Dear sweet Jonathan...

From Jim: Jonathan is a donkey. He's 45 years old. He was horribly abused by some morons who used him as a roping target and broke his neck. He can't lift his head, has a very crooked arthritic right front leg-also a roping injury-and is covered with the scars of old rope burns. When we got him for Horse Plus Humane Society, he didn't like people. Well, Duh! When he lays his tired old body down for a rest, he can't get up without help. His broken neck, which healed and fused, won't let him leverage up on his sternum. Our vet had one heck of a time floating his teeth, and vets are not his favorite even now. One of our first morning tasks is to locate Jonathan and make sure he's up and about. If not, we go give him a gentle hand arising. He is now a big love. He toddles over for pets and a neck massage, waits impatiently for his senior equine food, and hangs out with the other donkeys. Because of his twisted and stiff neck, he looks up into your eyes and turns his body to face you. His life is a precious gift and a cause to celebrate. How many times, when in pain, and being tortured by the "cowboy idiots" did he face giving up? How did he find the heart and will to forgive our kind and become the loving pet he is today? Jonathan is a icon for what Home At Last is about. He loves life and enjoys the peace and quiet of retirement. We feel a joy and satisfaction seeing Jonathan doze in the warm sun and know that he is loved.