It's pretty quiet in the wildlife clinic. 55 Texas hurricane Ike squirrels have been taken back to Texas. The release was a hoot! They scattered into the trees at my Dad's place in Mt. Pleasant. Thank you Robyn and Sandy for all you did to make this rescue possible! It felt good to help in some small way, and this was one we could handle!
Right now I am raising two barn owls that were brought from Blackwell to Claremore. They were fuzzy little balls of fear when they arrived, but are now acting like typical "I HATE YOU SO FEED ME" barn owls. A young doe who broke her back and hip when she was hit by a car is now using her legs, building her strength again. Her name is Barbie Doe. It suits her. She is so grateful for all the work it takes to get her through a day, in and out of her sling, lots of food, anything she wants. Her will to live is just as important as the medical support. So far she is a fighter, and her determination is humbling. Barbie just has to recover. She has come so far. From total paralasys to standing on her own in just a few months, but we still hold our breath for those first steps...Only then have we saved her!
A raccoon, hit by a car is recovering. He is very much the wild child, but allows me to clean his cage and change his bowls each day. If I move too fast or get too close, he reminds me he is a wild thing and is in charge! He will go soon. His head injury is nearly healed and his pupils are finally working properly. His appetite has been unreal. He is packing on some extra winter fat while he is here. Its a good time for it. Its getting cold, and we are starting to get the ranch ready for ice. (ugh...I hate ice!!)
A baby pygmy goat and his mother are enjoying the warm clinic. "Frosty" was brought to me in bad shape. Nearly frozen, the day old 6 inch baby had gotten too cold for too long when his first time mom delivered him and his brother in the cold of the night, unknown to their owners. Frosty's brother didnt survive, but this little boy fought his condition and within hours of arriving here, his hypothermia was reversing and he began to show signs of life and hunger. We had his owners bring his mother the next day, and now mother and son are cozy in their pen in the clinic, Frosty's typical "bouncy boy" antics are all on schedule. They could probably go home now, but I am still very protective of him. A little more time, a little more growth to ensure our little man doesnt ever get too cold again. My little miracle!
The fawn herd from spring is growing fat and sassy! We are beginning to plan their relocation to a relase site with more protection from poachers. After the illegal slaughter a few years ago, 20 feet from my front yard, I am no longer comfortable letting my babies leave from here. We will miss watching them grow up and leave home, but they will be safer somewhere else. We get offers to take them regularly, but I've never been compelled, but this time I picked the site. It was a gut feeling about someone I hadnt met, their property just "felt" safe, and when I saw her beautiful, healthy animals, I knew "this is the place". I cant wait to see them running free!
Turning 40 in a few weeks. Blows my mind. They say life begins at 40. If thats the case, Im going to be VERY tired! I am reflecting back on my youth. It didnt all go my way, but Im pretty proud of the way I handled all that I encountered. At the end of the day, its what you have done to make the world a better place for others, and that includes people as well as animals. This Thanksgiving I am thankfull for the friends I have that carry me so I can work hard and provide for my charges who have no one, thankfull for a husband who has never complained about how many dogs I have, how many wild animals I take in or how much money it costs to care for them, I am grateful for relatively good health, good fun when I need it, and the wisdom to know that it's all in my hands every day. Peace be with all during the Holidays, and if the Holidays depress you, find a way to volunteer your time to make someone else's day brighter. In the spirit of giving, we ALWAYS receive!!!
Annette
www.wildheartranch.org