Horrible day

[Marigold2]

I need a hug. I have had a horrible day at work.
Today was one of the busiest and most brain challenging I have in a long time. Today we started a new computer system. Paper less charts, everything is now entered on the computer, so much to learn.
I worked over 10 hours and decided to take a walk around the hospital campus trial to clear my head.
Last night a pretty good storm ripped through this area. Trees were lifted out of the ground, huge branches were scattered every where.
As I was walking the trail I noticed some fallen tree branches and stopped to take a picture of them and then right there on the cement trail was a small creature all curled up. At first I thought it was dead. I walked over and realized it was a itty bitty baby raccoon. I looked around for mommy and realized it must have fallen out of the tree last night and was now laying there for over 24 hours. I picked it up and held it against me. So precious and sweet this little girl was, but crying and crying so loud. I could tell she was in pain. Her one eye was all gooked up. I picked her up and drove to were my daughter worked hoping she was there today.
She had volunteered at the nature center and had experience with the care and feeding of wild animals.
As I drove down the street I held this precious girl in my hand, she so wanted to get away but never bit or made a hostile move toward me, she cried and cried. It was so heart wrenching.
Luckily daughter was outside of the store watering some plants and she came right out to help. She looked the baby over and said " look mom I think she has a collapsed rectum as it is protruding a bit and there are maggots on her rear.
Oh poor, poor little angel, no wonder she was in so much pain.
Daughter called the nature center and they were closed but I put baby in a box and drove there anyway. Along the route I stopped at a vet's office who told me they could not help me by law. So off I drove to the nature center and yes they were closed, I walked around back and no one was there.
I then called my vet and they told me to bring her in so she could be put to sleep and that is what I did, crying along the way.
I called my niece who is a vet and left a message on her cell.
She called as I was pulling out of the vet clinic. Niece assured me I did the right thing that baby raccoon was suffering and putting her out of her misery was best.
Still it was so painful that I could not help this little angel, I felt very worthless.
I worked all day to help people but when it comes to animals and my true love and I believe my true calling in life the best I could do for her was hasten her death be it a peaceful one.
Some days are just sad.
Little angel is in heaven now safe and warm in God's arms.
That does give me some comfort.
Just a small favor folks, in this hot and humid weather please leave a fresh bowl of water out everyday for the animals.
It is a matter of life and death.

[Karen]

Take comfort in knowing that likely little miss coon's only encounter with humans was you, and she could tell you were kind enough to help her. I am sure you will see her again one day at the Rainbow Bridge.

[Marigold2]

Thank you Karen. I do so hope that she had some comfort in my arms. Had she not been injured I would have taken her home, raised her and then released her in the wild, but alas her little body was too hurt.
Amazing how such a small creature can forever live in your heart even if the encounter was brief.
I shall not forget her.

[Bonny]

Marigold, I think you were the baby raccoons angel today. We all have them looking out for us.

[momcat]

Marigold,
You didn't let this little sweetheart down, you helped her. I don't know her age, but it sounds like she was pretty small and maybe still needing her mommy. Had you not picked her up, held her with love, and went to every place you could think of to find a vet for help, how much longer might she have suffered in pain and fear? You did what was best for her but broke your heart in the process.
She doesn't hurt anymore and just maybe she found her mommy waiting for her at the Bridge.
Because of you, this special little being knew that humans give comfort and love. Bless you for that and bless you for caring enough to help

[Taz_Zoee]

You absolutely did the right thing. That poor baby would have suffered and you just helped her along.

RIP Baby Coon

[Medusa]

Oh the poor little sweetie. Just think of what would have happened had you not come along to help her, Monica. She would've died a long and painful death. This way, at least, you were able to give her some comfort and end her pain and suffering. Animal rescue has its rewards but it also has its heartbreak, doesn't it? Although it's painful to think about, you can know in your heart that you did the right thing. She's now at peace and is feeling no pain.