My "wild" life!

Besides writing I am also a registered nurse so caring is ingrained in my blood. So Sunday afternoon I am in the backyard and I see something moving around our rock garden. At first I was thinking it was a bird, but the more I watched the movement I realized if it was a bird it would have to be the funniest looking bird I had ever seen.

Being curious I walked over to the garden and realized the funny looking bird was actually a baby opossum. My first thought is where is this babies mom. The sky was overcast as we were supposed to get rain which thankfully we didn't as I went back inside hoping the mom would return to the baby.

Continuing to be concerned for the baby I learned that most of the time when a baby opossum drops from its mother that the mother will not return to it. Being a Sunday I was not sure what to do, but remembered I had started following on Facebook a wildlife rehab facility several hours away in my state. Not sure if I would get an answer I made the phone call. The person on the other end gave me a website to look for local wildlife rehab people in my area. Of course the first one that I found that was near did not pick up the phone or return my call. I ended up calling another number hoping they would answer even though I knew they were to far away for me to get this baby to them.

A nice gentleman did pick up the phone and listened as I explained my dilemma. Long story short he gave me guidance and information to care for the baby opossum. So a quick trip to the store to pick up puppy replacement and syringes I am now going to do my best to care for this baby.

The first feeding did not go so well but I refuse to give up. Second feeding right before bedtime went much better. Early morning feeding again was not as successful as I had hoped, but was able to get some of the formula down.

Being a opossum parent was not something I had ever envisioned, but I am a believer that God created all living things for a purpose. With that thinking I will do my best to care for and hopefully raise the baby opossum until it is old enough to be released back into the wild where he/she can fulfill it's purpose.

Best Wishes,

Michael Newton