At the end of last week Gull doing quite well in that she is standing on one leg without falling over and without constantly flapping her wings, this is improvement and progress. (I am presuming she is a she as is a gentle soul).
However, we had an issue. My bedroom is large and has a sliding door onto a bricked patio, which drops down alongside a large pond, in fact a perfect Gull Rehabilitation Unit. My bedroom is French Country and really pretty. Like a fool, I have covered the carpet with large warm washable microfibre pet blankets and left the glass door to the patio open, so that Gull can come in and go out - 'out' being the long term rehabilitation goal.
Gull has a different goal - to stay IN, not OUT. Goes out - has a quick spa bath (see photos) and with lightening speed comes in again, hopping frantically on one leg, to sunbathe and preen in French Country style - in Lilo's bed. Needless to say Lilo has packed her bags and departed in disgust from the boudoir.
I had to make a life changing decision to shut the glass door, leaving Gull outside, but with kennel, bath, food and water. She spent all day with beak pressed against the glass, making tapping noises and staring with hell-bent intention of coming IN. I held out all day. The first night to be outside came and Gull took herself into the kennel. This was so marvellous and I fell into a deep peaceful sleep, happily dreaming of her progress.
I was woken up at 4am with a terrible ear piercing Gull-blood-curdling squawking. I shot out of bed, convinced a cat must have come into the garden (Lilo usually makes it clear this is not a wise move), grabbed a torch and took off into the night. There was Gull flapping and screaming at an equally traumatised hedgehog who had wandered into the garden - probably sniffing out Gull's midnight feast.
Gull would not go back into the kennel that night and so happily spend the night in Lilo's bed in the bedroom once more - preening and fluffing about leaving no doubt that this was the preferred place to reside, thank you very much.
Next day it was outside therapy once more. We are winning, today outside, although unfortunately an unplanned
dip in the pond proved to be a bit of a shock for the goldfish who were persecuted with a stabbing beak until Gull decided come ashore.
Is all this progress? I hope so - it has been more work than Lilo ever was. Lilo has been incredible, despite her obvious distain, she has maintained the wise and quiet dignity of a visiting physician.
The main aim is still the main aim THE BEACH !!