Wildlife Rescue Journal

New Love Of My Life

2010-01-24T19:05:00.001-08:00

His name is Stanley, or as I like to refer to him Stan the Man. He thinks I am the most wonderful thing in his world. I think of him or I say his name and I smile. He is madly in love with me and I with him. He sleeps snuggled up with me every night and if I've been gone during the day, he can't wait until I sit down so he can jump up in my lap. I can't wait to get home from work because I know that at least Stanley will be ecstatic to see me. Did we know each other in a previous life? Who knows.

All I know is that his small presence makes me feel so much better. Holding his little body next to my face, listening to his purr, feeling his face rub against mine just makes the blues go away. I do have a number of other cats and I love all of them. In fact, I have Stanley's sister, Iris, too. But there is just something special about Stanley. It's a different kind of bond.

Stanley, Iris and the other 3 kittens in their litter were found orphaned and were rescued by a woman who heard their crying. We took them in and they all found homes. Well, I took Stanley and Iris, Madonna took two of them and the other one went to a wonderful home in Sturgis. So, lately when I've been so sad about the recent events involving the Horse Help Providers, Inc. organization (read previous post), Stanley has lifted my spirits. I hold him close and we stare at each other and I am reminded that not all humans are bad. I fight back the tears, tell him how much I love him and am so very thankful that he will never know a single day of inhumane treatment. I am so lucky to have you Stanley.

My Heart Is Sad

2010-01-24T17:44:00.000-08:00

I have no photo to attach to this post. Well, I do, but I think most people would not want to see it. As some of you know, my sister is founder/director of Horse Help Providers, Inc. They are located in the eastern part of SD. They are periodically asked to help in cases involving inhumane treatment of horses, most often starvation/neglect cases. They were recently involved in a very sad case. I don't know very much about it and what I do know I don't think I'm free to discuss yet as legal proceedings may be pending. I do know that there is nothing humane or dignified in the photos that she sent me. I do know that no animal deserves to starve to death, to lay in it's own filth because it is too weak to get up, to lay there waiting until death relieves it of the suffering. Are there people who actually believe that any living creature deserves to be treated like this? Apparently there are, or these cases wouldn't be happening. I don't know how she has the strength to continue on when over and over again they are asked to help with these cases and so rarely does justice prevail. So rarely are humans held accountable for their actions.

So, my heart is very sad. I should be writing about the bobcat I got 3 days before Christmas or the wonderful donation I received from the Vet Tech Club at National American University. But, I just can't stop thinking about the photos of the dying young horse. I can't stop thinking about the fact that we are a species that is supposed to be intelligent enough to know better. And I can't stop wishing that there was more I could do. For anyone who wants to learn more about the Horse Help Providers, Inc. organization, you can visit their website at www.doublehphorses.org Scroll down the page and you will see the message "our website is moving here" click on that and it will take you to their new site. Their computer crashed and they are in the process of getting everything all set up again. Thank you to anyone who feels they want to help.

Empty Nest

2009-11-01T14:10:00.000-08:00

I can't remember the last time that I had no wild creatures to care for. Most years I'll have a couple of birds, maybe a squirrel or a bunny or something. This time of year what I get is either sick or injured in some way. Depending on the injury and the animal, most years I'll have something that I need to keep over the winter. But not this year. Not yet anyway. Absolutely nothing wild to care for right now. I keep thinking that there must be something that needs to be fed or a cage that needs cleaning. It is a strange feeling, this feeling of having extra time on my hands.

Well, I do have something occupying some of my free time. We had a litter of tiny kittens brought in to the clinic about 3 weeks ago. They were discovered under a building, thin and very hungry. I could sit and watch them play all day long. There is almost nothing cuter than a bunch of little kittens playing. Hopefully they will all get wonderful homes. And if they don't get adopted, no big deal I guess. But they are awful cute so I'm sure they will get homes.

The last couple of days have been beautiful fall days. I love the sound of people walking through the leaves. I love the sound of someone raking up the fallen leaves. I love listening to the crickets and the crisp, cool breeze coming in the open window. I love baking and the way an apple pie in the oven makes the whole house smell delicious. I love making homemade soup this time of year and have started making my own noodles.

Yes, I have re-discovered many other things I love during this reprieve from caring for wildlife. I am actually enjoying this break from the wild things. I am savoring this empty nest time. I know before long I will be caring for baby bunnies, squirrels and birds of all kinds. The nest is never empty for very long.

Release

2009-05-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

I open the sliding door and step out onto the deck. I whisper, "Please give me a reason not to do this." I go down the steps and walk slowly across the yard. I feel like I'm walking in slow motion. I say, "Please miraculously say my name or 'hello' or 'pretty bird' or something, anything." But as I enter the flight cage there are no words, and I knew there wouldn't be. There are just the normal sounds of my beautiful crow, Stryder, acknowledging my presence.

I pick him up; he is not a tame bird and does not like to be handled. After a short while he calms down and I tell him I love him and that every thing is okay. I bring the syringe out of my pocket and tell Stryder he will be flying in heaven soon. He stares back at me and blinks. He's never had a reason to fear me and he doesn't fear me now. I hesitate. I say, "Maybe today isn't the day. Maybe if I wait a little longer things will change." But I know I would only be prolonging this heartbreaking act of love.

I insert the needle, pull back on the plunger. I have found the vein. I slowly inject the solution and Stryder's head falls to the side. Release. I sit with him for a few minutes and let the tears run down my face. My head knows this was the right thing to do. Stryder couldn't fly, could never have been released. Had he been in the wild he most surely would have met with a much worse fate. There are, after all, worse fates than death. But my heart has a difficult time with this type of situation.

When we speak about release we are usually talking about returning a wild creature to the wild. But there is this other type of release. Release from living a life of confinement when you should be soaring in the sunbeams. Release from living a lonely, solitary life when you should be with a community of your own kind, interacting and socializing.

I'm sad now, but I know I did the right thing. I'll miss you, my beautiful bird.

Be Watchful During Spring Clean-up

2009-04-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

It's spring (I think!) and if you're like me you're anxious to get outside and clean up the yard, maybe start digging in the dirt and planting things. There are a few things you should be aware of before you start raking up those piles of old leaves that you didn't quite get to last fall.

Rabbits, mice and sometimes squirrels find those piles of old leaves perfect places for making nests. Please check these piles before you remove them. You may be removing someone's home. Old woodpiles are also great places for wild mothers to hide their young. Depending on where you live, you may even find that a red fox has decided to have her family there.

The grass is finally starting to grow, even time to mow in some places. Be on the lookout for rabbit nests in the grass. The nest isn't usually very deep and can easily be mown over if you aren't careful. If this should happen and the nest isn't completely destroyed, you can put it back together and place the babies back in the nest--as long as they aren't injured. Also, watch for any ground-nesting birds.

If you have red squirrels in your neighborhood and you have stored things like golf bags in your garage, you may want to check them before taking them to the golf course for the first time. The little red squirrels can be very destructive and often will find your golf bag, duffel bag, etc. very attractive when it comes time to look for a good nesting area.

Before you do any trimming or pruning of bushes and trees, make sure you aren't trimming away someone's nest. Birds are very busy right now building their nests and preparing for this year's family. Squirrels will also build nests in trees. Usually using lots and lots of leaves and twigs. They will also use the cavities of dead trees as nest sites, as will a variety of cavity dwelling birds. The little squirrels in the picture above were rescued when the tree their nest was in was cut down. I was told that the mother was frantically running back and forth along the downed tree, unsure of how to help her babies.

So before you begin your spring clean-up, take a look around your backyard. You may be surprised at who you're sharing it with.

Duck, Duck, Goose

2009-04-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

In light of recent discussions involving the waterfowl at Canyon Lake, I feel like I need to voice a concern about a part of the issue that has received very little attention. And that is the releasing of domestic ducks and geese at the lake.

Every year about this time we start receiving calls from concerned citizens regarding ducklings at the lake. Many of these calls involve domestic ducklings that have been released there. Sometimes it's the family dog that discovers a lone duckling and presents it to the caller. Sometimes it's about a duckling that has obviously been someone's pet and is following the caller all over the park. These ducklings are frequently purchased at farm supply stores. Sometimes they are meant to be Easter presents. Sometimes they are purchased with the full intent of raising them to a certain age and then releasing them at the lake so the family can go visit them there. And sometimes they are purchased on a whim with little or no thought given to how they will be cared for and what will be done with them when they are no longer cute and only 3 inches tall. People quickly learn that all they do is eat and poop and it doesn't take most folks long to grow tired of cleaning up after them. So, they are released at Canyon Lake where they just add to the ever-growing population of waterfowl.

It seems to me that you can't really discuss the whole feeding of the waterfowl issue without also discussing the release of domestic waterfowl at the lake. If people are going to be fined for feeding the ducks and geese then I think people need to also be fined for releasing ducks and geese. It's difficult to find homes for these guys which is another reason that I think people choose to let them go at Canyon Lake. Fortunately, the three domestic ducklings we have received from the lake so far this year have gone to a wonderful new home. The duckling shown above is one of those lucky ducks.

I do understand how tempting it is to purchase these little guys. Is there anything cuter than a baby chick or a duckling? Before you buy, think about it. Think about the fact that these guys require constant clean-up. They grow quickly. Do you have proper facilities to keep them in? Are you going to be able to care for them once they reach adulthood? And remember this. Just because they are ducks does not mean they will all get along. Ducks and geese can be very brutal and will often kill young ducklings that are not their own. They will often be very aggressive toward adult newcomers as well. So before you dispose of those ducklings at Canyon Lake, those ducklings that just don't seem to be as cute as they used to be, please give it some thought. Better yet, don't purchase them in the first place if you don't intend to keep them and care for them properly.

It's Bunny Season!

2009-04-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

Bunny season has arrived. I have received five baby bunnies in the last three days. Last year I was bombarded with baby bunnies and I hope this year the rabbits are a little bit less prolific.

Please remember that not all bunnies need rescuing. If they are about 4 inches long (about fist-sized), ears standing up, eyes open, hopping around, they most likely don't need rescuing. Bunnies are out on their own at a very early age. It is normal for them to stay still and motionless when they are frightened so often times if you approach one it will stay in place. Many times people think this means they need to intervene and "rescue" the bunny.

Also, mother rabbits are not like mother cats or dogs. They do not stay in the nest with their young for very long. They visit the nest to feed their babies once or twice a day. So if you find a nest of bunnies but you don't see the mother, it does not mean that they have been abandoned. The absolute best thing you can do is to leave the nest alone and watch for the mother to return to feed her babies. If that is not possible, you can check the nest the next day to see if the young appear to have been fed.

The bunnies pictured above were from one nest. There were 10 of them. The mother had been killed. These little ones didn't have their eyes open yet so they were less than 10 days old. In this case human intervention was required if these little ones were to survive. Please remember that the best thing for these babies is that they be raised by their mother. It is impossible to duplicate what wild mothers do for their young and they don't always survive under our care. No matter how hard we try.

Turtle vs. ????

2009-04-13T20:33:00.001-07:00

Today we received the first turtle of the year from the Humane Society. As you can see in the photo, he has a pretty significant injury to his shell. There is also an injury on his left side. These guys are amazingly resilient and though it will probably take several months, we expect a full recovery.

Each year we receive a number of injured turtles. Many times the injuries are so severe that they do not recover. Turtles are frequently run over by automobiles as they are crossing the road. They are also often mauled by dogs who view them as play objects. And still others are injured by other predators.

This guy is one of the lucky ones. But he is not out of the woods. Even though he is very active and energetic, we need to prevent infection and continue daily care of the wounds. He also must eat, something that wild creatures are often hesitant to do in captivity. But we are hopeful and will continue to do what we can for him. Check back for updates on his progress.

Update On Chance

2009-04-05T14:37:00.001-07:00

Today I unwrapped Chance's wing. The wound has healed, new feathers are growing in and the broken bone is healing nicely. As soon as the weather warms up (and it stops snowing) I will move him into a small cage outside so he can exercise his wing a little bit. After a couple of weeks of that I'll move him into the big cage for a couple of weeks and then I'll release him. He is a fiesty guy and slaps my hand with his good wing every time I reach in to clean his carrier or give him food. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you! Yes, he does that, too.

So, Chance will join the ranks of other pigeons and songbirds that have been released in my backyard. He will most likely fly up into the big maple tree without hesitation, without a glance back at the big cage, without so much as a "thank you". And that's okay. That's the way it should be. It will be a good release.

Chance

2009-03-25T20:55:00.000-07:00

Well, we had a big spring blizzard this week. Monday we closed the clinic at noon so we could all get home before it really hit. I, like so many others, had to make a stop at the grocery store. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to cook a nice evening meal and not feel rushed. The store was busy with people making last minute selections, trying to beat the worst of the storm. I left the store, made it home, did my evening chores early and then got busy with the cooking. I was at the kitchen sink and happened to look out the window into the backyard. I noticed a pigeon waddling down the alley dragging a wing. He disappeared behind my big flight cage. I waited for him to reappear but he never did. I thought, "Okay, I have to go check on this guy. I won't be able to sleep unless I do." So I got all bundled up again and went out to look for the pigeon.

I found his tracks in the alley and followed them up into the little area by the garage where I park my jeep. They went around the garbage can, along the wood pile, up into the wood pile and then just disappeared. I looked up into the tree, knowing he most likely wasn't up there; his tracks had not only included foot prints, but also the track of the wing dragging in the snow. He couldn't have flown up into the tree with a broken wing. I happened to look to my left and there he was, sitting in the wood pile all fluffed up and cold and tired looking. I picked him up and took him into the house. I wrapped his broken wing, placed him in a carrier and waited to see if he would eat. At first he just seemed very tired and wasn't really too interested in eating. But by later that night he was eating. So, after 10 to 14 days I will unwrap his wing and put him in a larger carrier to exercise a little bit. Then he will go into the flight cage and will eventually be released.

What I find so interesting is the series of events that took place that led to the discovery of the injured pigeon. What if I had left the grocery store later? What if I hadn't stopped at the store at all? What if I hadn't been at the kitchen sink preparing dinner at that exact moment? And what made the pigeon stop at my house? Why didn't he continue on down the alley? How far had he walked? Is all of this just chance?

So, I named him Chance.

Flyaway

2009-03-22T09:19:00.000-07:00

I am reading the most wonderful book. About a month ago I had an email from a wildlife rehabilitator in New York. She had found my name in the NWRA member directory. I don't know how she chose the people she contacted, but I am so happy she chose me. She has written a book and it was released earlier this month. It is titled "Flyaway: How a Wild Bird Rehabber Sought Adventure and Found Her Wings." Reading this book is like reading about my life. So many things she writes about also happen here. I laugh out loud, I cry and I remember so many of the little wild creatures I have been fortunate enough to help.

It is so wonderful when you meet someone so much like yourself. We have begun an email friendship. How curious it is the way some things happen. I don't know how or why she chose me as one of her contacts but maybe our guardian angels knew we would enjoy each other's email company. Perhaps some day down the road the reason our paths crossed will be made known to both of us. Perhaps one day we will actually get to meet each other.

It is so nice to know that mine is not the only home where you may find various food items (like bugs) meant for the birds in your refrigerator, or the frozen rat (another menu item for the birds) thawing in the pan of warm water, or the gull or grebe or other waterfowl spending time in the bathtub. I frequently find myself just shaking my head and saying, "This is my life."

I would recommend this book to anyone who shares a love of the winged creatures. You will be entertained and may come away with a greater appreciation for them and for those who care for them.

I Am An Animal Rescuer

2009-01-27T19:30:00.000-08:00

I received this wonderful poem from our receptionist, Madonna. Her daughter had sent it to her. I would like to share it here with all of you. This is for all of those who have ever taken the time out of their busy schedules to lend a helping hand to a fellow living creature in need. Whether it was to help a nestling bird who had fallen from the nest, to save a nest of baby bunnies at a construction site, or to give a home to a litter of orphaned kittens--you are an animal rescuer.

I Am An Animal Rescuer

My job is to assist God's creatures.
I was born with the drive to fulfill their needs.
I take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures
without planning or selection.
I have bought cat food with my last dime.
I have patted a mangy head with a bare hand.
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid.
I have fallen in love a thousand times.
And I have cried into the fur of a lifeless body
too many times to count.
I have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends.
I don't often use the word "pet".
I notice those lost at the road side and my heart aches.
I will hand raise a field mouse
and make friends with a vulture.
I know of no creature unworthy of my time.
I want to live forever if there aren't animals in Heaven,
but I believe there are.
Why would God make something so perfect
and leave it behind?
Some may think we are masters of the animals,
but the animals have mastered themselves...
something people still haven't learned.
War and abuse make me hurt for the world,
but a rescue that makes the news gives me hope for mankind.
We are a quiet but determined army
and we are making a difference every day.
There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan,
nothing more rewarding than saving a life,
no higher recognition than watching them thrive.
There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play
who, only days ago, was too weak to eat.
By the love of those who I've been privileged to rescue,
I have been rescued.
I know what true unconditional love really is,
for I've seen it shining in the eyes of so many,
so grateful for so little.
I am an Animal Rescuer.
My work is never done.
My home is never quiet.
My wallet is always empty,
but my heart is always full.

Where it Begins

2009-01-25T08:51:00.000-08:00

Now 70 more horses have been rescued from a barren pasture on reservation land. The article stated that conditions were so bad that all they had to eat was their own manure. I've been reading the comments in the RC Journal that people have posted online regarding these two stories. A good number of those commenting feel that the reason this type of thing happens is because people no longer have the option of taking their unwanted horses to slaughter. A few people commented on the stallion being adopted to a family who plans to use him for breeding purposes. And a few people commented on the REAL problem, where it all begins. THE CONTINUOUS, IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING OF HORSES. Two comments stand out in my mind. One from "Horsewoman in IL" and one from "gentlereins". Gentlereins makes the comparison to a manufacturing plant. If you are producing a product that no one is buying do you continue to produce that product?

Those in favor of the slaughter houses opening back up blame Congress, PETA, animal activists for the overabundance of horses. They don't seem to place any of the responsibility on those individuals breeding all of these horses that no one is buying. The truth is that years ago when slaughter houses were still in operation the problems of abuse and neglect were still present. There were still cases like these two most recent ones. But now that the slaughter houses have been closed it's easier to place the blame on the parties responsible for their closure rather than where it really belongs--THE IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDERS.

We have humane societies and animal shelters available to absorb the overflow of puppies, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, rats, etc. Some are equipped to care for horses as well. Many of these animals are the result of people not spaying or neutering their pets and then allowing them to reproduce. Again IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING. Many of them are the result of puppy and kitten mills. Again IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING AND HUMAN GREED. The solution to these problems? Do not allow your pets to reproduce. It's your responsibility. Why do people see it any differently for horse owners?

There is a wonderful quote by Gandhi:"THE GREATNESS OF A NATION AND ITS MORAL PROGRESS CAN BE JUDGED BY THE WAY ITS ANIMALS ARE TREATED."

I think it's great the way people came forward, let their compassionate spirits soar and made homes for the horses surrendered to the local humane society. But if you look at the big picture. If you think about all the puppy mills, kitten mills, backyard breeders, animals kept in barren enclosures trying to scrape a life out of the dry soil, animals that are literally bones with skin covering them, how do you honestly think our nation would be judged? Would our good deeds and acts of kindness outweigh the bad? Think about it.

Things to Ponder

2009-01-23T21:43:00.000-08:00

So, eighteen horses were recently surrendered to the Humane Society by a man who, by his own admission, could not physically or financially care for them any longer. An article in today's paper said that 16 of the 18 had already been adopted. The remaining yearling filly and an 18 year old stallion are in a foster home. The family that adopted the other stallion thought he would "make a nice addition to their herd". They are hoping he will produce offspring that will be more compact. My first question is this--Why was he not gelded before he was adopted out? Had these been dogs or cats they all would have been spayed or neutered prior to going to their new homes. Seems to me that the responsible thing would have been to geld him or to at least have a no breeding agreement in the adoption contract to help prevent more horses from being produced. I believe the HSUS has a no breeding agreement as part of their standards. My next question is this--What kind of requirements did these adoptive families have to meet in order to qualify as an adoptive family? Did they have to meet certain standards as far as housing? shelter from nasty weather? proper feed? vet care? What requirements had to be met in order to ensure that these horses went to loving homes where they will never be cold, hungry, neglected? The two young men who arrived to pick up the adopted stallion had to bring along another guy because they have trouble loading horses. What?? Why do they think that breeding more horses is a good idea if they aren't capable of doing something as basic as loading them into trailers? Are they lacking in other areas of horse handling abilities? I know that even the most skilled horseman/horsewoman can have trouble loading a horse that doesn't want to load. But it just makes a person wonder. And what about the man who was responsible for the horses in the first place? Sure, he surrendered them of his own accord. But some of them were thin and under nourished. Some had injuries. What part of all this was he held responsible for? Just makes me wonder. And if people don't wonder about things, don't question things, nothing will ever change. Don't get me wrong. I think it is wonderful that people stepped up to help these horses and I really hope they all went to homes where they will be loved and never be hungry again. That they will be warm on these sub-zero nights and that they will have shelter from the sun on days when the thermometer reads 100+. But, this is just one story. This type of situation is happening more and more. Breeding more horses is not going to help the problem. There is a quote that goes something like this-'We are responsible for that which we have tamed.' Some horse breeding facilities are no different from the puppy mills we hear about. But, unfortunately, horses do not receive the same protection (in our state anyway) that other companion animals receive. These beautiful, proud creatures deserve better. It's time to take responsibility "for that which we have tamed". Just some things to ponder.

Busy Year

2008-10-30T10:05:00.001-07:00

It's almost November and another busy year of raising wild babies and rehabbing injured wild life has finally slowed down. This was a record year for bunnies--98 bunnies were received this year! In addition, there were the squirrels, fawns, ducklings, owls, and numerous other waterfowl and songbirds. There was no time for sitting and writing new stories for the website. Not even a couple of minutes to write a new blog. But now with more free time I hopefully will feel inspired to write a few new stories. Watch for this year's fawn story. There will also be a story about "Natula", the little Western Kingbird. I have lots of new photos to add to the website as well. So, keep checking back. Before long I hope to have something new on the site for all of you to enjoy.

For Momma Mouse

2008-06-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

Today I became "mother" to a litter of baby mice. There are four of them and they are each about an inch long, not including their tails. I found them while I was cleaning out the rabbit hutch. I knew there were mice living out there and I have seen mice in the rabbit hutch before when I've been feeding the rabbits and when I've been cleaning the hutch. I've never found babies before, though.

I was doing what I usually do, raking and bagging the dirty hay, the spilled rabbit food and the endless supply of rabbit droppings. I only have two rabbits but they sure do produce alot of poop!! I opened up the top of the hutch and started raking the hay out of there and putting it into big garbage bags. I looked up and there was a mouse staring right at me with its tiny little eyes. It hesitated, not knowing whether to stay put in the hutch or to run away from me and my raking. Finally it decided to leave. I raked a little bit more and just as I was about to scoop up some hay to put it into the bag, I saw a little tiny baby mouse squirming in the dirty hay. Then I found another one, then a third one and finally the fourth one was discovered. Their eyes are not yet open and their little squeaks are barely audible. They have tiny little whiskers that you can hardly see. They all appear very healthy.

Now I understood why that mouse seemed to hestitate before running out of the hutch. These are her babies and she wanted to stay with them and protect them. But, what was I going to do with these babies now that I'd found them? I looked at these four little lives I held in my hand. I looked at the garbage bag that was filling with soiled hay and rabbit food. I looked back at the four little squirming bodies and headed into the garage to look for a little box to put some wood shavings in for a nest for the baby mice. I just couldn't bring myself to toss the babies into the garbage bag. I decided I would try to save them. They may not live, but at least I didn't throw them away.

So, momma mouse, for you, for your babies and for my own conscience, I am trying to save your babies. I won't raise them as well as you would have, but I won't hurt them either. They are warm; they are fed. And when they are grown I will let them go, but not in my backyard.

Become a Generous Rescue Partner!

2008-04-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

Several years ago when I was just beginning this journey that has introduced me to so many different wild creatures, I found it necessary to have a cage constructed that would be big enough to house six crows that I was working with. It was never meant to be a permanent structure; it was to be dismantled once the crows were released. However, just like in the movie "Field of Dreams", If you build it they will come. Since its construction it has rarely been empty. This cage has been "home" to many of the birds and animals you see pictured on the website.

Over the years, wind, rain, snow and the hot sun have taken a toll on the cage. It is now necessary to rebuild it. Since it seems to be a much needed structure, the plan is to rebuild it to be a much more sturdy enclosure, offering better protection from the elements. This is going to be a somewhat costly undertaking for our small program, more costly than what our donation fund can support. Any monetary donations received up to this point have been used to feed the wild birds and animals that come to us. This year we are starting a special fund to help us construct our much needed new enclosure. If you would like to make a donation to this special fund, please contact us at Canyon Lake Veterinary Hospital.

Spring is Coming!!

2008-03-20T06:08:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of spring. Soon wild birds and animals will be raising their young families. Each year the baby season starts with the bunnies in April. People often discover a nest of young bunnies and think they have been abandoned because there is no mother rabbit in sight. Mother rabbits do not stay with their young the way a mother cat or a mother dog does. Rabbits visit the nest once, maybe twice, a day. The rest of the time the babies are left alone in the nest. If you stumble upon a nest of baby rabbits, please be absolutely sure that the mother is no longer caring for them. If the young appear to be healthy and well-fed leave the nest alone and possibly check on them the next day. Sometimes a nest is disturbed when a person is mowing the grass. If the nest is not completely damaged it can be put back in order and the young rabbits can be returned to the nest. It is best to check on the young to make sure mother rabbit is continuing to care for her babies.

Baby squirrels and rabbits are often the victims of cat/dog attacks. Bite wounds can be very serious for these little creatures. Often times the wound or puncture that is visible is just the tip of the iceberg. Babies that have suffered a cat or dog attack need to receive antibiotic treatment and the wounds must be cleaned and possibly sutured.

Over the years I have learned that momma birds are very smart. Many of the baby birds I receive are found on the sidewalk or on the ground below the tree where the nest is. If you know for certain where the nest is, you can put the baby bird back in the nest and watch to make sure the baby stays put in the nest this time. Many of the tiny babies that are found on the ground do not survive. I believe that in a lot of these cases there is something wrong with that baby and that's why it was removed from the nest. That's part of the survival of the fittest.

This way the parents can focus all their attention on the healthy, thriving babies. Sometimes the larger, older babies will push the tiny ones from the nest. I am always amazed at these tiny creatures and the fact that their lives are held inside such fragile, transparent skin.

Please remember that not all babies need to be rescued. If you find a baby bird or animal that you believe needs help, please call us at Canyon Lake Veterinary Hospital.

Scout:Mending a Broken Heart

2008-02-22T13:11:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it was a bit too early. I wasn't really ready for a new dog yet. But sometimes things just happen. Things that you don't question, you just know this is how it is supposed to go.

Scout came home with me on Valentine's Day "for the weekend". I had a few days off and rather than have her stay at the clinic all that time, I thought she could just as well be at home with me. In the back of my mind I knew she would not be returning to the clinic. My heart, on the other hand, kept saying "I'm not ready!"

Scout had been brought to the clinic by her previous owners. They felt they were just too busy for her. Jobs, the wife being in school and having 3 children just did not leave enough time to devote to Scout and the care that certain health issues require. Scout has food allergies and chronic ear problems that can frequently require on-going medical attention. They had originally thought that if the ear problem could just be brought under control, maybe they could manage it from there. Later that morning they decided upon euthanasia. Fortunately, Dr. Nick thought otherwise and told the owners that if they were willing to surrender Scout to us at the clinic, we would deal with the ear issue and find her a good home. So, that's what happened.

Scout has been with me for one week now and every day I discover something new that she knows how to do or a new command or word that she understands. She looks at me like I'm the greatest thing in the world. She has beautiful soft brown eyes that are just asking me to love her back. She is very well behaved, is good with the cats and so far has no bad habits that I know of. She eats her prescription food, doesn't beg, lets me know when she has to go out and is very tolerant of me messing with her ears. She had surgery on her right ear and it is healing very nicely. She has adjusted well to her new surroundings.

I, on the other hand, am having a hard time dealing with the feeling that I'm cheating on Abby. It's like my heart is saying ,"But I still love Abby and I miss her so much. I'm still broken." In my head I know I can love them both. If I love Scout, that doesn't mean that I can't still love Abby. I guess the heart takes longer to mend.

But, I believe that's why Scout was put in my life. That's why she was brought to the clinic that day. She is helping my broken heart mend. We will be doing many things together, things that Abby could not have done in her later years. Scout has a new life jacket so she can go kayaking with me. She has a new back pack so when we go hiking she can carry her own water and snacks. Perhaps we both needed each other. She needed someone with more time to spend with her and I needed someone to help me get over the loss of Abby.

Abby used to lay beside me on the bed and put her front leg straight up in the air. That meant she wanted me to run my fingers up and down her leg. That would put her to sleep. The other night Scout was laying on the bed and all of a sudden she put her front leg up in the air. Now, I don't know, maybe that's a common thing that dogs do. I saw it as a sign from Abby. Maybe Abby told Scout that if she put her leg up in the air I would rub it.

And so, Scout and I soldier on in our new relationship, growing closer day by day. I know we will have many wonderful years together. Hopefully we'll receive a sign from Abby now and then just to let us know that it's okay for Scout to be here. I love you Abby. I will love you Scout.

Saint Nick - The Sentencing

2007-12-30T15:07:00.000-08:00

One year ago (on Christmas Eve) Saint Nick was found tied in a ditch. He was emaciated and filthy and had a badly injured hind leg. I often wonder what he was thinking as he stood there in the cold. Had he just accepted the idea that this was how his life was to end? If you haven't read his story, please do. It is in the Journal section of the Wildlife Rescue page on the website.

On Halloween 2007 the owner of Saint Nick was found guilty of inhumane treatment of animals. His sentencing was on December 21, 2007. He was given 5 days of jail time with work release, has to pay a $200.00 fine and also has to pay $800.00 in restitution ($500.00 of which goes back to the rescue organization). This man owns 20 other horses. I wonder what condition they are in. This man breeds horses. How many more unwanted, un-cared for horses are there going to be? The issue isn't the money. He should have had his horses taken from him. He should have been prevented from doing this again. Some feel he should have been tied in the ditch in the cold on Christmas Eve. An eye for an eye.

Bits 'n Pieces

2007-12-19T18:59:00.000-08:00

I thought this might be a good time to post little bits of information that I've been storing in the back of my mind. I'm afraid I may forget to mention them if I wait much longer.

First, the man found guilty of inhumane treatment in the Saint Nick case is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 21 at 10:30 in the morning in Sioux Falls. I'll post an entry as soon as I hear the outcome there. If you haven't read the story about Saint Nick you will find it on the Journal page of the Wildlife Rescue section of the website.

Second, the crows that were hanging around the 3 weeks prior to the death of my dog, Abby, have not been around since she died. (Read previous posts and the story about Traveler the crow on the website) Isn't it interesting?

The cardinal is still here everyday. I guess he has decided this isn't a bad place to spend the winter. His red is even brighter now. If I am able to get a good picture of him I'll post it in another entry.

I had an e-mail a while back from the conservation officer who helped me release the fawns (two mule deer and one white tail) in Sept. of 2006. He had been up in the area where we released them and happened to see 3 young deer hanging out together--two mule deer and one white tail. It was too far away for him to be able to tell if they were bucks or does or even if they had small spike antlers. The chances of it being those three fawns are very slim. But what if?

Summer of the Heron

2007-12-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

Today the kayak rack on my jeep carried a Christmas tree home from The Club for Boys. It wasn't too long ago that I loaded up my kayak and headed for my favorite little lake any chance that I got. It's a beautiful little lake, quiet and serene. During the summer months there are many ducks and turtles there to watch. The ospreys nesting there are always busy diving for small fish to feed their young who can be heard calling from the trees. Sometimes they dive right in front of you. Most of the time they come up empty handed. When they do take flight with a fish in their grasp you just want to jump up and down and cheer them on. It will be interesting in the spring to see if they are there again, raising another family. There was also a great blue heron in residence there. Sometimes he could be spotted standing motionless among the reeds looking like a statue that you might see in someone's yard. He liked to perch on one particular dead tree, too, and unless you were looking for him, you might miss him. He blended in to his surroundings so well. I had the opportunity to rehab a great blue heron this year so was very happy to see this one. When the time came to release "my" heron, I took him to this little lake. When I opened the carrier, he came out and stood for awhile just taking in his new home. Then he took flight and I held my breath until he was safely on the other bank. He was beautiful in the air and had an amazing wing span. I was ecstatic to see him fly and couldn't have been happier about this release. I went back to the lake several times after his release and sometimes I'd see two herons, sometimes only one. My last trip to the lake was in mid-October. It was 43 degrees out. It was foggy and misty and began to rain. I loved being on the water in this weather. Most of the ducks were gone and the ospreys had moved on. I didn't see either of the herons. But as I sat out on the water thinking about how quiet it was now with all the wildlife gone, I saw a huge bird silently approaching from the far side of the lake. As it came closer I could see what it was. No, not a heron. It was a bald eagle. Beautiful and massive. How lucky to have had the chance to see that. It made me think about the opportunities that might be missed if we tell ourselves, "The weather isn't ideal." or "I'm too busy." or "I have a messy house."

Winter Cardinal

2007-12-06T17:47:00.001-08:00

I have rarely seen a cardinal. Several years ago I was in Missouri and saw so many. There they are as plentiful as the sparrows are here. But around here I think I have only seen one cardinal. So early this fall when I received a young cardinal it was very exciting. He was found in a parking lot and was unable to fly. There were no injuries or broken bones but his feathers were a little "scruffy" looking. I took him home and put him in a small cage where I could keep an eye on him. He ate alot, was very active and alert and before long he was strong enough to move to a larger cage outside. He was very popular with the other small birds that come to the backyard to eat. Sparrows, nuthatches and chickadees would visit him daily. He grew stronger as the days went by and eventually was flying all over in his big cage. There was no need to keep him any longer. I was going to take him to my sister's place in eastern S.D. since she has cardinals there every winter. Then I thought, "Why not just release him here where he knows there's plenty of food, water and shelter if he needs it?" So that's what I did one nice sunny day. That was about a month ago and he has been here ever since. He still enters his cage to eat and brings along several friends to share with. It's not unusual to see him in his cage eating side-by-side with the sparrows and the chickadees and nuthatches. He is very easy to spot among the browns and grays of the other small birds he hangs out with. His bright red stands out especially well now that it has snowed. He is very easily startled which makes it hard to photograph him. None of the other little birds seem to notice or care that he is different from them. And he doesn't seem to be bothered by the differences either. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here.

“Peaceful Easy Feeling”

2007-11-28T16:33:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I lost my best buddy, my dog Abby. She was 15 years old and had recently become ill. The illness progressed very quickly. At least it wasn’t a long drawn out thing. She died here at home on my bed where she spent most of her time lately. I found her when I came home for lunch. She just looked like she was sleeping. She looked peaceful and comfortable. I know when she died. I was at work looking at a lab sample under the microscope and all of a sudden I had the strongest feeling of calmness. To steal a line from an Eagle’s song, it was a “peaceful easy feeling”. And I knew that she had died. I don’t know how I knew, I just knew. When I got home and opened the back door to the house there were more of my cats there to greet me than usual. It was as if they were telling me something was wrong.

Traveler bids Farewell

2007-11-28T16:29:00.001-08:00

The two crows that have been visiting for the last 3 weeks have not been here today. Yesterday morning there was only one of them here. He was way up in the maple tree looking like he was standing guard. I have not seen or heard them today. Is it possible that it is Traveler and that he knew Abby was dying and came here to be close to her and to me until she passed away? They were very good friends. Is it possible? It will be interesting to see if they come to visit again.

It has been a long time since I’ve been without a dog, but it will be some time before I will be ready for another one. Abby was very special and was so good with all the little creatures that came our way. I miss her so much.