Meadows Of Dan

Meadows of Dan © Tré Inc. 2012

Meadows of Dan © Tré Inc. 2012

One of my fondest childhood memories is the Summer of my 4th year. I was barefoot, in a black-and-white-striped bathing suit, dashing in and out of my grandparent’s creek. There was a wide green meadow—dappled with Queen Anne’s Lace—the creek wound its way through and across a field where two horses roamed. They answered to the names Blackberry and Sunshine. I’d visit them with tiny fists of clover, and carefully, I’d climb the worn wooden fence to hop upon their backs. For hours, I’d take turns riding them, free as the wind. I’d lay along their backs and pet them as they grazed, braid flowers into their manes, and tell them stories from my imagination. They taught me how to love without expectation or agenda, and that speaking without words is how nature also communicates.

Upon the handsome Braidy, a sweetly rescued Arabian, I reminisce. The clouds above carry with them a tease of future inspiration. Looking across the riding grounds, my mother’s smiling face causes my heart to leap. This beautiful moment is another treasured memory, the love of which I shall carry forever. May your day present you with fond of memories.

Cabbage – The Brown Bat

Cabbage © Tré Inc. 2011

    Isn’t he precious? This is the Brown Bat I helped rescue. I named him Cabbage because that is exactly what he smelled like. It is not uncommon for young bats to find their way into your home to hibernate; the younger ones often have trouble staying asleep and wake up too early. This is bad because they can starve since none of their food is available till full-blown spring. The thing is you can feed them meal worms, but not until they’re hydrated. If you feed a bat before it’s hydrated it will die.

   The most common bat in the U.S.A., Brown Bats are now protected and in danger… Rescuing them safely is crucial. They are so sweet, and extremely important to our ecosystem. To fear them or to see them as a harmful threat or a pest is truly due to illiteracy. To know them is to love them. We found a nice bat rescue center nearby. A darling Lady runs it out of her own home. We left Cabbage in her advanced care, and now he has a bunch of bat buddies to wait out the winter with. Happy ending!

   Tips: If you find a bat, do not touch it because you can make it sick. Plus, they can bite . . . only .05% carry rabies, but if  bitten you’re required to receive a painful shot; even worse, they will kill the bat for biting you. So please, touching it with your bare hands is not worth the risk. If you find one call or email these fine people, they are lovely and will help you place the bat in a loving rescue: 940-325-3404 sanctuary@batworld.org