Talking Taylor part four: Home at last!

Just five months after her initial introduction, Taylor the donkey has reached the end of her rehoming journey in Somerset.

Her move is a doubly joyous occasion; not only is Taylor reaping the benefits of a loving Guardian home where she receives close personal care and attention, but she is also providing company to another donkey called Charlie.

Charlie suffered the loss of his companion Bentley just before Christmas 2024 and, despite initially coping well with his loss, it was clear he needed another donkey companion.

Jennifer began the search to bring another long-eared friend into the fray, working with The Donkey Sanctuary to find a suitable companion for bereaved Charlie.

“Bentley’s passing was so sudden,” she recalls. “It was a Monday morning and I went down to the stable to put their breakfast in and I noticed Bentley was walking like he was drunk.

“The vet came out immediately and thought it was a case a mild laminitis and prescribed pain relief and management advice. Bentley was put on a deep shavings bed and as the pain relief started to take effect, he seemed fine going into the evening.

“However, when my daughter came home from work that evening, we found Bentley scrunched in the back of the stable, unable to use his back legs.”

It transpired that Bentley had contracted a form of equine meningitis. His condition was sadly untreatable and it was agreed that the kindest option was to put him to sleep.

Not one, but two arrivals!

Following further conversations with our Welfare team, the first donkeys to arrive in Somerset were Fidget and Snowy. They came from another Guardian home in London; however, their stay in Somerset would be fairly brief.

After being identified as potential companions to Charlie, it was only after their arrival that Jennifer noticed some incompatibility.

Being a younger donkey at eight years old, Fidget’s energy and personality didn’t match up with Charlie’s, who at 18 years old, was used to taking life a little slower.

“Fidget wasn’t easy,” Jennifer recalls. “She was aggravating Charlie and being quite assertive. I spoke to Senior Donkey Welfare Adviser Sarah [Kenward] about my concerns.

“Sarah came out to assess the trio and we agreed that they were not really compatible, despite initially thinking they would be well-suited. Charlie had not formed a bond with them and neither had they to Charlie.

“Sarah was brilliant and very quickly looked to resolve the issues; she said Taylor may be coming up for rehoming soon and asked if I was interested in taking her on instead of Snowy and Fidget. My answer was ‘yes’!”

Sarah adds: “Knowing Taylor’s story, I felt she was much more suited to the home and as a suitable companion to Charlie.

“I was pleased that Jennifer felt she could come to me and we could discuss positive ways forward for Charlie, Fidget and Snowy.”

A few weeks later, the transporter vehicle carrying Charlie’s new companion arrived – and with its departure, Snowy and Fidget left Somerset and headed back to one of our sanctuary farms.

Bonded in bliss

Taylor’s entrance into her new home was, in Jennifer’s words, ‘quite interesting’.

When he first saw Taylor, Charlie ran and hid behind Jennifer as his new companion calmly grazed and explored her new surroundings.

But just a few days after her arrival, Taylor and Charlie’s bond began to grow.

They began eating off the same hay nets, and there was evidence that they were playing with one another, taking welly boots from the yard to their shelter some nights.

“Taylor is perfect,” Jennifer says. “She interacts with me and is very inquisitive. She will also lead the way when she sees me down the field – she has certainly made herself at home!

“I’m so thrilled and we are a very happy family now. Hopefully, Taylor and Charlie will enjoy a long and happy life together.

“They walk around the field as one and have started to mutually groom each other, which has been lovely to see.”

Sarah adds: “I’m so pleased that Taylor has settled in so well with Charlie and they are becoming very firm friends.

“Snowy and Fidget will hopefully look to rejoin our Rehoming Scheme in the near future.”