Cheerful Irish donkey saved from flood after heroic rescue mission

BY SAM HAYSOM From Mashable

There are few things in this world more cheery than the site of a grinning donkey that’s just been rescued from a flooded field.

The donkey in question was stranded in deep flood water in Killorglin, Ireland on Sunday after Storm Desmond blew down its paddock and it wandered out into a field. As the weather worsened and the water began to rise, the animal became trapped.

The owner called Suzanne Gibbons of Ireland’s Animal Heaven Animal Rescue (AHAR) to see if she could help save the donkey.

Gibbons shared updates of the dramatic rescue mission live on AHAR’s Facebook page.

With the help Mike Fleming from Killorglin Rowing Club, AHAR were able to track down the animal.

“He is now dried with towels, eating a hot mash, all cozy and warm and our vet has seen him and started him on antibiotics to prevent pneumonia,” wrote Suzanne Gibbons. “He has a small bit of fluid in one lung but our vet said he will recover. All he needs is loads of tlc.”

“Mike would like to say hello to all his fans and say thank you very much for all your lovely comments wishing him well,” AHAR wrote on Facebook Monday morning.

“He is feeling much better.”

AHAR have since shared an update on the condition of the donkey (which they decided to name Mike).

IMAGES:
Donkey_rescue_mission
Rescuers reach the stranded donkey.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK ANIMAL HEAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE
Donkey_rubber_ring_rescue
Using a rubber ring they’re able to tow the animal through the flood.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK ANIMAL HEAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE
Finally, they got him safely to dry land.
Smiling_donkey
The donkey was clearly relieved to be back on solid ground.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK ANIMAL HEAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE
Just look how happy he is.
Happy_donkey
IMAGE: FACEBOOK ANIMAL HEAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE
Rescued_donkey_Ireland
Here’s Mike, appreciating the warmth of a new paddock.
IMAGE: FACEBOOK ANIMAL HEAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE

For more on this story and video go to: http://mashable.com/2015/12/07/smiling-donkey-flood-ireland/?utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29&utm_cid=Mash-Prod-RSS-Feedburner-All-Partial&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher#ltTWWt2kN5qm