I have no idea. So, I have, ever since the dawn of time, shortly after I stopped wearing diapers and eating cat food, I have brought home every orphan, stray, cute, not so cute, creepy crawly thing I could put my hands on. (Oddly, later on down the road, most of my boyfriends fit well within these criteria.). My mother was very tolerant, bless her heart, and helped me to see the endless supply, in the world, to learn about something new. So with every different creature I brought home, came countless of nights researching it's specific needs, care practices if there were any, and specific details about how it would exist on its own in the wild, (if it were a wild thing). And I know that one can not call themselves an expert, until a fair share of the mistakes have been made, so let me just say, I was well on my way.

Now let us jump ahead 25 years, past the fawn we found next to a dead mom on the highway, that we took home to nurse on our nanny goat... past the baby skunks I found in a bucket of their dead siblings, left to die on the side of a country road, that immediately became "my babies".... after dogs, and frogs, and horses, and goats... and squirrels and birds of all kinds.... and on and on..... after all that, I'll tell you what happened. I didn't go out hiking much anymore- for fear of what might find me. That phase didn't last too long, consciously, anyway, and I settled down, had a couple kids and took a break from Dr. Doolittle practices.

That didn't last long either. Because like it or not, we are what we are, and I feel a very strong connection to my beastie buddies all around me. It was only a matter of time, before I was at it again. Only this time, my kids were helping it along. What could possibly go wrong? Single mom, two kids, one still in diapers, working as a farm hand, living in a little apartment in the foothills of a small town.... the scene is set. Cue the music, dim the lights, and enter stage left one little ball of fluff, with webbed feet, washing down the rapids of the river near our favorite picnic site... Had I known then, what one little wood duck could do to my whole world, (what I know now)... do you know what I would have done? Exactly the same thing. Scooped her out, stuck her in the pocket of my hoodie, taken her home and made her one of the family. If you would like to hear the story of my beloved duck, launchpad, let me know. I will put her story on the members page, for you to enjoy. My treat- some laughs, some tears, but I'll guarantee you remember the sweet story for years to come. I know I will never forget.