For almost ten years, two donkeys were left to fend for themselves in a wide, lonely field somewhere in the Midwest.
They had no farrier, no medical checkups, and no consistent source of proper care.
The land stretched for acres, but for these animals, it was not freedom — it was a place where neglect lingered year after year.
Left Alone For Nearly A Decade
One of the donkeys, later given the name Phoebe, suffered the most visible wounds from that neglect.
Her hooves, left untrimmed for nearly a decade, grew so overgrown that they curled unnaturally. Each step forced her to shuffle painfully, unable to move the way a healthy donkey should.
Standing for long periods strained her legs, and walking became an exhausting task.
Yet through it all, she was never entirely alone.
By her side stood Toby, her loyal companion. Though his hooves were in better shape, he refused to leave her. Wherever Phoebe went, no matter how slowly or painfully, Toby followed.
The pair leaned on each other, bonded not only by species but by years of shared suffering.
The two had nothing but each other — no shelter, no proper food, no attention — and still, they clung together.
For a long time, their world was silence, hardship, and endurance. But eventually, their quiet existence was noticed by people who cared enough to intervene.
Rescued After Years Of Suffering
When Foreverland Farm, a sanctuary in Ohio devoted to giving abused and abandoned animals a safe home, learned about the donkeys’ plight, they could not turn away.
The staff knew the situation would be challenging. Years of neglect leave scars that cannot disappear in days or weeks.
But their mission has always been to give every animal a fighting chance, and Toby and Phoebe deserved nothing less.
The rescue team made their way to the field where the donkeys had been surviving.
What they found was heartbreaking. The two stood together on the land that had been their prison for nearly a decade, unaware that life was about to change forever.
The team carefully led them to trailers and began the journey to Foreverland Farm.
For the first time in years, the donkeys were surrounded by people who treated them with patience and compassion.
Sanctuary staff later shared that the pair had not received proper hoof care in at least eight years.
For Phoebe, the lack of attention had turned her hooves into painful, twisted burdens that no animal should endure.
When they finally arrived at the sanctuary, veterinarians gave both animals a full examination. Toby, while weary and thin, was relatively stable. Phoebe, however, showed the long-term effects of living on neglected hooves.
Her joints had been strained from years of unnatural pressure, and her posture revealed just how much pain she had endured. Still, both animals surprised everyone by standing calmly, as if they understood that their nightmare had come to an end.
A Journey Toward Healing And Hope
X-rays confirmed what rescuers feared: Phoebe’s hooves and legs required more than a simple trim. Specialists created a long-term plan to bring her relief.
Orthopedic shoes would need to be custom made to stabilize her joints and support her legs. These shoes would allow her to walk more comfortably and safely, giving her the chance to move with dignity again.
The road to full recovery will take months, maybe even years, but for the first time, progress is possible.
At Foreverland Farm, Toby and Phoebe’s lives have already changed.
They are no longer invisible. Every day, they receive food, medical care, and gentle attention from staff who treat them as cherished beings.
Their bond remains unbreakable. Wherever Phoebe goes, Toby stays close, offering the same loyalty that carried them through years of neglect.
Now, however, their companionship is supported by a team of humans determined to help them thrive.
Their story has touched hearts far beyond Ohio. When Foreverland Farm shared their rescue online, thousands of supporters responded with encouragement, donations, and love.
Messages poured in from across the country, with people sending prayers, sharing the donkeys’ story, and offering financial support to ensure their care continues.
The sanctuary expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of kindness. Toby and Phoebe, once forgotten, are now surrounded by a community that refuses to let them suffer again.
What began as a tale of abandonment has become a story of resilience, compassion, and second chances.
Though Phoebe’s recovery will be long, and Toby still carries the weight of years spent in neglect, their future is no longer uncertain.
At Foreverland Farm, they are safe. They are cared for. And they are deeply loved.
Their smiling faces now reflect what words cannot fully capture: the joy of animals who finally know safety, the comfort of companionship that survived the worst of times, and the hope of brighter days yet to come.