Insight/Report on Private Giving

Spring 2003

Primrose Fundraiser Helps CSU Equine Ambulatory Division

Several years ago, Primrose the donkey gained a certain amount of notoriety the hard way. As a baby, Primrose was attacked by a pack of dogs that severely damaged her lift hind leg. Primrose's owners took her to the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital where they were told the leg could not be saved. But the owners couldn't bear to put Primrose down, so veterinarians at the hospital decided a prosthesis was the best answer.

Upon seeing the story of Primrose in the local paper, Fort Collins sculptor Dawn Weimer was so drawn to the little donkey that she decided to sculpt her. An idea took hold to have the sculpture available as a fundraiser for the Equine Ambulatory Service (after all, donkeys are equines, too) and art collectors now have the opportunity to purchase the work of a nationally renowned artist and help out horses (and donkeys) in need.

Sculptures of Primrose (with natural or with prosthetic leg) are available in several sizes, ranging in price from $500 for a 4" full body free standing Edition of 300 to a life-size, full body Edition of 15 for $15,000. Fully 40 percent of the purchase price of the sculpture goes to benefit the Equine Ambulatory Service. For additional information, contact Weimer at 970-669-6690, or visit her website at www.dawnweimer.com.

By the way, Primrose still comes to Colorado State for regular fittings of new prosthetic legs and check-ups with her doctors. When not at the hospital, she romps and roams the foothills of Golden, Colorado, having adjusted remarkably well to her new leg.