THE ISLE of Wight Donkey Sanctuary has announced the sad loss of one of its most recognisable donkeys, ‘miniature mischief’ Felicity.
Felicity, who was in her 20s, died on Monday (January 23) in the early evening, surrounded by her friends Bella, Wizzy, Angelica and Geraldine and the farm team.
Receiving veterinary treatment for several weeks, Felicity displayed an inconsistent heart rate, which kept bursting into tachycardia.
Despite the team’s best efforts, they were unable to get to the cause of her issue on Monday evening, and Felicity deteriorated quickly.
The Sanctuary’s vets were already on the scene, and she was helped to peacefully pass away.
Felicity’s precise illness remains a mystery, and we will be carrying out a post-mortem to try to find out what the cause of her passing was.
She arrived at Wroxall more than a decade ago, with Geraldine and Angelica as the only miniature donkeys at the Sanctuary.
Felicity was an in-demand outreach donkey and spent lots of time enjoying the fuss and attention of primary school children, particularly at Christmas time, when she accompanied Bella on Nativity Play outings.
Posting on Facebook, a spokesperson from the Donkey Sanctuary said: “All of our donkeys end their days here at the sanctuary, but when a donkey passes ‘before her time’ it is especially hard for the team to deal with.
“A special thank you, therefore, to all the members of staff and volunteers who stayed to help Felicity last night.
“Their professionalism is a tribute to the standards we set here. Please don't hold on to the pain of last night but remember the joy and happiness that Felicity brought to others during her happy life.
“RIP Little Flissy.”
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