点评:While in Crete during our Greece vacation, we made it a point to go to the donkey rescue in Agia Marina, not far from Matala. There are so many donkeys all over Greece and so many that need care, either from abuse, neglect or abandonment. This rescue is doing right by the donkeys in Crete, giving them a place of rest, security, care and affection for the rest of their lives.
It was wonderful to be able to walk among the donkeys (and sheep and ducks), brush them and give them rubs and scratches (if they so desired). Every donkey has a bracelet around their neck, with letters that spell out their name, so you know who you are hanging out with. One of the sweetest donkeys was Alexandra, and at 43 years old, the eldest at the rescue - she was very sweet, so small in stature, and she loved to be brushed.
We had a chance to speak with the founder of the rescue - although the stories are heartbreaking about the condition 95% of the donkeys arrive in (starving, overgrown hoofs that look like elf shoes they can barely walk, beaten, etc.), there are sometimes a few feel good stories - some Greek people have a donkey that belonged to an older family member who has passed away and they want the donkey to be cared for until it passes away, so they ask if the rescue can take in the donkey. We made a purchase at their little store to help as a donation for the costs of running the sanctuary. Definitely worth a visit, especially if you are an animal lover.
翻译:在希腊度假期间,我们特意去了马塔拉附近阿吉亚玛丽娜的驴子救助站。希腊各地的驴子数量众多,其中许多需要照顾,要么是受到虐待、忽视,要么是被遗弃。这次救助站为克里特岛的驴子做了一件好事,为它们提供了一个休息、安全、照顾和关爱的地方,让它们终生受益。
能够在驴子(以及绵羊和鸭子)中间行走,给它们梳毛、抚摸和抓挠(如果它们愿意的话)真是太棒了。每头驴子脖子上都戴着一个手镯,上面写着它们的名字,这样你就知道你和谁在一起了。最可爱的驴子之一是亚历山德拉,43 岁,是救助站里最年长的驴子——她非常可爱,身材娇小,喜欢被人梳毛。
我们有机会与救援组织的创始人交谈 - 虽然 95% 的驴子抵达时的状况令人心碎(饥饿、蹄子长得像精灵的鞋子,几乎无法行走、遭受殴打等),但有时也有一些令人振奋的故事 - 一些希腊人有一头驴子,它属于一位已经去世的年长家庭成员,他们希望在驴子去世之前照顾它,所以他们询问救援组织是否可以收留这头驴子。我们在他们的小商店买了一些东西,作为运营庇护所的捐款。绝对值得一游,特别是如果你是一个动物爱好者。