Mission Accomplished!

This morning we decided to make one more last ditch effort to SAIL that boat.  I met up with my friends early in the morning at Fairport Harbor boat launch beach.  As we were setting the boat up, I spied a sea gull dragging itself over to the edge of the lake, and he would lap up the water as the waves would com in.  So sad!  He looked like maybe he had  a broken wing.  I couldn't just leave him there to die, but I wanted to go sailing too.  I was able to call the Penitentiary Glen Wildlife Rescue Center, but you have to bring in the animal yourself.  I found a cardboard box and we put the little guy in it, and then I put him in the shade.  

Poor little sea gull couldn't even hold his head up.

My friends couldn't get a proper truck with a hitch.  No problem!  Just get a U-Haul and take the boat apart!

As we finished setting everything up, this silly goose walked over and was demanding some food.  I gave him some Cheez-its and he just hung out with us intensely watching our every move.  One we got the boat launched, he even followed us for a bit in the lake!

Success!  The sail is up today!

Silly goose still hanging out!

Woo hoo! Sailing around the harbor.  I could hear the 5 foot waves crashing against the rocks of the harbor, so we stayed inside.  This photo was taken by some nice people named:

Doris & Michael Wright
Century 21 Home Star (Northeast Ohio)
440-231-0977 Doris  440-231-0974 Mike  440-449-9105 fax
www.becauselifechanges.net

Gimme more food!

My new best friend.

Time for my friends to head back to Texas.

The gang's all here!  This photo was taken by some nice people named:

Doris & Michael Wright (Northeast Ohio)
Century 21 Home Star
440-231-0977 Doris  440-231-0974 Mike  440-449-9105 fax
www.becauselifechanges.net

We were very happy to have a successful day of sailing.  I drove the sea gull to the wildlife center where I discovered he did not actually have a broken wing after all.  It was BOTULISM!  I had no idea that birds can get it.  It causes paralysis which explains why he was flopping around and eventually paralyzes their neck muscles, which explains why he couldn't hold his head up.  A week after I left him there, he was still alive getting treatment.

UPDATE 10/3/2012:  My parents received this letter from the wildlife center that I took the seagull to:

Dear Friend,

This postcard is to inform you that the Ringbilled Gull brought in for rehabilitation has been released. The time taken to bring this animal to the Wildlife Center was the first step to its return to the wild. Thank you for contributing to the mission of the Wildlife Center.

Sincerely,
Wildlife Care Specialists

Yay!  It took 6 weeks, but I am so happy he recovered and is flying free!