Kangaroo Tails

I lost Faith today. This is my second pinkie and my second loss, I didn't realise how crushing the little ones would be. Unlike Rudie, I felt like I had this one under control, I felt confident and she looked amazing. Then she was gone.  My Mum was an amazing, experienced carer. She knew what to save and what to euthanise, so I guess I never saw the losses. Not the way I have now. I wish I could ask her, how did she always know? I guess she had years of experience to guide her.  I am trying to focus on the positives and taking away that I couldn't have done much more for her. She just wasn't meant to be. I was warned that pinkies from vehicular accidents often have underlying issues, but I didn't realise how sudden they can strike. I thought we had made it through, she was finally hydrated, her skin was finally great, she was eating, gaining weight again and the poo shakes had helped firm up her gut. 9:00pm perfect, 2:00am gone. I am so grateful to her, my time with her...

I write this first post of a blog I have been afraid to start, with a pinkie joey tucked against my chest. A joey that has only been mine for only 6 days, but whom I have cried over - both in joy and fear.  A baby that deserves better, deserves an expert, deserves her Mum.  But she has me. A brand new wildlife carer of just a few months. I feel overwhelmed, I feel tired, I feel desperate. But mostly I feel love and I feel hope. Hope that she will get through this scary time for both of us. Hope that she will have a future long after her time with me. I am not a writer or a photographer, I’m not even much of a wildlife rehabilitator yet. But I would like to share this experience and the journey of the wildlife that come into my care.  I hope it can help people to love our native wildlife as much as I do. If one person checks a pouch on the highway because now they know a little joey be inside waiting for help, it will all be worth it. Faith - 17 February 2023