One of our favorite rescue agencies is the Save Your Ass Rescue Long Ear Rescue in South Acworth, New Hampshire.
Executive director Ann Firestone relayed this heart-warming story of a recent new addition. We especially liked the dedication to Stan’s brethren during World War II. Read on for the full scoop.
Stan, with matted tail and depressed demeanor.
Firestone writes:
Stan came into the rescue in pretty rough shape. He was not at all friendly and wanted nothing to do with people or the other donkeys. He was covered in burrs and his poor tail was so matted it looked and felt like a club. His forelock and flanks were chock full of burdocks stuck tightly to his skin. He was examined by our vet and it was discovered that he is blind, with large cataracts in both eyes. He was also in dire need of dental work – it’s doubtful that he had ever had dental work in his lifetime. He had such sharp points on his molars that they actually punctured his tongue, and he had so much tartar build up on the outsides of his molars that the inside of his cheeks had become ulcerated. Every time Stan moved his jaw he must have been in excruciating pain. No wonder he was not friendly.
Dr. Lea Warner sedated him and floated his teeth. My helpers Annie and Hannah worked on getting the burrs out. Our farrier, Matt Caprioli, worked on getting his feet trimmed while Stan was in la-la land.
Stan, looking good!
In the weeks following, Stan has blossomed. He is a new man. He must feel so much better! He is now friendly and seeks attention. He did not want to be touched when he first arrived and now he enjoys being groomed and has a big honk for me in the morning when I go out. He gets on very well considering his age and disability.
I decided to call him Stan, named after the father of a dear friend. She related this story:
“My father, Zbigniew Stanislaw “Stan” Jaworski, fought in one of the bloodiest, decisive battles of WWII in Monte Cassino, Italy. He was a Reconnaissance “point man,” locating and mapping enemy lines for the Polish Army.
The Monastery, where Nazis were nested, stood at the top of a steep hill, accessible by
Pack animals during WWII in Italy
treacherous, narrow paths. Mules, horses, and donkeys were the only means of supplying Allied troops with essential supplies.
My father was given orders to scale up the hill to a bunker and determine Nazi location for artillery fire. As he began his trek up the hill, a pack of mules and donkeys entered the path from another end of the canyon, which raised serious concerns for Stan. The animals were loaded down with water, food, medical supplies, and ammunition and led by Greeks.
They passed by a huge stockpile of munitions at the base of the hill when Stan encountered the pack. Suddenly, the Nazis launched an attack on the encampment and hit the ammunition pile with a huge explosion. Shrapnel flew in every direction. Stan was knocked down under the weight of one of the pack animals. The donkey took the shrapnel hit and saved my father’s life.”
Read about War Horse, the Broadway play
Read about Woods King, mounted soldier and general during WWII.
It is with tear filled eyes and a very heavy heart that I share the news that I had to have our beloved old man Stan euthanized the day before yesterday.. He was down in his usual sleeping spot when I went out in the morning, but was unable to stand. With help I managed to get him to his feet, but his back end could not support him. It was obvious that he had tried to stand many times over the course of the night, but was unable to do so. After an exam by Dr. Jacobs of VT-NH Veterinary Clinic it was determined that euthanasia was in his best interest. He left this world with his head in his feed dish filled with special treats. Thanks to Hannah and Eli for their help with him this morning and to Dr. Jacobs for helping Stan on to the next leg of his journey.