Molly. Day 60.

Saturdays are for gratitude, and today I will talk about Miss Molly, the mini mule mare I met a few weeks ago at the Penderosa Rescue and Sanctuary in Willard.

When we saw Molly the first time, she was being quarantined until all her labs and tests came back clear from the vet before she could be with her new donkey friends. Today, she was alone in the pasture when we pulled up and parked, but then she quickly found us and introduced us to her new friends, Lilly and Gino. Molly was smiling and frisky, rolling on the floor and hopping instead of walking. She was always moving around and teasing her new friends, just so happy. The first time we saw her, she was easy to photograph, but today, she was blurry!

Today, the sanctuary had an event for veterans where they were able to interact with the rescued animals and share some warm chili, hot dogs, and soft chocolate brownies.

Baylee and I were able to feed the donkeys and Molly sliced apples and crunchy treats, which they preferred over the apples. Baylee had never fed a horse or mule before, and jumped a little when they lipped his palm and nudged his hip.

“Whoa,” he said and giggled.

We also had a nice visit with goats, rabbits, and a sweet black and white bull named Peanut. All were residents of the sanctuary who came in with needs.

Soon, we hope to begin volunteering at Penderosa. I look forward to helping a place that gives a sweet home to animals who really need help, with no judgement to their previous human guardians, but only real, true love to the most innocent creatures around. I’m grateful for our day with these lovely new friends of mine, and even more than that, I’m grateful they all have Penderosa on their side.