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Tariq and Badal's story
| Cart donkey Badal supports eight members of the Khan family. The Brooke helped save the life of Badal but this little donkey proved a lifesaver for a neighbour too...
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| We first met 20-year-old Tariq Khan and his four-year-old donkey Badal in May 2009.
Tariq knew that our animal welfare team made weekly visits to the Rais Ka Baara community in Pakistan so when his donkey lost all appetite and became very weak, he brought him to see Brooke vet Dr Naimatullah Somroo and his assistant Shah Jehan Khan.
Good advice well-heeded | | |  |
| Dr Somroo diagnosed a worm problem, gave immediate treatment for internal parasites and showed Tariq how to identify future infestations. He also advised the young man to offer his donkey plenty of water and to provide fresh, soft, green fodder – and always from a proper feeder rather than the dirty floor, which can harbour parasites.
Tariq has followed this advice and also offers Badal water five times a day instead of just twice.
This good practice is also being taken up by other members of the Rais Ka Baara community. Tariq said:
 |  | I am really happy that my donkey is feeling better. My donkey is the only source of income for me and my family, and I cannot afford his weak health. |  | | | | |
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| Right place, right time
Keeping his donkey in good shape is particularly important for his owner, Tariq, who is severely disabled after contracting polio many years ago. Badal the donkey is a lifeline for him – but the little animal also played a heroic role for Tariq’s neighbour, Hassan Ali. |
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