Billy has left the yard

There are some donkeys that many of us will never forget – and Billy is one of those donkeys.  As I write this I still can’t quite believe that Billy has died and is no longer with us.  He was such a big part of the Donkey Sanctuary – especially in New Barn and as “King of the Yard” – the top donk of the Meet and Greet Team!

Billy arrived at The Donkey Sanctuary from Saffron Walden in the mid-1980s, along with his younger brother Freddie and sister Jenny. The three of them were real characters and numerous staff and visitors have told me how much they loved this little family of donkeys.  Ironically, after so many years together, all three donkeys have died within 8 months of each other – Billy being the eldest and the last to leave.

Billy was a legend on the yard long before I ever knew him, and after my first day on yard duty, I knew why!  Billy was first in the queue to come out of the barn and onto the yard – the others pushed and hoped behind him – but none challenged him.  Billy would immediately move from stable to stable checking out the feed buckets before settling to munch his food in his favourite stable.  Once his food was finished, Billy would walk around the yard, stopping to pose for photographs as he deemed necessary, before heading back to the doorway of his stable, from where he could survey the yard – his yard.  All day Billy would remain on duty, and he was invariably the last to leave.  I write that quite easily – but the reality of getting Billy to leave the yard was quite different! 

You see, Billy only ever did something if Billy wanted to do it…and leaving the yard was not one of those things he chose to do willingly. At the end of my first day, after trying to lead, pull, push, cajole and finally bribe Billy, he remained unperturbed and stood resolute on the yard.  Defeated and cross, I had to go and confess to a groom that Billy was still on the yard and could he please come and help me.  I swear, as Billy was led into the barn, he turned his head and looked directly at me - and there in his eye was a twinkle of triumph!  I had met a donkey with a sense of humour, no less!

That was the thing about Billy – he really was funny! I think I told you in a previous story about the day when Phil and I took Billy and Jubilee for what was to be a relaxing stroll around the Sanctuary at the end of a busy day.  Jubilee however decided that Phil needed further exercise, and set off at a rapid trot.  Billy, on the other hand, continued to walk sedately beside me until he was quite sure I was feeling settled and relaxed.  Then to my great consternation, he cast me a quick, side-long look, before suddenly hurtling off at great speed and with great glee, after the vanishing figures of Phil and Jubilee, dragging me helplessly alongside him!

Another of my favourite memories of Billy was at this year’s Carols by Candlelight service.  Phil and I were given the job of looking after Billy and Hugo in one of the stables around the yard.  While Hugo took great interest in all that was happening outside the door and eagerly greeted all the hundreds of visitors thronging in the yard, Billy kept his head firmly in a feed bucket, ignoring all the flailing hands that tried to pat or scratch him over the stable door.  When he finally peered over the door, he successfully managed to wipe the Mollichaff from his, by then rather grubby muzzle onto the coat sleeve of some poor unsuspecting visitor.  Fortunately, the visitor was very understanding and accepted my apologies for the slobbery blobs on his coat! 

Billy’s finest moment that evening though was still to come.  The Honiton Town Band struck up for the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City – traditionally a solo verse I believe.  Billy clearly knew this as well and seized his opportunity, and somewhat tunefully, half-brayed his way through the entire verse, before everyone else joined in for the chorus - much to the bemusement of all within close vicinity of our stable!  My only regret was that he didn’t get to do this on the stage with Dr Svendsen, in front of the congregation in the barn and the thousands more watching and listening via the webcam!

I have spoken to many people about Billy in recent days – and all have abiding and personal memories of not only Billy, but of Freddie and Jenny. I know they were much-loved donkeys and have left their indelible mark on many hearts. As for my heart – I knew sweet Jenny all too briefly, I loved “my” little Freddie and Billy brought me joy and smiles in abundance.     

And for many, including myself, the place suddenly seems that much emptier now Billy has left the yard.