Journey's state of being was perplexing. He looked perfectly sound and strong. His amazing friendly disposition and attractive nature was like a magnet to Dr. Wells and her staff. His brown rimmed fur accented his sleepy cinnamon colored eyes were a sign. Dr. Wells had given him a mild sedative to take the edge off. At one point, I thought I needed one as well.
To see your pet suffer the consequences of a man-made time bomb, a lethal and unnecessary weapon of defense against nature and her animals and their habitats, is criminal.
I know there are many landowners who feel that squirrels are a nuisance, even dangerous, a health hazard, and worse can cause major foundation distress and erosion to their land and homes... but if faced with greater unforeseen challenges, the loss of their beloved family pet... you would think many would change their habitual practices of loading up T Bars filled with poisons. You would think, right?
We left Journey in Santa Barbara in good hands late that evening. Feeling very distraught and terribly sad, we prayed for his wellness. Our Buddhist faith has helped us survive the loss of our daughter to cancer, Colette, age 5 and Andy, Jim's son from another marriage.
By the time we got home it was after midnight. We were both exhausted from our journey with Journey. Jim fell asleep quickly but I could not sleep.
The vet called in the morning and said he was stabilizing. His numbers were improving and the second plasma treatment plus vitamin K was working.
I slept most of the day having been up the entire night.
Jim awakened me to say that the vet called with better news. His lungs were decreasing in fluid meaning the blood was being re absorbed. She wants to keep him another day- but felt confident within a day or two he could return home.
We are so elated! It's as if the special glow of light and joy that accompanies us everyday is being returned to full brightness.
The power of a dogs love is not to be judged or measured. It just is! People who can't handle pets can't handle life and real human interactions- dogs bind to us like DNA and predispose us to blessings and joy we can never forget. They get under our skin and infect us with the meaning of pure love.
Here is the moral to this story and incident in our lives. Animal cruelty has very wide margins and origins. From man made toxins which kill innocent rodents, to the misuse and treatment of household pets, to ignorance and acceptance of canines as protein in many countries, and to human hearts that heal and mend, time and time again, knowing that limited minds will never know the truer purpose of what love brings into our sometimes small and insignificant lives.
In a world in which chemicals flood our every existence, and cancer claims the lives of of millions of human beings, we need to Wake Up and learn the benefits of Green Chemistry and find safer organic methods in which we can mitigate our fears and phobias against natures smallest vertebrates. More importantly protect our children against harmful toxins in the environment.
An American Kestrel takes up a position atop one of the perches at the Lime Ridge Recreation area which backs up to a residential community in Concord. Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture has installed 20 raptor perches at three different parks throughout the area in Walnut Creek and Concord, Ca. The department hopes that the birds will help control the squirrel population that damages property with their burrows. Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle
It is hoped that the natural order of selection and Raptors can help to reduce the ground squirrel population. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, 20 raptor perches have been installed in areas where large populations of California ground squirrels were causing damage. Darwin's theory on survival of species proves that Mother Nature always knows best.
Editor's Note:
A very special thank you to Advanced Veterinary Specialists and their amazing staff.