Darling Dimples, the donkey who warmed our hearts
Dimples had been lying next to a busy road close to Louis Trichardt for three days before her human hero came to her rescue.
POLOKWANE – Well known donkeys like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, Benjamin from Animal Farm and Donkey from Shrek are loved by young and old. These donkeys seem to have lives that have a happy ending.
The same could unfortunately not be said about Dimples, the donkey from Louis Trichardt.
Dimples’ story should have started way before it did as by the time her human heroes came to her aid, it was too late.
Dimples had been lying next to a busy road close to Louis Trichardt for three days before her human hero came to her rescue.
Wesley Wingrove, together with a friend of his, drove 90 minutes to go and fetch Dimples and together they lifted her with a stretcher onto his bakkie and drove back to town.
Before this a few passer-by’s had stopped to leave Dimples some food, but the food was stolen right from under her nose before she could even eat it.
Dimples was so weak that she could no longer get up and it was clear that she was malnourished and dehydrated.
“She was found in the middle of nowhere, not close to any village, so we suspect she was made to pull a cart and when she collapsed from malnutrition and dehydration and could go no further, her owners untied her and left her there for dead.” says Lawrence Khodobo from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) Louis Trichardt where Dimples was brought.
“She had lost all her strength, but not her will to live. Wesley came to the SPCA for advice and assistance. When we saw Dimples we knew we had to get her to a veterinarian as soon as possible.”
On arrival at the veterinarian, he gave them the bad news that she might not survive and said they should make her as comfortable as possible for the night. Her rescuers gave her some electrolytes to assist with rehydrating her as was advised by the veterinarian. She was too weak to have any medication administered or to eat anything more nourishing than grass.
Khodobo made a few calls to see if he could find some grass for her to eat but he had some trouble in finding suitable feed for her as it was already late afternoon on a Friday.
This is where Marina Joubert, Dimples’ second human hero joins the rescue.
Joubert is a friend and loyal supporter of the SPCA and Khodobo knew she might have some food for darling Dimples. She was able to provide assistance and arrived at the SPCA within a few minutes of receiving the call.
“We were ready to get Dimples settled into a small shelter we have at the SPCA when Joubert offered to take her home and settle her into her stables. We jumped at the offer and accepted thankfully, knowing that Dimples would be safe and getting the best care possible,” Khodobo said.
Dimples was a fighter and made it through Friday night. Khodobo was overjoyed when he received the great news from Joubert at 05:00 on Saturday morning. He saw it as a good sign that Dimples has made so much progress during the night.
Although everyone had high hopes for her, Dimples did not make it and crossed over the rainbow bridge on Sunday morning.
“She put up a courageous fight right to the end, but this morning her body started to fail her. Dr Nada de Villiers came out to see her, but unfortunately nothing could be done. She assessed her and suspects that Dimples might have been hit by a car and that was the reason she could not stand up next to the road,” Khodobo explained.
Due to her malnourished and dehydrated state, Khodobo added, her organs might have started to shut down.
“Dimples passed away peacefully in a warm stable with a full belly, surrounded by humans who watched over her and cared for her right up to the end. Even though the rescue of Dimples does not have the happy ending we all prayed and hoped for, her death will not be in vain. May her story be one of hope and inspiration to all humans who want to make a difference, who care for all animals and who will be brave enough to be their voices when they need to be spoken up for,” Khodobo said.
“You can be the change you want to see in this world. Don’t ignore cruelty or suffering of any animal, step up, speak up and be their human hero.”
SPCA Louis Trichard wants to thank Wingrove once again for being Dimple’s human hero.
“You gave her dignity in death and because of you, Dimples did not die alongside a road, forgotten and ignored. She left this world knowing that not all humans are bad,” he added.
The SPCA also said a big thank you to Flippie and Marina Joubert who cared for Dimples for her last two days.
“You gave so much and did so much for her in her final hours. Your raw passion and selfless love for her was tangible when I left you today and Dimples could not have asked for a more caring and peaceful crossing.”
Khodobo, on behalf of the SPCA, also thanked Dr. Nada de Villiers for her kindness, caring and compassion for Dimples.
“Dimples now frolics freely, free of pain. Thanks for everyone’s comments, shares and support you showed for Dimples. May we see more human heroes stepping up and being voices for the voiceless. Darling Dimples, we are sorry that we could not save you and that humans failed you. Run free and rest in peace.”
