Yes, the donkey is still in the news. But this time it's not because she's still on the lam. Now that she's "fenced in" people want to help pay for a new fence and for a reunion.
Donkey odyssey inspires donations
By CRAIG CROSBY
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Thursday, March 01, 2007
PITTSFIELD -- Mary Gaeta sat at her computer desk Wednesday gently pulling letters and cards from envelopes that had arrived from across the country.
With each note, her determination to fulfill the writers' wishes grew.
"They're all saying the same thing," Gaeta said. "They all want to see Jenny and Isabella reunited."
Jenny made headlines across the country after escaping from her pen at Mary's Garden, the Higgins Road farm Gaeta owns with her partner, Joe Varricchio, on Jan. 18.
The donkey -- most now believe she is actually a hinny, the offspring of a male horse and female donkey -- remained on the run until last week despite several capture attempts that included everything from wrangling to sedatives.
Equine expert Karina Lewis spent more than a week bonding with Jenny and ultimately was able to lead the donkey into a makeshift corral.
Lewis believes Jenny was searching for a partner, likely a sibling, that was sold separately at an auction last fall.
That partner, which has been called Isabella, was rescued by the Massachusetts-based Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue and Rehabilitation, an informal donkey and mule rescue league, and lives on a farm in New Hampshire.
A plot that captured attention for its intrigue and rescue has morphed into a love story, and those involved are determined to create a happy ending.
"When we bring Isabella home, she's going to be ecstatic," Lewis said. "That's going to change that little donkey's life, no question about it."
Jenny has already changed the lives of those around her. Just a week after her capture, donations to build Jenny a new fence and reunite her with Isabella have arrived from around the country.
"We're getting donations from all over," said Gaeta, listing gifts from Florida, New Jersey and Maine. "It's unbelievable. And it's not little amounts. This one's 50 bucks."
Gaeta intends to answer every letter she receives and will include a picture of Jenny.
"People are writing lovely letters," she said. "I wish I knew how to make up a Web site because then I could keep everybody posted."
Gaeta attached photos of Jenny to card stock, each signed by Gaeta and Varricchio, that are being sold for $10 apiece at the online auction site, eBay. Gaeta intends to sell the photos -- buyers can pick one of three poses -- at fairs this summer. All of the money will go toward fencing in the couple's 18 acres and purchasing Isabella.
Any remaining money will be donated to an animal shelter, Gaeta said.
Lewis hopes the fenced-in area will include the woods in which Jenny spent much of her time while on the lam.
"She wants it so they can run in the woods and do whatever they want to do," Varricchio said. "She'll be free as a bird."
The couple still gets calls from magazines that are writing stories on the donkey. Varricchio's nephew is even writing a children's book based on Jenny's adventure.
"I was telling someone I wouldn't be surprised if they make a movie," Varricchio said. "Nothing is impossible."
He is anxious for the spring when he hopes children and their parents will come to see Jenny.
"I'm going to buy a buggy," Varricchio said. "That way when the kids come up they can ride. I think the kids would enjoy that."
Considering the progress she has made, Jenny may be able to star in the movie some day.
The donkey is already accepting a bridle and on Wednesday Lewis loaded Jenny into a horse trailer and took her for a ride around the neighborhood.
"She's doing really well," Lewis said. "She's still fairly unsure what's expected of her. We're working through that. Her trust is building every day."
The trailer ride was designed to prepare Jenny for a trip to the Northeast Equestrian Exhibition, which is scheduled for Friday through Sunday at the Treasure Equestrian Center in Manchester.
Lewis has planned a 30-minute presentation on Saturday during which she will talk about her business, The Mirror Effect, which works to solve behavioral problems with horses and their owners. Gaeta, Varricchio and Jenny will take part in the presentation in hopes of generating money for the fundraiser.
"We thought this would be an opportunity for people to meet Jenny," Lewis said. "She's been an inspiration to so many people."
Lewis is working on arranging a visit between Jenny and Isabella or, ideally, bringing the two together permanently.
"We're going to use (the expo) as an opportunity to continue the cause we see here," Lewis said. "In my mind, the story isn't over. She's lonely. She's missing her friend."
retrieved from: http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/3667753.html
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