Beading Divas January/February fundraising partner is Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary (FHDR) in Benson, AZ. Their mission is to help donkeys in need of rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming. For more info, visit: https://foreverhomedonkeyrescue.com/
Cochise with a loving friend
Some donkeys that arrive at FHDR rescue were first rescued by someone else, who then calls to see if we can take the animal in. That was the case for Cochise. At four years of age, Cochise’s life involved being repeatedly chased out of a stock by a rider and a horse. Practicing roping, they would lasso Cochise’s neck and bring him down to the ground. The rider didn’t care if Cochise was hurt, as he considered donkeys to be disposable. Cartilage in Cochise’s ear was injured, so that the ear could not stand straight up. Cochise was not gelded, and the rider had not provided any care whatsoever – not even hoof care. Cochise had endured four years of running for his life every day, tripping over his overgrown slipper hooves. Finally a wonderful woman took him out of that situation. She intended to have Cochise be a companion to her horse. However, Cochise was not fond of horses, so she called us to see if we could take him. Before we could, he had to be gelded and have his hooves trimmed. Nearly 10 inches of hoof was removed from each of his legs!
Cochise arrived at the rescue with an attitude. He was mad at all humans, and rightfully so. It took time and love for him to know he’s not going to be hurt. He learned to trust us and discovered that his new life was not a bad one. Cochise is now 9 years old. He goes to events with us, and he takes part in pack burro races where a human runs alongside him. Cochise has a huge fan who flies in from New York just to run him 6 miles in New Mexico each year.
His past life has earned Cochise the right to stay in sanctuary. He’s not going to be rehomed. He’ll live his life where he knows he’s loved and cared for. He has taught us so much about the resilience of donkeys, and how they can love and trust again.
You can help Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary save other deserving animals like Cochise by purchasing one-of-a-kind, handcrafted Beading Divas bracelets. Cost per bracelet is $20. Bracelets make great gifts any time of year!
The best selection is online via Etsy but in Tucson you can also buy bracelets at Fuchsia Spa in La Encantada Shopping Center, and Silver Sea Jewelry in the historic 4th Avenue Shopping District (Silver Sea is open Tuesday-Sunday from noon-6pm.)
