Starting in September, I started seeing photos on Facebook of a donkey named Harriet. It shocked me how much she reminded me of Ellsworth.
Back in June, the poor girl was found sunk down in the dirt and unable to rise from her overgrown hooves.
A rescue organization in Las Vegas, Nevada took Harriet in immediately after learning of her situation.
You can read more about Harriet and the rescue organization, L.E.A.N. here.
From Harriet’s story on the L.E.A.N. website: Willing and unfrightened despite the painful trip and new surroundings, she showed her amazing character – gentle and sweet, with flickers of true donkey reluctance and subtle intelligence. She adores attention and having her head and ears rubbed. She will put her head into your chest and stand there, allowing to be cuddled like a giant Plushee doll. Her soft strawberry flicked coat was groomed to perfection, and treatments applied to some lower leg psoriasis that had been ignored. After several X-rays and consultation among the vets and farrier, Rodney Ketelhut trimmed her nightmare and started her on the path to comfort and consistent hoof care.
Because of the care given to her by so many wonderful people these last few months, Harriet has blossomed into the beautiful donkey that she is today.
After learning more about Harriet, Don and I decided that she belonged with the herd at Morning Bray Farm.
As you read this, Harriet is on her way from Las Vegas, Nevada to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Harriet will be home for Christmas. ♥ ♥ ♥
Photo credits: L.E.A.N. and Pet’Ographique
Morning Bray Farm 
December 22, 2012 at 4:25 am
What a great end
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December 22, 2012 at 6:07 am
I have chills! Thank you for wanting to give Harriet a wonderful home. I know other readers feel as I do, that I’ve received a fabulous Christmas present.
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December 22, 2012 at 6:11 am
aaaawwww, you just made me cry from joy! She looks so much like Ellsworth and I am so glad she will have a home with you. I am so looking forward to more pics of this beautiful and cheeky girl. Have a very Merry Christmas and a spectacular New Year!
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December 22, 2012 at 6:31 am
This are wonderful news Justina.
“Gute Reise Harriet!” ♥♥♥
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December 22, 2012 at 6:43 am
We’ve all heard that it’s better to give than to receive, but when you can do both at once, it’s the best. Hope she’s the perfect addition to your herd.
Merry Christmas to all!
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December 22, 2012 at 6:59 am
No better place in the world for her. Looking forward to reading about her homecoming. This makes my Christmas season.
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December 22, 2012 at 7:22 am
Harriet couldn’t be on her way to a better place.
You and Don are such beautiful souls.
Merry Christmas.
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December 22, 2012 at 7:26 am
Great news!!!!! I’m so excited for ALL of you. Merry Christmas.
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December 22, 2012 at 7:43 am
Welcome, welcome, beautiful Harriet!
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December 22, 2012 at 8:00 am
I absolutely cannot wait to meet her…it won’t be long now. Are you camped out at the end of the driveway waiting?
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December 22, 2012 at 8:40 am
She is gorgeous, and one very lucky donkey. What a nice Christmas present for the herd, a sister. Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years to the whole Morning Bray Family
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December 22, 2012 at 8:48 am
Oh, Harriet, you have NO idea !!! 🙂
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December 22, 2012 at 9:10 am
Such a wonderful ending to her story!! She’s hit the jackpot by joining your herd!! 🙂 When do you expect her? Today, tomorrow??
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December 22, 2012 at 9:15 am
CeeCee,
Her ETA is around 2 p.m. this afternoon. 🙂
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December 22, 2012 at 9:14 am
Such a lucky girl, Her story brought tears, both sad and happy! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the Morning Bray Family ❤
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December 22, 2012 at 9:25 am
Tears of sadness for her original condition, tears of joy for her great fortune now. Safe trip, Harriet – we can’t wait to ‘meet’ you on the blog!
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December 22, 2012 at 9:28 am
I’m so excited for you… and her…! Can’t wait to read more about her and see lots of photos 🙂
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December 22, 2012 at 9:30 am
What a wonderful Christmas present for all concerned! She must be a real sweetie. We want pics of the meet ‘n’ greet!
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December 22, 2012 at 9:30 am
I am so happy for both you and Harriet, such a beautiful girl! I read Harriet’s story from the link you provided, in the story they kindly mentioned and had a picture of my donkey Flower, who sadly I had to help cross over the Rainbow Bridge on 10/23/12 to be reunited with her best friend Maggie Mae who passed over 7/15/10. Harriet reminds me of Flower when I rescued her and gave her her forever home with my little donkey herd. Bless you all at Morning Bray Farm. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! Barbara Proctor
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December 22, 2012 at 9:45 am
Oh boy, oh boy! She’s beautiful. I hope Gracie is willing to share with the new girl.
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December 22, 2012 at 10:19 am
Harriet is one lucky girl to have a wonderful forever home with new brothers and sister. Will Harriet’s neck roll correct itself with a steady diet?
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December 22, 2012 at 11:05 am
Carol,
Good question. Unfortunately, the answer is no. From the American Donkey and Mule Society:
A fat donkey will develop a “roll”; on the neck, pones of fat on the barrel and over the hips that are quite unsightly. Once there, these are usually with the donkey for life. If the neck roll of fat gets too heavy, it will fall or “break over” to one side and never come upright again!
The other thing I learned recently is that fat necks are also a symptom of nutritional deficiency… it’s not only an overweight donkey who will develop a neck roll:
http://www.shadowridgedonkeys.com/articles/fat_necks__vicki_knotts_abbott.htm
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December 22, 2012 at 10:22 am
Come on, guys – I didn’t need another weekend of crying, but at least these are happy tears! I’m so proud of you and Don, and happy for Harriet. I know she’ll absolutely love it with you and the herd. Merry Christmas to all of you!
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December 22, 2012 at 10:52 am
Wonderful! You have a serious donkey addiction, and I recommend you avoid any treatment. 🙂 Do you know how old Harriet is?
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December 22, 2012 at 11:06 am
Alison,
Another good question. She’s estimated to be a teenager. We think she and Gracie are most likely around the same age, which will be nice for both of them. I predict that Gracie and Harriet will become best girl friends. 🙂
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December 22, 2012 at 11:07 am
p.s. Yes, I do have a serious donkey addiction. 😀
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December 22, 2012 at 11:22 am
What a great way to start the day. Congratulations to all of you.
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December 22, 2012 at 11:24 am
Justina, I am so glad that you have a serious donkey addiction. Harriett could not have gone to more caring and loving people than you and Don. When I saw the first picture that you had posted, I knew that she would be yours.
My heart is too soft and I cried as I read your story.
Much love to the entire herd , especially your new girl, and to you and Don for your generous heart.
Happy holidays,
Yvonne
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December 22, 2012 at 11:46 am
Oh my god, it breaks my heart to see her “before” pictures, but OH! WHAT A HAPPY ENDING! Oh, what a lucky girl is Harriet. Oh, happy day!
Her poor feet must feel SO much better now, and when your feet feel better, ALL OF YOU feels better.
Give her a hug and a rub from Auntie June, please.
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December 22, 2012 at 12:02 pm
It will be a very Merry Christmas at Morning Bray Farms. Can’t wait to see more photos of Harriett as she meets the rest of the herd. 🙂
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December 22, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Oh! What a Christmas for this lovely lady! God bless you!!
I hope you will not mind but I just had to mention her story on today’s post!
http://liveanddreamalittledream.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-news-in-world.html
Merry Christmas Folks and thank you for sharing this happy ending!
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December 22, 2012 at 12:13 pm
This made me cry! Congrats to you and your whole family! Thank you, thank you, thank you for opening your home to this beautiful soul.
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December 22, 2012 at 12:40 pm
wow!
I am so touched by yours and Don’s devotion to your herd of beautiful long eared souls…I so hope that I can come meet everyone some day. Harriett is SO lucky-when I first found out about her I thought “if only she could go to Morning Bray Farm!” Little did I know that you had already fallen in love 🙂 I cannot wait to see what the rest of the herd thinks of her and vice versa…she certainly is on her way to donkey heaven on earth. What a lucky lucky sweet little girl. Sending so much love and hugs to all of you-congratulations to each and every one on your latest addition to the family!
xoxo
Sue and the crew
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December 22, 2012 at 12:51 pm
You & Don have the hearts of rescuers & are willing to help the ones that need it most. I’m sure Gracie will be thrilled to have someone to share secrets with. And someone to help with keeping the boys in line. Harriet is a very lucky girl.
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December 22, 2012 at 2:32 pm
well, you may know that I am a huge fan Morning Bray and 7MSN burros, but Ellsworth is my favorite. Harriet had a sad story at the beginning and it is wonderful to see how she improved after vet and farrier care. She is going to paradise aka Mornning Bray! It will be fun to see how she gets along with Gracie Belle and the gang. Merry Christmas, Harriet is a great present to receive.
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December 22, 2012 at 2:34 pm
I just can’t seem to remember the difference beween a donky and a burro, so sorry if I called Harriet etc. burros. Silly city girl!
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December 22, 2012 at 2:36 pm
Merry Christmas, Harriet! Girl, you have found your way to the Donkey Promised Land at Morning Bray Farm! Congrats!!!
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December 22, 2012 at 2:48 pm
I wonder what her bray will sound like.
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December 22, 2012 at 3:10 pm
You and Don are such wonderful people. God Bless you all and I can’t wait to hear all about her in the future!
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December 22, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Oh, tears. Tears of happiness. Tears of relief. What a lucky donkey! Bless you!
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December 22, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Can’t wait to see Ms. Harriet and let her meet the cuckoos……happy happy dancing here. Casa de Cuckoo
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December 22, 2012 at 6:39 pm
Thank God for people like you. You are saving more souls than you could possibly know.
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December 22, 2012 at 8:27 pm
I’m still sniffing. As I was reading her story I was wishing so much she had a good home and then you said she would be coming to live with you. Still teary eyed!! How wonderful. Thank you so much for your love which shines out to all of us. Wishing you s magical Christmas and New Year.
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December 22, 2012 at 9:41 pm
What a happy ending for everyone! Can’t wait to read the updates as she settles in to her new home and family! (She’s one very lucky girl!!)
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December 22, 2012 at 9:56 pm
A perfect addition at Christmas time! Welcome, Miss Harriet, may your days at Morning Bray be the best days of your life.
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December 23, 2012 at 6:48 am
Harriet will be very happy at Morning Bray Farm!
You and Don have a kind and big heart!
Wishing you all a Merry Christimas and a Wonderful New Year!
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December 23, 2012 at 9:21 am
I checked your page first, then saw Carson’s “documentary” of Harriet’s arrival at her wonderful new home. Tearing up – had to come back to your blog to tell you how happy I am for all of you.
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December 23, 2012 at 9:41 am
😀 Big smile! I love endings to these stories like this, and may Harriet bless all of you like you blessed her.
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December 23, 2012 at 10:19 am
She’s so beautiful! Congratulations!
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December 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm
We all know that Harriet will be loved by both human and equine residents of the Morning Bray Farm.
I’d like to thank you (and Linda and Kris) for sharing your donkey lives with the rest of us. I’m not sure if you realize how much you all mean to us.
Love you! Cathy
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December 23, 2012 at 6:10 pm
happy tears!!!! What a beautiful donkey – Harriet is such a gorgeous girl. I know she will be happy in her forever home. Can’t wait to hear more news of your Christmas angel-donk!!!!
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December 24, 2012 at 12:01 am
Cut it out, you made me cry again. 🙂 Welcome home, Harriet.
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December 24, 2012 at 7:42 am
Oh Justina, I didn’t know ya’ll were becoming a donkey rescue also!!! Lucy’s gonna have some competition for the Big E’s attention… hum….might be a cute donkey love triangle in the making……Merry Christmas to you and Don. You’ve already gotten the best present you could recieve!
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December 24, 2012 at 7:43 am
Why is a grandmother the last to know? Before I retired, I had pictures of each of my grandchildren posted in my office. My co-workers were very interested. Don didn’t even tell me you were expecting a new donkey.
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December 24, 2012 at 10:05 am
Awwww 🙂
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December 25, 2012 at 12:15 pm
I can’t imagine a more fitting Christmas gift than the arrival of Harriet at Morning Bray. I’m so incredibly happy for all of you. Welcome Home, Harriet!
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December 29, 2012 at 3:25 am
how wonderful for Harriet. I love this story. Ifound you from The 7MSN Ranch. Her blog is so fun with all her critters.
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
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December 29, 2012 at 8:14 am
Justina, I’ve been away visiting family, and had no computer. Just came home yesturday and saw this. Joy to the donkey world! She will love being part of your herd! Merry Christmas and a Very happy new Year to you and Don! 🙂
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