I went down to do my stint at the centre a few weeks ago and was told the sad news that our most charismatic and media superstar Boomer had been taken very ill and had to go back to the main Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary for treatment and hospitalisation. He apparently was kicked by one of the other donkeys (hoof prints not taken so we will never know who was to blame) and caused a wound. He was taken to the centre's vet who treated him but unfortunately he took a turn for the worse and could not even stand. He was transported up to the Sidmouth Sanctuary and was intensive care for a few weeks, it was so serious that it was touch and go whether he would actually survive and everyone at Ivybridge was extremely upset and worried Boomer has his own blog(the only donkey at the Ivybridge centre who has, well I did say he was quite special) and he got many messages from bloggers around the Country sending him their best wishes.

Before I tell you about a lovely River Trip for the Volunteers, I will update you on my last session at the centre.  It was last Tuesday and was an extremely hot day and we were outside.  I was working with Finlay (our youngest donkey) who I described in my previous blog and in the afternoon I was working with Boris (who is a lovely old chap being our oldest donkey at 22 years old.  He has a lovely nature and is always on his best mature behaviour.  However when we were getting ready for our first children in the afternoon Finlay decided that he was fed up waiting and decided he was going to start chewing something (if he finds anything at all to chew he will!!).  He was all tacked up and  decided to turn his head and catch hold of the stirrup, the only problem was this caught around his bottom teeth and as it was attached to the saddle he could not move his head off it.  We all panicked a bit and had to quickly take the saddle off in order to free him.  He was a little shaken I think but certainly not stirred, but I am sure that he will not attempt this again, however I am sure he will continue to chew other things as and when he  gets the chance to being edible or not.  As I said he is a young donkey so hopefully he will grow out of it.