Dear FMLers -- Here is an email I've sent to administrators of The Donkey Sanctuary. I know you can't see the photos, but just email me directly and I'll send them on to you. They are great. - - - - - - - - - Here are photos of Edilegnya, Sophie, and Sophie's little weanling son, Biniam. First are pix of E's hoof at its worst and then of its current state. Second you can see Edilegnya in his new happy condition, ears forward, looking out at me. Next are some recent photos in the woods near my house. They include all three donkeys, their caretaker, Abrahame, a neighborhood boy, Henok, and me, Nell. The most important photo shows Dr Chala working on Edilegnya's infected hoof. As you might know, Dr Chala has been taking care of Edilegnya for me for a long time, including making the long trip from the Mercato to Addis Alem (Ambo Road). Finally, there are two photos of dear Edilegnya -- first braying, and then, last, greeting me at my car when I came home one day. He is a docile, intelligent animal, and I believe he understands that I saved him from dying when I first found him lying on the ground, unable to walk to graze or drink. I'm preparing to leave Ethiopia for Texas, in the US. Though I expect to come back to Ethiopia from time to time, I would like to bring Edilegnya to Texas. In his damaged state (from the auto injury to his knee -- see the photo of him with Dr Chala), he would be at so much risk without me to look out for him, that euthanasia seems to be the miserable alternative. I'm in my 70's, and my pension income can't provide the funds for Edilegnya's transport. Do any of you have ideas for fundraising? Once in Texas, he could live out his life with me and then with my friends -- with good care, Edilegnya will surely outlive me, since he is only about 14 years old. Please don your thinking caps and help me find a way to rescue Edilegnya. - - - - - - - Of course I also want to save Binnie and Sophie. They can live a normal Ethiopian donkey life here, whereas Edilegnya cannot, being of no "value" to anyone. But Binnie and Sophie would have hard short lives, and I will save them from it if I can. [Posted in FML 7669]