Just venting...

[Suz]

Ok this is just for me to vent b/c so far I am not having the best day... I was driving to work this morning in the pouring rain. One of the roads I take to work is a very busy 6 lane road.

Unfortunately I see beautiful animals dead on the side of the road every day--deer, foxes, raccoons, possums, cats dogs...it seems endless. It breaks my heart that we don't have culverts in all of roads for the animals to have a safe passage for when they try to cross the road.

Anyway, sometimes I wonder if these animals are really dead, or are they just laying there stunned, too scared or hurt to move? I hate to think about it and it makes me so sad.

Well, this morning, I saw a raccoon on the side of the road laying in the street up against the curb and as I drove by I thought I saw him try to lift his little head.

I made a u turn and stopped and got out. He was alive but his leg was hurt. His little head was in a large puddle of water and he kept lifting his head to take a breath since he couldn't walk away. (It was raining very hard and the water was running fast along the curb) I had one glove in my car so I ran back and got it and went back to the curb. picked him up carefully and set him on the grass about 4 feet from the road but not in the woods.

We have an wildlife rehabilitation facility here in town so I figured if I could get him in my car then I could take him there during my lunch or ask my husband to take him. But I could not find anything to put him in and when I tried to pick him up the second time he was coming to a little bit and growled at me. So I left him alone.

Thankfully, I was able to call the rehab center and they said they would send someone out to pick him up. The guy called me to ask for the specifics and then called me back a little later to let me know he had found the raccoon and taken him to the wildlife center. I am so thankful there are the facilities that are run by wonderful and caring people who just want to help these wonderful animals.

I was bawling all morning b/c I had to leave that raccoon in the rain but getting the phone call form Jordan to let me know he had found the raccoon and had him was just such a relief. SUCH a relief...

I called the rehab center just now and got some bad news. HI back leg was broken and so was his back.. His skull was fractured as well so they had to euthanize him. I am sad and angry. I;m grateful he didn't have to suffer for too long but anyway...

I guess all I'm asking is watch the road when you're out there. I know we can't avoid every animal that is on the street, but I don't know...I'm not going to lecture...I don't know what the solution is.

[annielinz]

I'm so sorry you had such a traumatic morning Suz.:(

I appreciate all you did for that poor little raccoon, but you were putting your self at risk buy trying to move him.:eek: Any injured animal be it wild or domesticated is very dangerous and he may of had rabies.

You have a big heart, and the kindness you showed that little fellow is commendable as with you calling the rehab center to pick him up. I wish the outcome would of been a positive one.

((hugs)) to you
Mary Ann

[ChapterTwo]

I often lament the lack of compassion people have towards animals (and people), but you certainly showed that you have heaps of it. I empathize with you and have been in a somewhat similar situation, with the same result, so my heart goes out to you. Thank you for being who you are, Suz!

[cheapdiva]

do you know the story of the wisconsin girl who tried to "help" a bat get out of her church and got bitten? she is the first person in the world to survive rabies with the experimental treatment they used on her.

I have been there before - hit a deer years ago that had to be put down. I like to believe that most folks will do what they can to avoid hitting anything BUT if the choice is to avoid an accident that may involve human life (mine or someone else's), then these things do happen.

you have a good heart and it shows!!

[Suz]

Thanks for letting me vent here...I was so bummed.

I actually had to have a series of rabies shots into my abdominal area when I was little. I was around 5 years old and I had tried picking up a stray cat who in turn scratched the heck out of me and bit me as well.

I know there is always that risk of getting bit- which is why I wasn't able to pick him up the second time I tried. Had I another glove to wear, I think I could have, but it was raining, I was wet and cold and was hoping the wildlife rehab people would be able to get him- which they did. They're better equipped to handle these situations anyway.

Anyway, thanks guys... :o

[Gigi]

My heart goes out to you Suz. I would have been crying buckets all day- but more if I had not tried to do something. You are an angel to animals. It's a heart break- but you really tried---which is so much more than alot of people--AND I'm glad you were NOT bit or scratched.

Years ago my oldest son picked up a little deer on the road struggling after it was hit by a car. He just placed it in the trunk and brought it home. We placed it in our garage- wrapped it in blankets and found a deer rescue that actually was near us. The story does end on a sad note because the little deer didn't make it-but I was really proud of him trying.

Hugs comin' your way.