I had 4 errands to run today. Four.
I carefully plan my driving so I'm not caught up in school zones, traffic, etc. And of course, after setting out to diligently execute my carefully planned day of errands, I discovered that I managed to leave my wallet at home - AFTER I had traveled all 9 1/2 miles to Garland and got to the check out.
Fortunately, the very nice lady took pity on me and said she'd hold my purchase for me, and I promised to return in about an hour, giving myself a little cushion.
On the way home, to pick up my wallet, there's a kid on a bike in the middle of the road about a block(ish) (country blocks ya know) north of my house - with an injured owl sitting on the ground. Sigh.
Now if you know me, I admire owls at my farm - from a distance - whilst hoping they stay east of the pond and feast on bunny rabbits, rats, field mice and the like - NOT on my chickens. But there was no way I could leave this dazed and confused, injured, majestic, federally protected, might I add, bird of prey sitting in the grocery store parking lot where I saw it when I was on my back up to the store.
The kid on the bike was nowhere to be seen. I thought, I'll bring it to animal services because surely they have some kind of setup with the bird sanctuary rescue folks 2 towns over.
My bad. Not only do we not have any kind of agreement with them, apparently, it is up to the citizen to figure out what to do with wildlife it finds. Now, I would not expect our small department to take in and try to doctor it. But, since the first suggestion was to reach out to the State's wildlife office in Mesquite, which would be on my way - but does no more than issue fishing and boating licenses and the like, I asked if they could at least just hold the bird for me in a crate safe and sound, let me go north to run my errands - which included picking up an RX, some seeds, and a part for my farm's irrigation, and I'd be happy to then run it down to Hutchins - 6 miles in the opposite direction when I came back through.
But apparently there's no procedure for that - or there is one forbidding the acceptance of wildlife. IDK, I was getting low on my blood sugar by now, it was nearly time for lunch and we've all gotten hangry before, and I was already running behind on my errands, so I didn't have time to sit and try to analyze why what seemed like a simple ask, was being denied. The poor thing was injured and flopping around in the back of my pick up camper and I didn't think it would appreciate a nearly 20 mile ride.
But that's what it got. They refused to take it in to hold it till I could get back. That cashier at the store in Garland was kind enough to hold back my purchase so I didn't have to go through finding it again, I wasn't going to stand her up. I did reach out afterward and apologize to the chief marshal for being a bit short with him. It had been a long, frustrating afternoon, and I was hungry and running behind. But I still think there ought to be some kind of procedure in place for situations like this. He appreciated the photo of the magnificent bird, and I hope I'm forgiven. I know they have policies in place for reasons, even if they don't make sense in the moment.
Fortunately, I had just filled up my truck's gas tank. A 1986 Ford F150 does not get the greatest gas mileage, but I generally don't travel on the freeway, so it's a bit better. But still, I managed to blow through a quarter of a tank today. Good thing I stay close to home most of the time. Maybe by the next time I need to refill, gas prices won't be an arm and a leg.
At any rate, I decided to forgo my other errands, even tho they were on the way back. It was getting warm out, and I sure didn't want my patient to get too hot or dehydrated. I got down to the good people at @Roger's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and the nice lady came out to greet me and have me fill out an intake form while she went in to get a falconry glove.
She retrieved the majestic creature from its hiding place in the corner of my truck's camper, and I snapped a photo and gave it a few gentle strokes on its head before she took it inside. Such a beautiful work of life.
I got back in my truck and headed back home. I am not equipped to be on long drives anymore. My bladder was calling. Errands would have to wait till tomorrow. A life was saved, and that was worth the extra time and gas. But I was starving by now, and not in any mood to fight traffic or school zones.
So, I do truly hope it will make a full recovery - and even be returned to its home base. They are wonderful hunters, and she said, even with one eye, they can learn to hunt again.
If you should feel so inclined, the good folks down at Rogers do so much good work, and gladly take donations. You can let them know it is in the name of the soon-to-be-one-eyed owl from Balch Springs. I'm sure they'd appreciate the help.
So that was my day, how was yours?
Marie
Eat Your Food - Naturally!
