The drowning donkey was so relieved to reach dry land yesterday that he appeared to break into a wide grin.

Animal Heaven Animal Rescue in Kerry, Ireland, received a call from a worried owner about a donkey in difficulties in floodwater during the bad weather yesterday.
The centre posted this SOS on its Facebook page yesterday lunchtime: ‘Code red. Today’s emergency. Please help me. There is a donkey stranded in deep flooding in Kilorglin. I need a boat and men to help. I have ropes etc. Please get me help.’
Help for the owner, plus Suzanne Gibbons who was on the ground for the rescue centre, came in the form of Kilorglin Rowing Club coach Mike Fleming, his small boat, and another volunteer called Declan.
Their equipment may have been limited, the weather may have been against them, but they managed to tow the stranded donkey to safety.

Donkey resuce
Mike (left) and Declan (right) came to the donkey’s aid (Picture: Animal Heaven Animal Rescue/Facebook)
He seemed pretty pleased to be back on dry land.

PIC FROM CATERS NEWS - (PICTURED: The happy donkey safely on land with its rescuers) - A donkey diced with death in a flooded field until it was saved by animal rescuers. The donkey which had become stuck in Killorglin, County Kerry, was found in flooding after he had escaped from his usual pastures. But thanks to flooding the donkey, who has been nicknamed Mike, was left trapped and required help to be released from the mud. It was only after two men, referred to by Animal Heaven Animal Rescue as Mike and Declan, sprang to action and helped pull Mike out. SEE CATERS COPY.
(Picture: Animal Heaven Animal Rescue/Facebook)
The donkey has now been christened Mike – of course – and is currently recovering in a warm stable.
‘He is now dried with towels, eating a hot mash, all cozy and warm and our vet has seen him and started him on antibiotics to prevent pneumonia,’ the centre wrote last night. ‘He has a small bit of fluid in one lung but our vet said he will recover. All he needs is loads of TLC’.
They also explained how he got into difficulty. ‘Just to let you know it was his owner who called for help and never gave up until he found us. He normally has a shed and field where he is safe but the storm blew down the gate and he got away then the floods hit and he was trapped.

‘His owner was there the whole time with Sue praying he would be saved and was crying when we did it. Mike the donkey has a really genuine owner and is so grateful we saved him. He has had him for years.’

Donkey
(Picture: Animal Heaven Animal Rescue/Facebook)
They added: ‘We loved every moment saving Mike and I think I speak for all of us, he was so worth the danger just to see his little face on dry land. Thanks for all your lovely comments and support.’
Huge smiles of relief all round .