gathering the produce that we grow. We have an abundance of strawberries, lettuce and radishes. It’s been so cold here that it is iffy that we will ever see tomatoes but the herb beds and root vegetables are flourishing as are the berries.

So this month is ending with the wonderful knowledge that dozens of animals have found new homes or been transported to a place they will have a good chance of being adopted into a loving home. There is nothing better than knowing we were able to be a big part of this but it would not have been possible without financial assistance, donated food and litter . With heartfelt thanks to : Bob Anderlik, Christy Anderlik, Kerry Masters, Tia and Karl, Pacific Northwest Animal Welfare Project, Animal Advocates of the Pacific Northwest, Annie and Lee, Barb and Frank and the many behind the scenes volunteers who helped house, transport and make phone calls for weeks on end. None of this would have been possible with out this combined effort!

Yesterday we headed to Idaho at 5am to pick up the jennet we (and many of you) have been so worried about. Not only was she in a bad situation but she was bonded with the jack (now gelded) that we rescued earlier this summer. They had brayed and cried as we drove away and those sounds never left me as I struggled with the owners to let us have the jennet. Money talks and thanks to Donna and Steve, big donkey lovers, we were able to buy her. This could not have happened this fast without their support! It was Donna’s wish that we name this little rescue after her favorite Aunt Shirley so Shirley it is! And new donkey loves her name already.

It was a wonderful and amazing day being able to reunite Shirley with Brayson. Words can not describe the happiness we felt being able to not only rescue these donkeys but to get them back together. As soon as we began backing up the trailer Brayson knew. There was quite a cacophony of sound as we unloaded. I cried tears of joy as they came together, nose to nose. I will upload the video I took soon.

Thank you for the emails and messages of support while we worked on getting Shirley Jean!!!

Friday we still had 2 to 3 feet of snow but today we can almost see the ground! It has been quite warm the past few days and with the wettest March in the history of Washington, we are water logged and dreaming of dry ground. The donkeys are the number one priority so we spend a lot of time shoveling water into buckets and digging drainage ditches so they keep their hooves dry. It is a mucky mess!

Lots has been happening here. The Magnificent 9 continue to thrive with attention, vet care and good hay. They are putting weight on and that is good to see. Two of the girls went to a new home in Idaho last Thursday. It was so hard to see them go but it will be a wonderful home and they will be well cared for. It’s always hard to let go but it is about the donkeys, not about us. We rescue, rehabilitate and find the perfect home for them. The ones that can not be adopted for health or emotional reasons have their home here with us. The 9 had a lot of hoof issues.Most were in very bad shape that will take time to repair but our farrier has confidence the worst ones will recover in about a year with no permanent damage.

David walking Trish and Tango to the trailer that will take them to their new home.

Friday we still had 2 to 3 feet of snow but today we can almost see the ground! It has been quite warm the past few days and with the wettest March in the history of Washington, we are water logged and dreaming of dry ground. The donkeys are the number one priority so we spend a lot of time shoveling water into buckets and digging drainage ditches so they keep their hooves dry. It is a mucky mess!
Lots has been happening here. The Magnificent 9 continue to thrive with attention, vet care and good hay. They are putting weight on and that is good to see. The 9 had a lot of hoof issues. Most of their feet were in very bad shape that will take time to repair but our farrier has confidence the worst ones will recover in about a year with no permanent damage.
Two of the girls went to a new home in Idaho last Thursday. It was so hard to see them go but it is a wonderful place and they will be very well cared for. It’s always hard to let go but we have to remember that it is about the donkeys, not about us. We rescue, rehabilitate and find the perfect home for them. The ones that can not be adopted for physical or emotional reasons have their home here with us.

On a different note there was a bit of excitement on Sunday, March 27th. The Pacific  Northwest Animal Welfare Project launched their first fundraising event at Shenanigans in Spokane. It was an amazing turnout! People from every type of animal rescue organization were there. Big and small. The Director of the Spokane Humane Society was there as MC. The PNWAWP mission is to “To build a strong, compassionate and connected community, that truly cares about the welfare of companion animals, who then reach out to help better the lives of those animals in need. We help bridge the gap between area shelters, rescue groups and city organizations through specific programs targeted to those needs.” Tia Rosetti Mills and Kim Malone are heading this up. It is a great organization! Check them out at: http://www.pnwanimalwelfareproject.org/

Marci Van Ausdall

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