 The accomplishments Richard and Jessica Gardner are making saving wild burros and donkeys is amazing. They currently have four burros, a miniature donkey and eight horses. All but one are from the BLM Palomino Valley Wild Horse Adoption Center. And while each one has a distinct character, Zoe and Lexi live closest to the house and have a big place in the Gardner's hearts.
We adopted Lexi from the BLM center in Palomino Valley and we didn't even know she was pregnant. In April she had Zoe. But immediately we knew there was something wrong with Zoe's feet," says Jessica.
In fact, she had a problem with circulation to her feet and within weeks both of her hind feet had to be amputated.
"We had to take her to Wyoming for the surgery and we had her fitted with prosthetics," Jessica says.
Now she walks, trots and even jumps a bit with cane like tips on her hind legs. Those prosthetics are $2500 a piece. But both Lexi and Zoe have been worth it to the Gardners.
"I don't think people realize that burros are so smart and they are such characters. We're hoping that they can help show people what great pets they make. I mean we haven't even had Lexi a year and look how affectionate she is. And so is Zoe."
And Terri Bath with the Garden Shop certainly has a soft heart for Zoe.Â
"We have burros here too and I love them when I heard the whole story of Zoe I wanted to help. I mean what if something like that happened to our burros?"
So there the Garden Shop in West Reno is hosting a Holiday Open House fundraiser for Zoe and her medical bills this Saturday from noon until 8 p.m.
And you can follow Zoe's progress on Facebook. That's right she has her own Facebook page at Save Baby Zoe.
Written by Erin Breen
