My New Mum

Another strange person came to see me today.

She came in carrying all these overcoats for me and this very pink thing they call a headcollar - she said I needed to wear bright pink to cheer me up.

She cried when she saw me, running her hands over me and saying she had never seen such a poor starved wee thing - double dutch to me but it felt ok. Then she put this funny tartan thing on me and did up all the buckles and straps so I was tied in it.

I've never worn one of those things before - but it did feel warm. She told me it had belonged to another donkey called Mouse who had died - alarm bells, they do kill donkeys here, I knew it, just when I thought it was ok to think I might be saved, I was right all along it was a cruel prank.

But no, she said that Mouse had got very ill, something they called cancer, and even though they had spent thousands of pounds on specialist treatment she had died. I'm still not sure I believe this. I know there is something called the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France but I don't know if it applies to donkeys. I could smell Mouse in the rug - it was comforting.

This strange person said that she was glad that the rug was the right size for me, as it didn't fit the other donkeys (who are they - where are these other donkeys) and she had held onto it after Mouse had died in case another donkey might wear it one day.

It isn't quite Paris fashions - but then I never did keep up to date and anyway they often use FUR (what poor creature did that come from), but it feels warm and cosy and I think quite suits me.

She hugs me and says she wishes she could take me home now but that I must rest for a few days and get stronger and then she will come back and collect me - does this mean I will have to leave Cazaux? I'm not sure he cares any more, he is so interested in the other donkeys here that already I think he is forgetting me.