Cheerful Irish donkey saved from flood after heroic rescue mission

 By 
Sam Haysom
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

There are few things in this world more cheery than the site of a grinning donkey that's just been rescued from a flooded field.

The donkey in question was stranded in deep flood water in Killorglin, Ireland on Sunday after Storm Desmond blew down its paddock and it wandered out into a field. As the weather worsened and the water began to rise, the animal became trapped.

The owner called Suzanne Gibbons of Ireland's Animal Heaven Animal Rescue (AHAR) to see if she could help save the donkey.

Gibbons shared updates of the dramatic rescue mission live on AHAR's Facebook page.

(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Posted by Animal Heaven Animal Rescue on Sunday, December 6, 2015

With the help Mike Fleming from Killorglin Rowing Club, AHAR were able to track down the animal.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Finally, they got him safely to dry land.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Just look how happy he is.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

AHAR have since shared an update on the condition of the donkey (which they decided to name Mike).

"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," wrote Suzanne Gibbons. "He has a small bit of fluid in one lung but our vet said he will recover. All he needs is loads of tlc."

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

"Mike would like to say hello to all his fans and say thank you very much for all your lovely comments wishing him well," AHAR wrote on Facebook Monday morning.

"He is feeling much better."

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