Well Mom, much has happened since I wrote last. So, I'll try to bring you up to date. Lina did indeed arrive on June 11th, but too late in the day to see Babe. So, the next day, off we went to see Babe. When she saw Babe, she just sank to the floor and called to her. But although she was less than a foot away from her, Babe just couldn't get to her on her own. So, Lina just scooped her into her arms and sat rocking her Babe, crooning to her and crying.
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| Lina sees Babe for the first time in over a year. |
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| Lina scooped Babe into her arms. |
We were all crying at this reunion.
The staff member present in the unit called the Director who came immediately. I stayed in the background while Lina told the Director that in good conscience she simply could not leave Babe at the Refuge. But when the Director started telling Lina lies about my interference with Babe, I lost my cool. I told the Director to her face that not only is she a liar but she will say anything to get her way. It was not a pretty scene. But we left with Babe. We took Babe to the vet the next day. She was examined carefully, her feet and legs x-rayed, and her leg bandages changed. Although this vet isn't an avian vet, I was impressed with his gentleness, compassion and knowledge. He gave us the recipe for the mixture to apply to Babe's leg and gave us the results of the x-rays. Babe has Grade 3 bordering on Grade 4 Bumble Foot in her right foot and Grade 2 Bumble Foot in her left. Had it been treated right away, antibiotics would have cured the condition. As it is, although it hasn't yet progressed to the bones, it has crippled her foot and that's irreversible.
Babe's left foot
Babe's right foot
We got Babe settled at home and started feeding her Harrison's hand feeding formula to start putting some weight on her. Needless to say, Lina spent most of the week here at home with Babe and really enjoying having her back even if for a short time. We went back out to the refuge to visit with the girls and the other birds too. I think it was very hard for Lina to leave at the end of the week. But she did know that Babe had already improved significantly and that we'd love her too.
Since then, Babe has gained weight, one leg is totally healed with the other one coming along nicely. She's regained her strength and if she weren't wearing a collar I'm sure would be flying around again.
My respect and any admiration I had for the Director and the manager at the Refuge is gone. And every attempt is being made to squeeze me out as a volunteer. They are gradually taking away all the jobs I was doing. I think when they've finished with that, they will fire me. They don't know it yet, but it's not going to be easy to get rid of me. But it's so disappointing and disillusioning to be treated this way, especially when they need as much help as they can get.
Enjoy the photos, Mom.
Love,
Paat
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