After a short overnight stay with Mrs.R and myself, The Bird was released outside this morning. I like the name, The Bird, simple yet not too easily attached to.
After making sure our feline friends had their breakfast this morning, I opened The Bird’s temporary home to make sure it was getting some food and water. A very patient 10 minutes of dribbling water and food near The Bird’s beak and I was relatively satisfied something was eaten and drank.
Then to my surprise The Bird jumped up and flew through the kitchen and around the corner before unceremoniously flying into a mirrored door and ending up on the floor. I quickly ran to pick it up as two of our cats quickly ran to investigate. No harm … no fowl for the kitties either. We waited about an hour or so more and made sure to give The Bird more food and water then outside we went …
… and of course an iPaper of The Bird perched on my finger outside …
We left The Bird near a large puddle that usually forms after a rainfall in a small quiet park area behind where we live. We saw a female robin eating and drinking nearby and felt it was the best place for The Bird to be.
The Bird was found by Mrs.R, huddled against a wall, not moving. That’s what she told me as she came inside calling, “Honey …” I knew something was up but who am I to argue when it comes to an animal in need that we can do something for. What, I have no idea, but all the same we quickly set up the hospital cage for our new friend then ran out to get some bird food from our local pet shop. Dave was helpful but self-admittedly a novice with birds right now, “I’m learning more …”
We will see how The Bird does, hopefully it will only be a short stay then he, or she, will be back to the great outdoors. The Bird just did not seem to stand a chance as calm and quiet as it is and so readily handled by a novice such as myself.
Today we mark a milestone for several of our little ones, and more to follow.
Three of our girls (IJ, BJ, and Houdini) and ten of our boys (Blackjack, Singleton, Number 8, Number 9, Ash, Remy, Minx, Moonie, Padfoot, and Prongs) turned two years old today!
One week from today, our little WiiOne will also be two years old; and, on the next day we will see another boy (Sirius Black) and five more girls (Wild Thing, Wall Flower, Ande, Cinnamon, and Sweetie) turn two years old.
Of the 23 little baby rats that came into our world that fateful week two years ago, we are still blessed with 20 little bundles of furry love. I can only hope the next year will bring us as much good tidings.
I had just gotten back from doing laundry this morning and took a moment to look in on Peeka, Cat, and the four white girls that now live with them. I noticed Peeka laying on her side at the bottom of their home and thought it odd since she normally sleeps on the shelves near the top. I looked closer.
Peeka was not moving, nor was she asleep. Sometime while I was at the laundromat little Peeka rat passed on to the Rainbow Bridge. There was no warning, there were no early signs.
Although I am not a veterinarian, I gave her as thorough a physical exam as I could think of. She had no porphyrin whatsoever; there were no open wounds or apparent broken bones; and, there were no lumps, bumps, or anything else to indicate an obvious tumor. She was, except for her obvious condition, the picture of health. It will remain a mystery …
The prodigal sons returned home about two weeks ago. That’s how I’m going to refer to the boys as one of them carries the same name as our recently departed Minx.
A blast from the past at YouTube when the boys were babies:
It was about two years ago that we experienced our first litters of rats. It was quite the experience and we still have most of them with us. Our daughter adopted four of the boys and named them: Minx, Moonie, Padfoot, and Prongs. Due to unforeseen circumstances and issues with her landlord our daughter was forced to re-home the boys. Fortunately for us, we have room and so they are home and just re-integrated with their male siblings and cousins.
Unlike most days at RainBow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special.
It wasn’t too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals on the pathway…the ones who had been at RainBow Bridge for a while…knew the story of this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far too many times.
Although it was obvious the animal’s heart was leaden and he was totally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had not been restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor vigor. He approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who were by now watching him. He knew he was out of place here. This was no resting place for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he came closer to the Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who spoke softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their special people could pass over the RainBow Bridge. And he had no special beloved people…not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below.
With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the fields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted a group of other sad-eyed animals like himself…elderly and infirm. Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren’t playing, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserably staring out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrival knew he had no choice but to join them. And so, he took his place among them, just watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it to him.
“That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew tired of him. They way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, cloudy eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels. He never, ever made it out and passed on only with the love and comfort that the kennel workers could give him as he left his miserable and unloved existence on Earth for good. Because he had no family or special person to give his love, he has nobody to escort him across the Bridge.”
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, “So what will happen now?”
As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen a single figure…a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary…a person who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. This figure turned toward a group of the sad animals and extended outstretched palms. The sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoed gently above them and all were bathed in a pure and golden light. Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as they had been in the prime of life.
From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.
The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. “What happened?”
“That was a rescuer,” came the answer. “That person spent a lifetime trying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of such unselfish work. They will cross when their families arrive. Those you saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor pets that couldn’t place on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge. You see, all animals are special to them…just as they are special to all animals.”
“I think I like rescuers,” said the recent arrival.
