I ask myself that often.  Its a tireless job.  Many think my Rehabbing is my job and I get paid from the State or the County, but no. This, I do, for the love of animals. Same goes for my dog rescue. All I ask for adoptions is the vet bill for getting them ready for adoption.  Last year alone, even with wonderful folks sponsoring or donating goods, wildlife rehabbing cost me over $1000 (my spouse was not pleased LOL)  I actually work a full time job for the Illinois Dept of Agriculture's Gypsy Moth Program and wildlife rehabbing and dog rescue is what I do for 'fun' or as a hobby.   But the sleepless nights of caring for animals, the vet bills, the food bills, the work is all worth it.  You see, in all this bad in the world, wildlife rescue brings some seriously amazing people to me along with this special treat I get to really touch, hold, help Illinois Wildlife.  I forget sometimes how lucky I am to hold baby squirrels, foxes, raccoons, fawns & possums.  Watching them grow or with the help of my vet, cure their ills.  Last night as I filled my kiddie pool for one of my release raccoons - I thought " what a treat I get to sit and laugh as Rascal plays and plays".  I got to touch his soft paws and scratch his ears as he played. Many think Raccoons are scary vermin, not so. Just native wildlife trying to get along in this world as humans & greed take their world away from them.
That brings me to the rescue of the week and some super folks that I had the treat to meet.  The Summers of Mineral Illinois. I got a call Wednesday from this wonderful couple who had discovered a pair of beavers trapped in the Hennipen Canal Lock 22. Its an abandoned lock that creates a horrible trap.  Its over 12 feet down, no ramp or ladder. Gosh could you imagine if a kid fell in???  Well a little beaver died there last year so since then the neighbors keep a close eye on the lock. This week a pair of beavers got trapped (I named them Betty & Bart Beaver) The Summers called all the governement groups and no one could help, Our Animal Control guy did offer any tools we needed, so kudos to Bureau County ACO. The Summers made an awesome catch pole but beavers are shaped like torpedos so not an easy feat. The DNR wildlife biologist, Bob Massey had a brillant idea since he has had to rescue many critters in his career.  A giant fishing net tied to a big pole. So off we went - but it was late and after a few attempts "Team Beaver Rescue" had worn out their welcome so I and the spouse headed home, leaving the net with the Summers for part two on Thursday.  Well much to my delight, Chris snuck up on the pair and scooped them 1 at a time Thursday morning. Talk about skill, I bet he's a great fisherman too with those reflexes!!!  So the beaver are safe. It was a happy ending for all. Beavers went free to live their lives. I got to meet some awesome folks here & got to see a beaver up close. And the Summers can be proud of all their determination that they did make a difference!  Some weeks are wonderful here in the world of rescue. This was an amazing week.

Well Sunday was super busy as I put in the floor in the Rehab Cottage. I have 2 pieces of trim and then its done!  I moved the wild teenage squirrels out there to get used to the noises and smells of my relase area (back yard)  I have 2 more cages to build this spring but for now all is fantastic.  This weekend I hope to pick up a bank of critter kennels for foxes and coonies then I will start bulding a counter for working and shelves for storage. 
I'm prepping for baby season too. I've ordered my Fox Valley Formula for baby bunnies and squirrels. I have some puppy formula for the baby raccoons too.  Pedilyte is here for dehydrated critters as well as meds from the vet are on hand.  Next I'm making little kits for my vet to hand out if there is a baby squirrel or racoon 911. Dr. Dana Miller is such a friend to wildlfie she's making sure she has them on hand! How cool is that.  Ok, now to start labeling my supplies and moving them to the Cottage!!!  Enjoy these photos of our little buidling today.

Well the winter is usually so quiet as I get ready for orphan season but not this year. I've been good at keeping up on Facebook, but shame on me not catching up here too.  Lets see. The baby squirrels are all growing so well. We have 5 greys and 3 fox squirrels all ready to be free this spring. Rascal the raccoon is well and still sweet as can be, it will break my heart to say 'be free' this spring.  Then there's shy sweet Rowdy. A raccoon that was quite ill when she came in. I thought for sure she wasn't long for this world. Laying on the cage floor all sad.  But with good meds and time she seems well. But she is so shy - it breaks my heart, she should be growling at me!!!!   Our dog hospice has had a hard run this winter. Ubu the rescued black lab from Craigs List, Buffy the cocker spaniel from animal control as well as Black Angel all went to Rainbow Bridge. It was to be expected as they all were so old. We were so happy to have them here with us for a happy ending. Its all part of rescue.  But the big news is ......drum roll please........ we have a new Rehab Cottage!!!
So many people were part of this amazing raffle and event.  60 people joined together and made this amazing dream come true!!  Its this sweet little 8x12 garden shed but we've put electric, insulation and now I'm lining with varnished knotty pine siding!!   I'll post photos but take a look at this video   http://youtu.be/IcpPotMnOcg   I am still speechless with all the good people that helped!!!

Doggie rescues have been doing good too. We placed a few sweeties - see our happy endings. My heart soars with the forever homes we found!

Our next big news is we rescued a 'house pig' Georgia is a pot bellied pig that was a condo pig in Chicagoland who's owner died and she was an orphan - ending up at an animal facility.  Well guess who's heart she stole????  Ours!!!!   She will live here for the rest of her life - but if there's another one that needs rescuing - we'll help rehome that's for sure. I get why folks love their pigs. She sleeps with the dogs and follows us around and yes she loves to go for walks in her harness!  She runs free and joins me for chores - yep a house big that goes out for 'barn chores' each day LOL.

Well more news to come - I'll be finishing the building soon and babies will be arriving in just a couple months.  I will be ready!!!  Please stop by and I promise to post more photos and stories - until then join us on facebook!