User login
 |
 |
 |
 |
XLIII. The Nut House loses a nut
B: Good evening readers. We here at the Nut House (aka Second Chance Wildlife Center) have some sad news to report: our own beloved Alicia is leaving our ranks to stretch her wings across the country to the west coast.
A: Though I have and always will cherish the time I have spent at SCWC and with all of you out there in cyberspace, I am heading west towards new frontiers and new species to work with. I will be continuing my work in wildlife rehabilitation in Oregon, a very wildlife-friendly state, where I hope to continue serving the public by helping them live harmoniously with their native animals.
B: Though you will be greatly missed by all of our own Maryland wildlife, many of whom (such as all ‘possums) have benefited from your expansive knowledge and gentle but thorough care, you will be missed even more by the staff and volunteers of SCWC who have come to rely on your intellect and compassion. I can already envision many sleepless nights where they will cry themselves to sleep… or that could just be me…
A: Oh, I’m sure everyone will be just fine without me. Second Chance is, after all, greater than the sum of its parts; no single person’s leaving could stall it. Though the baby ‘possums may miss the extra (perhaps neurosis induced) midnight feedings and obsessive moisturizing.
B: While I am sure that the Center itself will be able to chug along, I think I will most likely mourn myself into a stupor, thus proving myself useless to all those around me.
A: I could leave a life-size cardboard cutout of myself in the Exam Room for you.
B: So that I could stare at it for hours, weeping uncontrollably? Kinda creepy for all the citizens bringing in animals.
A: Well, if that’s what you’re gonna do with it, I will make sure to have my cardboard likeness wear an expression of extreme discomfort.
B: Will it be equipped with battery-operated jazz-hands?
A: This Alicia replacement is becoming something rather complicated. How about I just call you from time to time and you cry at me over the phone?
B: And have you fret the whole time? Is ok. I am sure I will be able to manage, especially since we have the same cell phone company and thus all of our minutes will be free. (and believe me, dear readers, we will use them) But enough of sad news; you will be moving on to bigger and greater things but we should still mention what has happened in the past couple of weeks.
A: Though the Center has become startlingly empty (we’re rattling around in here!), we have actually had a few new patients in the past couple of weeks. My favorite is (of course) a male opossum that came in just a couple of hours ago. He spent the last week trapped in someone’s garbage can with his head stuck in a plastic bag. The citizen was apparently unconcerned about the welfare of the animal for a full seven days, assuming it would succumb to dehydration or to the cold on its own, before she finally called Prince George’s County Animal Management. They, realizing that the animal was in dire need of professional care, brought the animal to us. Upon admission, the animal presented with dehydration, extreme stress and a wound on his back caused by the plastic bag cutting into his flesh. After treating the ‘possum for shock and dehydration, I set him up in a cozy kennel in our front room (right next to our “Grandma” ‘possum) and gave him some dinner, which he promptly dug into. It was very gratifying to watch him chow down on his first good meal in over a week. I have high hopes for this tenacious little critter!
B: We also have high hopes for the (not one, not two, but…) three turkey vultures we have admitted over the past few weeks. The first is an adult who was struck by a car when attempting to flee his middle-of-the-road dinner. He presented some swelling in a shoulder, but is now much improved and is awaiting the warmer weather this weekend promises to bring so that he can be moved into our largest outdoor cage. The second is a juvenile who was also involved in an auto accident and was grounded for about a week, losing weight all the while. With a day of anti-inflammatories and all the food he can scarf, his situation is much-improved and he is awaiting his turn in our Deer Closet once TV#1 moves outdoors. Our esteemed commander-in-chief Chris checked in our third turkey vulture last night, who also shows symptoms of impact trauma. Though his toes are still curled under, he is able to stand a bit better and appears interested in his food, even if he has yet to decide to eat.
A: Vultures and ‘possums are some of our most favored patients because they are resilient, full of personality and so wrongfully maligned by pop culture. Here at SCWC we often find ourselves rooting for the underdog and these species are perfect examples of that. Though they may be associated with death and darkness, these charming animals are also intelligent, highly adaptable and absolutely crucial to our ecosystems. We feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to interact with and assist these beautiful animals.
B: Just as we here at SCWC have felt so fortunate to have had the opportunity to interact with and assist such as beautiful animal such as Alicia.
A: My rehabilitation is complete and it appears that I am ready for release. Second Chance has been my second home for over five years now and a piece of my heart will remain here forever. In return, I take a piece of this place wherever I go. Thank you all for giving me the chance to serve my community, help out our native wildlife, learn invaluable skills, make lifelong friends and find my purpose. I have loved every minute of this work. Goodbye, for the last time and remember- nothing exemplifies our humanity more than showing compassion for our fellow animals… and don’t litter. It drives me crazy.
B: You will be sorely missed by all those whose lives you have touched and all those you have not met will be all that much more in the lacking. To my favoritest coworker, my bestest friend, my dearest love, I raise my glass to you: best luck, best wishes and always know you have open, welcoming arms back on the east coast.
A: Thank you, my dearest friend, the heart of my heart. I will always remember the laughs, the private jokes, the hours spent in the light of this computer screen and the sweat we poured side by side into the center we love so much. I love you, I love SCWC and I love… ‘possums. Goodnight dear readers and farewell.
B: But fear not, loyal readers, the blog will continue. For as long as I am associated with this great Second Chance Wildlife Center and I am able to type, this blog will continue to update you on all the new patients, wonderful releases and maybe even snippets of what wonderful things Alicia is accomplishing on the western shores. TTFN!
Questions? Comments? Email Alicia and Brittany at nut.house.ab@gmail.com. Want to learn more about Second Chance Wildlife Center? Simply go to www.scwc.org.
User login
© 2010 Zoo and Aquarium Visitor. All rights reserved.
