It’s safe to say Payton Dankworth never imagined she’d one day adopt a lonely newborn donkey, but she’s embracing the position with all her heart.
And one life has already been impacted by her generosity.
Two weeks ago, Dankworth, a junior in high school from Texas, got a call from a friend who lives on a horse ranch. While out for a ride, he’d happened upon a starving baby donkey who’d evidently been abandoned by his mother.
Unable to care for the youngster himself, Dankworth’s friend reached out to her for help.
“He asked if I would like to try keep him alive,” Dankworth told The Dodo. “He told me that he wasn’t in very good health and he probably wouldn’t make it through the night. I am such an animal lover, and there was no way I was gonna let that baby die.”
That’s how Dankworth first met Jack.
The first night in his new home was indeed touch and go for the emaciated animal. Dankworth stayed up all night to cuddle with Jack and slowly introduced him to food, which he’d so long been without.
Soon, a touching bond began to form.
Jack had found his place.
“This was the first time I have ever taken care of a donkey,” Dankworth said.
But with each day that Jack grew stronger, she proved herself to be a perfect mom
“Jack has proven to me that he truly depends on me,” Dankworth said. About every two hours, I give him a bottle, and doing so makes me happy.
Jack started to flourish as a result of those consistent feedings as well as lots of love and attention.
As unlikely as it may have seemed at first, Jack is now a bona fide member of Dankworth’s family.
“He’s fitting in so well!” Dankworth said. “I take Jack on walks and he rides in my car with me, too. He’s kinda like a dog and follows me everywhere.”
Fortunately, even though Dankworth’s family hadn’t expected to adopt a donkey, they have enough of space on their farm to house him for a lifetime.
But Dankworth hasn’t only altered Jack’s fate; he’s now influencing hers.
Up until recently, Dankworth hadn’t been sure about what field of study she’d like to pursue after graduating from high school. Now, as a result of her experience saving a baby donkey’s life, she’d like to work helping other creatures for a living.
“Jack has really inspired me to go into that because I just love animals,” she said. “Seeing how far he has come — from barely having enough strength to stand up to now being able to run around and chase my dogs — is one of the greatest things I could ever ask for. I’m so proud.”
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