“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity,
you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.” -St. Francis of Assisi

How does a person pick up a living, breathing creature, seal it in a garbage bag and toss that bag into a dumpster? What are the thought processes involved in such an act? Is there a feeling of guilt afterwards? Do you wonder about the creature that was so easily disposed of and how it suffered? And how long did it suffer?

How does the person that tossed that life away differ from the person that rescued it? Why does one person act by showing compassion and kindness? Why does another person obviously see this creature as not worthy?

Francis arrived at Canyon Lake Veterinary Hospital one afternoon after being rescued from a dumpster at Canyon Lake Park. Her rescuer had heard “a commotion” coming from the dumpster and realized it was actually coming from a garbage bag in that dumpster. When the bag was opened the source of the commotion was revealed—it was Francis!

When we received her, Francis was dirty and underweight. The feathers on her head were thin as if she’d been picked on by other ducks. Her right leg was obviously fractured.

After a thorough exam she was sedated and radiographs were taken. It was determined that pinning the leg offered her the best chance for a full recovery.

It should be mentioned that both Dr. Mortimer and Dr. Goodrich give so willingly and unselfishly of their time to these wild beings. Without the kindness of these two special individuals creatures like Francis would have little chance for recovery.

Dr. James Mortimer performed the surgery on a Tuesday morning. By Friday morning that same week Francis was enjoying her first walk-about in the yard she shared with two other ducks (who have their own story!)

Everything seemed to be going so well. Francis continued to improve. She gained weight, she was clean and her feathers were growing back. The pin was removed after 3 and ½ weeks. But even with the antibiotics she was on an infection developed in the leg. We were all very discouraged.

Switching antibiotics, scrubbing the leg, flushing the wound with special disinfectant, tube feeding—Francis tolerated it all. And finally 6 weeks after the pinning we were over the hump. The leg was much improved. She was walking on it more, the swelling was gone and she was feeling much better.

Francis and her 2 duck friends are now at their new permanent home where they will never have another worry. She will always walk with a limp but life is good!!

Her story could have had a much different ending. There would be no happy ending if it were not for the person who thankfully saved her. How many other people heard her cries but chose to ignore them? How many others passed her by before the one with kindness in her heart stopped to offer help?

Unfortunately this type of thing happens every day but not always with the same happy outcome. We’re so busy in our own lives, in such a hurry. It’s an inconvenience to stop to offer help to the nestling fallen from the tree or the injured squirrel by the side of the road. The real heroes are those special people who take a moment out of their busy lives to offer assistance to a fellow creature in need. We commend you and celebrate your compassionate spirits!

Oh, by the way. Francis is named for St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment.

Today....finds Francis & Friends having fun!