| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 06:46:45 AM
This is kind of a long story but it ends well thank goodness. I went to the barn yesterday to do chores. My husband came out to help me because his transmission in his car went out so he called work and told them he had to take a vacation day. His car has tons of miles on it and we knew we had to find him a different car today. So we were trying to get chores done fast so we could get out early and find him one. He drives 3 hours a day round trip so he really puts the miles on. My truck is a diesel and eats the gas and is old. So my truck was not an option.
I had just finished milking and was graining everyone else. He was watering everyone. We were just about done and he yells to me " there a little guy in trouble in the barn. I thought he was talking about my little bucks. I ran into the barn and said I just fed them they looked fine.He said no theres a little brown bat stuck to the fly tape. OMG the whole back of his body and both his wings were stuck and wrapped right around this fly strip. My barns are not big and they don't have a high ceiling so its not like a bat would usually come through the barn. This is the first time this has every happened to us. I freaked out because you could tell he had been on there all night struggling.He was so pitiful. My husband said I don't think we are gonna be able to get him off and fix him without tearing his wings and hurting him.I said we have to try and he agreed.
I told him to hang on and ran into the house and got a teaspoon and some weiner tongs. He held the fly tape and I slowly worked him off but he was so bound up with sticky tape residue he couldn't even open his hands and feet. He looked so pititful.My husband read that to removed the stuff you could use oil or peanut butter and then wash it off. We are talking about a tiny brown bat thats only about 2 inches long and weighs nothing. We put him in a bucket with a piece of paper feed sack for him to lay on because everything else was sticking to him. I offered him a teaspoon of water and he lapped it up just like a dog. Then I found a katiedid that had passed away in the water bucket. He grabbed it and started eating like crazy. So he had water and a big meal in him.
I called the rescue center and they gave me numbers of people who could help me. None of them called me back we were on our own. I knew we had to get this sticky stuff off of him. I didn't want to get bit and he was really weak and upset.
So we decided to go for it. It was his only chance to survive. I put some gloves on and carefully put olive oil all over his body except his head. We let him rest with this on for 40 minutes. He didn't like it believe me. Then I went to the sink and used some natural dishsoap and turned the water on so it was the same temp. as his body. Carefully washed off the oil and was able to unstick his little hands and feet and work under his wings carefully. He protested and bit my gloved fingers and managed to climb up my arm way to many times. My husband would take a wooden spoon and let him climb on that off my arm and then I would carefully pick him up again.I was freaking out a little and he would laugh at me and say he isn't going to hurt you.Its going to be fine just keep washing him your doing great. He wasn't the one holding the little biting bat. We worked on the little guy about 15 minutes. I was a nervous wreck when we finally got done.
I wrapped a fluffy hand towel around some cardboard and put him back in the bucket at an angle so he could hang upside down and dry. I got the worst of the water off with cutips and then let him rest. He was worn out and so was I. I gave him another meal which he ate and his energy was coming up pretty fast.He fell fast asleep after that. We left and went to look at cars and found him one we could afford. We came back around 2:00 to water the animals and check on the little brown bat. Found him another meal and he was dry. He was sleeping so soundly I though he had passed away. He was just trying to recoup. We had hope that he might be able to fly later that evening. His little body looked pretty darn good and his wings were not sticky at all. We left again to sign paper work and get his car.
Later that evening the release. His little ears were still stuck together some but I could not wash them and not hurt his eyes. They need their ears to help them navigate or they will crash. I took a toothpick with a little olive oil and managed to right them. They were moving well. We gave him a meal for the road. We took him outside on the picnic table and watched to see if he had the energy to be able to fly. Otherwise we would keep him overnight and feed him. He took off but fell to the grass. We went over to help him and he squeeked at me" Give me a minute and I will try again". He did and he flew up and into a tree. I was so overwhelmed with happiness that he was able to fly I started to cry happy tears.  I know this sounds kinda silly but I worried over this little guy all day and thought he life was going to be over because of the flytrap I put up. But with careful work and lots of bug meals he made it and recovered. I thanked God for helping us to be able to help him.
I will never put another fly strip near an open door again. Lessoned learned. Just wanted to share this story with you girls. I am always amazed at the new things I learn everyday and the wonders of nature. I think that little brown but was the cutest little guy and he had such a fighting spirit. It was just too cool.
Happy Endings for us all !!!
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jul 11 2011 : 06:29:57 AM
Thanks Megan I will definately call on you next time.We ended up flying by the seat of our pants and common sense for the rest. Thank God for his sake we were able to do the right things for him.
My husband and I have spelunked in caves going back 30 some odd years ago.I think my husband still is connected with the Ohio Vally Grotto. We would go into caves in Somerset KY. We would always clean up trash left by others and bring it out. Some of the caves were on private land. Some of these caves are now gated to protect the bats and hopefully stop the spread of the fungus that is killing them.
That is really cool you were able to be a part of that research. I bet that was facinating.
Take care and thanks for everyones encouragement and support.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Jul 09 2011 : 06:42:53 AM
How wonderful! I used to work for an environmental firm that specializes in Bat research. Little browns are so cute, and they're often the victim of cars, windmills, and wildlife traps like that. I'm here in KY, and I wish I had known you had this little guy! I could've given you some resources and tips. Bats are so incredible!!!!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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| Marcy |
Posted - Jul 09 2011 : 05:47:20 AM
What a wonderful story. So glad that you were able to help. You just totally made my day. No one in my family understands my love of any and all animals, but I just love them all. Well, maybe except snakes, but that is just a scardy cat problem on my part. I love bats, I think they are adorable.
Hugs
Marcy
Farmgirl #170
Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give...Eleanor Roosevelt
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| edlund33 |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 7:59:53 PM
What a great story!
Cheers! ~ Marilyn
Farm Girl No. 1100
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldo Emerson |
| prariehawk |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 7:36:54 PM
I'm so glad you were able to save him, but please check yourself thoroughly for any scratches or bites. Bats can bite and you don't always feel it. It sounds like he was a healthy bat but check yourself to make sure.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 5:20:13 PM
Oh what a wonderful story and such a happy ending..I too have learn a valued lesson from this story and after reading it went outside to check on my sticky traps locations. It warms my heart to know that there are others out there that would go that extra mile for a small creature who needs us... I am so very proud of you both - hugs and bat wings to you two.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 5:17:26 PM
Linda, that is the sweetest story. I'm so glad your hubby found the little guy and y'all worked so hard to save it. I love bats and they are so good to have around. It does seem like so many things are against them. But you farmgirled it up and saved a bat! Good for you. He will be forever grateful, I'm sure.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| oldbittyhen |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 1:42:55 PM
Sooooo very happy that you were able to save him/her, I just love, love ,love my little fruit bats here, they are amazing creatures, eating up to 300% over their body weight in insects every single night, and watching them skim my ponds for water ( they drink on the fly), without them, the insects would be horrific...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
| Alee |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 09:11:16 AM
Wow!! Thank you so much for posting your story!! I am so so glad you were able to save the little guy! :)
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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| StrawHouseRanch |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 08:29:15 AM
I love that story! Great thinking on your part too with the olive oil. I'm so glad everything turned out well for the little bat. They are awesome creatures.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
A Beehive is the ultimate Home Sweet Home
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| Candy C. |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 07:46:09 AM
What a neat story Linda! Kudos to you for helping the little guy!
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
http://lazyjbarcfarm.blogspot.com/
www.calicocandy.etsy.com
http://stores.countrycents.com/StoreFront.bok?affiliate_no=6
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 07:36:07 AM
Thanks everyone so much. Its sure was quite an adventure. I'm just so glad it worked out. He can get back to his job of eating mosquitos. They are wonderful at controlling them. I have great admoration for these little creatures.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| sherrye |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 07:31:34 AM
oh linda, what a great adventure. i am happy to have read he lived and flew away. you went the extra mile. i know God knows what you did for one of his creatures. he says he even knows when a sparrow falls. so He knows you helped. good job farmgirl. loved to read the story. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 07:25:31 AM
Beautiful, Linda, and having had the pleasure of meeting you, I wouldn't expect anything less of you and your dear husband. We are all stewards of Mother Nature's creatures, and you proved that compassion for these beautiful little creatures, elbow grease (and olive oil and natural soap) are life savers. Hopefully this little guy will reward your homestead with some good mosquito eating!!!
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
| nubidane |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 07:24:06 AM
Oh my goodness Linda!
I still cannot believe you were able to do that |
| CMac |
Posted - Jul 08 2011 : 07:07:09 AM
You go farmgirl! Such a sweet story AND a happy ending. I am glad you were persistent and successful. Only a farmgirl would know how to protect herself AND get the job done.
...the smallest of these...
Connie
"I have three chairs in my house: one for solitude, two for friendship, three for company."
Author: Henry David Thoreau |
