Maple Park donkey takes the cake as he celebrates 50th birthday

Most donkeys at birthday parties have a tail pinned on them or are in the form of a piñata. But at this birthday party, the donkey was the guest of honor.

Celebrating his 50th birthday Tuesday was Orlando, who has become an ambassador for a horse rescue operation in Maple Park where volunteers and visitors love everything about him, from his ears to his hoofs.

“I love him. He's so quiet. He's a gentle soul,” volunteer Paula Olson said. “He knows he's loved here.”

Field of Dreams at Silver Spur Ranch rescues, mends and adopts out horses, as well as educates people about the animals' plight. The organization is in the process of rescuing 55 horses; last year, it had nine adoptions, the most in its history.

Unlike the rescued horses, Orlando will live out his days at the ranch. Field of Dreams will provide for all Orlando's needs.

The average life span of a donkey in developed countries is 30 to 50 years, according to the World Animal Foundation.

“He brings such joy to so many people,” Field of Dreams President Jody Zyck said. “People in the barn who aren't even affiliated with Field of Dreams come visit him. Everyone knows who he is.”

About 50 people turned out Tuesday to wish Orlando a happy birthday. Guests included Girl Scout Troop 1563 from Maple Park.

Girl Scout Eleanor Kuntz, 10, loves spending time at the barn and seeing Orlando.

“He's so gentle,” she said, “and usually donkeys are scared or frisky, but Orlando will walk up to the pen and let you pet him. It's nice.”

After the troop and others sang “Happy Birthday,” Orlando was served a special cake made of molasses, oats, carrots, applesauce and crushed peppermints. Though he didn't dig in right away, he certainly got a mouthful of cake as one of the Girl Scouts attempted to put a birthday hat on him.

Glen Ellyn residents Tom and Judith Kordus came to the party because they're fans of Orlando.

“He's such a sweetheart,” Judith said. “I come out Sunday mornings early before they go outside, and he gets so excited about going outside he just brays and brays. He's just so cute.”

A Field of Dreams supporter brought Orlando, then 42, to the ranch in the winter of 2008. He had been working at a live Nativity play at a petting zoo. Covered in ice, he had trouble walking down the aisle of the barn.

“We are of the belief that without assistance he wouldn't have made it through the night,” Zyck said. “So we defrosted him and warmed him up from the inside with warm bran mash. It took him a couple of days, and since then he has been going strong.”

She added Orlando spent a significant portion of his life at the petting zoo. His role in the Nativity was a key one: “We were told that he would carry Mary in on his back for Christmas pageants.”

But when he couldn't do that job and winters were too rugged for Orlando, Field of Dreams was contacted.

Now, Orlando spends his days outside in his own paddock so the horses will not bother or injure him as he enjoys “retirement life,” Zyck said.

“Despite being 50 years of age, he has a very strong will. He lets his wishes be known,” she said. “If we're not getting his food fast enough in the morning, he lets out one of his big old donkey brays. We'll see him in the morning dragging the workers out. He kind of has an old-man shuffle, but he can kick it into gear enough to where they are running behind him trying to keep up.”

Veterinarians at Fox Valley Equine Practice in La Fox say Orlando is their oldest patient.

“They had posted on their Facebook page maybe two months ago: 'Meet our oldest client Orlando,'” Zyck said. “They told me the other day that Facebook post has the most 'likes' of any of their posts.”

When new volunteers come to Field of Dreams, one of their first steps in training is to work with Orlando, who has the right temperament for the newcomers.

“He has been a wonderful teacher for new volunteers,” volunteer coordinator Kim Baldyga said. “As much as we give to him, he just teaches us more in return: patience, gratitude, things that only a 50-year-old donkey could teach.”