Poor old Ms. Ez has not been doing so well this week. Somehow the old Bayou Dog has injured her front paw and has to hobble about whenever she wishes to walk. This is hard on a dog that is so accustomed to bouncing wherever she goes. Now it is a painful experience to go down the steps and out to do her business. She normally races down the hill to the far side of the yard every morning but this morning she stared at me with those big brown eyes almost begging not to go. I relented and let her have access to the rose garden. There she would not have to roam several hundred feet just to find the perfect spot. I figure that a shovel would take care of anything she left behind and the shorter distance might help her a bit.
The source of her injury is still a big question. I can see no lesions on her paw just a good bit of swelling and a lot of redness. It is possible that she stepped on a yellow jacket and received a nasty sting. Ms. Put, the Bayou Cat Queen, suffered a similar fate just two weeks ago. Hers was a sting on the cheek which made it difficult to eat. Several days later, she was fine. Another possibility with Ms. Ez, is a spider bite. She has a tendency to bound right through tall grass and underbrush so any critter lurking within might have defended itself by clamping down on her foot. A spider bite might be a bit more troublesome than the bee sting but that, too, will heal.
The paw will be watched and treated with antibiotic ointment for another day. If no improvement is seen, a visit to the veterinary office shall be in order. Ms. Ez is not one bit happy being confined to her bed. She longs to be out chasing squirrels and following me about the hillside. Why! Even our treks to the pier have been put on hold because of this injury. She is not a happy camper...not at all.
A few days ago, I wrote about a Great Blue Heron that had found itself in a bit of a calamity. It had evidently come in contact with some critter that was stronger than itself and was badly injured as a result. Whether this was from a coyote, alligator or even an (evil) human, the bird was in pretty bad shape. Its ankle was broken and there were injuries to its body. I felt sorry for the bird as it appeared to have not eaten for quite some time. It was nothing but feathers and bone. Poor baby! I caught a few fish for the bird and it readily ate. The bird showed no fear from this person handing out free food.
I got in touch with the local wildlife rescue and was appalled at their response. While they leap to help any cute and furry critter, they had no intentions of helping this heron. I was told "The bird's foot will probably fall off and it will just have to learn to live with the handicap." Wow! That stunned me to say the least. This majestic bird was not going to be helped at all.
Every day since then, I have gone to the pier just to catch fish for the bird. It has become sort of a friend in need and I will do everything I can to help it. I have no idea how to remedy its foot but at least I can keep its belly full. My brother and his sweet girlfriend are doing the same. As matter of fact, the bird goes to their place to eat before coming to the pier. During the warm months, they eat on their porch and since receiving one handout of food, the heron joins them each day. It flies up on the picnic table and enjoys whatever they toss its way.
I noticed tonight that the bird looks a lot better. Sure the foot is literally rotting away but, overall, its health is improving. The injuries on its sides and belly are finally healing and the bird is more alert. I think it is going to survive thanks to a few kind-hearted folks.
I will say that the response I received from the wildlife rescue has left me with a thorn in my side. I cannot see how a group claiming to "help all wildlife in need" can ignore the heron. How does one choose which is more important? Why is one bird's life not worth at least the time and effort to save? Buddy Heron, you can stay with me on the Bayou and I will see that you have food at least. (So thankful for all God's critters..not just a select few!)
Usually I find being on the pier most relaxing. There is a peace that comes with the gentle waves, sunrises or sunsets. I find time to meditate or just ponder the wonders of nature. Tonight, however, was just the opposite. In fact, it was quite disturbing.
After toting my bucket, net and camera down the pier, Ms. Ez, the Bayou Dog, and I were set to do a bit of fishing. Mullet and shrimp are in the Bay and make for tasty meals. Before I could even toss the net one time, I noticed a critter in need. It was a dire situation. It is time for the dragonfly migration and one had been somehow knocked into the water. Its wings were wet making it impossible for the critter to fly. With the cool weather we have been enjoying lately, I knew the insect was probably not going to last long. The boat hook came in mighty handy in fishing the critter from the water. Once I had the dragonfly up, I gingerly lifted it off the pole. The poor thing was just about finished. Obviously, it loved the warmth of my hand because it refused to leave. I held the critter for nigh on twenty minutes but then had to set it on my camera case. A new calamity just flew in and landed on the pier.
I heard the fluttering of wings and turned to find myself almost face to face with a heron. "Hi there, Bird!", I said. Ms. Ez cocked her head and looked at me then whined. She eased her way nearer the bird and laid down on the pier. She whined again. Then she moved closer yet and laid down. I pondered at what the crazy dog was doing. Ms. Ez kept up this whine and crawl until she was about ten feet from the bird. She would look at me and whine..crawl, look at me and whine. Then I noticed that the poor bird had a broken ankle and looked awfully thin. Several injuries could be seen on its body as well. Oh, my! This would never do! First things first. I had to get that bird something to eat. I threw the net and caught three fine little mullet. No sooner had I tossed them on the pier, than the bird flew to them and gulped them down. "You are hungry, aren't you?" I threw the net again and caught two minnows and three small croakers. Those, too, slipped down the bird's throat. Six or eight more fish were tossed to the bird before he slowed down. At least, the bird had supper. It was still badly hurt and needed help, though.
As for the dragonfly, he came home with me and is warming in the greenhouse. Tomorrow, if all went well through the night, he will be released to continue his journey. As for the heron, I sent a message to the wildlife rescue organization. If he is still around in the morning, I am sure they will be able to capture and heal the bird. I do so hate when any critter is hurt. This was a very trying evening on the pier.
