10 minute read
Literary Lives 12
from 10222021 WEEKEND
by tribune242
animals A message from the bridge
By KIM ARANHA Animal Matters
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Hello everybody, it’s me, Chiefie, from Rainbow Bridge.
Sorry, I have been “off radar” (in more ways than one), but things can get pretty hectic even in doggy heaven. Some new arrivals were on the younger side and didn’t realize that there was no need to carry on with naughty puppy antics up here. No need to chew Francis’s sandals. Oh, Nimba was not pleased with their behaviour and we had to hold a few puppy behaviour seminars. Her English is really good now and this unruly bunch came from an Englishspeaking place…. football types.
Anyway, that problem has been resolved with love and understanding. They have taken quite a shining to me and follow me around. It is really rather sweet because they are all my kind of colour, sort of minimes! I make a good role model for them; wish you could see them.
Actually, the reason I am taking time out of my very busy schedule to write this is yesterday when I was checking in on Mum I saw she was at her desk filling out raffle tickets for nice people who had bought entire books of 21 tickets for $100. Yes, it’s raffle time again and the prizes are really good. Perfect for a homeowner and especially for somebody with furry friends. The first price is $10,000 worth of groceries at Super Value (those folks at Super Value sure do love animals, I know, I have heard Mum talking about how kind they are). It’s a great prize; just imagine how much pet food that can buy.
There are a bunch of other very useful gift certificates too - BPL and BTC. Both of those certificates were donated “in memory” of VIPs (very important potcakes). The BPL certificate is in memory of me, because I “lit up her life”! And the BTC one was donated in memory of dear Bob, a super star who did tons of photos for the Bahamas Humane Society.
There are also certificates from Kelly’s, Keshon’s Fashions, Aquapure, d’Albenas, and one for car gas.
Geoffrey Jones has donated a deep freeze and there is a tank of cooking gas; something for everyone.
When I was looking over Mum’s shoulder, very carefully so that she couldn’t see me, I thought that this is a pretty wonderful raffle. Ten prizes, a real “homeowners delight”. The wonderful thing about this raffle is that it serves two purposes: the first and obvious is that by buying raffle tickets you are supporting the Bahamas Humane Society and the work they do, plus you could win a really amazing prize. The BHS is struggling lately because so many poor puppies and dogs, kittens and cats are being brought in and surrendered.
I know what is like to be a stray, because I, Chiefie, was a rescue. I was lucky to be picked up off the road when I was still a little boy, but I remember those days in the bush, when it rained, we got wet. I hate the wet and rain because of that. I would see my birth mother trying to keep us dry, and safe and feed us. I was sad when I got caught and brought to my dear Rosie’s house, I missed my mother, but she was so kind to us, and then this family adopted me, and I had the best 15 years with them. I didn’t want to leave them, but we dogs have a limited time on earth before we get called back.
You know we are really angels, but we are sent down without the wings, they would get in the way, and humans simply would not understand, that’s why the transition is so easy for us on rainbow bridge.
There some other pretty amazing things going on down on Earth: There are the Sunday spay clinics at the shelter held every second Sunday, lots of dogs and getting spayed and neutered and then over in Eleuthera there is a big BAARK spay and neuter at the end of this month. Hopefully people will take advantage of these clinics. We have too many dogs and cats needing homes, we need to slow down the birth rate. Please buy sone tickets!
Being a fur angel is quite a lot of work. Archie and I work together frequently, we have a squad, watching over our homes and the people we love, comforting new arrivals, helping transitions, having mud baths, it’s all in our paws. Don’t get me wrong, I do miss snuggling on the bed with Mum and running up and down along the wall barking at passersby…but I had a great life and I have been up here for close to five months. My biggest problem is trying to get Mum to stop tearing up when she thinks about me, she is still missing me so much.
IT’s raffle time at the BHS
pet of the week A potcake puppy bonanza
By THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY
“Hi, there! I’m your cuteness overload for today. My name’s Wilma, and yes, I was actually adopted from the Bahamas Humane Society. But I’m here today to tell you that there are so many other puppies at the shelter waiting to be adopted. They’ve all had at least their first vaccines and will be spayed (or neutered) so they won’t be adding to the potcake population. We potcakes are extremely loyal, usually very smart dogs, and there are many seeking homes. Would you like to adopt one? If so, please give the BHS a call at 323-5138 or come in for more information. I’m sure they’ll find just the right match for you!”
• The Jewellery Sale at the BHS Thrift Shop was so successful that it’s been extended two more days. Stop in today (11am - 3pm) or on Saturday (10am - 2pm) and check out the extensive selection. You might find something amazing for yourself or a loved one. All proceeds go to the BHS.
Freckles – A survivor’s story
By Natalie Winters and Martina McSweeny
“Animals have no voice. They can’t ask for help. They can’t ask for freedom. They can’t ask for protection. Humanity must be their voice.” - AD Williams
Freckles was a tiny kitten under two pounds when she was found curled up on the side of the road barely moving. When she first arrived at the Bahamas Humane Society she was in critical condition. She had matted and crusty fur, patches of hair missing, skin looking red and raw, her eyes were almost completely closed, and she was sneezing. She was severely dehydrated, full of worms and barely eating. Emotionally she had given up, shut down completely from the world. Freckles spent the first 48 hours curled up in a ball in her crate, she couldn’t ask for help or tell anyone what she was feeling, but the BHS was there to help her in her darkest moment, providing medical care when she needed it the most.
Freckles was in such a bad condition with multiple issues going on that she was placed in foster care to gain the individual attention she desperately needed and deserved. After a full spa session and lots of one-on-one attention along with the right medications to help her get better, she began to show us her real personality. She was so happy to be safe, loved and cared for that she showered her foster in attention, showing everyone the beautiful cat she really is.
Freckles spent more than six months in foster care, with months of hard work and determination to get her healthy again. It was not easy, and Freckles gave her all to fight and get better. She was in loving hands that she knew would help her.
Freckles was promised by all those who cared for her that if she kept fighting, she would be on a very special airlift to Canada and have a loving family to call her own. She missed the first Nova Scotia airlift as she was still not quite well enough but finally made it to Nova Scotia on June 26 and got the happy ending she truly deserved.
South Paws Conservation knew this was one special lady and found the very best home for her. She is now loved, cared for and showered in affection. Her story is one that touches your heart and truly embraces FRECKLES before and after
Ardastra’s staff in the spotlight
It takes a small but mighty village to care for over 200 creatures representing 50 species of mammals, birds and reptiles at one of the Bahamas’ most famous attractions, Ardastra Gardens and Wildlife Conservation Centre.
“Our animal keepers play a vital role in wildlife conservation. Their love for our furry, feathered and scaled friends keep them dedicated to their jobs through rain, shine and hurricane season,” said Katherine Solomon, Ardastra’s director.
As the world observed International Zookeeper Day on October 4, Ardastra wanted to recognise its loyal staff working behind the scenes to enrich the lives of animals in their care.
Six full-time zookeepers and two others assist with animal care at Ardastra.
“Even with the bugs, the bites, the mosquitos, the heat, the rain, I’d prefer to be outside working with the animals than inside at a desk in an office,” said Christina Smith, who has been with the conservation centre since 2013.
With so many mouths to feed, food preparation and delivery is an important task. Animals require nourishment anywhere from three to five times a day. Some might eat just once a week. With each animal possessing different nutritional needs, it’s no surprise their diets change daily.
Food preparation aside, animal keepers at Ardastra spend countless hours executing various tasks including cleaning habitats, animal interaction and training, animal enrichment and engaging with the public. To keep so many species safe, healthy and content, zookeepers must be well educated about all animals in their care. To the untrained eye, animals of the same species might look the same, but to these pros each are as different as people.
“I find animals’ body language and facial expressions interesting. People look at most animals and think they’re unable to express emotions like humans, but they do actually. I love to see the different ways they communicate with their bodies and their vocalisation,” said zookeeper Kandice Hanna.
Shortly after joining the team in 2019, Kandice, a sketch artist, began photographing the residents of Ardastra. The undertaking took on a life of its own. It focused her artwork and sparked her development as a wildlife artist. “It became about wanting to capture their personalities and trying to capture their inner spirit through my art.”
To successfully work with animals, one must be tough, said Ryn Sawyer, who began volunteering with Ardastra in 2019 in order to obtain the volunteer hours she needed to graduate high school. Two years later and she’s contemplating a career as a zoologist.
“Animals get upset. They might have an off day. They are individuals. If one nips you, you have to be ready for that and be okay with it. That’s part of the job. It’s to be expected. You can’t be upset about it,” she said.
the hard work and dedication it takes to help save even the ones that have lost hope and so desperately need us to give a helping hand, love, care and attention. It can change so much for these small innocent animals. Freckles will now have an amazing life that she fought for with the help from BHS, her fosters and South Paw Conservation.
We have more to learn from animals than they do from us. We have much to learn from Freckles about determination, her will to love no matter what she had been through and to never give up. This is a lesson we can all learn. Our hearts are full.
