W.w.n.d???

[Nanci]

I was driving home from camping in southern Minnesota one time, and saw a bird flopping in the road. Stopped, of course, and picked up a Wood Duck who had been shot. Took him home, took him to work that night and x-rayed his wing. It was shot so badly it had multiple fractures- splintered would be a good description. There was an ER doc there who had been a vet in his former life. He told me that farm animals have amazing healing powers, and I should bandage the wing and immobilize it to the bird's body. So I cleaned the wounds and bandaged the wing with vet wrap and for four weeks I smelled the wing every day to make sure it hadn't become infected or developed gangrene. Finally, four weeks later, I removed the bandages. Lucky paused for a minute, stretched out both wings, and flapped. The gunshot wing detached from his body and flew across the kitchen! Amazing healing powers indeed!! The stump had healed perfectly, and the amputated wing had mummified, not rotted, since there really wasn't much for meat in the area of the wound. We found a new home for Lucky at a farm with other tame and wild ducks where he could swim and climb trees in safety.

Nanci

[Selkie]

Nanci---You are my hero. What a generous, caring soul you possess.

Sorry I can't get worked up about the injured snake.

[Lise]

Another amazing tale of compassion, ingenuity, and animal rescue from Nanci.

As for the snake, I just feel for any creature who's heading to death but can't quite get there. The compassionate thing is to finish it, but that's hard to do. L.

[margo49]

I had a kitten in a "state" and everybody told me "let nature take its course. His last day I asked no less than 4 men to help me finish him off. Not one agreed! And this was in Israel not California! The best was a guy who constantly wears a pistol on his belt. He came into my Dairy saying "That kitten should be put out of its misery. Do you want me to do it?" So I said "Oh, *would* you?" to which he replied that he didn't really mean it.
So I drown-ded him myself.
I am for mercy killing of animals.
Your words Lise are perfect ("can't quite get there")

[Running Mommy]

I grew up on a dairy farm, so I know all too well about putting animals out of their misery. And I certainly would, as I hate to see them suffer. I just can't bring myself to get near a snake. I know, I'm silly... But I just can't handle the slithery things. But you know the funny thing is I love lizards?? Go figure?!

[Bad JuJu]

My dh and I have had three dogs put down in our 25 years together and it's painful every time--you never get used to that. But it beats KNOWING the animal is suffering and not ever going to get better and just letting the poor thing hang on in pain and misery. On the other hand, I don't think I could be the one to do it myself--give the injection or fire the gun or whatever it takes--so we're fortunate to have a responsible and caring vet to help with this.

But there are times when you're not sure--when the animal still seems to be enjoying life even in his or her pain, and then it's a tough call. Even vets aren't the universal authority--I've stopped seeing a vet who seemed to recommend euthanasia too easily and too often--I wouldn't go back to him if he was doing FREE animal care.

[Running Mommy]

We have a very sweet aging great dane named Abby. She's starting to slow down, and I know there are defintely fewer days ahead of her. I just dread the day that I have to put her down. But even worse, I worry that she will die here at home and I'll have to deal with a 110 lb dead dog..
And knowing my luck Tony will be out of town! This happened to my MIL, so it's always in the back of my mind. I mean who do you call??