A couple of weeks ago this young seagull was discovered in the local park with a horribly broken leg. It had been in torrential rain and was very weak and cold. As I have had some experience with bird care over the years, it came my way.
At a vet visit, it was decided that an amputation was the only way of perhaps saving the gull as its chances were nil as things were, but gulls happily live with one leg, as we have all witnessed at the beach, it was worth trying.
Over the past fortnight, post op things have gone well. The gull is now eating, bathing, preening and beginning to hop on one leg and can fly. The aim is to have it doing all these things accurately and strongly and then off it will go back to the park and back to the family.
Meantime Nurse Lilo is so funny. When she is in the same space as the gull, she averts her eyes - as can be seen in the photo. If she is on the move she looks away and creeps past, trying to pretend it isn't there. She is not bothered about it at all and they have a siesta together each afternoon, both keeping one eye on the other however !
Lilo definitely knows that the gull is family and that she must be a good dog and leave it alone. So sweet.
Incidentally anyone thinking of doing this, be prepared to soak and wash six bath towels a day, offer a tub bath three times a day, cut up all sorts of tempting food which generally looks revolting and put going away on hold for around five weeks. There are a few of us mad ones around.
Gull decided Lilo's bed looked good and got in. I had not seen this coming and before I could do anything about it, Lilo appeared with the intention of extending her lie-in. Saw the gull, pondered briefly, it was all too much trouble apparently.
Lilo, with a look of quiet disdain, walked away, deferring to the feathered intruder who spend the day fluffing and preening in her new found nest.
Watch this space !!!!