For anyone who was curious about this guy...

For anyone who was curious about this guy (I've been calling him Wally) - I let him go tonight.  I wasn't super sure he was going to be ok at first, but over the course of a week or so he finally started walking around and eating and drinking like he should.  Last night he even growled at me, so I took that as a good sign that he was ready to be back in the wild.  Yay Wally!

It's been a pretty long time since I've posted anything regarding rehab efforts.

It's been a pretty long time since I've posted anything regarding rehab efforts.  I have distanced myself from the whole rehabbing thing since I can't easily obtain a permit in my district.  I don't want to do anything that's not lawful and have it end in an innocent animal losing it's life because of me.  I couldn't live with that.

HOWEVER, I also can't look the other way when I see someone in danger.  I went to Wal-Mart and this is what I came back with.  I'm going to call him Wally while he's with me.

I parked my car, looked ahead, and saw this huddled mass out in the aisle, where the cars drive.  Right as I looked up, he was narrowly missed by a huge truck.  Instincts kicked in, I didn't even know what it was before I got there, but I already knew I was picking it up.

Since I was totally unprepared I didn't have a glove or a kennel or anything with me, but this baby didn't even hiss.  I think he (or she, I haven't bothered to check) was pretty petrified.  Since I needed greens for my lizards I just stuck him in my car, ran in, got what I needed in a hurry, and came back.

Baby is resting now.  I haven't seen any obvious signs of injury, but he's really dirty.  I have offered water, but he hasn't drank yet.  He looks old enough to be on his own, so if he seems ok I'll let him loose ASAP.  If he's not ok I'll take him to AMC so that he can be transported to the wildlife center in Birmingham (or humanely euthanized if that is what's best).

I'm betting he crawled up in a car for warmth like cats do.  I can't think of any other logical explanation for why he would be in the middle of a Wal-Mart parking lot in the daytime like that.  Poor thing.

I got a new little buddy today.

I got a new little buddy today.  A young opossum that must have fallen off of his mama too soon.  A nice lady picked him up out of her yard and drove him to Oxford all the way from Gadsden.  He's pretty small.  And dehydrated.  I've given him water a few times since we've been home.  Can't feed a dehydrated baby or it could be fatal.  He's snuggling with my two other runt boys.  I figured he'd start to feel more comfortable and "at home" in the presence of other little opossums.  Also, they'll keep him warm without me having to deal with a heating pad and all that.  😉

So far, so good.  Just gotta take it slow.  He might have to go to work with me so I can keep the fluids coming.  I'll see how he's feeling in the morning.

Well, little bitty opossum didn't make it. 🙁

Well, little bitty opossum didn't make it. 🙁 Rest in Peace, tiny guy.

Just got finished feeding the littlest opossum again.

Just got finished feeding the littlest opossum again.  He's been fighting me over eating.  I have to kind of make him, usually, but this last time he sort of cooperated.  I hope that's a good sign.  Little bit has me worried.  😐

This is one spoiled baby.

This is one spoiled baby.  He went to work with me so I could make sure he got enough fluids.  A little bit before the day ended I heard him calling me so I got him out and gave him some water.  Then I just stuck him and his blanket down my jacket and wore him home that way.  😂  Opossums like pouches so he was happy with that.  He seemed to sleep rather soundly despite me moving around and doing things.  I guess they are used to that.

When I was on the couch doing my nails a little bit ago he was sleeping in his carrier.  That is - until he woke up.  So he started calling again (sounds like little kitten sneezes, FYI - that's how they call their mama) and I couldn't hold him because my nails were wet and smelly.  So Shaun got him out and then they proceeded to snuggle.  This is how the kid fell asleep.  How freaking adorable.  🙂

He's not interested in food or milk of any sort, but I've added some calorie supplement to his water so I'm gonna give him a couple of more days before I get worried.  All of the drinking has flushed out some sticky black poop so that's a good thing.  He doesn't have teeth yet - just gum nubs, but I've got a recipe for some mash that I've made him and I've also got opossum formula.  Unfortunately, for the time being he is uninterested in any of it.  Hopefully his appetite will return soon.

New baby insists...

New baby insists he's had enough water for the night. He was sitting up on his little butt and taking a bath right before this photo. That's a good sign. He looks better already - his eyes aren't as sunken as they were when I got him. I guess that means I can get some sleep now. For real this time. 🙂

The little one is the new kid.

The little one is the new kid. He's much younger than the other two, but they snuggle and groom him just the same. ❤

Animal post for all of you special peeps:

Animal post for all of you special peeps:

Everyone probably knows by now that Win left on Friday.  I hear that he's doing really well in his new foster home so that's WONDERFUL news.  It really makes me happy to hear that.  I wasn't sure if all of the transporting and switching between new people would stress him out, but he was cool on Friday and is still going strong, making progress, so I'm feeling pretty good about him.  I'll keep everyone posted as I learn more details.

It's about time that I should be releasing Dumplin', but I haven't taken any real steps to do that.  I feel like I don't have a great place to do it.  It's a process.  He needs to be put outside in his cage for a few hours a day until he acclimates - probably for about two weeks and then I'm supposed to put his cage out full-time for a couple of more weeks after that.  I kind of feel like he's gonna be cat bait if I put him out in his cage because there are strays around here and I don't have time to sit and watch over him for that long every day.  I am not really sure what to do.  I have contacted another rehabber about releasing him for me, but I haven't heard back yet.  I know that everyone is so busy and overwhelmed that it's just crazy.  I hate to add to anyone's work, but at the same time I really care about the little dude so I want to make sure this happens the right way and that he's ok.

Another bit about Dumplin' - or really, more my stupidity.  I'd read that they needed bedding in the bottom of his cage to learn to hide things so I put some corn cob bedding down.  He threw it ALL OVER my bedroom.  I was stepping on it and tracking it everywhere so I just abandoned that idea today.  I could sweep my floor 10 times a day and there was always more.  He's got blankets now and he buries his food in there.  I think he gets the basic idea.  🙂

I've still got my orphaned opossums, but I couldn't tell you how many at this point.  I have my two runts in the house still, but I'd moved the other 9 to the garage.  They were getting big so I had to put them in a bigger cage.  The problem with that was that they were getting out of it.  Even though they look like they wouldn't fit they could squeeze through the bars.  🙁  Opossums are DEFINITELY little escape artists.  Finally I gave up on containing them and just decided to opossum-proof my garage.  So basically it's just a big opossum house right now.  There is a big gap under the door.  Big enough that they can leave when they feel ready, but no cats or dogs can get in.  I am still giving them food and water and I'll continue to do that until it stops disappearing.  I didn't know what else to do, but that feels like a pretty sound plan to me as they are about old enough to survive on their own, too.

So with Win gone, and most of my opossum babies out in the garage, and with Mona moved, and Dump off of that corn cob bedding, I'm feeling like, 1000% less stressed than I was.  I had so much going on that I was struggling to keep up.  And my house was all re-arranged and so out of order with me trying to fit everyone in that it was just driving me crazy, too.

I feel like I have learned a lot with it being my first spring rehabbing.  I can see now that I have some kinks to work out.  I have actually made contact with a group who's district I AM in so when they get things all lined up I might actually be able to have a valid permit again.  That thought is VERY exciting so PAWS CROSSED!  The lady also told me that if nursing babies was easier for me than releasing then that was ok.  She said that they have people who nurse, then turn them over to another volunteer for release, and I kind of LOVE that idea.  I feel like I would definitely be a good fit with that group.

Anyway, just wanted to give everyone an update.  ❤

I swear he's alive. Just sleeping! 😍😄

I swear he's alive.  Just sleeping!  😍😄

I've been so busy, y'all.  I've been trying to keep posts to a minimum due to my precarious permit situation, but here is an update.  🙂

After releasing Little Mama I found two of her babies in my garage.  Opossums are little escape artists!  They even got out of my opossum moat!  😳  That was crazy!  Anyway, since I still had my orphans I just stuck them in all together - for a total of 11 babies.  Little Mama's two are a little larger, I've got 7 who are about the same size, and 2 runts.  Pictured here is one of my runt boys.  I ended up separating them from the rest of the herd to make sure they were getting enough to eat.  They do eat and poop and all that, but they are just tiny.  About half the size of the medium ones, though they all came from the same litter.  They are also a lot sweeter.  They try to climb my arms every time I do anything in their area.  All of the others shy away.  I have a feeling my little bits are mama's boys.  🙂

Other than that I had a friend call me with a bat.  I was all set to get him to a proper rehab center this evening, but he died today before I got home.  🙁  I was really sad over that.  I helped him drink water last night and it was the most amazing experience.  I'm telling you - if I've ever been high on anything it was helping that bat drink water.  They are so extremely tiny and delicate and weird.  I feel like I connect with lots of animals... easier than I do with people, even, but I wanted to smash that little bat to my chest and make life stay in him.  I hope that I at least made his last moments more comfortable.  I made him a box with a branch to hang from, though he couldn't hang.  There was also a leafy branch and he would scoot up under there when I put him down.  Maybe it felt a little more like home being in the leaves.  I hope so.  ❤

In other news I've got two baby birds.  They don't look like they are the same species.  I picked them up tonight and will get them to a proper rehab center ASAP.  The last time I rehabbed birds was years ago before I knew it was illegal, but they were pretty easy.  I still want to help everyone that I can help, but I'm trying really hard to not push it and get caught.  If that happens more animals will suffer and it will be my fault.  So, taking them in temporarily is about the best I'm comfortable doing.  I do plan to finish raising and releasing Dumplin' and the opossums, but until then I have my hands full anyway.  That is a lot of little critters needing care and attention.

Anyway, I hope that all of you are doing well.  That's about all that's been up with me.  I hope you enjoy the photo of my little runt buddy.  ❤

Ok, I can't do this. I can't NOT share.

Ok, I can't do this.  I can't NOT share.  The group I made to share Little Mama's release will still be able to get my wildlife updates - they just won't be share-able.  I like to keep up with things, and I enjoy sharing, and there are things to tell.  So here they are:

First and foremost:  WOOHOO!  Dumplin' is over his diarrhea!  😃  He's doing MUCH BETTER and I'm SO HAPPY about that.  I let him out last night for the first time in ages.  He'd missed it - I could tell.

Yes, he has a dirty little butt, but I'll try to wash it this weekend.  At least he's not oozing poop everywhere.  I can deal with that.  😃

Also, one of my good friend's brought me a large cage for him so he's ALL ABOUT THAT.  I even put some bedding in the bottom so he's learning to bury his food and stuff.  It's awesome.  He's turning into such a big man!  Photos of him soon!

As you all know, I released Little Mama on Monday.  Well, two of her babies had gotten loose in my garage; DESPITE MY OPOSSUM MOAT.  Crazy thing - I found one way up a shelf in an old glass aquarium.  So I gave him back to Mama before release.  Well, I knew that there was at least one more out because I saw him scamper behind a shelf when I opened the door the other day.  I'd been putting out food and today I borrowed a cat trap so that I could catch him.  WELL when I went in there to check things out I found him in the SAME GLASS AQUARIUM.  I mean, I have 3 on one shelf in a row.  I wonder if it was something about the middle one that drew them in?  Anyway, I will still set the trap just in case there is anyone else out there.

For the record this is what I look like when I hit the opossum lottery.  😃  We're both happy he's out of the garage.  😃

Well, this video is bittersweet for a couple of reasons.

Well, this video is bittersweet for a couple of reasons.  1)  It's never easy to let go of anyone you have been taking care of.  And 2)  This might be my last wildlife post for a while.  🙁

I have shared this with a very select few people so if you are able to see this - you are special.  I doubt it can be seen if shared and to be honest I'd rather it not get out right now.

This is the mama that I removed from the drain pipe at the Oxford Exchange.  She was ready to go, tired of being cooped up, and I TOTALLY understand.  Opossums can cover a lot of ground in one night so being caged is not ideal for them.  But I think she looks great and all of the babies are big and healthy so it was a good time.  I'd hoped to do it over the weekend, but I wasn't going to put them out in the rain.  So, last night it was.  🙂

Anyway, the reason for the secrecy is that I found out over the weekend that my permit to rehab is not valid.  Deep down I kind of knew it was too easy and too good to be true.  I wanted it too bad for it to happen like that.  I tried last year to get a permit and was shot down by a crooked guy with too much power for absolutely no good reason.  I was honestly heartbroken.  Earlier this year the group I tried to join contacted me, told me crooked dude was out, and asked if I was still interested.  I definitely was so they accepted me with open arms and life was great.

Unfortunately, the group has to answer to the Department of Conservation and I am not in the right district to receive a valid permit from them.  I am not the only one that this has happened to so I don't suspect anything weird going on.  The group has been really supportive of me and one of the board members is reaching out to a few other organizations to see if she can help locate another group who would be able to give me a valid permit.  My paws are crossed that that works out.

If not - I'm going to be honest and say that I'm not going to stop.  I'm just not.  I've never been one to look away when someone needs my help if there is any possible way I can help them.  I just won't be able to make anything public since without a permit it's illegal to rehab.  That really sucks because I enjoy sharing my babies with everyone.  They make me smile and I know they make you smile, too.  Who doesn't love to look at baby animals?

Anyway, I'm kind of hoping that if no other group is able to give me a permit that it will lead to something bigger and better.  Perhaps a Central Alabama Wildlife Rehab group?  I know that I was getting pretty overwhelmed so there definitely needs to be more than just me in this area who can rehab.  However things turns out, I just want everyone to know that I'm not giving up or letting it go easily.  I understand that I can no longer have what I had, but that doesn't mean I can't have something else of equal value, or better, even.  🙂

So, that's the story for now.  I'll keep everyone posted on how things turn out.  ❤

I am about to talk about poop.

I am about to talk about poop.  Just thought I'd warn some of you more sensitive folks.  Skip to the last paragraph for opossum stuff.  😛

Well, I started giving Dumpy some veggies and squirrel blocks.  Cut his formula back to twice a day.  So far, so good on that.  Haven't seen a fresh poop to know if it's helping or hurting that, but I'll keep an eye out.

Win is becoming more expressive.  He'll whine or bark to let me know if he needs something, and he's also started pawing at the door of his kennel when he needs out.  Good boy for communicating!  On the flip side, he's had terrible gas and his poops are explosive today.  🙁  He smells wormy, if you ask me.  (I don't care if that's a weird thing to say - I bet most dog rescuers know exactly the smell I'm talking about.)  He's drinking a TON of water.  Maybe it's time for another trip to the vet.  He might be doing well enough to get his shots now, and I could also get him de-wormed while I'm at it.  I will check into all of that tomorrow.

On the opossums I'm thinking that I might release Little Mama and her crew this weekend.  Kim mentioned it to me that she needs to be able to teach her little ones how to survive and that makes sense.  She's eating well and looking good, as are the babies.  They are HUGE.  I will definitely get photos before I let her go.

On my orphans, they are doing great.  Active little buggers!  They are so adorable and funny.  I will have to get more photos of those guys soon, too.  🙂

Shadow with a little hitch-hiker up top. 😃

Shadow with a little hitch-hiker up top.  😃

I love how sweet and gentle my kid is.  He's the best.  ❤

So tired.

So tired.  Making the opossums dinner and calling it a night.  Maybe I'll get a shower in before I crash out.  I definitely need one!  😂

Not a lot new to report.  Opossum orphans are doing well - as is Little Mama and her crew.  I would love to get more photos soon, but just haven't had my camera at the ready.

Dumplin' has me so confused.  I started him on Albon per a vet's instruction on Saturday.  He's supposed to be on it for 10 days - today is day 5.  I have seen some improvement in his poops, but it comes and goes.  Sometimes he makes turds and sometimes he just leaks.  It's awful and I'm not sure what else to do.  Also, since his butt is unpredictable he hasn't been out to play or exercise.  He's rubbing a bald spot on his head - I guess from playing in his cage.  Thankfully, I have a larger enclosure coming this weekend so maybe that will help him as far as exercise and boredom.  I guess if his butt isn't any better by the weekend I'll make an appointment with Dr. Atlas and keep it no matter what.  I just wanted to give the medication a chance to work before taking him in.  Rehabbers / anyone else with squirrel experience:  Feel free to weigh in here.

Other news I guess is Win.  Not a lot new to report there.  I've got him on a long lead that hasn't been removed since Shelby put it on him.  Even though it's the length of two leashes he always looks like he feels that I'm walking too close to him.  If he feels any tension on the leash whatsoever he stops and looks at me as though I've snatched him back.  🙁  If I walk too slow and the leash tugs slightly he looks at me that way, and if I walk at a quicker pace to keep up with him he looks over his shoulder and appears rather uncomfortable that I'm behind him - kind of like I'm chasing him.  I can't win with the leash situation.  😂😭

He still looks at me and sniffs me, but he hasn't come around anymore just yet.  I have been so busy that it's not like I've had a lot of time to just stop and hang out with him, but he seems to prefer to be left alone so that works for both of us right now.  He's almost done with his Giardia medication so his poops are looking a lot better.  He is definitely going to need a good de-worming, though.  Also I'm no expert, but I'm thinking that he's got bad hips.  When he squats to use the bathroom or tries to stand up in his crate it looks like a bit of a struggle.  Poor fella.  But he is perking up and gaining weight and he's walking a little bit more by his own choice every day so that's good.  I will try to get a better photo of him this weekend.  It's not very easy to do since everything spooks him and he always wants to be in his crate.  We'll see.

Anyway, that's all that's been up with me.  I know my posts and photos have slowed down, but that's only because I have.  I feel tired.  Keeping up with all the animal stuff, and house work, and work work, and yard work (which has been severely neglected) just equals a whole lot of work.  The animal stuff is fun, but when things aren't going right - such as with Dumplin's butt - it turns to stress quite fast, which just drains the life force out of me.  🙁  I'm hanging in there, though.  Never give up.  Never surrender.  🙂

I'm running late tonight. 😳

I'm running late tonight. 😳

Time to make some opossum eggs!

Isn't this the cutest little behind ever?!

Isn't this the cutest little behind ever?!  I love how they grasp with their little tails.  It melts me!  ❤

That is one photogenic little opossum.

That is one photogenic little opossum.  Seriously - it doesn't even look real because he's posing so perfectly.  But, he's real.  I even got a couple of cute videos.  🙂  Those just take longer to upload.

Shaun has played with the settings on his camera so maybe the next few photos taken in my room will be a little more clear.  But not this batch.  😂  Sorry about that.

Just took Win out.

Just took Win out.  Shaun was outside doing something for me and Win was very antsy.  He kept trying to get back in the house.  Once Shaun went inside he was ok and did his business.  He's not ok with anyone extra right now.  I can't help but think that someone has been mean to him.  🙁  Maybe not... maybe he's just really used to being on his own.  But I wouldn't think that he would get so antsy if he hadn't had any bad experiences with people.

Well, my opossum babies are stirring!  I'm about to go and feed them and since Shaun's here I'll have someone able to hold a camera.  I hope I can get a cute photo or video to put up.  😃

Just fed my opossum babies again.

Just fed my opossum babies again.  Holy cow - I'm going to have to get a video of them eating.  😳  One of them grasped the nipple with his little hands.  I wanted to explode from the cuteness.  It was almost too much.  😃

In other animal news:  Win has almost normal poop again.  😃  He seems to be feeling better than he has since he got here.  He walked a bit more this afternoon than he has in days.  He doesn't like it when cars go by or anything like that.  If it's too noisy he goes straight back to the porch.  He's still very unsure of everything.  Doesn't want to be around people or new things.  That's ok.  He doesn't have to be ok with everything right now.  The fact that he's finally starting to warm up to me is enough to make my day.  🙂

I got advice from a vet today regarding Dumplin'.  Turns out that I had the medication she recommended I give him on hand [left over from my sick beardie Teal'c (still miss you, my love ❤)].  I gave him some this morning.  He gets it once a day for 10 days.  I guess it's too early to tell if it's helping him, but it certainly hasn't hurt him.  He's still his energetic, adorable self.  I think the worst part about him having diarrhea is that we can't hang out.  Like, his poor little butt has been just leaking uncontrollably so I haven't been letting him out.  There would be squirrel diarrhea everywhere.  🙁  I can't wait until I can let him out to play again.  I very much miss hangin' out with my little buddy.  🙁