Aug 3, 2009: Freedom the Eagle

xoxoxoBruce · 08-03-2009, 12:38 AM

Freedom is a rescued bald eagle and Jeff Guidry is his handler at the Sarvey Wildlife Center in Arlington, Washington.

The picture is amazing but the story is even more so.

Quote:

It was mid-summer when a call came in reporting a fledgling Bald Eagle had fallen out of a nest on a Seattle golf course. Our very own Crazy Bob went to the rescue and transported her to the Center. She arrived with two broken wings. When asked to take her to the vet, I jump at the chance.

When I load this hurt and terrified baby into the car, she neither whimpers nor fights; she can't even stand. This is not a good sign; she is obviously in very bad shape. As I drive to Sno-Wood Veterinary Hospital, I constantly look back to check on my very special passenger. She stares at me with big beautiful brown eyes, her mouth slightly agape. I drive a little faster—this Bald Eagle must live!

She is operated on and has both wings pinned; they are now immobile. Back at Sarvey we lay her in the bottom half of a huge carrier filled with shredded newspaper for support.

The fight for her life begins.

The story details the struggle to get Freedom healthy enough to stand up, or they will have to euthanize her. Obviously she lived, but would never fly, so since she couldn't go back to the wild maybe they could use her for educational programs.

Quote:

I started getting her used to the glove, a little at a time. At first she was thinking, "OK, I'll step on your hand but only with one foot." Then, "OK, I'll use both feet but only for a second." Later, "Yeah you can take me part way out of my cage, then I'll jump right back in." And finally, "OK, I'll let you walk around with me on your arm. Hey, this is fun!"

Jeff worked hard so save this Eagle, so turnabout is fair play.

Quote:

When Jeff was later diagnosed with a serious illness requiring chemotherapy, he found himself turning to Freedom for support. Two or three times a week, whenever he felt well enough, he would drive from Bothell to Arlington to walk with Freedom around the grounds. Now it was Freedom's turn to give Jeff a reason to fight for his life.

Jeff made it too...
...and they all lived happily ever after.

link

spudcon · 08-03-2009, 04:23 AM

Stuffing and cranberry sauce?

Sheldonrs · 08-03-2009, 06:26 AM

So when Freedom was hurt, God gave him Jeff. When Jeff got sick, God gave him the bird.

capnhowdy · 08-03-2009, 06:47 AM

I can't think of a better way to start my week than reading this story. Life has its beautiful moments.

Damn... I love the Cellar. Thanks.

Tick · 08-03-2009, 07:12 AM

Tastes like California Condor, but less corpsy.
Nothing to see here folks. Carrion.

spudcon · 08-03-2009, 07:21 AM

Thank you tick, that was touching. Sniff.

Cloud · 08-03-2009, 08:41 AM

The pic is just . . . awwww!

Sheldonrs · 08-03-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tick

Tastes like California Condor, but less corpsy.
Nothing to see here folks. Carrion.

But they seem so enRAPTORed with eachother.

richlevy · 08-03-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Franklin’s Letter to His Daughter (excerpt)
“For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.
“With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country . . .
“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”

So turkeys are better than eagles...and tastier too.

DucksNuts · 08-06-2009, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheldonrs

So when Freedom was hurt, God gave him Jeff. When Jeff got sick, God gave him the bird.

buahahahahahaha, you are soooo going to hell....but I will at least see you there.

Oh, and you need to clean my screen.

treehugger · 10-08-2009, 02:37 PM

I live in Arlington and I've seen Freedom at Sarvey. I even got to hold her.

SPUCK · 10-09-2009, 04:59 AM

Sweet.
I saw an owl once at a show. They asked everyone to be very quiet as at a previous show there was a loud noise and an owl spontaneously dropped dead on the spot.

capnhowdy · 10-09-2009, 07:00 AM

Make sure to parboil these animals prior to grilling to enhance texture and intensify flavor.

treehugger · 11-25-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnhowdy

Make sure to parboil these animals prior to grilling to enhance texture and intensify flavor.

that is soooooooooooo gross

capnhowdy · 11-25-2009, 05:18 PM

Thank you.

08-03-2009, 04:23 AM	#2
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	Stuffing and cranberry sauce? __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

08-03-2009, 06:26 AM	#3
Sheldonrs Master Dwellar Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 4,412	So when Freedom was hurt, God gave him Jeff. When Jeff got sick, God gave him the bird. __________________ Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and the world laughs AT you.

08-03-2009, 06:47 AM	#4
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	I can't think of a better way to start my week than reading this story. Life has its beautiful moments. Damn... I love the Cellar. Thanks. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

08-03-2009, 07:21 AM	#6
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	Thank you tick, that was touching. Sniff. __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

08-03-2009, 08:41 AM	#7
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	The pic is just . . . awwww! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

08-03-2009, 07:12 AM	#5
Tick Do-er of Deeds Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 41	Tastes like California Condor, but less corpsy. Nothing to see here folks. Carrion.

10-08-2009, 02:37 PM	#11
treehugger Antagonistic Antagonist Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 22	I live in Arlington and I've seen Freedom at Sarvey. I even got to hold her.

10-09-2009, 04:59 AM	#12
SPUCK Professor Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,911	Sweet. I saw an owl once at a show. They asked everyone to be very quiet as at a previous show there was a loud noise and an owl spontaneously dropped dead on the spot.

10-09-2009, 07:00 AM	#13
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Make sure to parboil these animals prior to grilling to enhance texture and intensify flavor. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

11-25-2009, 05:18 PM	#15
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Thank you. __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

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