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/
Meet Muchacho. Like most calls we get about donkeys, this one was from a woman who had already “rescued” a donkey from an abusive situation. The caller continued: “I have no idea how to care for him. I just knew he needed to be rescued.” When we arrived, we saw this poor donkey with his head down, perforated nostrils, halter marks from a too small halter, scars on his body, and mangy hair. He looked to be quite old, but when we checked his teeth for age, we found he was only 20 years old. (Donkeys live to the age of 45 or 50 years, so he was not old by any means.) This poor boy was worked hard, abused and neglected. When his nostrils were perforated, his facial muscles and nerves were damaged, so his mouth stays open constantly and he has problems chewing. We worked really hard to earn his trust, cleaned and bandaged his wounds, and just loved him.
Perforation of the nostrils is performed in Mexico and Africa, supposedly so that when working a donkey at high altitude they can breathe better. Nowhere have we found any documentation to support this idea. It was clear abuse. They were working him so hard. Today, Muchacho gets pellets for his main feed and a small amount of shredded hay. He still does not like to be haltered or tied. He has made friends here at the rescue and is doing very well. He is healthy now and his scars are fading. Muchacho will live the rest of his years with all of us who love him.
You can help Forever Home Donkey Rescue & Sanctuary save other deserving animals like Muchacho 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.)
