Animals

Meet Zayna’s other-than-human residents!

Currently, we live together with two dogs, Segu and Seba, and a donkey family, sisters Fiona and Fiorella and son Faro

Segu

Segu is about 11 years old, and she once roamed the streets of Chile. When Irene and Segu met, Segu was about one year old. After spending some time together in Chile (a story in and of itself) Segu was taken across the ocean to live with Irene in Amsterdam, and later, joined by Majed and eventually also Leela, in Muiden. And now, Sardinia. Segu has come full circle: she spends her days roaming freely again. She howls like the countryside dogs of Sardinia, a testament to both her wild roots and her adaptability. Segu doesn’t wear a collar anymore, because even when we go for walks or bike rides nearby, she remains attentive to where her humans are, moving independently but in connection.

Seba

Seba joined us last summer and is 1.5 years old now. He comes from a shelter in Cagliari, and we have little information about his life before that. What we do know, however, is how we experience him now: a being in full force! Oh, how he loves going on adventures, though he always comes back; how he loves attention, but will never sit still for a human-style cuddle; how he loves to play, but doesn’t really seem to know his force. While we humans are still figuring out the best co-living situation with him, Seba and Segu have much less trouble establishing rules and boundaries between themselves.

Donkey family

Fiona and Fiorella are inseparable sisters, around nine years old, sharing the same father but different mothers. Their start in life was very hard. After experiencing neglect, they were taken by a local donkey shelter. When we heard they were in urgent need of a new home, everything fell into place. It was the kind of call Irene had always hoped to say “yes” to, and with our new life in the countryside, we were finally in the position to do exactly that.

Fiorella seems to have loosened up here, moving with a lively and curious energy, initiating interaction and exploring her surroundings. Fiona moves more gently through the days, calm and somewhat reserved. She is less interested in interaction than Fiorella is. But that was probably also related to the (for us unexpected surprise) that she arrived pregnant.

Faro was born in May 2026. Like any young donkey foal, he is curious and loves to play and explore. He is also always happy to pause for cuddles and scratches from his humans. With Faro joining them, the donkeys have become a little herd. As often happens after the arrival of a foal, the two sisters are redefining their social dynamics and adjusting their boundaries. We are curious to see how this will unfold, especially as Faro grows older.

Getting to know their personalities and preferences is an ongoing process, and we are happy to give them the time and space to show us who they are.