We are deeply saddened to share that Tuba, our rescue standard donkey, is estimated to be in his late twenties, has passed away. God has brought another precious donkey to heaven in Jesus Christ’s precious name.

Tuba was healthy, no signs of illness, and then boom, he started to have grand mal seizures. Our veterinarian came quickly and was able to administer medication to help him for a few hours. Early in the morning, the grand mal seizures returned with a fury, and we made the decision to have our vet humanely euthanize him. No more pain and suffering, Tuba. You are in heaven now.

What does donkeys are stoic mean? Unlike horses, donkeys will never show us pain until, in most cases, it is way too late, making keeping donkeys healthy more challenging. We had no warning signs that Tuba was not feeling well; he ate breakfast and dinner like usual. Tuba went out on the big paradise paddock track and ran and played with Oboe, his bonded companion, while the miniature donkeys grazed on the track. That evening, Tuba had grand mal seizures. Our vet promptly came and tried to stop the seizures, and within hours, we made the decision to euthanize him. Tuba was indeed a special donkey and the leader of Oboe his bonded companion. We miss him deeply, and thank God he did not suffer.

What We Must Do When A Donkey Dies?

Donkeys are emotional beings and have excellent memories. You must put the halter/lead line on and walk the pasture donkey buddies up to the body to say goodbye. This step is crucial to give closure. Next, hurry and get this donkey another donkey; this donkey mustn’t be living alone. Donkeys can die from grief and colic stress. Donkeys can go into a depression, stop eating and drinking, and have a glazed look in their eyes. Spend as much time as you can with your living donkey and help him/her through the grief.

I met Tuba and Oboe, a bonded pair of standard donkeys (Tuba, 3rd donkey to the right), for the first time in 2008, as I was asked to try and help the owners who could not halter or catch the donkeys. I went to the farm to teach the owners how to tame and train Oboe & Tuba so they could stay in their forever home. Sadly, they had tried horse methods on the donkeys that clearly did not work, and the owners were frustrated with the donkey behavior. I began working with the boys and was making great progress with them, but sadly, the owners did not want to learn as they had small children and a business, leaving no time for the donkeys. I helped to get these two boys into a donkey sanctuary as our farm was not big enough to take more equines at the time. In 2014, we moved to our property in Sequim, WA, and I promptly brought Oboe and Tuba home to live with us in their forever home with Rio, our Mammoth donkey, on the Donkey Whisperer Farm ®. I always said God has a sense of humor, their names, Oboe and Tuba, fit Melody. 🙂

After Tuba passed, we brought each donkey to view his body and learn he had passed. Donkeys can grieve and call out if this step is missed, risking colic and death. Donkeys cannot live alone, I moved Oboe in with our miniature donkeys to help him. Luckily, the miniature donkeys and our standard donkeys, Oboe and Tuba, have spent lots of time together on the paradise paddock track. Please remember that when a bonded pair of donkeys lose their companion, it is vital to move the donkey in with another donkey quickly. Donkeys are very emotional and can stop eating and drinking, and the next is colic. Spend as much time with your donkey helping them move past the loss of their beloved companion. All of the donkeys in the herd must be able to smell the deceased donkey before burying the donkey. Why? Donkeys will cry out for a donkey that disappears if they do not know what happened, and can stop eating and drinking. It’s one of the hardest things to do to lose a donkey, mule, or horse. We thank God for his peace and strength in handling this pain and suffering. Tuba is in no more pain, we believe he is in heaven with Rio, our mammoth donkey.

God bless you and your family, two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Donkey Whisperer Farm ®