For Pet's Sake Column

Several years ago, when one of my female cousins proudly announced that she had just returned from a duck hunt where she shot one of the cute aquatic birds, the vegetarian/animal advocate in me was appalled. My cousin was as mystified by my reaction as I was by hers. She apparently thought that pumping pellets into a hapless creature was not only OK, but good, clean fun.

Apparently, there's at least one hunter in Tallahassee, Florida who thinks so too.

Earlier this month, Dale Tadlock set out on a hunting expedition. There was nothing out of the ordinary about the trip: he gunned down several birds and his Black Labrador retrieved the kill. They headed home and Dale stashed the day’s bounty in a refrigerator.

Fast forward two days. When Dale’s wife Pamela opened the refrigerator door to select a duck for dinner, she got the surprise of her life. One of the ducks lifted up its head and peered out at her. Talk about your chilling discovery!

Pamela immediately called her daughter, Jenna, and together they rushed the nearly-dead duck to a nearby animal hospital. X-rays revealed three pellets still lodged inside her body. If that weren’t enough, she also had a broken leg and wing. With loving care and antibiotics, the brave bird soon began to perk up; hence her new moniker, “Perky the Lucky Duck.”

“She’s getting stronger and feistier, which is a good sign,” said Susan May, a volunteer at Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc., where Perky was transferred soon after the incident. “She’s eating on her own. She’s making progress.”

This past weekend, Perky was stable enough to undergo surgery to place a pin in her wing. I was waiting on, um, pins and needles all day to learn the outcome of the procedure. By early evening, I received the news….. Perky had stopped breathing, not once, but twice during surgery. With a heavy heart, the attending veterinarian pronounced her dead. But wait, the story doesn’t end there. About 10 seconds later, plucky Perky shocked everyone by inhaling deeply and once again began breathing on her own (to huge sighs of relief from everyone in the operating room, I’m sure).

Today, Perky’s recovery from her amazing ordeal has begun to take flight. Although she cannot be released back into the wild because of her damaged wing, this diminutive duck with the indomitable spirit will soon begin a new life as part of a feathered family at the Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. As an animal ambassador, Perky will help educate the public about wildlife and the important role of rehabilitation facilities.

And speaking of families: after the flap over firearms with my cousin, you may be wondering how she and I are getting along. We’re doing just ducky, thanks.

You can help Perky and her feathered friends by purchasing an “I Helped the Lucky Duck” t-shirt for $16.00 by visiting www.garnetandgold.com or by sending a tax-deductible donation to: Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc., 1017 Summerbrooke Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312.

What are your thoughts on hunting and cousins, for that matter? Send your responses to Karen at karenleestevens@cox.net.