At the zoo

Here at the ranch, we live with an array of exotic animals.
Because there are so many different species living in close confinement, there can be the odd barney every now and then with the odd injury arising here and there.

The health system here in Australia does not always accommodate for medium to large-scale surgeries to be done straight away, so subsequently the patients have to go on a waiting list.

There are simply not enough qualified surgeons or not one surgeon with enough time so in some instances the patient has to wait several months before the much needed operation takes place.

Take Mr Duck, for example.
He arrived here about this time last year. He had only been with us a short while before it became apparent that he was of poor health. A simple tug-and-tow left him with a gashing wound on his chest and a collapsed lung. Before his "accident" he was able to utter simple duck sounds and engage in everyday conversation. After "the accident" his state of health reclined rapidly but help was not available until now.

However, we are pleased to announce that the very qualified surgeon visited our country town last weekend and was able to help not just Mr Duck but ALL patients on the waiting list.

 

Amongst the lucky ones that were issued with a new lease on life was The Piggy.

The surgeon was not only able to save his ear (although it is a bit more stickie-uppie than before), she also helped him regain his grunt.

Mr Duck, although capable of making half a duck noise immediately after surgery, has gone quiet for what we suspect will be forever. Nonetheless, his chest cavity is fixed. Phew...

The Kiwi regained the use of his feet (although one toe had to be amputated) and he can still speak, too. He does a really cool twerp twerp rainforest kind of call when you squeeze his special part.

And the giraffe still has one shoe that squeaks.

See how his body has different fur compared to the head and legs?
Well, this was not the first time this lucky (or unlucky?) fellow had life-saving surgery.
Maggie, Riley and Bonnie's pinkie, also a qualified surgeon, had saved his life after things got a bit too exciting down at Merricks over the bay when Molly was there on holidays last. Different town, better health system. He got seen the same week.

Back then, Angus had also much needed surgery of the neck. Because Molly loves him so much, he gained a ginormous wound at the back of the neck from all the lovin' but hung in there nonetheless.
Molly doesn't leave the house without him so, Angus, despite his poor state of health back then, made the big trip across the bay with her and was rewarded for it, too!

So all things are good now with everyone presenting with optimum health, given the circumstances, and we deemed it appropriate to gather for a family photo.

 INKY and MOLLY