A number of appointments conspired to keep me from working at the Refuge last Friday. So, I went in on Monday instead. First I stopped in at the Director's place to give her the January brochure draft and talk with her about February's brochure. That's when I got the information about the new video on the website. I couldn't wait to get on-line and send it out. From there I went down to the kitchen to see what needed doing. There were no dishes to speak of that needed washing, so I did some sorting of the recyclables. It didn't take long before I needed recycling bags to keep going. The manager wasn't around to get bags from so I was off to the Director's again. She sent me off to the future Palliative Care Centre to find the bags that were in a box there. No luck there either. I decided I was wasting my time and decided to visit with the girls and then head home. There were three staff members in the kitchen when I asked if Babe was still in the medical room. They looked at each other and said no. Then on of the staff members told me that Babe was at the Director's. Now already having been there twice and given the recent dynamics around Babe, I was a bit surprised that the Director hadn't said anything. But off I went to the Director's place a third time anyway. I interrupted her grooming of her 200 pound Golden Retriever. (No, I am not exaggerating.) I said that I'd been told that Babe was with her. She pointed to a corner cage. I asked if I could see her. Without saying anything she got Babe and brought her to me as I stood at the door. Babe seemed a bit subdued but snuggled in the way only Babe does. The Director said that Babe has fallen in love with her husband. That really doesn't surprise me. After all, Babe really preferred Lorne to me. I can't help wonder what Frank would have enjoyed with her had he been able to conquer his fear. Apparently as soon as the Director's husband walks in the door at the end of the day, Babe starts talking and starts to make her way to him. Then she tucks herself up under his chin for snuggles. I feel good about Babe's attachment to him. And being at the Director's, I know she'll get good and individualized care. Her legs had clean bandaging on them. And she's definitely growing new feathers on her back and breast. Also, Babe's cage is right next to the cage of a Macaw. Both cages are open. Although the Macaw is gentle, Babe seems to want to claim his cage as her own. I told the Director I really wasn't surprised. With a couple of differences, his cage is very much like Babe's Freedom Feeder cage. She probably thinks it's hers. LOL
I wasn't very comfortable standing at the Director's door with Babe for very long. I just wanted to get my eyes on her and make sure everything is alright. So, I left fairly quickly to visit with Bertie for awhile and crack walnuts, which is where Michele found me when she stopped in to visit. Bertie was back in her enclosure. I was able, from the kitchen area to point her out to Michele who hadn't seen her in awhile. It wasn't hard to pick her out; she was running back and forth across a cage. She knew she was the center of our attention. Later I visited with her freely.
Yesterday I was back at the Refuge for my usual Friday routine. Again I stopped at the Director's place. I had arranged to sit with her and get information about her husband and February's bird for the brochure. I was also going to take the opportunity for a visit with Babe if she was still there. The Director wasn't home. So I went on to the kitchen where I delivered more potatoes. I'd stopped at the recycling depot to get some bags on the way. So, I filled one of those and loaded that and another box of potatoes into the van. By that time, dishes were piling up. They got washed and the food preparation area cleaned. Then I moved on to cracking walnuts again. When I'd first arrived in the kitchen, one particular staff member seemed to be back to her usual friendly self with me which felt good. So when the opportunity presented itself, I asked if Babe was back in the medical room. She said she didn't know. Uh huh. So, when another staff member came into the kitchen, I asked her if Babe was in the medical room. She said to ask the other staff member. She must have seen something on my face because she followed that up with the fact that she hadn't made it into the medical room yet. When the manager arrived, I asked her if Babe was still at the Director's. She said yes and added that the Director wasn't home. It wasn't until I was on my way home that I realized that my temper was on simmer. It's a good thing that I have Lorne to talk to when I get home. I have to keep reminding myself of my long term goal. Being helpful ought not to be so difficult.
Okay, just as a heads up, I'm not sure if I'll get to the Refuge this next Friday. Lorne, Squeak, Castor and I all have appointments with various doctors. So, I'm playing Friday by ear. Talk to you again soon.
Love,
Pat
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