In a story that seems straight out of a storybook, a fragile two-day-old donkey foal has forged an astonishing bond with his 72-year-old human caretaker after being tragically rejected by his own mother.
The tiny donkey, named Little Alfie by rescuers, was discovered shivering and alone in a Lancashire field, having been abandoned just hours after his birth. With his survival hanging in the balance, he was rushed to the nearby Flicka Foundation Donkey Sanctuary for emergency care.
An Unlikely Guardian Angel
Enter John Nuttall, a pensioner volunteer at the sanctuary who became Alfie's round-the-clock guardian. "When he arrived, he was so weak he could barely stand," John recalls. "I knew he needed constant attention if he was going to make it through the night."
What happened next astonished everyone at the sanctuary. The miniature donkey began following John everywhere, treating the pensioner as his surrogate parent. "He trots behind me like a shadow," John says with evident affection. "If I stop walking, he bumps into the back of my legs and waits patiently."
A Bond That Defies Nature
The connection between man and donkey has become the talk of the sanctuary. Staff have observed remarkable behaviour that demonstrates Alfie's complete trust in his human caretaker.
- The foal rests his head on John's shoulder when tired
- He responds immediately to John's voice calls
- He becomes visibly distressed when John leaves his sight
- The pair have developed their own unique communication system
Sanctuary manager Jemma Tregunna describes the bond as "something truly special. We've never seen anything quite like it. Alfie clearly sees John as his mother figure, and the affection is mutual."
The Road to Recovery
Little Alfie's survival was far from guaranteed. Newborn donkeys require constant feeding and warmth, particularly when separated from their mothers.
Critical care included:
- Two-hourly bottle feeding throughout day and night
- Constant temperature monitoring
- Round-the-clock supervision
- Gentle physical therapy to build strength
Against all odds, Alfie has not only survived but thrived under John's dedicated care. "He's growing stronger every day," John reports proudly. "His personality is really starting to shine through."
The Flicka Foundation, which cares for over 70 rescued equines, has seen many heartwarming recoveries, but staff agree that Alfie and John's story is particularly moving. As Alfie continues to grow, his unusual childhood friendship serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible bonds that can form across species when compassion meets need.
