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It is with sadness that we share the news that Pepita the donkey passed away; we know she was a beloved member of the Onas community, and we will miss her. Pepita was 33 years old when she passed, peacefully, at the end of February.
Born on April 4, 1989, and given the name Bonnie’s Tiffany by her breeder, Pepita lived at Camp Onas for more than 20 years. Pepita was wonderful company for Paco the Donkey, and Puddy the Pig; both of whom passed away prior to Pepita. Pepita's most recent donkey companions, Cheyenne and Flower, were with Pepita when passed.
During her time at Onas, Pepita enjoyed celebrity status. Last summer, she was voted Camp’s Best Donkey in a poll conducted by the Onas Newspaper. Other highlights of her time at Onas include her 25th birthday party, roaming the upper fields, and every now and then, wandering into the yards of our neighbors to graze their lawns.
Pepita 1989-2022
Pepita's Birth Certificate
Reflections from Lisa Daniel, one of Pepita's primary caretakers.
"Pepita was donated to Onas over twenty years ago as a companion for Paco, the original Onas mini donk, to soften his rough edges. It seemed to help his overall attitude to have another long-eared friend.
When Paco passed, Pepita and Puddy (pot-bellied pig) developed a close bond and happily co-existed in the donkey shed. When Puddy passed, the search was on for another donkey friend for Pepita. Dobbie the donkey was loaned to camp for a summer, but he proved to be too bossy with her and that wouldn't do, so he went back to his owner.
Cheyenne and Flower were a bonded pair when they arrived at Onas, and we weren't sure if they would accept Pepita, but thankfully they blended well.
Pepita was smart (very smart), sweet and would stand her ground with her "sisters" when necessary. The latter usually involved food. She could also deliver some spunk when the vet, farrier, or donkey dentist came for their visits.
She loved grazing the nicer grass outside the paddock in her final months, probably gloating over the luxury not extended to her sisters, but she never ventured far from them.
We will miss our old sweet and sassy girl."
Lisa Daniel is the Administrative Manager at Camp Onas, and in addition to keeping up with registrations and our bookkeeping, Lisa has spent years looking after the camp animals and arranging the vet, farrier, and dentist visits healthy donkeys require.
Paco and Pepita
Pepita wearing her muzzle (it slowed her grazing down)
Campers Peting Pepita
Paco and Pepita
Pepita and her shed being built
Celebrating Pepita's 25th birthday with a party !
Reflections from Sue Neiger Gould , Camp Director at the time of Pepita's Arrival
"The reason that Pepita came to Onas was that Paco needed a fellow donkey. As herd animals, donkeys do not do well by themselves. Paco was very ornery and unfriendly.
Dan Neiger and his partner Daria Kolodij were living and working at Onas at the time. They were concerned about Paco and found a nearby Bucks County farmer who had donkeys.
When they contacted him, he had a perfect friend for Paco. Pepita was part of a small herd he had. However, she was young and was not fully accepted by the older donkeys. He donated Pepita to Onas as well as the money to build the run-in shed for them to live in.
Before the run-in was built, Paco lived under the Nature Shack, which provided shelter from weather but was not suitable for two donkeys. Pepita was a beautiful, delightful and friendly donkey. We all fell in love with her, including Paco.
When he was introduced to Pepita, he became a changed donkey. He was still a bit ornery but calmer and more friendly. The run-in shed was built and they happily moved in. Over the years, other animals shared the shed including a pot-bellied pig named Puddy. When Paco died, Puddy kept Pepita company.
She was a special girl and our whole family was very sad to hear of her death. We have so many happy memories of her and Paco."
Sue Neiger Gould was the Executive Director and Camp Director of Camp Onas until 2012.
She is now the Executive Director of Manna on Main Street, an organization working to end hunger, build community, and transform lives.
Learn more about Manna on Main Street: https://mannaonmain.org/
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