Posted on 09/11/2013 6:34:25 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Haim’s owners tied him up with barbed wire, and he was plagued by flies biting his raw wounds; caretakers at safari park come up with a unique solution
Caretakers at the Ramat Gan Safari came up with a creative way to help an abused donkey heal from his wounds.
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Before Haim the donkey arrived at the safari, he was regularly tied up with barbed wire behind his owners’ home, where local children would abuse the helpless animal.
Haim was eventually brought to the safari in Ramat Gan, the largest animal sanctuary in the Middle East and home to 1,600 animals of different species.
Haim began a long rehabilitation process, gradually learning to trust his caretakers and even overcoming his fear of children.
His physical wounds, however, took longer to heal. His lower legs, where he was bound, had the fur rubbed off, and flies would bite his raw skin. The flies caused Haim to bite and scratch his legs, leaving sores and cuts that in turn attracted more flies. The donkey was caught in a painful cycle.
Staff at the safari first fashioned him a pair of socks to cover his wounds, held in place with medical tape. Unfortunately, the daily switching of the socks and replacement of the tape aggravated Haim’s wounds, and he tried scratching off the tape.
Two caretakers, Becca Rivkin and Shira Inbar-Danin, came up with a solution. They spent four hours stitching a special pair of pants for the donkey that are held up by suspenders over his shoulders. The pants are double-layered, with a soft stretchy material on the inside, covered by a rougher baggy material that flies can’t bite through. The two women also rub cream on his legs every day.
The special pants are working swimmingly, and Haim will soon receive pants for his hind legs as well. With his skin protected, his fur is expected to grow back quickly, and then Haim the donkey will be able to trot around bare-ass once again.
I thought this was going to be about Obama after Putin had his way with him.
Those thet truly care for God’s lesser creatures deserve a special place in Heaven.
What did Chris Matthews do this time?
This is a great story about human kindness and the ability of animals to learn to trust again.
In July we got a dog that had been taken by the town animal control officer. The owner was arrested for abuse and cruelty. Dodger’s back was bare of fur due to untreated flea infestations and constant scratching. His hind end is very arthritic due to untreated Lyme disease. He is unable to wag his bare tail due to nerve damage.
At first I carried his 78 lbs up and down stairs each day but now, with help, he can make his own way up and down. His fur is growing back a bit and he even plays with our other rescue dog. He’s asleep at my feet right now and snoring contentedly.
I don’t think I’ve wanted to punch a female since I was about 6 years-old but if I ever meet Dodger’s previous owner, I’m going to jail.
Poor Donkey, but lucky to have smart people who care. How thoughtful of them to use their imagination and help him out. Vets can learn a lot from this modality.
I am so sick of cruelty
I just about have lost the will to live with the demons that surround me
There needs to be serious consequences for animal abusers who often also simultaneously abuse people at some point. As a country we are still cavalier about it, preferring to slap offenders’ hands or else look away. I have little patience with the abusive scum.
What you are doing is exceedingly noble. I salute you.
This is news? I saw a similar thing in an old copy of WESTERN HORSEMAN many years ago. It was a horse that the owner had placed the front legs in a pair of bib overhauls to prevent fly bites.
I’m the beneficiary, believe me
the pants do have a nice crease to them....
Our last dog had all the fur shaved from one back leg for an orthopedic procedure. That winter, we took an old sweatshirt and cut it so his leg was covered by the arm and we could pin it up over the top of his haunch.
Yes, he looked silly, buy he could go out to pee without getting frozen and it kept him from licking his skin raw.
Pray to St. Michael & the Blessed Mother. Demons are terrified of them.
true, very true
Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Amen indeed.
It is beyond me how anyone can abuse a helpless animal.
The pants are cute.
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