GRETEL, THE PINE MARTIN
I am now the proud sponsor of a Pine Martin for a year. They sent a package with my wards picture and information. This is all the result of my little mink rescue and introduction to the Hope For WildLife Society.
In April 2003, the Hope For Wildlife Society received a call from the NS Agricultural College in Truro; a mother pine martin had died and they wondered if the society would raise the two orphans. Named Hansel and Gretel, the babies weighed only 12 oz each and their eyes were still closed.
Unfortunately Hansel died shortly afterward from a coccidia infection. Gretel, also infected, was then given medication, which probably saved her life. A member of the weasel family, pine martins are an endangered species in Nova Scotia, with less than 100 believed to be living in the upper Cape Breton Highlands. Because of Gretel's lineage, the Department of Natural Resources advised that she not be released back to the wild. Knowing this, Gretel has been raised with a lot of human interaction. Gretel helps to educate visitors to the Hope For Wildlife Society center - especially young visitors - about the endangered species in our own province, allowing them to actually meet on of these species up close.
Photograph and story by Ronda Brennan, a volunteer with the Hope For Wildlife Society.
Mr. Lucky, my little rescued mink has been the catalyst for this education. I never heard of the society until I picked the little mink off of the highway. Now I want everyone to know! I called Robert Hirtle, a local newspaper reporter, and he interviewed me on Tuesday for a feature article about Mr. Lucky, in the local paper, maybe even a front page story. I was trilled to help spread awareness for this worthy organization. Hubby and I have been watching the "Hope For Wildlife" television show. What they are doing is heartwarming to see. A bit of good news in a world of negative misfortunes and heart wrenching stories.
We don’t have more than the local cable package, the cheapest plan going, so we aren’t privy to the new shows on the upper channels. We only get the reruns on Channel 10 but that’s okay, we’ll catch up eventually. Last evening they were rescuing baby foxes left abandoned under a boardwalk. There was a litter of 5 pups that would have died on their own. As I was watching my heart felt like it was reaching toward the screen. Those little faces, so beautiful. How can anyone turn their back on or hurt such innocence. I wish sometimes my heart was a bit softer for mankind but humans aren’t as warm and fuzzy.
The face of the fox with its pointed nose reminds me of the Pomeranian, Chihuahuas and my poodles. For me this defining profile makes for the cutest faces. I just struggled with the opportunity to take in two poms. My daughter-in-law’s life circumstances have changed since her separation and working two jobs in Calgary she finds it difficult to juggle all her responsibilities that leave the dogs on their own for long hours everyday. She decided to try to find them a new home. Although I believe that pets are for life (their life), I also believe you have the right to do what is best for you and I'm not there to walk in her shoes. I struggled with whether I could take them or not. I feel so badly for the dogs, they love her and what if they are separated, the two of them have been buds since they were adopted, their entire world will be turned upside-down. It really breaks my heart and I thought long and hard about taking them in, maybe even care for them until her life gets back on track. But then I look at my own responsibility of four pups and ask myself if I could realistically take on two more? Truthfully, if they were poodles I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. That’s the dog breed I'm attracted too, we all have our preference, the look, the personality the compatibility. I’m not opposed to the pom and I think they're cute but the love isn’t immediately there. Six dogs, even small ones would be a handful and of course I still work. All the maintenance, all the poop, all the cooking and washing and flea picking. I only have so much room on my lap! With six dogs lying on me on the sofa I’d be buried alive! At some point I would be in charge of 6 geriatric dogs, maybe having to carry them around. Could I do it?
I can’t take on the world but this keeps me awake nights. I worry the poms won’t be happy, or not be treated well, what if, what if? I met them once when they visited Mahone Bay so they are familiar, not just dogs in a photo. If only I lived closer I could take them on a trial basis to see how we all gel.
In April 2003, the Hope For Wildlife Society received a call from the NS Agricultural College in Truro; a mother pine martin had died and they wondered if the society would raise the two orphans. Named Hansel and Gretel, the babies weighed only 12 oz each and their eyes were still closed.
Unfortunately Hansel died shortly afterward from a coccidia infection. Gretel, also infected, was then given medication, which probably saved her life. A member of the weasel family, pine martins are an endangered species in Nova Scotia, with less than 100 believed to be living in the upper Cape Breton Highlands. Because of Gretel's lineage, the Department of Natural Resources advised that she not be released back to the wild. Knowing this, Gretel has been raised with a lot of human interaction. Gretel helps to educate visitors to the Hope For Wildlife Society center - especially young visitors - about the endangered species in our own province, allowing them to actually meet on of these species up close.
Photograph and story by Ronda Brennan, a volunteer with the Hope For Wildlife Society.
Mr. Lucky, my little rescued mink has been the catalyst for this education. I never heard of the society until I picked the little mink off of the highway. Now I want everyone to know! I called Robert Hirtle, a local newspaper reporter, and he interviewed me on Tuesday for a feature article about Mr. Lucky, in the local paper, maybe even a front page story. I was trilled to help spread awareness for this worthy organization. Hubby and I have been watching the "Hope For Wildlife" television show. What they are doing is heartwarming to see. A bit of good news in a world of negative misfortunes and heart wrenching stories.
We don’t have more than the local cable package, the cheapest plan going, so we aren’t privy to the new shows on the upper channels. We only get the reruns on Channel 10 but that’s okay, we’ll catch up eventually. Last evening they were rescuing baby foxes left abandoned under a boardwalk. There was a litter of 5 pups that would have died on their own. As I was watching my heart felt like it was reaching toward the screen. Those little faces, so beautiful. How can anyone turn their back on or hurt such innocence. I wish sometimes my heart was a bit softer for mankind but humans aren’t as warm and fuzzy.
The face of the fox with its pointed nose reminds me of the Pomeranian, Chihuahuas and my poodles. For me this defining profile makes for the cutest faces. I just struggled with the opportunity to take in two poms. My daughter-in-law’s life circumstances have changed since her separation and working two jobs in Calgary she finds it difficult to juggle all her responsibilities that leave the dogs on their own for long hours everyday. She decided to try to find them a new home. Although I believe that pets are for life (their life), I also believe you have the right to do what is best for you and I'm not there to walk in her shoes. I struggled with whether I could take them or not. I feel so badly for the dogs, they love her and what if they are separated, the two of them have been buds since they were adopted, their entire world will be turned upside-down. It really breaks my heart and I thought long and hard about taking them in, maybe even care for them until her life gets back on track. But then I look at my own responsibility of four pups and ask myself if I could realistically take on two more? Truthfully, if they were poodles I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. That’s the dog breed I'm attracted too, we all have our preference, the look, the personality the compatibility. I’m not opposed to the pom and I think they're cute but the love isn’t immediately there. Six dogs, even small ones would be a handful and of course I still work. All the maintenance, all the poop, all the cooking and washing and flea picking. I only have so much room on my lap! With six dogs lying on me on the sofa I’d be buried alive! At some point I would be in charge of 6 geriatric dogs, maybe having to carry them around. Could I do it?
I can’t take on the world but this keeps me awake nights. I worry the poms won’t be happy, or not be treated well, what if, what if? I met them once when they visited Mahone Bay so they are familiar, not just dogs in a photo. If only I lived closer I could take them on a trial basis to see how we all gel.
ROBERT (LEFT) AND JACK (RIGHT)
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