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Friends of the Cawthra Bush & Greater Mississauga Area
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comments: More at the end. Truro Daily News - Dec. 12, 2001 - By Lynn Curwin Furry and feathered friends need homes: In the early 1900s, in western Canada, one man decorated a small tree with bites of apple and candy for a couple of tiny guests. Grey Owl, who came to Canada from England and took on the identity of an Ojibwa, had caught a female beaver in a trap. She was moaning and nursing one of her young, while one paw was clamped in the steel trap. The sight bothered Grey Owl so much that he never trapped again. He took the kits home to his cabin and raised them. He later became well-known as a conservationist. Many people open their hearts and homes to others during the Christmas season, and there are many touching stories about events which happen at this time of year. Food banks and toy drives are the worthwhile recipients of much generosity, but it is important to remember that all living creatures need our care. Christmas can also be a very special time, or a season of loneliness and hunger, for our animal friends. One winter a teacher took her class for a walk through the woods. The children were excited about following tracks in the snow, but shocked to find a coyote with a paw caught in a leg-hold trap. As the students encouraged her to help the animal the teacher dropped to her hands and knees and crept up to the trap. She slowly opened the jaws of the trap and the coyote backed away. The animal gingerly tested his paw, then threw back its head and howled before running off. One of the children later asked the teacher why the animal didn't bite. "He knew we loved him," she explained. Roy Ivor was a man who cared for many injured birds, including eagles, without suffering harm to himself. He became especially known for his experience with a tiny, crippled fledgling. Every time Roy placed the bird on the floor it would topple over so, using leather, cotton, thread and a needle, he made a tiny pair of sandals. He pushed the bird's crooked toes through the toe holes in the sandals and fastened them around the bird's ankles. For the first time in its life the little bird stood upright on its feet. The bird then followed Roy around like a faithful dog. Roy died just before Christmas one year, at the age of 99. Friends said they felt the sounds of birds in the forest that Christmas was an appropriate tribute to Roy. Even animals will sometimes rescue other animals in distress. A few years ago one couple became worried when their dog, Ruffles, disappeared on a stormy Christmas Eve. Just as they prepared to go out in search of their dog it returned, carrying a cold and frightened kitten. Ruffles hovered over and nuzzled the tiny animal. The kitten survived and was given the name Thermal. The human family members never learned where the kitten came from, or how their dog found it. They decided it was one of the miracles of Christmas. There are many homeless, lonely animals waiting for families everywhere, including Colchester County. Some of them will spend the holidays out in the cold, searching for scraps to eat. A bit of love and care would be a wonderful Christmas gift for these creatures. When you are considering ways to make Christmas brighter for others, don't forget our furry and feathered friends. PLEEASSE SIGN OUR PETITION It will make a difference! Home page - Main Table of Contents - Back up a Page - Back to Top [COMMENTS BY DON B. - ] |
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