They Look Hungry!

It's that time again! The time when kids are out of school and, hopefully, playing outdoors. Then moms everywhere are hearing, "Hey Mom, look what I found! I think it's hungry." It's our own fault. We have taught them to be compassionate human beings. And that is good. But then I get a phone call from a concerned parent about what to do with this baby ______ . Most of the time it is too late. Too late to put them back where they came from. Too late to recover from "good intentions". "I tried to feed it ____ , but it won't eat it." Or, "It's been eating ____." Not enough or improper diet has already doomed the innocent creature, despite the good intentions of someone attempting to "save" it. We have to teach our kids that while compassion is good, it also has a time and a place, like anything else. So what should we teach them? To be a good reporter. Here is where I saw _____. I think it needs help. Will you come check it out with me? Just because a baby animal appears to be abandoned doesn't mean it is. The parent animal is likely not far away, waiting for you to leave so it can tend to it's young (Mom needs to eat, too.). Many parent animals will lead a potential predator away from it's young. Unfortunately, we fail to notice. Good thing for fast food or some of us might not make it. ;>) All kidding aside, we need to be better observers of our surroundings. A better witness. Like the scene from "Dirty Harry" when, after firing several rounds from his six round revolver, Harry says to the bad guy, that in all the excitement, he can't remember if he fired five rounds, or six. Well, do you feel lucky? Do you? If we are observant, and pay attention to the clues we are offered, we don't have to be lucky. Although, I will admit, sometimes it helps. Most of us have good intentions when it comes to animals. So we need to think before we act. I know it is hot. I know they appear to be abandoned. I know they look hungry. I know they look thirsty. That is how I look at the end of a hard day. But we need to remember that they have been existing here in the desert long before we came along and without anyone's help. Sometimes the best lesson we can teach our kids is that sometimes it is best to let nature take its course. Some are predators, and some are prey. And occasionally the predator is the prey. Now in the case of pets "playing" with wild life and other human caused circumstances, yes, we might want to intervene. That is when we make a call to a licensed rescue or rehabilitation facility. Most are non profits and have highly motivated and trained volunteers. They are better equipped to deal with whatever critter you have rescued and can ensure a higher likelyhood of success and release. So if you really want to make a difference, now that school is out, you and the kids can go and volunteer at one of the aforementioned facilities and really save ____ from ______. You will learn something valuable, teach something valuable, and be valuable. You can save a life and have fun doing it, together.

Mark - Naturally!