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Related: About this forumLook what Gibby found on the beach this morning
This is Gibby
We're coming off an extreme heatwave. I walked with a friend and his dog early this morning. At one point, Gibby ran onto the rocks and started looking for something. I couldn't see anything and we kept walking. Then Gibby started becoming agitated and barking so I went to investigate.
In a water -filled crack in the rocks was what looked like a dead rat - but it wasn't. It was a little ring-tailed possum - the cutest things under the sun and a protected species. I picked it up - it was alive - just. It's little tail gripped my fingers. Took it home zipped into a shopping bag. They are nocturnal and I had no idea of how long, and indeed how, it came to be on the rocks.
It's a bit hard to make out the possum. That's his right front claw in the middle. Just right of, and above is his ear with a dark line at top right of his ear which is his closed eye. Snout pointing right.
Managed to get a little water past his teeth with a syringe. As I write, be is curled up and sleeping in a covered tub in the shower recess. I trust Gibby but there's a limit.
Update: Just had a call from a wildlife carer who is on the way to pick him up. I'm glad he is going to someone who knows how to care from him.
Diamond_Dog
(34,704 posts)Well done! Hope the little guy makes it. You did a wonderful thing 🙂
niyad
(119,942 posts)one. May it be well.
CaptainTruth
(7,222 posts)Our world needs more kindness.
brer cat
(26,281 posts)I hope you gave Gibby a treat!
canetoad
(18,128 posts)She was just not going to let us keep walking. What a girl.
The wildlife carers have just been to pick him up. Said the first priority is to give him some electrolytes; it's been wicked hot here. At least he's alive and in good hands.
CousinIT
(10,208 posts)Hope he makes it and has a wonderful possum life!
canetoad
(18,128 posts)The wildlife carer also said that he was not yet fully grown - a juvenile.
Phoenix61
(17,649 posts)efhmc
(15,007 posts)canetoad
(18,128 posts)I'm in SE Australia; in the mornings I usually walk the dog at a small beach village 5kms away. There are several reefs and rock platforms bordering the beach and it was on these rocks that my dog found the possum.
I can't imagine how he got there; maybe a red fox - there are plenty in the dunes. Maybe a big sea bird. Maybe he made his own way down the scrub in search of water. I have no idea.
efhmc
(15,007 posts)2naSalit
(92,730 posts)Extra scritches for Gibby!
canetoad
(18,128 posts)One of her favourite treats: a frozen solid chicken heart. To each their own, I guess.
2naSalit
(92,730 posts)I guess that's what matters for her!
liberalla
(10,020 posts)the wildlife carers. If you do, please post and let us know. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's curious about how the little guy does.
You did a good thing!
canetoad
(18,128 posts)The carer who picked him up will text me with updates on how he is doing.
liberalla
(10,020 posts)Rhiannon12866
(222,247 posts)Kudos to Gibby and to you for saving this precious little life!
canetoad
(18,128 posts)Isn't she? Not something you would expect from a manic little terrier.
Flying Fox
(2 posts)It's incredible the little feller was still alive!
Well done to you & Gibby for saving him, for being right time, right place, right person & right dog. The wildlife carer is now his best chance for survival, will look forward to hearing how he's doing.
Good on you Sis xxxxx
canetoad
(18,128 posts)I'm THAT proud of Gib. She was so determined to get my attention. Gracie, her big old poodle friend was there; she had no clue what was going on but made no move to harm the possum.
It was in a small pool about halfway between the car park steps and where we found the octopus. The wildlife carer will let me know how it's going.
Catch ya soon.... xxx