great expectations
Last night a lady brought us an injured bunny. It was after nine p.m. Looking around our kitchen, she said, "So this is it?" She'd expected a clinic, staff, that hospital smell. Instead she got us in all our barefoot glory after a hot, humid day. It occurred to me then that I should put together a list of expectations people have of us and how they correspond to reality:
1. We're all vegetarians. Here's where I raise my hand and admit that spouse and I are not. It's true we don't include much meat in our diet, but we wouldn't turn our nose up at a good steak. However, I do make it a point not to eat anybody I know personally.
2. We wouldn't be caught dead with fur or leather products and wear only natural fibers. Um, no. I have absolutely nothing against leather shoes, coats, handbags, luggage, whatever. My favorite footwear are moccasins. I don't wear fur myself, but it's just not my thing. We know other rehabbers who do. It doesn't merit the evil eye.
3. We're all members of every animal rights organization. That one comes a little closer, but just barely. I do belong to a few and I do advocate for more consideration of other life on this planet. There just isn't enough money in the world for us to support every worthy cause. And there are some whose aims spouse and I just don't agree with.
4. We know everything there is to know about every animal in existence. That one cracks me up. You'd be amazed how many folks ask us about the most off-the-wall stuff, like the mating habits of African chihauhuas or some such. How the heck should I know? I don't deal with African chihuahuas. That's what Google is for.
As a subset of that, we're often asked to give medical advice and treat friends' pets. Can't do it. We can give our opinion based on our own experience just like everyone else, but going any farther than that can tread dangerously close to veterinary toes. Even the nicest vets will bite if their toes are threatened.
5. Because we choose to work with animals, we must automatically be idiots or so emotionally damaged, we're unsuitable for anything else. Excuse me? Okay, so we've met a few people who fit that category, but the vast majority of us had or still do have lives and careers, not to mention an education, long before we took up with wildlife. Pursuing our softer side now doesn't mean we've packed our limited brains in mothballs. See, the thing is, animals are a great ego leveler. They couldn't care less about fancy degrees or how successful one is or was. Kindness is all that matters to them. They have no other expectations. It's a mindset I'm totally on board with. Impressing others is no longer my goal.
6. We're funded by the county/state/federal government in some way. Right now we have a message on our machine letting people know we're not accepting wildlife. One lady left a rather nasty message the other day ranting at us. How dare we close our doors when we're publicly funded? Sorry to disappoint, but any money comes out of our own pocket first. Donations help reimburse us, but they never cover the whole cost.
What expectations do you have about us? I'd love to know :)