I just want it clear on the front end, the only people that call me Opossum are a bunch of stuffed shirt, book-worm, over-educated nerds. The rest of the normal world simply call me a Possum. For me to hear you say “Look! An Opossum!”, sounds about as dumb as calling a crawdad a crayfish. Get real, it’s crawdad and possum, get it right and let’s be friends.
Me, upon arrival at the hospital
As the only member of the Marsupial family of animals to inhabit North America, I have to admit that I often feel a bit unwelcome. I guess the rest of my relatives could never get used to the way you people drive! Oh my GOD! Can you not slow down at night? OK, maybe I’ve got a little problem with your lights. Excuse me if my beady little eyes can’t adust to twelve million candle power in two seconds. Heck, my brain is the size of a peanut, it’s not like I’m packin’ a Cray supercomputer between my ears to solve the problem of getting out of your way in 2 nanoseconds while you barrel through my dining room in your truck.
Sorry for that little outburst, I guess I am a little sensitive and I have a major headache. Probably wouldn’t be nearly as painful if some bozo in a Mercedes hadn’t run over my head!! Sorry, there I go again. Yes, I was in the road. Yes, I saw the lights, and yes I said, “Legs, could we not move?” But, the last thing through my mind was your right front Michelin.
I know that, by your standards, I am not exactly pretty. Don’t think I haven’t heard your comments about my naked tail, my goofy ears and my ugly smile. And I know how amused you are that I have that whole “play dead” thing in my survival repretoir’. Hey, it works, that’s all that matters. But thank you for picking me up out of the highway and taking me over to Chris Beatty at Florida Wild Mammal. Oh, and sorry about the blood all over your leather seat.
I heard her on the phone when she called the doctor. She said “Norm, her jaw is broken in 3 places, she is breathing shallow and bleeding from her nose.” After a brief pause I heard her say OK, I will get right on it and she’d see him first thing in the morning.
Chris tended to my wounds, gave me fluids and antibiotics, cleaned me up and tried her best to make me feel better. We made the short drive to the hospital early the next morning. When the doctor looked at me I could tell he was less than impressed. He looked at Chris, the angel of mercy, and said that I was a sight for sore eyes or something stupid like that. He said he thought he would never be looking after a possum. (At least he got my name right.)
“Not just “a” possum.”, she said. “Check her pouch, she’s got 10 kids in there and
A peek into my pouch at my younguns
not only do you need to fix her, you need to fix her quick. She’s a mom and she’s got a lot of work to do.” Maybe it was her tone, her charm or her knack for persuasion but things started to happen pretty fast after that. He stuck me with something sharp and the bells gonging in my head for 24 hours finally ceased. Finally, some peaceful sleep without pain and worry.
When I woke up, my head still hurt like crazy but my jaw worked again. It was so doggoned sore but at least it was in the proper position on my face. That doctor may not be a possum lover but he has sure got mad surgical skills. As I dictate these words I am admiring my new face and I must say, I am downright desirable. Probably would be a real catch if I didn’t have 10 little parasites sucking on me 24/7. They put a feeding tube in me so that I could be supported nutritionally while my jaw healed. It has helped me keep up my strength and take care of my babies. I appreciate that, I think.
The Kids-10 days later
My doc said I should tell my story so that everyone could come to know a possum as something other than roadkill. He said that we have an amazing resilience and heal quicker than a dog or cat. I encourage those kind remarks by not biting him when he comes by to check on me. Take my word for it doc, my jaw is doing fine. You don’t have to go messin’ around, pokin’ and pullin’ on my lips. But anyway,on behalf of all these younguns; Hanky, Panky, Pookie, Spookie, Mookie, Cassie, Hassie, Lassie, Fernando and Slim, thank you. And Chris, you absolute angel, trust me – there really is that “special place” for people like you. May peace always be yours.
Odessa O. Possum
My Little "Mookie"
Already suckin' a thumb
That' My Boy!
I still have my feeding tube to protect my jaw.
12 responses so far ↓
Linda // April 8, 2009 at 3:29 am |
Don’t really know what to say about this other than man ole man. I admire your dedication to help ALL living animals regardless of what they look like. Hats off to you, DOC !!!!
Shannon Rhue // April 8, 2009 at 10:53 am |
Nice save! More young uns’ than the octo mom, and smarter too. By the way, Dr. Seuss would love your opening paragraph.
jennifer j // April 8, 2009 at 12:04 pm |
Pretty cool. Hope she fully recovers without hurting her healer. What wonderful creature will be next to meet your aquaintance?? Can’t wait to hear.
Maria // April 8, 2009 at 7:32 pm |
Forgive me but I still call a Possum “Opossum” sometimes…must be the “language barrier”…but I’m working on it!
I saw her and the babies today. She even turned around to show off her jungens…you know their names…GREAT JOB DOC!!!!!
Barbara Tysz // April 9, 2009 at 7:05 pm |
I have a possum story as well. You know we get Racoons every night & one night the garage door was left open & they helped themselves to our outdoor cat ‘Josie”’s cat food. Well, thinking that perhaps it wouldn’t be “good” for Josie to eat anymore, I threw out what was left in the back & to my wonder, about 11:00 PM that night, there was Josie, a racoon, & a beautiful huge albino possum all eating together. What a great sight. This possum was sooooo big, perhaps it was he/she who got in the garage in the first place to chow down on Josie’s cat food. But is was neat seeing them all get along together, because I know that either the racoon or the possum could have really done a “job” on Josie. Thanks for sharing your possum story – very touching.
fwmanews // April 11, 2009 at 9:57 pm |
I stopped in to see Ms. O.O.P yesterday and she looks good. She was sleeping soundly and let me lay my hand on her to feel her smooth, even breathing. Little wiggles all over the place – growing and looking good. I know they are so thankful you saved their mama! I think word has gotton out to the ‘possum community – he who fixes jaws and sews ears! Hero to OP’s everywhere! Good Job, man….good job!
norm80 // April 12, 2009 at 12:29 am |
Awe shucks, what can I say? All God’s creatures, right?
n.g.
Linda Beaty // April 15, 2009 at 8:05 pm |
Normie,
I’ll never look at road kill the same way again. Well, actually, I NEVER look at road kill. You do God’s work, my friend. All of God’s creatures have a purpose. Not SURE what a possum’s is – - -but it must be somethin’.
Greetings to Melody.
Linda Beaty
Donna & John // April 30, 2009 at 9:51 pm |
Love the attitude that this little POSSUM has. I am, once again, in awe of your heart and your artistic scalpal. I am pleased to report that most of the traffic, including farm traffic (out here where we live now) tries their dangdest to miss all God’s little creatures. Much different than “city folk”! We now have 6 laying hens to add to our family and one great Red Rooster . . . John calls Rojo! We genericly call all the hens “Ladies” . . . also . . .
we are now the proud adopters of a “pound puppy” we named Joey. He is 12 weeks & mostly Corgie. He is able to run the acreage with the big dogs. And he quickly found his own personality among this managerie we call our family! Take care of all in your neck of the woods! Our best to all y’all! D & J
connie bowers // June 9, 2009 at 2:41 pm |
Again your compassion is fantastic!
Will see you soon, have another foster dog to get
his traveling papers.
Connie Bowers
Stacy // October 15, 2009 at 5:07 pm |
I found an injured possum this morning and rushed it to a vet. It was disoriented with bloody paws and it was also bleeding out of it’s mouth. I tried to give it a capful of water, but it started choking. I thought it was going to die and I don’t think I could have handled that. When I called the vet a few hours later I was told it is in pretty bad shape and to call back again in a few hours for another update. I am hopeful it will survive. I pray he is as resilient as the one in this story. Thanks for the encouragement.
marion // December 2, 2009 at 12:34 am |
All God’s creature’s deserve our love and compassion. What a wonderful story.
I have been rehabbing opos for 5 years and they really are gentle souls.