GEREON
Donkey gelding
Age: c. 25
Arrival: 2020
Current status: Sanctuary
RECENT SPONSORS:
ASSIGNED VOLUNTEERS:
History: One day in March 2020, Dorothea was driving along a rural road on her way to the feed store. As she was driving, she saw something coming toward her at a distance, something that was clearly not a motor vehicle. For a moment it looked like a donkey, but that seemed unlikely ... She thought to herself, "are you seeing donkeys everywhere now?" The next moment it looked like a human, though you don't see many humans walking alone on rural roads in the East Mountains, either. Getting closer, it did turn out to be a donkey.
She stopped the truck, got out, and introduced herself to the donkey, who was very friendly. There was a house nearby and a farmer working the field. Soon thereafter, a white pickup truck came out from that property and headed in our direction. The driver, the farmer’s wife, confirmed that it was their donkey who had escaped the yard. When asked whether they had someone to trim his hooves, she said that the family was actually looking for a new home for the donkey. Ever since they rehomed their horses, he had been feeling lonely. That’s why he would get out from time to time to explore the neighborhood. And so arrangements were made to get “Donkey “delivered to our nearby farm that afternoon. We named him “Gereon” after one of the main characters in the German TV series Babylon Berlin.
Gereon has never been lonely again ever since. In 2021, he went on a mission for us in Ramah, NM, to keep a lonely donkey named Jack company who was suffering from chronic laminitis, malformed hooves, and obesity. Thanks to Gereon, Jack managed to learn to be a donkey again. Gereon returned to us along with Jack in 2022 after Jack had slimmed down and was stable enough for a longer trailer ride. He has been with us ever since, and we do not currently have plans to put him up for adoption. He has some lingering traumas related to hoof trimming that require special care and attention, and we do not want to pass this issue on to an adopter, who might be less resourceful about how to handle it. After being only with horses for most of his life and then alone for many years, Gereon has made a lot of donkey friends in the past five years, including his current girlfriend named Trixie. He is in his early twenties now, in good health, and could use a routine vet check including dental. He had his last dental in 2021.
Personality: Gereon loves everyone, people and animals alike, and has a bunch of senior friends in his current herd, including Trixie, Pecos Bill, and Traveler. He comes and greets visitors when they enter his paddock, and he even leaves meals to come and get some much appreciated cuddles. He is still sty about haltering and having his feet touches, but there's no rush, and he's gradually improving.
Diet: Gereon and his senior herd get bermuda hay, minerals, and salt. Sponsor Gereon here!