Today we rescued a duckling.
I took Basil and Bella (my two little Rat Terriers)
to their favorite park today. And while we were
there, this woman and her two young kids
brought the little guy out to the park to dump
him! I didn't realize at first what was going on.
I thought they were just having a family pic-nic
or something. Then I noticed that they were
leaving just minutes after they arrived. And as
they were walking back to their car, this baby
duck was following them. The kids were trying
to shoo the duck away and back toward the
water. At first, I thought the duck was a resident
of the park/pond and was just trying to get a
hand-out. The kids then picked up the duck and
took it back to the water while the mom waited
in the car. The kids then ran back to the car,
jumped in and they drove away. The little duck
climbed out of the water and tried to follow them.
But it apparently lost sight of them.

Meanwhile, these to dudes were there with a
little Yorkie. Basil and Bella think they have to
say hello to any dog they see at the park or at
the beach. The Yorkie was not on a leash and
he wandered away from his people a bit, to do
his business. To Basil, this is an irresistible
invitation to go say hello. I keep them on
leashes for safety sake. And I would not let
Basil approach the Yorkie right away.
Sometimes he's a little to quick with the moves
and it freaks the other dog out. So as Basil
stood there straining at his leash, the little
Yorkie decided to come to Basil. They
immediately began to run in circles and
play together.

Well, of course that brought the Yorkie's owners
over to where I was and we started talking. I had
noticed that just a few minutes earlier, the little
duck just waddled right up to the dudes, showing
absolutely no fear. I commented on this and they
told me what the woman had done.

Now anybody who knows me, knows that there
is no way I could just walk away from this
situation. So next I had to figure out how in the
world I was going to get the little guy home.
He would most likely not survive long out there
on his own. Having no idea how to feed himself,
and with the park located on a busy street, he
wouldn't stand much of a chance. Still, I couldn't
just set him in the car seat or floorboard, for
fear of what might happen to the interior of my
car! Fortunately, I keep a small blanket in my car
for my dogs to sit on. So I borrowed that and
wrapped the duck in it, covering his head as well.
Then I held him in my lap and we all drove home.
Basil and Bella were so well behaved! I gave
them lots of praise and some sliced apple,
which they both love.

My wife, Caroline went to the Petsmart
(the only place she could find open on Sunday)
and got some baby bird feed. It was the closest
thing they had to duck food - lol! She has
already dubbed the little guy "Duckster". But of
course, we can't keep him. Too many dogs and
cats around here. And there is no pond in the
back yard! I do have a hot-tub, but I don't think
that will work - LOL! Besides, Caroline has
already fond two duck owners living a little
south of us, who have offered to give him a
home. Caroline runs a nation wide Rat Terrier
rescue organization. So she knows LOTS of true
animal lovers. And we find that people who love
dogs often have respect and compassion for
pretty much all animals.
My favorite kind of people!

COOL! Don't ya just love happy endings! BTW,
have you hugged your dog today? It's important
to let your pets know how you feel about them.
Every bit as important as for any human in your
life! So give them a hug and tell them you love
them. They will come to understand the meaning
of the words. I promise!

  ~ UPDATE ~
A few days after the writing of this story,
Duckster went to his new home. He has a pond,
lots of space and several other ducks to
socialize with.