Thursday, June 18, 2009

Gods work

Well I really don't know what to say about last nights work experience. It is one for the record books for me. I have to say that it was the loudest, poopiest, frantic, hottest, smelliest, slipperiest, and squishiest experience I have had in a long long long time, or ever. I couldn't help but think "OK, this is God's work". Let me explain.......
My evening started out as usual. I started with the swan and ducks outside. I loved how the huge swan honked it's way into the corner. Facing it, it just sat and made grumpy noises. Classic "If I can't see you, you can't see me" hiding.

Then it was off to the bats. They were so crabby and just yelled at me the entire time. Then I took care of the squirrels and chipmunks. The chipmunks were so quick!

During this time was when the call came out for help. They needed help feeding the baby raccoons.

After suiting up in my plastic boot covers, plastic apron, and rubber gloves, I cautiously entered the baby raccoon room.

There were about 40 or more babies raccoons in kennels. Most of them were screaming for food. They had there cute little arms reaching out of the wet dog food coated kennel gates.

After a short lesson on what to do and how to do it, I got to work.

I had to be careful walking on the wet floor. It wasn't just wet, honestly, it was the color of poop brown, which is because, a lot of it was. It was a lovely slurry of water, wet puppy chow and yes, poop. I needed to prepare a baby bottle mixed with a special formula. Then I had to reach inside a kennel and gently grab a baby raccoon by the scruff. As it clung to my arm, I had to help open it's mouth and feed it it's bottle. As it drank, I realized that I was being pawed at by the babies in the kennel below the counter. Their little arms came out and grabbed at me. Next to my head, was another kennel that had 2 babies that screamed loudly about 6 inches from my ear.

The next kennel has 2 babies in it. I had to get both out and put them in a holding box. Try shutting a lid of a box with 2 baby raccoons trying to get out.

Then I needed to work with a kennel that had 3 babies in it. At one point, I had 2 babies in one hand and one in the other.

For someone that can't even pick up dog poop with out gagging, the amount of poop I got near and had to handle, made me just, well, retch.

After peeling off the plastic covering, I left the din and just stood there. I didn't even know what happened. I was wiping what we will call sweat off my face and neck. I was just a stinky mess.

I can't help but think of those volunteers this morning feeding those little guys. I mostly can't believe I want to go and help them.

I have attached a youtube link. Showing a baby raccoon drinking from the bottle. Imagine that times 50.

K~

3 comments:

bobbione8y said...

i guess God's work often does involve poop. those little baby racoons are pretty dang sweet, though. i think their grabby hands and squeaky voices might be too much for me ;) you da best!!

K~ said...

Gods work often does include poop, doesn't it. I tell you....I have not been able to stop thinking about last night. K~

Karen said...

You are more woman than I'll ever be! God's work is messy, eh?

Where are all the raccoon mommies?