Thursday, May 28, 2015

Auntie B's Adventure WITHOUT Me

Memorial Weekend was pretty action packed for most of US - BUT not as much as for Auntie B. You all know my Auntie B who I love and adore and beg to visit all the time? She runs Auntie B's Boot Camp and when I stay at her place - well, let's suffice it to say I return a changed PUG.

Anyhoo, over Memorial Weekend Auntie B and her friend went over the hill to the beach - not Santa Cruz but south of there. Those are the BEST BEACHES ever. I went there last Summer with the FAMILY, remember?



BUT BACK TO AUNTIE B'S STORY, Sheesh!

Auntie B was walking along the coast looking for seashells when she and her friend saw this bird just sitting near the water line. It was clearly sick or injured. It was unlike any bird Auntie B could remember seeing before -

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Grebe/id

Later she found out it was a Western Grebe, rather common in Northern Cali but it is a water bird prone to stay in the water off shore. 

So the tide was coming in an occasional waves made it up to where the bird was sitting. Auntie B and her friend were not sure what to do but needed to do something before it floated out with a wave. They had always been taught to leave wildlife alone but this was clearly an unusual situation. What to do?

First they called the ranger to see if he/she could help. But the coastal rangers have no protocol for dealing with injured shorebirds although they said perhaps they could send someone down. So Auntie B waited 30 mins or more - no one came. She called the ranger again and was told perhaps it would be better to call one of the local rescue groups. So they did and managed to get a hold of someone even though it was a holiday weekend. The group said they could try and find a volunteer to come down.

So they waited some more. In the meantime, seagulls were circling, the tide was really coming in big time, and the sun was moving down toward sunset and the temperature was getting cool. Auntie B was jumping around trying to chase away the seagulls and even then was getting cold. Her friend called to say no one had shown up yet and the person on the phone said no volunteers could be found. 

Could they bring it in? They decided yes and were told to wrap the bird in a towel, put it in a box and bring it over. Well . . . their car was almost a MILE away! So Auntie B's friend took off for the car, a towel and a box leaving Auntie B to mind MR. GREBE and fend off predatory birds. At this point the tide was almost fully in and threatening to pull Mr. Grebe out to sea; so Auntie B made the ON-THE-SPOT decision to take off her sweatshirt (even though it was very brisk at this point) to wrap around the bird and carry it to the car.

She was fighting a cold wind, slippery sand, and panic but she eventually made her way to the CAR where her friend had just wrangled a box out of the trunk and was heading back. They made Mr. Grebe as comfortable as possible and headed to the rescue house. There they dropped the bird off with the rescue ladies and turned their car toward home. She prayed all the way home that Mr. Grebe would be comfortable and able to rehabilitate at the rescue home. She found our later that night that sadly Mr. Grebe did not make it.

Mr. Grebe


Auntie B is very sad that he didn't make it BUT she knows he had a better chance since she and her friend helped. 

If you encounter injured wildlife, FIRST find an authority to take care of it.These are people trained in handling sick or injured animals and birds. Usually they will send out one of their trained volunteers. If they are not available, follow instructions, like Auntie B and her friend did, to transport the animal or bird. http://www.nativeanimalrescue.org/found-an-animal/seabirds/


I love you Auntie B


This story tells so much about Auntie B's heart - that's why I love her so much!


11 comments:

stellaroselong said...

Furst of all do you finks Auntie B has any opening for Maggie at her boot camp???? Second of all what a wonderful fing Auntie B and her friend did, they worked hard to save that little bird, ...fanks for the information on what to do ...we know she has a great heart.
stella rose

Julie said...

Oh Noodles, I finks I luffs your Aunty B as well!
What a luffly lady trying to help the poorly birdie, very kind
Loves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

OMD What a GRAND thingy your Aunty B and her furend tried to do fur that poor birdie... THAT was so GIANT HEARTED of them...
We are sorry that he did not make a recovery. BUTT like we have always heard... it is Better to have Tried and failed, than Never to have Tried at all.

THANKS fur sharing this with us.

Samantha said...

We tried to do the same with a wild bird but he passed away before the wildlife people could come! Your aunty did a good thing trying to help!

Idaho PugRanch said...

How wonderful that Auntie B tried so hard to help. WE are sorry the birdie did not make it.
HUGS
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

Poodle At Play said...

It is so great that they tried to help Mr.Grebe, such big warm hearts! So very sorry to hear that he did not make it.

Southern Fried Pugs said...

What good people your Auntie and her friend are. At least the poor bird was given a chance and was able to pass more peacefully than he would have on that beach. Nature can be cruel sometimes, but thank goodness people like your Auntie step in.

sprinkles said...

That's a sad story about Mr. Grebe. But a good story about your aunt and her friend trying to save him. I don't know what I would have done in a situation like that.

Shiver and Chico are sooooo excited about the dance. They won't stop barking about it.

Millie and Walter said...

Your Aunt B gave Mr. Grebe a fighting chance by rescuing him. A big thank you to her.

Hilary said...

You have one amazing auntie!

Pug Slope said...

Wow, Noodles, what a story. Your Auntie B is amazing. Thank you to her and her friend for doing their best to help Mr. Grebe. Although he didn't make it, Auntie B allowed for his last moments to be comfortable and peaceful. We need more folks like your Auntie!

-Love,
Sid.