Got a goose in my bedroom...

[farrelli]

What is it about the 22nd? Last year on this date I saved my little Lillybrook when some a-hole dropped her outside on a night much like tonight (single digits) and tonight I had to grab a goose who was shivering terribly and had ice all over her breast. Everyone else made it back to the pond for the night but her. She's now sitting in my bedroom in a dog carrier, probably scared out of her mind. She's got enough room to raise her head a bit, as long as she's laying down. I fed her a bunch before I grabbed her and she has a 1" dish of water.

So now I'm trying to decide if I should just keep her for a few hours and let her back outside, if I should wait until morning, or if something more is wrong with her and I should give her to the Animal Rescue League tomorrow.

Anyone got any suggestions?

[SammysMom]

If she will settle down indoor for the night it seems like that would be best for her. No wounds that you can see?
Farrelli, I didn't even look at who posted this and I knew it was you...:Love_Icon

[TubeDriver]

I think I would keep her overnight so she can warm up and hopfully rest a bit. If she has no injuries, I would probably release her in the morning. I dont know much about birds so take that with a grain of salt. It is bitter cold on the east coast and will be for a couple more nights, a night of warmth might be helpful?

[farrelli]

I talked to both the Animal Rescue League and Psychobird and both think that I should wait until morning and reevaluate. How exactly I'm supposed to evaluate her, I don;t know.

My main concern is the cramped conditions. I just measured and the carrier is 18" tall. She;s standing up now with her head folded against the ceiling. She used to just lay there. Now she even hissed at me. I'd prefer that she go to sleep. My bedroom is dark and quiet, and Jodi said not to warm her up too much, so it's like 55 in there. That's the best I can do.

She's already pooped once. This is going to get disgusting.

[SammysMom]

I would think that in time, she might lie down. Is there any way to get something like cardboard under her so you could take it out and change it for the poop issue?

I wonder if there has ever been an atheist who attained sainthood...? :grin3

[farrelli]

Btw, she can't turn around either. I was so hoping that I could let her go later tonight.

I'm supposed to try to put a towel in with her and feel her something bone to see if she's emaciated. I have no idea how I'm going to do either. It really sucks being on this side of a rescue.

[SammysMom]

No matter which side of the rescue, it is a wonderful thing for that goose to be warm and safe. Maybe move her into your bathroom? At least you could get some sleep tonight.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

It is so hard when you don't know what the best thing to do is, go with your own instincts.
I dont know birds but I would just let her est quite until tomorrow .
Is there some one that ca help you with her, if you let her out and watch to see how strong or how weak she is.
Then help you catch her again if needed ??

[farrelli]

No help available.

No room in my bathroom if I want to get in there too. Have I told you how much I hate living where I do?

[Nancy in New York]

It really sucks being on this side of a rescue.

Who wrote this, the goose or farrelli? :dono :poke

[Nancy in New York]

Can you post a couple of pictures?

[psychobird]

224262

[farrelli]

That is very helpful. Thanks. I just tried it and I think it's oK. I didn't squeeze too hard. Should I? How much pressure should I apply?

I stopped trying because she was getting very upset. I don;t want her hurting her self in that tiny cage.

I tried to put some paper towels in there too because I think that I'm scaring the poop out of her (normal shape, soft, and surrounded by some water - not diarrhea though). Every time I come in (2X), I hear a splat. Oh god, how am I going to clean this thing? I obviously don;t have a hose. Not looking forward to doing it in my shower.

[farrelli]

No pics for now. DOn;t want to scare here and I don;t see a reason seeing that she seems unharmed. It would be hard to get a good shot anyway, and I've screwed up my knee during the grab, so getting down there isn't what I'm looking to do for no reason.

The good news is that now she stands up the last two times I went in and hisses at me. In the beginning she was incredibly docile.

Btw, I'm actually still working here. Glad I do it from home. But I have to go away until about 8:00.

She's basically in this, but it's 18" high.

[stepnstone]

Sorry... can't offer any advice... But!!


She's now sitting in my bedroom in a dog carrier,
Anyone got any suggestions?
:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4


Now she even hissed at me. I'd prefer that she go to sleep.
:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4:rofl4



She's already pooped once. This is going to get disgusting.
:rolf:rolf:rolf:rolf:rolf:rolf

Your killing me here! :rotfl

[SammysMom]

She will be fine. It is warm, dark and quiet. You are a good man Farrelli...:Love_Icon

[psychobird]

Nope you don't have to squeeze it. Just need to feel it
Glad she is acting like a goose instead of a lump!
That is good!
Geese and ducks are disgustingly messy.
That's why arl recommended the towel, she is going to get filthy and wet sitting in her own mess
Not paper towels, absorbent bath towel, couple of layers would be best to absorb the wetness

[Baxied]

Oh Farrelli, you crack me up!!! Welcome to the disgusting side. :grin2 Just keep thinking about what a wonderful thing you are doing. I must say that goose poop can be rather bad. I rescued a goose with fishing wire wrapped around and embedded in its leg 20+ years ago. I drove home with that booger in a carrier in the back and my head hanging out the window. In the wrangling fiasco, I somehow got poop in my eye and ended up with a nasty eye infection. It was well worth it though when he was released back with his family and friends after a couple of months recovery. Again, just think about the wonderful thing you are doing!!! :thumbsup

[island rehabber]

This is how famous you are, farrelli....
I walk over to the computer, scan the list of "New Posts" and say aloud: "Got a goose in my bedroom..."!

My BF says, "Farrelli?"

:jump:jump

I wish I could help but I haven't much waterfowl experience. When I rescued an injured muscovy last year and had to transport him to a rehabber upstate, i was able to hold him back in the carrier while I changed out his messy towels every couple of hours. I just put a smaller towel around my hand and sort of blocked his head and neck while I slipped the towels out from under his feet.....I dunno, worth a try.

[farrelli]

So are the poops accompanies by water or something? I see them all the time on the assault where the water wouldn't sink in and I usually just see the familiar old poop. This one seems to have liquid with its, and they look much moister. So far, no smell that I can detect.

I don't know how I'd get the paper towels out, or the real towels in really. This time when I put more PT in, he snapped at me, as much as he could with his head all cramped. At this point, he seems like a totally normal goose. I wish I didn't have to wait until morning. I don;t get up until 10:00 and don;t get out of bed until 10:30. I think this guy might wake me up. I'd put him in my front room when I go to bed, but I'd worry that he might wake up and hurt himself.

[California Squirrel Lover]

I think it's sweet that you're helping her! :thumbsup :grouphug

[farrelli]

PB, I ran into a woman for the first time who says that she's been feeding these guys for 15 years and told me that when you find them like this one, it's good to trow them in the water because it's warmer and they're freezing on land. I think this woman was an idiot because she was feeding bread and told me that ARL just euthanizes, but is there any truth to what she said about getting them back in the water? She said she threw one back in yesterday or something. My feeling is that if they're not moving and you can easily pick them up (like my guy), getting them back in the water is iffy at best.

[farrelli]

PB, it looks like I'm going to release in the morning unless something changes. Is there anything easy and safe that I can do to mark her? Maybe a dab of nail polish on a wing or something? I'd like to monitor her but geese look like geese to me. I can only tell Gimpy apart because of his foot and the way he looks at me.

Maybe Gladys (I usually don't name, but this was hers for some reason) will want to come stay at my hotel tomorrow night too.

Btw, either she's weaker than I thought or is now getting used to me. Somehow she managed to turn around and her butt was by the door, so I took the opportunity to change out the paper towels (actually not too messy so far). She was standing because she stands when I access the door, but when I swapped out the towels, she laid back down while my hands were still in there. I even put a little dish of breakfast in there for her and she didn't hiss peck, or get back up. I hope she's just getting used to me.

Man, I'm not looking forward to the morning. I'll be rid of her, but I won't know how she'll fare. I'll also probably have to get up too early if she starts making noise.

[farrelli]

Btw, thanks for everyone's support, even the jokes at my expense! :grin2 I didn't really respond to each one because I basically work until almost midnight and this has really thrown a wrench into my schedule, which only allows for one or two 10 minute deviations during the day.

[kastillo]

I didn't know how to feel a keel either until I did on several birds. Their keel will feel very sharp if they are emaciated.

Thanks for taking this goose in. Don't worry about it too much, just get some rest and release it in the morning when you wake up. It will be fine overnight and probably thankful for the warmer climate, even if it's temporary.

[Duckman]

Your description of the poops sounds like they are completely normal. Thank you for helping this guy! :Love_Icon Farrelli :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

PB, it looks like I'm going to release in the morning unless something changes. Is there anything easy and safe that I can do to mark her? Maybe a dab of nail polish on a wing or something? I'd like to monitor her but geese look like geese to me. I can only tell Gimpy apart because of his foot and the way he looks at me.

Maybe Gladys (I usually don't name, but this was hers for some reason) will want to come stay at my hotel tomorrow night too.

Btw, either she's weaker than I thought or is now getting used to me. Somehow she managed to turn around and her butt was by the door, so I took the opportunity to change out the paper towels (actually not too messy so far). She was standing because she stands when I access the door, but when I swapped out the towels, she laid back down while my hands were still in there. I even put a little dish of breakfast in there for her and she didn't hiss peck, or get back up. I hope she's just getting used to me.

Man, I'm not looking forward to the morning. I'll be rid of her, but I won't know how she'll fare. I'll also probably have to get up too early if she starts making noise.

Good Luck with Gladys today.
It sounds like she is much more comfortable
around you already. Keep us posted.
It's not everyone that would scoop up a goose to help them,
thank you!:grouphug

[island rehabber]

Gladys. She told you her name; now you know what we mean when we say that. :)

Good luck this morning. As for sitting in the water to stay warm, I will tell you that our gulls here do that as soon as it drops below around 25*. We know how cold it is outside by just looking at them out the window, because of that. Gladys may like returning to the "warmer" pond.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

Are there any others around?? Good luck this morning

[Milo's Mom]

Good Luck today Farrelli. I like the name!! :thumbsup

I can just see you walking down the street to your apt, with a goose tucked in your jacket....or did you have a TJ bag? You know I just had too :grin3, especially with it being the one year anniversary of LillyBrooke. :Love_Icon

In all seriousness though, I wish you the very best today. Please update when you have a chance.

[Bravo]

Good luck this morning. As for sitting in the water to stay warm, I will tell you that our gulls here do that as soon as it drops below around 25*. We know how cold it is outside by just looking at them out the window, because of that. Gladys may like returning to the "warmer" pond.

Don't know anything about birds, but I second this. Seagulls out here land on the water in below freezing temperatures, shortly after dawn. As if that wasn't cold enough, they start washing themselves... at least it looks like washing, it may be just getting as wet as possible. Head under water, wings flapping, several times. They seem quite fine, if not actually enjoying the water.

Good on you for taking in Gladys. :thumbsup

[Charley Chuckles]

I would love to see the geese sitting around your apt watching TV :grin3

[farrelli]

I let her go this morning. She slept beside me all night in her carrier on the floor. At least I hope she slept. She was quiet in any event. I thought that she was going to let me sleep until 10:00 but she woke up at around 8:30 and started rattling around, so I knew that I had to get up and take her out. I took the top off, she paused for a couple seconds, jumped out next to it, paused for maybe 10 seconds, and then flew out to the center of the pond where the other geese were. Most of them were still sleeping, probably conserving energy as it was 8 degrees. I wish that she would have followed suit because I didn't sleep well last night at all, and then had to get up 1.5 hours early. I really hate being sleep deprived.

During all this, I got a very brief look at her feathers in the daylight and they weren't in great shape. Not the worst I've seen, but not the best either. I hope something's not wrong with her and a night of warmth fixed her up. When I got her last night, she was ice incrusted, lethargic, and uncoordinated but within 2-3 hours she seemed to be fine.

I'll be back out there for my normal feeding at around sunset and I'll be looking out for her. I wish that there was some way for me to mark her. All I can look out for now is imperfect plumage, but a few of them have that. I hope that I don't find her sitting on the snow shivering her butt off and kind of flopping about again. If I do, I'm having ARL pick her up.

Turns out that the poop situation wasn't too bad, probably because they don't have much to eat at this time of year. The paper towels worked great, not too wet and made initial clean up easy. I still have to clean out some traces though.

MM, no TJs bag this time. Geese are BIG. I used the dog carrier pictured above and that was small. I'm glad that some guy was passing by and I asked him to put the top on for me what I got her in. Goose rescues suck because they're actually quite strong and probably have a four or five foot wingspan. They are quite unwieldy and hard to get into a tiny box. And I'm always petrified that I'm going to break their wings.

Tonight's going to be hard to find her though. My pond is one of the few not frozen over completely, so I get the refugees from the general area. It's pretty crowded right now. Before last night it was wide open (due to a week of warm weather previously) but now even it is 80% frozen. It should remain open enough to accommodate them, but it's a lot of geese and hundreds of ducks crammed into a place smaller than a football field.

Thanks for listening to yet another of my goose stories. I really worry about the local squirrels which are not as easy to find.

[Nancy in New York]

Thanks for the update.
I do hope all is well with Gladys and you both
get a peaceful nights rest tonight.
If you call for ARL what will they do with her?

[farrelli]

They'll evaluate her to make sure there's nothing terribly wrong which would require a vet, and then probably send her to a rehaber. Trouble is, ARL closes at 5:30 and they usually don't congregate until sundown. That's when I always find the injured ones and by then it's too late for them to pick up. And not having a car, I can't run them out to psychobird or anything.

[squirrelmommy22]

Hope Gladys is doing good today and you don't have to nab her again tonight, I just cant imagine how they survive in temps that low!

[SammysMom]

Hoping all is well with Gladys. You are sweet whether you want it to be publicly acknowledged or not...:grin3

[SQUIRRELSAREME]

Nice save Farrelli.:Love_Icon

[sdreamcatcher]

Poor goose, hope he or she is fine and doesn't need to be captured again. Sounds like a rough night for them. While I was reading through this, I was thinking a bathroom lined with newspapers (or even just the bathtub lined with papers, if the bird was indeed too weak to move around much) would have been a better option.

Birds are messier then squirrels, for sure. Not for the squeamish :grin3

[Duckman]

Sorry for the late reply, but one way I know of, to mark geese, is to get a bingo dauber. It is non toxic, and will remain on them for a few days. You can also use food coloring, but I don't like that because of all the controversy over if food coloring is toxic or not.

[farrelli]

Gladys was back tonight and shivering, though not as badly. :( I'm 90% sure it was her. No one else was shivering, and she gets picked on mercilessly. She wasn't as bad as last night. She didn't seem out of it, she could walk well, and she wasn't coated in ice but she wasn't doing well. I went back out with my box to grab her if she was still sitting on the snow, but tonight she made it back out to the water. I hope she makes it overnight. It's going to be four degrees colder tonight. Psychobird thinks that I should capture her tomorrow if she's in the same state. I really don't want to spend another night with her because I feel so bad for her in that box, and it will ruin my weekend because I have a LOT of chores to do and I don't know what I'll do if I can't get them done.

Please Gladys, please get better!

Btw, I stuffed her silly tonight. Hopefully the calories help.

[SammysMom]

Calories will definitely help her to maintain her heat. I am not familiar with birds, but it must be similar. Many prayers and positive thoughts going to your friend Gladys. :grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[psychobird]

No I don't think throwing them back in the water is a good idea.
At least not a goose or a duck, if you can just pick them up they are in trouble.
No arl doesn't just euthanize, of course they will if its injured in a way that they can't be repaired and released, that's the way it is for all of us rehabbers.
Now a loon or seabirds that have their legs set way back by the tail, sometimes should be put in the water, sometimes they accidentally land on land and can't take off and fly without being on the water.
Our water birds are having a hard time in this cold Farrelli, told you I got a duck with all his tail feathers ripped out and frostbite spots on his skin, he was probably frozen in the ice.
Got 2 more ducks today, a mallard who was all broken up and had to be euthanized and scaup who I think made the mistake of landing on land and couldn't take flight, she was fine and released

[Mountain Mama]

Gladys.
Farrelli.

:Love_Icon:grouphug:Love_Icon

[California Squirrel Lover]

Poor Gladys, I hope she's doing better :grouphug:grouphug

[farrelli]

Guess who's back for another night at the Farrelli Spas and Resorts!

She just wasn't getting better, and even today when it was 38 she was shivering. She gets picked on so bad and her feathers aren't in great shape, so after talking to Psychobird and ARL, I've taken her in again. ARL will pick her up in the morning.

I think that she might remember the drill and know that I'm not going to kill her because she's only stood and hissed once. She seems pretty relaxed and even let me grab her by the sides and push her a little further up so that I could close the door and put some paper towels under her butt. (She's already pooped two enormous loads in 30 minutes - very soft, verging on loose stools.) This time I put her head first into the carrier so that I could have better access to her business end. I'm hoping that she is just more familiar with the process and isn't feeling worse. She was in much better shape than the first night I grabbed her where catching her was no problem at all and she seemed kind of disoriented.

Anyway, I had to make this fast because I'm already behind in my errands. I'm going to post a couple pics of her butt to show that her feathers aren't in the best shape. The ones on her neck and chest aren't so great either. I think that she's been sick for awhile. I hope they can save her.

I'm running out now, but I'm going to PM Psychobird to see if she has any input on this.

I hope Gladys is a good girl again tonight and lets me sleep like last time. I know that she's probably going to wake up at 8:00 or so again, which worries me because she starts knocking around in her cage and ARL starts work at 9:30, so they probably won't pick up until at least 10:00. PB, got any advice for keeping her calm during that time? I put towels over the carrier so that little to no light gets in, but she woke up anyway last time.

[Milo's Mom]

I have no advice but Farrelli you are a gem....just wanted you to know. :thumbsup

[Chickenlegs]

Farelli, I do love you. Geese are prolific poopers so hope you have plenty of paper towels. With your care your girl should do just fine. Eventually this cold spell will snap--won't it? Pleeeeeeeeeeze!

[SammysMom]

I wish I had helpful advice, but since I don't I will just say... Goose butt pics? I bet you never thought you'd be posting that back a couple of years ago! Not to mention sharing your bedroom with a goose named Gladys for a second time this week! You are a good man Farrelli!:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

:goodpost

[Duckman]

First Farrelli, you are a gem of a person, to do this for an animal in need. Welcome to the animal rescue club! We don't get to choose the time when they need us, we just have to respond to their call, and you are already doing it! Bless you My Friend!!

That said, her tail feathers don't look too too bad, so I am concerned by what else might be wrong with her. I suspect she has an internal illness (or injury perhaps) and will need to see a vet, so giving her to ARL will be a big help to her. Looking at her thought, I don't believe it is serious, or she would be in much dire straights then she is. I would definitely like to know the outcome, if you do find out, as I have a rather fond spot in my heart for ducks and geese. :Love_Icon Gladys :Love_Icon :Love_Icon Farrelli :Love_Icon

[farrelli]

Thanks everyone! :grouphug Gladys is just pooping up a storm! Much more than last time. It's pretty shapeless and wet, almost diarrhea. I'm glad I put her in head first so that I can keep swapping out the paper towels. She won't get up for me now though, so I have to pick her butt up to make the switch. I hope that it's just because she's familiar with me now and not because she's sicker than I thought.

Unfortunately, I don't think they make runs out to Tufts on Sundays, so she'll be stuck in a cage all Sunday. :( But at least she won't be cold. It's supposed to be in the teens and lower for the next several nights.

[SammysMom]

Aside from the fact that poor Gladys is so ill, this whole mental picture makes me laugh out loud. I am sorry it is at your expense, but thank-you for sharing this incongruous moment in time with us! :grin3

[psychobird]

Her feathers do look pretty crappyand she doesn't feel well enough to preen them
Covering the kennel is the best way to keep her calm
Hopefully tufts or Newc can figure out what's going on with her
Poor girl

[Duckman]

If it is any consolation, bird poop is always disgusting, runny, mucasy, almost diarrhea type, so it sounds like Gladys's is pretty much normal. The fact that she isn't getting up when you replace the paper towel says that she is getting used to you, and knows you aren't likely to take a bite out of her butt! I really don't think her being in the carrier for a day is going to hurt her. Is there any way to let her stretch her legs a couple times tomorrow? If not, it's ok for one day.

[Milo's Mom]

Farrelli, I know nothing at all about birds, but I do wonder if a bit of heat under her crate might be soothing to her. Do you have a heating pad? Maybe just under half of the crate on low? Maybe? If she is ill it might feel good and one less thing her body needs to work on.

[farrelli]

DM, goose poop isn't usually runny or even wet. It's almost clay like and is well formed tubes. Gladys now basically has diarrhea. :( It's just gotten really wet and disgusting. She's got a bowl of water next to her head, but I don't know if she'll drink it seeing that she didn't touch it last time.

MM, I would do the pad but last time Psychobird told me that bringing her into my heated place has its own risk, so I have her in my bedroom which is about 55 degrees.

[psychobird]

Goose poop seems more solid when you see it in the grass, the earth soaks up the wetness
But on a towel it's more wet n messy especially when they sitting in it

[psychobird]

I don't think the heat would be of too much help, must feel like a heat wave to her being indoors, since she going to tufts you dont have to worry about warming her up too much.
I was worried about her getting to warmed up before when you were going to release her in the morning, would have been shocking for her to go from 70 to 8 degrees and the whole shivering would start over.
I keep my rehab room pretty cold so no ones acclimation gets messed up

[Nancy in New York]

Just wondering how little Gladys is this morning....and if she's on her way to Tufts.
This thread just puts a huge smile on my face.......:grin3
You sure have a soft spot for these little innocent creatures,
they're lucky to have you!
:grouphug

[farrelli]

My day is totally screwed up now. I really don't like this rescue crap. I got about 5 hours of sleep before she woke us up and ARL didn't show up until 2:00. Now I'm sleep deprived and totally behind on my schedule. I very much considered letting her outside again. I really need a do over on this weekend. I don't know how I'm going to catch up. And she'll probably end up having some kind of disease which will require euthanasia.

She's staying at ARL until tomorrow because Tufts intake ends at noon. She sat in that tiny cage for 21 hours without eating or drinking. Moments before ARL arrived, she realized what her water bowl was for.

Strangely, she started shivering again during the transfer. I wonder if birds will shiver when stressed. She also had her head bowed and tucked under the blanket that ARL used to grab her and put her in their crate. In short, she seemed fine when she was with me, ut looked sick again during the transfer. In fact, she was making me feel terrible because she kept banging around in her tiny box trying to get out all day. I was worried that she was going to hurt herself.

Her poops went from soft serve ice cream, to flat out liquid, to soft serve ice cream (which was clearly what I fed her). By the time ARL arrived, I think her system was totally empty because she'd poop little bits when she'd get stressed, as opposed to giant loads at the beginning.

Now to attempt to catch up with my weekend. I have no idea how I'm going to make up the deficit this week.

[Nancy in New York]

My day is totally screwed up now. I really don't like this rescue crap. I got about 5 hours of sleep before she woke us up and ARL didn't show up until 2:00. Now I'm sleep deprived and totally behind on my schedule. I very much considered letting her outside again. I really need a do over on this weekend. I don't know how I'm going to catch up. And she'll probably end up having some kind of disease which will require euthanasia.

She's staying at ARL until tomorrow because Tufts intake ends at noon. She sat in that tiny cage for 21 hours without eating or drinking. Moments before ARL arrived, she realized what her water bowl was for.

Strangely, she started shivering again during the transfer. I wonder if birds will shiver when stressed. She also had her head bowed and tucked under the blanket that ARL used to grab her and put her in their crate. In short, she seemed fine when she was with me, ut looked sick again during the transfer. In fact, she was making me feel terrible because she kept banging around in her tiny box trying to get out all day. I was worried that she was going to hurt herself.

Her poops went from soft serve ice cream, to flat out liquid, to soft serve ice cream (which was clearly what I fed her). By the time ARL arrived, I think her system was totally empty because she'd poop little bits when she'd get stressed, as opposed to giant loads at the beginning.

Now to attempt to catch up with my weekend. I have no idea how I'm going to make up the deficit this week.

Rehabbing is hard farrelli. 5 hours sleep is not sleep deprived to most, actually it may be considered, sleeping in. :poke
By the way, what's a schedule? It sounds familiar, but I can't put my finger on that term.
Make up the deficit? Again you're speaking a foreign language. :) You don't.
Saving an animal's life, even if the odds "may" be stacked against him......worth every "sacrifice" you need to make.
For that one animal, this may be the only act of kindness received from a human.
I would walk a little taller today if I were you.
You did a kind, loving act.

[SammysMom]

You are a silly man Farrelli. You know the cost and yet you continue to do the work. That makes you one of us you very special "rescuer" you!:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[psychobird]

Rehabbing is hard farrelli. 5 hours sleep is not sleep deprived to most, actually it may be considered, sleeping in. :poke
By the way, what's a schedule? It sounds familiar, but I can't put my finger on that term.
Make up the deficit? Again you're speaking a foreign language. :) You don't.
Saving an animal's life, even if the odds "may" be stacked against him......worth every "sacrifice" you need to make.
For that one animal, this may be the only act of kindness received from a human.
I would walk a little taller today if I were you.
You did a kind, loving act.


Right!!!! What is this schedule you speak of?
Rescue always screws up all forms of a "normal" life
Your lucky to have any kind of life outside of it at all!
Stress can make her shiver, could be tremors from lead poisoning and who knows what else
Hopefully tufts get to the bottom of what's going on with her

[Duckman]

My day is totally screwed up now. I really don't like this rescue crap. I got about 5 hours of sleep before she woke us up and ARL didn't show up until 2:00. Now I'm sleep deprived and totally behind on my schedule. I very much considered letting her outside again. I really need a do over on this weekend. I don't know how I'm going to catch up. And she'll probably end up having some kind of disease which will require euthanasia.

She's staying at ARL until tomorrow because Tufts intake ends at noon. She sat in that tiny cage for 21 hours without eating or drinking. Moments before ARL arrived, she realized what her water bowl was for.

Strangely, she started shivering again during the transfer. I wonder if birds will shiver when stressed. She also had her head bowed and tucked under the blanket that ARL used to grab her and put her in their crate. In short, she seemed fine when she was with me, ut looked sick again during the transfer. In fact, she was making me feel terrible because she kept banging around in her tiny box trying to get out all day. I was worried that she was going to hurt herself.

Her poops went from soft serve ice cream, to flat out liquid, to soft serve ice cream (which was clearly what I fed her). By the time ARL arrived, I think her system was totally empty because she'd poop little bits when she'd get stressed, as opposed to giant loads at the beginning.

Now to attempt to catch up with my weekend. I have no idea how I'm going to make up the deficit this week.

Above all else, you save a life today. To hell with the schedule, sleep, normalcy, and whatever else. Not many can say that! Do you realize that in your one act, the world became a little better place to live in?

[farrelli]

I think I either need to have a car or be retired (at least work part time). My weekends are for errands, and not having a car means that so much as getting a loaf of bread takes an hour. If I'm carrying heavy things (like soda) that means more than one trip. If I want to go to Home Depot, Target, etc, that's 1.5 hours each way, plus shopping time. A tiny hardware store is 45 minutes away. If I had a car, I could have driven Gladys to Tufts myself, done all my errands, and had time to spare before ARL arrived today. This is one of the things I look forward to the most in my eventual "real" life somewhere else.

I thought I had another guest for tonight. I found a duck whose wing looked unsettled and I though I could see flesh where the, I guess, elbow would be. I grabbed him, we struggled, and I could feel his wing moving, so I let him go and he flew a bit into the water, so I'm hoping that I just misperceived things and he's fine. I guess I have to keep an eye out for him too now because it was hard to evaluate the wing during his three seconds of flight. (Gimpy was standing right there and freaked out. He didn't know how to deal with me after that and started making these weird noises that I think were some kind of expression of confusion an stress.) I think I'd be fine with a duck guest because at least they're small, so presumably a bit easier to care for. At least my carrier would be of more than acceptable size for him. Poor Gladys barely had enough room to turn around. Actually I thought that she didn't, but she surprised me.

If 5 hours is sleeping in for rehabers, it's quite clear that this is not in the cards for me. Seriously. I can handle pain, sickness, just about everything, but if I get less than 7 hours, and can't sleep in on the weekends to make up the lost time, I am miserable, feel sick, get a headache, and my vertigo kicks in. Basically I'm unable to function properly. I just don't have a tolerance for lack of sleep.

[SammysMom]

You're gonna become known as a bird-snatcher at this rate...:rofl4 Seriously, you are doing great things so don's stop. By tomorrow Gimpy will have forgotten all about today.:Love_Icon

[Chickenlegs]

But Farelli--you have the heart of a rehabber! I'm sure the problems with that Muggle sleep-demanding body can be worked out

[Milo's Mom]

Buy the car while you are still working and quickly get it paid off, then retire. Sleep deprivation is part of rehabbing and at times it is almost unbearable, but the euphoria that comes with what we do makes up for the sleep deprivation. (at least for me it does) I will have time to sleep later, clean later, run errands later....when a little one (or big one) needs help they need it now.

I think you have a wonderful heart Chris and I bet those ducks and geese know it too!! :Love_Icon

[Fireweed]

Any news about Gladys? Has she been moved yet? Sweet girl. Glad she had you looking out for her. :grouphug

[farrelli]

I can't really get a car until I move. I'm actually pretty set financially after many years of making very good money and living like a pauper. Now I'm trying to move to Canada (Northern Ontario) but it's very, very hard. Its all about getting the right job in order to get in, but most employers don't want to hire someone who isn't already in. Canadian immigration is a Catch 22. Once in, I'd just have to work for two years and then I could do whatever I want. I'd probably work part time, but that's at most. I'd prefer to work/volunteer at something that pays crap but helps people or animals. I couldn't do the same thing here because the US still hasn't moved into the 20th century in terms of health care. If I were to buy my current insurance plan as an individual instead of an employee, it would be about $36K a year. Insurance companies, hospitals, and Big Pharma are a total exploitation racket. I know, I'm in the biz!

If I got a car here, I'd have no place to put it. If I was lucky, I could find a parking space for $50K. One tandem spot not so far away from me sold for around 3/4 of a million dollars not too long ago. Such is life in a very compact metro region.

[SammysMom]

What are Zip Cars Farrelli? We have a neighbor who doesn't live in his house, but is the landlord. I see that when he does visit the house he drives a car that says zipcar.com on the back of it. I am pretty sure he too lives in the city and just uses the car when he comes here.

[SammysMom]

http://www.zipcar.com/boston/check-rates

[farrelli]

I called ARL. She went to Tufts today. I'll call tomorrow afternoon and see if they've completed the evaluation.

[SammysMom]

Oh good so she is in good hands! Nice work Farrelli!:Love_Icon

[Duckman]

I called ARL. She went to Tufts today. I'll call tomorrow afternoon and see if they've completed the evaluation.

:Love_Icon:fireworks:fireworks:fireworks:Love_Icon

[Milo's Mom]

Good update!!

If and when she is able to be released will Tufts release her at her pond? Or do they send them all out to rehabbers and get them new families?

[farrelli]

Got the word on my goose from Tufts. It looks like I have to get some practice to do in the feeling of a keel bone because she was "severely emaciated". I guess you have to not just run your fingers down but kind of nestle them into the feathers to get a real feel of it. She's now eating "anything and everything put in front of her" and has gained a fair bit of weight just overnight.

The blood work is normal, no lead, they're deworming her, and she's on pain meds (Tramadol) just in case.

Now for the bad news, they think she may have some neuro problems because she is still sometimes shivering (though she's warm) and is holding her head and body is a slightly weird way. It's probably a variant of what I saw outdoors where she looked a little uncoordinated. It always seemed to lessen dramatically, like her shivering, once warm.

She seems pretty good so far and they're hoping that her symptoms will lessen with supportive care.

To the person who asked if she'd be released in the same place, yes. They usually are because they could have a flock or mate.

SM, I'll address the Zip car thing later. I'm running late here.

[Duckman]

:thumbsup:Love_Icon:thumbsup

[SammysMom]

That is terrific news!!! The Zip Car thing was just a suggestion... Don't worry about a response. I know you are busy...:grouphug

[Duckman]

That is terrific news!!! The Zip Car thing was just a suggestion... Don't worry about a response. I know you are busy...:grouphug

Of course, if you used the Zip Car, you wouldn't be that busy............ :poke:poke

[TubeDriver]

Of course, if you used the Zip Car, you wouldn't be that busy............ :poke:poke

:eek :grin2 :imp

[psychobird]

That's awesome news! Yes you have to get in there and feel the muscle on either side of the keel bone.
Glad it's not lead, but wish they had found something to explain the neuro symptoms
Keeping fingers crossed she keeps improving

[farrelli]

Well, I must say that I feel a lot better that she wasn't put down, at least yet. And even if she is put down eventually, at least she didn't freeze or starve to death, which I think she would have. So at least her final days would have been fat and warm. But let's hope she survives. Jess at Tufts thought that she couldn't fly for some reason, but I told her that when I first released her she flew normally (to my eye) 200-300 feet to the middle of the pond, so I think that's good news.

What I find really disturbing is that there are so many people living here (2000 in my complex alone) and all these birds are starving. I'm sure more that just her. A number were shivering (though not as badly) during the really cold snap, and I'll bet they were emaciated too. We have hundreds of ducks and geese right now because so many ponds are frozen right now, so I really wish that more people would help. I can't feed them all. If only 5% of us fed them, we'd have fat and happy birds, but instead you mostly get people yelling at me and the one other lady who feeds and telling us that they'd wish that they die. It's really sad. There are just so many rich, amoral, self centered people in this area. I really hate it.

SM, the car would not be an answer to my rush during the week, it's my 14 hours a day job. (Well, I guess I could cut out TSB!) I can't get errands/chores done during the week, so that's why the weekends are so tight. I have thought about the Zip car, but I'm cheap. I've been trying to save every penny for 20 years now, and I'm so close to the finish line, so I'm penny pinching even worse than usual now. I'm usually able to get everything done without the Zip car, but my schedule is down to the minute. Animal rescue just throws me for a loop. Some day though, I'll have a car AND a regular job at most, so things will get better. If anyone knows someone who hires IT people in Northern Ontario (especially Sudbury), I'm willing to work cheap!

[SammysMom]

You are so funny Farrelli... You are too "cheap" to get a car, but you are feeding dozens of geese and ducks! I really do like the way you think!!!:grouphug:Love_Icon:grouphug

[TubeDriver]

Well, I must say that I feel a lot better that she wasn't put down, at least yet. And even if she is put down eventually, at least she didn't freeze or starve to death, which I think she would have. So at least her final days would have been fat and warm. But let's hope she survives. Jess at Tufts thought that she couldn't fly for some reason, but I told her that when I first released her she flew normally (to my eye) 200-300 feet to the middle of the pond, so I think that's good news.

What I find really disturbing is that there are so many people living here (2000 in my complex alone) and all these birds are starving. I'm sure more that just her. A number were shivering (though not as badly) during the really cold snap, and I'll bet they were emaciated too. We have hundreds of ducks and geese right now because so many ponds are frozen right now, so I really wish that more people would help. I can't feed them all. If only 5% of us fed them, we'd have fat and happy birds, but instead you mostly get people yelling at me and the one other lady who feeds and telling us that they'd wish that they die. It's really sad. There are just so many rich, self centered people in this area. I really hate it.

SM, the car would not be an answer to my rush during the week, it's my 14 hours a day job. (Well, I guess I could cut out TSB!) I can't get errands/chores done during the week, so that's why the weekends are so tight. I have thought about the Zip car, but I'm cheap. I've been trying to save every penny for 20 years now, and I'm so close to the finish line, so I'm penny pinching even worse than usual now. I'm usually able to get everything done without the Zip car, but my schedule is down to the minute. Animal rescue just throws me for a loop. Some day though, I'll have a car AND a regular job at most, so things will get better. If anyone knows someone who hires IT people in Northern Ontario (especially Sudbury), I'm willing to work cheap!

I admire your discipline and dedication towards your goal. On the other hand, it sounds like you are making a lot of sacrifices for something that might happen in the future. I feel it is important to try and enjoy all the wonders around us at all stages in our life because life is short and there are no guarantees. In any event, I hope this works out for you and you reach your goal!

[psychobird]

So Many people just walk by and can't be bothered to help animal or human in need
It's not just inner city people it's everywhere
When they are skinny they don't have enough muscle on thier breast to fly well
She must have something else underlying
Had another thought about her
Metabolic bone disease could be an issue if people feed them bread,
Bread is harmful to waterfowl and ahould never be fed

[psychobird]

Tufts will be able to rule that out with X-ray

[farrelli]

Actually, I had a question about bread, is it really so bad in the winter? In the summer, I yell at people who feed it because it will put them off of their natural diet, but in the winter, they really don't have much of a natural diet. It's just scorched earth. Jess mentioned that emaciation is just so common these days and getting worse every year, this year being horrible. Aren't bad calories better than no calories?

Jess gave my special mix the thumbs up, but it would be better if I got the waterfowl feed, but it's not like they sell it anywhere near me, and the shipping costs from where I've found it is more than the product itself.

[psychobird]

Yes, it's always bad, should feed bird seed or game pellets instead
Even dog food

[psychobird]

You can order waterfowl diet online, mazuri is the best but it ain't cheap
Can get game crumbles too, will be much cheaper than mazuri
Can get a 50lb bag for under 20 bucks

[psychobird]

Google angel wing to see what bread does

[TubeDriver]

Google angel wing to see what bread does

Does that just occur in growing adolescents? Do healthy adult birds get this from bread too?

[farrelli]

I'm aware of angel wing and actually was discussing it with the ARL person. I was under the impression that it was caused in juveniles from them eating an improper diet but she was under the impression that it was caused from the PARENTS eating an improper diet which caused genetic abnormalities in the babies. Do to you know how this actually works? If it's the latter, I can understand why feeding bread in the winter even when they're starving to death (I guess a few recently died in a nearby pond), but if it's the former, why would empty calories be worse than none at all?

I am also curious as to if this can cause angel wing in adults, especially during molt when the feathers are growing back.

As to the bread question, yes, I know that it would be better for them to feed those other things, but it isn't practical to tell people that. People are simply not going to go online and order this stuff. Hell, I haven't even done it because the shipping costs are very high. If you could tell me a good place to get it, I would even print up little cards and give them to people. Currently, I try to tell them how to make what I give them because it's at any Stop and Shop and is about $1 a pound, often on sale for $.75.

[psychobird]

In young it's caused from eating improper diet, it's not about the calories it's about the nutritional value and effecting balance
If they fill up on bread they won't seek out the proper food
They can and do survive without humans support feeding them all over the world
Would be better to not feed them anything at all over bread
There is loads of info online about why it's bad for them
Bird seed, cracked corn, and generic dog food is very cheap

[psychobird]

http://jobsinwildlife.com/is-bread-good-for-ducks-and-geese/

[psychobird]

http://hardeybordercollies.com/id91.html

[psychobird]

http://wildlifecenter.org/sites/default/files/Consequences-of-feeding-wild-ducks-in-public-parks.pdf

[psychobird]

http://birding.about.com/od/birdfeeders/a/feedingducksbread.htm

There much much more
Why risk it?

[farrelli]

Thanks but in my skimming of these, they basically talk about putting them off of their natural diet and migration patterns, but right now there really is no natural diet to be had and they aren't going to migrate at this point, so if they are starving to death, where's the harm? I totally agree about not feeding bread in the summer, fall, spring, any time there is real food to be had, but right now there is nothing. And like Jess said, starvation is a real issue. Bread does contain calories to produce heat and keep things going (especially in this cold) and it does contain other nutrients. I just can't understand how starving/freezing to death is better.

Do you have anyplace online from which you can order real food and now pay a fortune in shipping? I think this would be a good solution for these people because asking them to make my mix is probably too much to ask. I'd rather not doing myself either.

[psychobird]

Don't know how much shipping is but this is what I feed adults
Can prob find something cheaper online
http://www.mazuri.com/mazuriwaterfowlmaintenance.aspx

[farrelli]

They had to put her down. She went downhill overnight. Of course she's dead. I don't even know why I bother.

[SammysMom]

Farrelli, you saved her from starving to death or freezing to death. Please try to see that you gave her a gift. I know you are sad, as are many of us, but this was a gift you gave to her, not to yourself or to us. It was a selfless and wonderful gift that you gave her. Please never stop being YOU!!! :grouphug:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:grouphug

Godspeed Gladys...:Love_Icon:Love_Icon:Love_Icon

[Duckman]

I don't even know why I bother.

Because you care! There is a part of you that tells you that you need to help. Always listen to that part.

I am sorry about her death, but she could have died, cold, alone, suffering and instead, you gave her help and comfort. God doesn't tell us why he takes them, or why they have to go through what they do, but he did bring you two together, because he knew you would offer her comfort, before he had to take her. It sucks, it hurts, but it is what it is. Look at the good. She isn't suffering, and didn't die under some overlooked bush, alone and cold. Thank you for allowing this one into your life, even if briefly. You are a good man Chris! Don't ever think it was all for nothing. :grouphug

[amandaleet1972]

Won't a shelter there take her? Not to be ignorant but we have a no kill shelter here with ALL sorts of animals. I'm broke, but if there is an option and a fee I'd be wiling to help out as tiny as my contribution could be. When I went to look for a dog with a friend they had roosters, emus.. everything....
I love ducks and geese.. :-/

[farrelli]

Amandaleet1972, thanks for the offer but she's already been put down and I have to assume for good reason. Tufts generally doesn't kill unless necessary. SHe had some neuro symptoms and I;m guessing that that's what got worse. I'll have to call Tufts Monday and ask Jess.

Unfortunately, other than one baby goose, I don;t know if I've had one animal that's been taken away which has been fixable.

[amandaleet1972]

Ohhhh... I'm so sorry. But you are wonderful for trying- if only more people cared about the creatures that ask nothing but love and respect. I SO applaud your efforts. I love 'em but, yes they are messy and for you to offer you home.. words just can't describe.. Special place in Heaven for you both..

[amandaleet1972]

Well.. sad to see that she had to go but better than suffering and hopefully they can use her to learn more about whatever it was.. Wonderful effort and you clearly have a huge heart. Almost makes me cry but remember that she will have, hopefully served her "purpose", as we all should be so lucky to do. Wonderful, even if sad, story. You did your part & Bravo for that!

[Milo's Mom]

A baby goose AND a juvie squirrel named LillyBrooke.:Love_Icon

We cannot save them all Chris, and it's not our job to do so. We help them to the best of our abilities and that is precisely what you did. You saved her from a horrible death, you gave her warmth and compassion (and you changed her poopy paper towels). You gave her the dignity she deserved. Her life mattered because of you, she is grieved by all of us because of you....and that is why you tried and that is why you will continue.

It is hard being us; we are gawked at, we are laughed at, most do not understand us, nor do they care too. But, because of you, there is a goose named Gladys whose story will not soon be forgotten.

This might get a little long and I apologize but I've spent many hours recently preparing myself in case MJ passes away and I want to share this with you.

This is one of my favorite stories:

While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.
He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”
The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”
The old man smiled, and said, “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”
To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”
Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”


You ARE making a difference Chris! Please don't stop. :grouphug

[Fireweed]

They had to put her down. She went downhill overnight. Of course she's dead. I don't even know why I bother.
I'm so sorry, Chris. That's so sad. :grouphug

Rest in peace, Gladys.

[Sweet Simon's Mommy]

so sorry......Uncle Farrelli still saved her from being pecked to death or just freezing . Your bother was for the good even if not the out come you had hoped for.

I recently found an adult squirrel in my yard being dragged by a cat. I got her and all she was doing was gaping her mouth, like taking her last breaths. I brought her in, warm, dark, quite. Gave her some pain meds and some water. there was some blood behind her ear where the cat had her. I cleaned it. Another member came and got her because she had all the meds this little girl needed. Her infection was so bad , she was taken to another rehabber who worked with a vet , so she was getting the best of the best of care. I was so Happy, she even was sitting up and and eating after two weeks. They found her dead one morning , about a week or so ago. Yes she still died, yes it is sad, but I am glad she died warm, fed and comfy not being tortured by a cat on the cold wet ground.
You saved Gladys from a frightening horrible death, to a nice warm quite one. I hope I am as lucky. You did a good thing.

[psychobird]

So sorry to hear she didn't make it
Sadly with adult birds by the time they show outward signs of trouble they have been down a while and it's often times too late to help.
Birds are masters of hiding illness and suffering.
You should see some of the birds I get, like seagulls with wings hanging by a string and they are still running around, they look at me like they are saying " what? I'm fine , it's just a scratch" and will gobble down a huge bowl of food and take a robust bath after.
At least she was able to pass peacefully, safe and warm
Thank you for that Chris