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. 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,
Critter Care Wildlife Society
