March 25, 2013 Dear Mom;

I knew that the Refuge was short handed today. So, I went in to help out. I had already told the manager that until Lorne and I get all our various medical and other tests out of the way, I wouldn't be reliable for Fridays. But if at any point she was really short staffed to give me a call and I'd go in if I could. The Director is going through chemotherapy again until some time in June. She goes for a treatment every Thursday and feels quite sick for a couple of days after. And a couple of experienced staff have quit recently. I might get called fairly often until new staff get trained. It's also year end for the Refuge and the Director spent much of today with the Refuge's accountant preparing the various year end reports. That left the manager to deal with the day to day events and do what she could in the Extended Care Unit with me. So today I spent a solid four hours cleaning cages, sweeping and washing dishes. Although I've not taken an actual count, I figure there are at least 20 cages in that unit now and even more birds. I must make a point of counting next time.

Today was special. I worked all day in the company of Chris, Babe and Bertie. I don't know just when Bertie arrived. I was cleaning a cage when I heard her and knew immediately that she was in the room. Sure enough, a staff member had brought Bertie down to the ECU as a change of routine for her. There were a lot of visitors today and Bertie loves showing off for people. She's so funny. Babe flew to the shoulder of a male visitor the size of a football player. Well, he was big. But when Babe landed, he froze. I told him he didn't have to worry, that Babe is gentle and loving. He said Uh huh, but his face said he didn't believe me. Babe came to me easily and we visited for a few minutes before I went back to work. Just before I left, I watched as the Director and the manager changed Babe's leg bandages. The new wound she had created when I watched them the last time had totally healed. The skin was new, pink and healthy looking. But in the meantime, she had started on a new wound higher up. How discouraging.

 Bertie too has been working on the wound under her wing. She's also plucked the outside of her leg on that side too.

On Saturday, the Director took charge of twenty-nine Budgies. An older couple breed Budgies for various pet stores. The Budgies that the Director took are those that are not producing enough young and the guy was going to kill them. The Director didn't even ask how they were to be killed; she just took them. Now that she has them she's planning on going public about the plight of breeder birds, using these Budgies as an example. One of them died shortly after arriving. Several others were weak and most looked poorly. All but one are now in the Budgie flight. One is still in the ECU. He escaped from the cage he was recovering in and seemed quite happy flying around from cage to cage helping himself to all the food and water. He still looks a bit worse for wear though. I think he's had some help plucking himself.

 
Well, I think that's it for now. I'm very tired and very satisfied. Until next time.

Love,
Pat