It really is a gift that just keeps giving.
An eight-year-old rescue donkey has become the unlikely mascot of a Guelph high school’s music program, thanks to a string of events set in motion by the donation of a pair of classic guitars.
When Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute music teacher Lane Osborne was contacted about accepting a donation of a Gibson Les Paul and a Fender Telecaster — valued at around $7,000 — she wanted to pay it forward and set an example for her students.
"Whenever these sort of organic moments come about and there's an opportunity to act and return a favour, I try to use that as an opportunity to teach my kids that, you know, learning goes beyond marks and your academic involvement in school," she said. "And what's really important is that they become good people out of being a student at GC."
After talking with the donors Bob and Judy Taylor, she learned the couple are regular volunteers at the Donkey Sanctuary of Canada. Located in Puslinch the sanctuary is dedicated to caring for unwanted, neglected or abused donkeys and educating people about responsible animal stewardship.
"We decided to say thanks for their incredibly generous gesture, we are going to adopt a donkey," Osborne explained.
The sponsorship agreement will see the school help pay for the care of Ruby the donkey through annual donations. It will also support the around 100 other donkeys, mules and hinnies living at the sanctuary.
"It was really nice to see them reciprocate that way," said Bob Taylor. "And it was a good teaching lesson, I think, for the kids to realize the good will that goes on and that they could share that."
Taylor, a retired hydro worker who's long enjoyed playing music as a hobby, said he and his wife had originally planned to leave guitars to the school in their will. But seeing how excited the music department was about the donation, "we decided we'll do it now, so the kids can experience it now."
Once the guitars are appraised, Taylor anticipates being able to hand them over to the school in the near future — perhaps even at a benefit concert the music department is planning for the donkey sanctuary in the spring.
The students are excited to receive the instruments.
"Having guitars like that in the music room is going to be really helpful," grade 12 GCVI music student Lenny Muth said in an email. "The thing with nice instruments like that is they inspire creativity, I can't wait to see where they take me."
As for the ungulate at the centre of it all, asked if she thinks Ruby knows she's become the mascot for GCVI's music program, Donkey Sanctuary of Canada Director Lesley Bayne said she's not sure. But with her sweet and social temperament she's "got the personality to be the face of something," Bayne continued.
