rescue me

It's becoming well known that the wooded property surrounding my parents home is a safe haven for wayward animals.  Aside from human neighbors (also related to us) who insist on "thinning the herd" contrary to my strong opinions, many non-deer species have found their way into the area in search of salvation.
  
Until last weekend we felt it was a solo mission...saving the animals...that was until we came across something we simply didn't know how to save.  Originally tagged as a Muskrat because of it's size, thanks to my $100,000 degree in Biology, I later identified our new stray as a baby Beaver.  For the second week in a row, Jahred, Axel and Oscar came across this poor soul.  On their first encounter, Jahred simply placed him back in the river with instructions to "find his family".  Last Saturday, in the early a.m., Oscar came across this little guy again, trying to climb the bank in the opposite direction of the water...RED FLAG.  This little mite needed help...and help we found.

Immediately I got on the phone and discovered that the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center was the place to bring your average abandoned Beaver.  Jahred and Tyler set off on the thirty mile trek to meet the welcoming staff at the center.  Amazing heart is poured into this selfless organization.  Really, if you need a non-profit to add to your X-mas list, this would be it!  They welcomed our friend, tail wound and all, and honestly gave him the best care they could.  Here is their blog post about our little guy.

Sadly today as I called to check on him, the volunteer who answered the phone relayed the message that things didn't end well for our friend.  The way she handled the fatal news can be appreciated by true animal lovers...she was extremely kind, I could tell that she too was grieving.  Yes, we were invested in this little guy, yes, it is a heartbreaking loss and yes, his life did make a contribution.

For all of you in the Central Minnesota area who come across a member of our wildlife family in need, don't hesitate...every bird and beast is worth our effort.

---

Beaver    Age: unknown
On Tuesday, November 23rd
our beloved forest friend died
peacefully, surrounded by tree
hugging friends and care givers
alike. He will be missed by the
dog who tried to save him, the boy 
who had never met a Beaver,
and the family who only knew him
for a short time.  He is survived
by mammals big and small.