By Andy Compton
Smog, a baby donkey born at Kington Small Breeds Farm and Owl Centre in Kington, Herefordshire, lost his mother recently, but has now been joined by six month old best friend donkey Gus.
The boisterous boys are having great fun together, racing around, tussling and are already just like brothers. But their happy ever after union came about in very sad circumstances – after Smog’s mother Misty suddenly became ill and passed away. Misty became poorly and was taken to The Three Counties Equine Hospital where staff were told she had a massive internal bleed probably caused by a tumour, and there was nothing that could be done to save her. So she had to be put to sleep, devastating staff at the farm and leaving them with a big and urgent problem – they needed to find some special company for baby Smog, only four months old.
After a desperate search and just two days after Misty’s death, they discovered Gus at Chew Valley Animal Park in Bristol.
Farm manager Frankie Paine, who was present when Smog was born and at Misty’s sad passing, said:
“Poor Smog was very sad and unhappy when her mum became ill and was taken away, so we needed to find him some company very urgently.
“We considered trying to get him another mother but there’s always a risk with a surrogate mother and we wanted something long term.
“Smog and Gus already get on really well. They run together, the squabble just like brothers and they are very naughty.
“And now they will be able to grow up together and neither of them have ever had play mates before it’s nice for them to each have someone to be mischievous with.”
Jay added: “Everyone was dreadfully sad to lose Misty but we are so grateful to Chew Valley Animal Park for helping us and now Gus and Smog will be together for life.”
The farm hopes to be open every weekend throughout December until December 20 from 10.30am until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
As well as the donkeys, the farm has 28 other spectacular species of owls from around the world, four different breeds of goats including the very popular Pygmy goats and their adorable kids, miniature horses, donkeys, alpaca, micro-pigs and the world’s smallest breed of sheep, Ouessants.
There’s nearly 30 species of animal at Kington’s Small Breed Farm Park and Owl Centre – and that’s not including the owls. For up-to-date information visit www.owlcentre.com or look at the Facebook page.
Picture Caption: Smog and Gus.
