Animal Report!

Well, for starters, my beloved Travellar and her three other sisters have become Big Sisters! Yes…roughly a week ago, their mother gave birth to a litter of three kittens. I don’t know their genders just yet, but there are two greys and one black. I haven’t been able to see them, due to conflicting schedules of mine and the Karpers’…as well as the mother’s need to protect her kittens. I really could have had the chance to see them today, but more pressing matters came up when I was in the area.

And yesterday, I found that that my candy coated coworker’s cat also gave birth to a litter of kittens! But onto that more pressing matter that was mentioned above!



While on my walk today, I was passing the creek next to the road when I noted something orange flapping about on the bank. It was a small hawk-like bird, and it looked as though his left leg was broken. Wet and unable to get enough leverage with his right leg, the poor thing was trying to get as much distance between us in his attempts at flying away. Since it was on the Karpers property, and having heard some kind of noise coming from the back of the house, I sought Father Karper out and asked if I could borrow a pair of gloves. When I explained the situation to him, he was excited to see what it was, and later determined that it was an American Kestrel!



He’s quite beautiful, though scared and in pain. Karper and his friend showed up and made a few phone calls. We ended up naming him Conrad Joseph, because Karper thought he looked Russian…and was making a reference to a book that he read. They wrapped some veterinary tape around him to help keep his leg in place, but he later wiggled his way out of that.



He’s currently taking residence in my guest bedroom…which seems to consistently be the animal medical room as well. >.<; My dad went and got him some raw meat, in hopes that he’ll eat, and I put in a dish of water as well…though, most injured wild animals usually tend to be too scared to eat or drink and eventually die. But I’m remaining hopeful that something can be done, and he’ll survive and recover to be strong and healthy. I’ll be taking him to the vet tomorrow…thankful that I’ve got the day off…in hopes that something can be done. I have a feeling that, with where the leg is broken, it’ll need to be amputated.



And then this feeling in the pit of my stomach is telling me that I’ll need a crash course in taking care of a bird, which…will be interesting. Here’s hoping for the best!