MAA Rio Grande was his registered Mammoth donkey name.

God has brought another donkey home to heaven. Rio was the ambassador for the Mammoth donkey as he was truly a gentle giant. Standing at 16’2 hands tall he was a magnificent donkey. Rio helped train the owner and caretakers of donkeys worldwide in our E-training videos and E-book.

  Rio was an introverted donkey personality, he never let out a complete bray ever.  Rio suffered from an immune disorder that helped to create a fungus deep inside his hooves. Sadly after two years of working with our veterinarian and farrier, we lost the battle to save his life. Rio came into our life as a baby mammoth donkey he was nine months old. We euthanized and buried Rio on a warm summer evening the summer of 2021 facing the Olympic mountains and our hayfield as this was truly one of his favorite places on our farm. 

When donkeys pass to heaven it’s important to remember a few things for the surviving donkey’s health and wellbeing.

1. Make sure each donkey gets the opportunity to walk up to the the deceased donkey. Closure for donkeys is very important as donkeys can enter depression and anxiety wondering what happened to their buddy.
2. Watch for depression, is your donkey eating, pooping and drinking? Sadly, donkeys can collic and die from a broken heart and the stress of the death of their buddy.
3. Please get another donkey for your donkey if your donkey is now living alone. Donkeys are physically, mentally and emotionally healthier when getting to live with their own species.

Resources:

What your vet wants you to know about euthanizing your equine

We will miss Rio each and every day forever until we meet again in heaven sweet boy.

GOD bless you and your family two and four-legged!

Melody Johnson, Trainer/Owner

Donkey Whisperer Farm ®