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Durban - A beloved donkey that lived for nearly half a century and served the Kloof area for nearly two decades has died.
Wenton, who was known at one stage to have a chicken perched on his back when he took a nap, had lived at the Kloof and Highway SPCA for 17 years. He moved into the animal haven when he fell foul of other male donkeys, apparently for always protecting the females from their advances.
Primrose Mbona, who groomed and cared for Wenton in Kloof, said her “heart was sad and sore” after he was euthanased last week.
“I feel like I have lost a member of my family. I loved Wenton dearly and I was proud to have taken care of him for 20 years,” said Mbona.
She said when Wenton did not want to be groomed, he would “just kick me”.
“That was his way of telling me that he was not well. I had a special bond with Wenton. Every afternoon at 3 pm I would call him for his dinner. He was always fed first because he ate his food so slowly. On hearing his name, he would prick his ears up and down and let out a loud bray.”
Mbona said she cried when Wenton died. “My days without him are not how they used to be. I miss him terribly and no other donkey will take his place. Rest in peace Wenton,” she said.
Kloof SPCA spokesperson Barbara Laubscher said Wenton was “protective over the ladies”.
“[On arrival] he quickly made best friends with a chicken who used to sleep on his back. Wenton spent many happy years in the large paddocks at the Kloof and Highway SPCA,” said Laubscher.
She said he became sick over the “past two weeks”.
“As a result of his suffering, he was humanely put down at the age of 47 years. Wenton was a member of our SPCA family and was loved by all and will be greatly missed,” she said
