A
chickadee struck the back sliding door Wednesday afternoon. I had not heard the
strike but the cats did and they huddled around the screen gakking and pacing
back and forth. Knowing that Lucy and Gracie were outside, I ran out the door
and found the small bird sitting on the ground, stunned. Without hesitation, I
picked up the chickadee, cupping it in my hand to prevent it from struggling
that could injure a wing or leg.
When I was
rehabilitating wildlife, I had found and used frequently a small plastic
reptile cage. The cage had a screened,
easily removable cover and clear plastic sides that allowed me to carry
wildlife safely with less stress to the animal. Despite the fact that I no
longer rehabilitate, I kept the cages and my heavy duty gloves for situations
as this.
With bird
in hand, I opened the cage lid and lined the bottom with a small pad. I gently placed the bird inside and replaced
the cover. A clean rag was warmed and put under and up one side of the cage and
the cage and bird were moved to the living room where it was quiet and free
from nosy cats.
With the
bird attended to, I returned to making my jam. In a short while I could hear
chirping coming from the other room. Picking up the cage, I walked out the
front door and removed the cover. The chickadee flew off to resume his life.
I didn’t think
much about the episode until later that evening. Rescuing and releasing birds
has been something I have done without much thought. It didn’t even occur to me
what a great gift I had given to that chickadee and to the other animals that I
have rescued, cared for and released. Too often I ponder what my purpose is in
the world and I often see myself more as a taker than a giver. That grieves me.
Then I recall the story about the boy
and the starfish. When questioned about the futility of rescuing one starfish,
the boy responded, “It made a difference to
that one!”
Not all of
us are destined to be a Nelson Mandela, or a Jonas Salk, or a William
Shakespeare. But if each one of us would step up wherever help is needed, what
a better world we would have.
For the complete story of the Boy and the
Starfish, see: http://eventsforchange.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/the-starfish-story-one-step-towards-changing-the-world/
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