Michigan Rescuer Takes In Terrified Pregnant Donkey, Then Wakes Up To A Breathtaking Surprise
A frightened donkey gets a safe haven just in time to bring new life into the world, transforming the entire farm with her sweet baby.
A Desperate Plea For A Mother-To-Be
When a compassionate animal rescuer agreed to take in a group of donkeys, there was one urgent detail that sealed the deal.
The rescue network had a big hook to convince her: one of the donkeys was pregnant and desperately needed a safe place to deliver.
That expecting mother was Gertie, a deeply fearful donkey who arrived at her new sanctuary in June of 2022.
At first, Gertie was so terrified of her new surroundings that her rescuer couldn’t even put a halter on her or reach out to touch her.
Settling In On Her Own Terms
Knowing how much stress the expecting mother was under, her caretaker decided the best approach was patience.
They let Gertie settle into the farm entirely on her own terms, giving her the space she needed to feel secure.
As the weeks went by, the rescuer simply watched and waited from a respectful distance.
Of course, over time, Gertie’s belly started getting noticeably bigger and bigger as the baby grew.
The Tell-Tale Signs
The rescuer had done her research and learned that as donkeys get farther into their pregnancy, they often remove themselves from the herd.
True to form, Gertie began to distance herself from the other animals on the farm.
Instead of staying with the herd, Gertie started hanging out with her rescuer a lot more.
The caretaker had a whole plan in place, preparing a safe, quiet stall because she was told there would be clear signs when birth was imminent.
A Morning Chorus
Despite all the careful planning and the perfectly prepared stall, Gertie had her own timeline.
One morning, the rescuer woke up and looked out into the pasture to find an incredible scene.
There was Gertie, standing proudly in the middle of the field with a tiny, perfect little baby by her side.
All the other donkeys on the farm were singing and braying, as if they were excitedly announcing the new arrival to the world.
Welcome To The World, Midgey
The rescuer was overwhelmed with emotion, admitting that she still cries when she thinks about that beautiful morning.
Even though she missed the baby’s very first steps, seeing the newborn safe in the pasture was absolutely perfect.
It was her first time looking after a newborn donkey, so she immediately called the vet to ensure everything was okay.
They set up a special little pen for Gertie and the baby, who was soon named Midgey.
A Promise Of Safety
From her very first days, little Midgey felt completely at home in her new world.
She was sliding, bucking, running, and having the absolute time of her life in the safety of her pen.
Watching the joyful baby play, her rescuer made a firm decision about her future.
She promised that Midgey would never know pain; she would only ever experience love, safety, and a very full belly.
An Unlikely Protector
Eventually, the time came to introduce Midgey to the rest of the herd, which proved to be a stressful milestone.
Everyone on the farm wanted to see the baby, but Gertie’s maternal instincts immediately kicked in to keep her safe.
Surprisingly, another donkey named Thomas stepped up to help the new mother.
Even though Thomas was still too fearful to be touched by humans, he appointed himself as Midgey’s loyal protector, laying down close by wherever she went.
Fearless And Free
As Midgey grew, it became clear that she had a special connection with all the animals on the sanctuary.
Her caretaker believes it’s in her eyes; though she looks like a plain brown donkey, her face radiates something exceptionally sweet and loving.
Because she has only ever known kindness, Midgey is completely fearless.
She confidently runs right alongside the big horses, completely unbothered by their size.
The Farm’s Little Mascot
Today, Midgey walks around acting like the entire farm was built just for her.
She will stop right next to her caretaker and push against her, boldly demanding to be petted and brushed.
While not all donkeys enjoy being groomed, Midgey thrives on the human affection she has known since birth.
This sweet little angel, who would never have been born if her mother hadn’t been rescued, is now the beloved mascot of a farm where she will always be safe.
