When we first saw Ali, a strikingly beautiful black donkey, she was standing in a filthy, overcrowded sale barn pen, huddled with a tiny black pony and little Shoddy. It was clear she was frightened and unsure of the world around her.

With patience and gentle encouragement, the pony and Shoddy slowly accepted treats from our hands. But not Ali. She watched, curious yet cautious, unwilling to trust us just yet. If we left a treat on the wet, dirty floor, she would carefully take it—but never from our hands. Her fear ran deep.

The next afternoon, Ali came home with us.

A Closer Look at Ali’s Past

From the moment she arrived at Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue, we knew she had experienced something traumatic. She was extremely hand shy, especially around her face. She flinched at a halter or lead rope, resisted being brushed, and avoided human touch. But the real concern came when we looked inside her mouth.

What we saw was shocking.

Ali’s gums were blackened, raw, and damaged—nothing like we had ever seen before. Our veterinarian and Leah at ADMS both confirmed that this wasn’t natural pigmentation but severe trauma, likely from sloughing gum tissue.

Although we weren’t there to witness what happened, the evidence suggests a painful truth—that her previous owner or hauler forced a chain or twine into her mouth to get her into a trailer and to the sale barn. The thought of what she endured breaks our hearts.

But here’s what matters now: Ali is safe.

The Road to Healing

Thankfully, Ali had her companion, Shoddy, by her side, offering comfort in an unfamiliar world. We immediately reached out to Dr. Bob Scharp, D.D.S., a dedicated TPDR friend and adopter, who provided us with a treatment used for similar trauma in human mouths. We now treat Ali four times a day in the hopes that she will heal. But this is a waiting game.

Despite everything she has endured, Ali has never shown a hint of aggression. She isn’t grumpy, difficult, or mean—she’s simply scared. But each day, we see progress. She wants to trust. She wants to be friends.

And we will give her all the time she needs.

Ali Deserves a Second Chance—And You Can Help

Ali’s story is, unfortunately, not uncommon. Too many donkeys end up in auction pens, neglected, mistreated, and terrified. But at Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue, we fight for them—offering safety, healing, and hope for a better future.

🐴 Your support makes all the difference. Donations help us provide medical care, food, and the time these donkeys need to learn to trust again. If you’d like to help Ali and others like her, please consider donating today.