A donkey who spent much of his early life without the companionship of his own kind has found a new lease of life — and, even better, a best friend.
Six-year-old Dandi was one of more than 50 animals rescued from a property in Essex in 2023 after concerns were raised about their living conditions.
The extraordinary collection of animals taken into RSPCA care included horses, chickens, ducks, a dog, guinea pigs, a tortoise and even a marmoset.
But for Dandi, the rescue marked the beginning of a particularly important journey.
When he arrived at The Donkey Sanctuary, he was underweight and had spent his life without the company of other donkeys.
Three years later, things could hardly look more different.
Dandi has reached a healthy weight, been gelded and undergone training to help him become comfortable with everyday handling — including having his feet lifted for cleaning and visits from the farrier.
But perhaps the biggest change in his life has four hooves and a pair of very long ears.
His name is Tommy.
Five-year-old Tommy came into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary after his previous owners were no longer able to meet his needs, and the two donkeys have since developed a particularly close friendship.
Dandi and Tommy live as part of a larger group of geldings and happily socialise with the others, but staff say there is no mistaking the special relationship between them.
The pair are now considered a bonded pair.
For an animal that previously had so little opportunity to socialise with other donkeys, that friendship is particularly significant. Donkeys are highly social animals and companionship plays an important part in their wellbeing.
And Dandi and Tommy’s story may yet have another happy chapter to come.
Because both donkeys are still young, The Donkey Sanctuary hopes that, when the time is right, it will be possible to find them a suitable permanent home through its Rehoming Scheme.
Most importantly, the plan is for the best friends to go together.
From an underweight donkey living without the companionship of his own kind to a healthy youngster with Tommy firmly at his side, Dandi has travelled quite a distance in three years.
Now, wherever the next part of that journey takes him, there’s every chance he won’t have to make it alone.
Sometimes a happy ending is simply finding the right friend to share the next chapter with.
Source story: Good News Post — Dandi the donkey finds his happy-ever-after best friend
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