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The trouble with
Charlie was he just didn't know.
With his sharp features, short stubby legs and
a mouth containing far too many teeth, he didn't
know he looked rather like an ugly, overgrown
rodent. He didn't know he wasn't the most beautiful
of God's creatures. Unlike the proverbial duckling,
Charlie was never going to become the beautiful
swan. Charlie's idea of heaven was to snuffle
among the undergrowth, feel the warm sun on
his fur and the spring breeze in the grass.
He didn't know that getting near dogs could
get an opossum into an awful lot of trouble.
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| Charlie was pretty
traumatized when he finally found his way to
Critter Care. He didn't know his life hung in
the balance. After a long while, however, he
started to feel better. He found he had a fresh
bed every day. He was petted, and sweet things
were whispered in his ears. He was stroked and
cosseted and loved. His food dish was never
empty and there was always fresh water to drink.
Pretty soon, he began to move about on his own,
dragging his useless back legs behind him. When
summer came, he could go into the garden and
make his way slowly over to the flower bed.
He would check out the bugs, listen to the birds
chatter in the trees, the raccoons trilling
in their pens and the squirrels squabbling over
nuts. Then he would nestle up against the yard
broom by the fence, soak up the sun, and dream
his opossum dreams. He didn't know the damage
done to him by the dogs was irreparable. |
| One day the Centre
got really busy with lots of people coming and
going. Charlie suddenly found he was the centre
of attention. He didn't know why. He didn't
know that most of the children had never seen
an opossum before. He didn't know that two little
girls had made and sold lemonade all summer
so they would have enough money to sponsor an
animal that day. He didn't know that when they
saw Charlie, there was just no other animal's
picture but his that would do for their sponsor
certificate. He didn't know that of all the
animals being sponsored that day, everyone wanted
to sponsor Charlie. |
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| He just smiled
his toothy grin and patiently waited while his
caregivers talked of the injured and the orphaned
animals, and what life would be like for them
if Critter Care wasn't there to help. He was
simply glad when, at the end of the day, he
could curl up in his own little blankets and
the world became quiet and still again. He didn't
know he had inspired more people than any other
animal we have ever had at the Centre.Charlie
had become Critter Care's Ambassador. He taught
us a lot about giving and receiving. He reminded
us that all life, however small, is precious.
He reminded us about the need for caring and
nurturing. He taught us about courage. He taught
us about pain and about loss; and that what
affects one affects us all. He reminded us that
you don't have to be beautiful to be lovable.
He taught us the importance of being happy in
small things. He reminded us why Critter Care
exists. He reminded us why we give our time,
our energy and our support. He taught us about
life and, sadly, he taught us about death. We
shall miss him. We will remember him fondly.
His was a happy soul Charlie was like the heart
of Critter Care…. but the trouble with
Charlie was, he just didn't know. Mavis Sutton, President
Critter Care Wildlife Society |
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