If Only Folks Would Listen To Reason

  Sometimes things aggravate me a bit.  Just today, someone who I thought would know better, threatened to do something that I consider stupid and a bit, lets just say, unwarranted.  A friend found a juvenile possum in her yard.  It seems that her dog was barking at the frightened animal and that irritated her.  She was also afraid that the possum would make a home in her attic, bite her or the dog, and ravage her garden.  Others were egging on with misinformation and many false ideas.  "Possums are vicious!",  "They will eat everything.", "They carry rabies and will infect your whole family!" were just a few of the ignorant remarks that were thrown at her.  Sad to say, she was gullible and considering putting out poison for the poor critter.  

  Needless to say, I tried to intervene and save the possum's life.  The wee thing obviously had just been weaned and abandoned by its mother.  It was being harassed by the dog.  It was scared, hungry and homeless.  My efforts to convince my friend that possums are useful and will not needlessly attack anyone, probably fell on deaf ears.  It makes me sad to think that an innocent life may be taken merely because people fail to understand that critters have a place in this world just as we do.  Possums are amazing animals that eat a ton of bugs, grubs and worms.  They will feed upon rotted fruits and vegetables that make a mess in the garden.  They actually feast upon ticks that carry disease and it is rare that one will contract rabies.  The body temperature of a possum is too low which makes it difficult for the virus to survive.

  The little possum in the picture is of one that was found several years ago by Ms. Ez, my dearly departed Bayou Dog.  Ezzy found the little one and immediately wanted to adopt it.  She did not bark at it or try to kill it.  She felt the need to help.  It is strange how another critter can sometimes be far more sensitive than some people.  Ms. Ez and I helped the little critter by feeding and watering it.  We allowed it to spend a few nights in the shed (its choice) before it went on its merry way.  I felt like we enabled it to become stronger and Ms. Ez loved having her "baby" for a few days.  I can only hope my friend at least allowed her young possum to live freely.  I tried.