From The Los Angeles Times:
Smoke, the Iraqi donkey, a favorite of Camp Pendleton Marines, arrives in U.S.
A donkey adopted as a pet by Marines from Camp Pendleton while they were deployed in Iraq has been brought to America to serve as a therapy animal for wounded military personnel.
Smoke arrived last week in New York aboard a cargo flight that originated in Turkey after a combined effort of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and retired Marine Col. John Folsom.
In 2008, Folsom and Marines from the Camp Pendleton-based 1st Marine Logistics Group found the donkey at Camp Taqaddum in Anbar province. The animal quickly became a favorite. His name comes from his color and the fact that he once snatched a cigarette from a Marine.
In 2009 the Marines departed but Folsom never stopped thinking of Smoke and what a morale boost he was for the troops. With help from the SPCA, Folsom raised funds and cleared away bureaucratic obstacles to get Smoke to America.
The SPCA estimates the final cost at upward of $40,000. The group has brought dogs and cats from Iraq but Smoke was the first of his species. The U.S. ambassador in Turkey was recruited to help get Smoke from neighboring Iraq.
“Once you met him and saw what a unique donkey he was, it was hard to say no to him,” said SPCA official Terri Crisp.
Supporters are bringing the donkey by truck to Folsom’s home in Omaha, Neb., where Smoke will serve as a therapy animal for the Wounded Warrior Family Support organization.
“He’s an American donkey now,” Folsom told the Associated Press.
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Welcome home, Smoke. Welcome home. ♥
May 16, 2011 at 5:25 am
I read this article yesterday. What a wonderful story and what a lucky donkey he is!
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May 16, 2011 at 6:18 am
Welcome home, indeed!
Good boy.
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May 16, 2011 at 6:22 am
Such a sweet & touching story and I’m glad that Folsom brought him home! C is correct about Smoke being a very lucky donkey!!!
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May 16, 2011 at 6:47 am
Oh what wonderful bright eyes he has. What a great story, thanks!!
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May 16, 2011 at 6:49 am
LOVE this story! Thanks for sharing!
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May 16, 2011 at 6:52 am
How cool is that??? Welcome to America, Smoke!
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May 16, 2011 at 7:45 am
Thanks for sharing this terrific and tear jerking story. Lucky boy Smoke and so is the Wounded Warrior Program to have such a beauteous donk
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May 16, 2011 at 8:11 am
Lovely story!
Welcome to USA, Smoke!
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May 16, 2011 at 8:13 am
I read this story online yesturday and thought of you. I was so pleased to see that there are others who are willing to go the extra mile for a donkey. 🙂
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May 16, 2011 at 8:21 am
You know the Marines never leave a man behind!!!
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May 16, 2011 at 8:24 am
Great story. One little donkey, inspiring so much effort, and he will keep on doing what donkeys do best- softening hearts.
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May 16, 2011 at 8:25 am
Lucky guy! Is he a first as far as a ‘therapy’ donkey? (well, of course, your guys are therapy for you and many readers!)
Do you believe the price tag to get him here?! I think the SPCA should apply matching funds to rescuing/supporting donkey programs in the US
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May 16, 2011 at 9:34 am
Cyndi,
Here are a couple of examples of donkeys being used as therapy animals.
Therapy donkeys visit care homes: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/dorset/3638874.stm
Butternut Ridge Farm’s Thera-Pets Program: http://www.butternutridgedonkeys.com/Thera-Pets.html
“Research has shown that donkeys can form lifelong friendships and have the ability to experience emotions. Donkeys are smaller and less intimidating than some farm animals allowing someone with no animal experience to get close to them. They are naturally calm animals, often choosing to stand stoic in a crisis while deciding what to do.”
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May 16, 2011 at 8:35 am
I had to post this on facebook last night. I followed Smoke’s story for awhile, but lost track. Was so happy to read the good news 🙂 And, isn’t he adorable?
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May 16, 2011 at 9:08 am
When I read the title I thought of a horse of my friend’s named Smoke! This donkey Smoke is one lucky donk! He looks young too soOOOOOOoo here’s to many Hee Haw years for that SWEET donkey, Smoke and our wounded soldiers!! Yes, maybe they can rescue some from Home Sweet Home, USA!
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May 16, 2011 at 2:43 pm
This is such a touching story! How sweet.
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May 16, 2011 at 7:28 pm
WOW! Great to read this wonderful news! Good for the Marines and everyone who helped! Now let’s chip in for some more….
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May 16, 2011 at 8:59 pm
what a great story! You are always so good to bring us great stories such as these!
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May 17, 2011 at 5:10 am
How’s the goat, dear Justina?
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May 17, 2011 at 6:52 am
Sigrid,
Happily, Leland seems to be doing much better. He looks good, he’s active and he’s eating well. He’s a very different goat from last week.
As for his peeing, still not streaming yet, but we’re treating him with ammonium chloride every day now. The ammonium chloride is meant to acidify his urine and help dissolve the stones in his bladder.
Thank you for asking about him… I’ll let him know you did. 🙂 xoxo
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May 17, 2011 at 7:58 am
OMG the great thing about following blogs like yours is it puts such a smile on my face. The bad thing is I CRY SO EASILY OVER ANIMALS!! So I am laughing and crying! Ah well, such is life. I am so glad to hear your goat is doing better. Poor baby – I can’t even imagine how uncomfortable he must have been.
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May 17, 2011 at 11:57 am
Amen, Colleen, this beautiful story has me laughing and crying as well. A therapy donkey! Brilliant!
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May 17, 2011 at 1:55 pm
What a cutie. Doesn’t surprise me that they are used for therapy animals. They look so social and friendly, and seem so intuitive.
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May 18, 2011 at 12:03 pm
As a follower of donkey blogs and especially good news donkey stories….this brought a tear to my eye too…
Smoke has such a perky bright eyed look about him…and being so young…wow…what a long life he will have in a much better place. How I wish all donkeys could know a good and happy life…. maybe his story will urge some others to make more of an effort on behalf of donkeys in not so fortunate situations. They are such extremely intelligent little guys… and some are in dire circumstances…. thanks for a great story.
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May 19, 2011 at 8:46 am
I can totally see him in that role. He has the most caring, gentle eyes. Must have been a long trip for him, though.
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