‘Happy Birthday to the little donkey (that) started it all’

Volunteer Karen Spry makes her way around to all the donkeys to give them a piece of the birthday cake. Pictured here keeping an eye on the camera is Cheyenne. /Tim Burgess photo

By editor/reporter Sarah Hyatt

The extraordinary PrimRose – the donkey behind the inspiration of the PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary – continues to be honoured long after her passing.

PrimRose birthday celebrations were a big hit with local kids at the Roseneath-based PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary on Aug. 30. /Tim Burgess photo

Last Sunday, Aug. 30, the sanctuary based out of Roseneath once again invited supporters and residents to celebrate the life of Prim with its annual PrimRose birthday celebration.

Pictured here left-to-right are volunteer Karen Spry, Sheila Burns owner/operator of PrimRose Donkey Sanctuary, and volunteer Christine J. Kurt, along with Maisie, the donkey. Maisie was the first to try to the cake. /Tim Burgess photo

The team at the sanctuary continues to mark her birthday because they say her story didn’t end when she died and her legacy lives on in all the donkeys rescued year-after-year and all the lives she continues to touch and inspire through the sanctuary’s work.

Visitors visit with the donkeys try and sneak out of the rain during annual PrimRose birthday celebrations. /Tim Burgess photo

Five years may have passed, but it’s still “Happy Birthday to the little donkey (that) started it all.”

Check out more photos in this week's coming edition on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026.