You may remember Rachael, my friend who has dedicated her life to the welfare of animals. Rachael runs Sydney's Legacy, an animal education program, where she teaches children and adults about sharing our world with animals.
Every Thursday, Rachael volunteers with Orion, the great horned owl, at a wildlife sanctuary outside Los Angeles. Before that she hikes in the mountains around the sanctuary where Orion lives.
Rachael working with a rescued raven.
When Rachael was hiking recently, she came around a bend in the trail and ran right into a skunk. They both stopped dead in their tracks and looked at each other.
Bing Images
The skunk stared at Rachael and stomped its front paws into the ground, a sign of skunk distress. And, of course, we all know what's coming next.
Bing Images
Rachael said she was praying as the skunk turned around, ready to let her have it. There was nothing else she could do. She was certain to get sprayed at that point.
Rachael with Angel and Soldier
But then something wonderful happened: The skunk turned around, stomped its front paws a few more times, then turned and headed off the path into the bushes.
When I heard this, I told Rachael it just proves that animals are so much smarter than we think. The skunk knew Rachael cared and was not a threat. Even if the skunk didn't know all the good things Rachael has done for animals, he felt her energy and that was enough for him to reconsider spraying her and head for the bushes instead.
If you don't believe me, just look at the adoring looks Rachael is getting in the picture above. My dogs don't behave like that with people in general, but they know Rachael is a very special friend.
To learn about Rachael, the animals at Sydney's Legacy, and much, much more, click here. To read earlier posts, click the tab for Sydney's Legacy at the top of my blog.
so glad rachael didn't get sprayed! that skunk can save his scent for someone or something much more menacing. :)
ReplyDeleteVa bra jobb hon gör, kul att det finns sådan eldsjälar för djuren...heder åt henne.
ReplyDeleteSka ut en fotorunda nu ....
Kram från oss.
I do remember your friend, Rachael, and am VERY GLAD she did not get "skunked!"...:)JP
ReplyDeletei agree with you, i am thinking the skunk knew she was no danger to him. glad she did not get sprayed, yikes out there no place to shower off or pour tomato juice on herself.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that Rachel and the skunk came to their unspoken "understanding." Considering how good Rachel is with animals, this is not a surprise, as you have noted.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a wonderful week!
I knew a girl in high school who got sprayed. That poor girl stunk for months despite having taken tons of showers and baths in V-8. We all endured.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure where your post was going, but it took a different twist from what I was thinking. I've read that Great Horned Owls have no sense of smell, and they are the major predator of skunks. One took an opossum in our back garden (the woodland area) a few years ago, hulled it out from the soft underside and left a stinky pelt scattered about for me to deal with come spring and thaw.
ReplyDeleteWe is smarter than we let on...hehehe. I am sooooo glad hers didn't get sprayed cuz hers would has prolly spooked da udder animals on her hike...hehehe. Her has a fabulous hair cut, even though dat has nuttin' to withs dis post.
ReplyDeleteRachael needs to come talk to my Stoopid neighbors bouts animals.
Puddles
I remember her very well, & I'm glad that she & the skunk worked things out!!
ReplyDeletePhew, good thing that she wasn't sprayed. She seems to have a good hand with animals.
ReplyDeleteBird = good and skunk well not so good! Richard
ReplyDeleteRachel does sound like a special person!
ReplyDeleteRachael seems like such a neat person. I have an owl like that on my property. He is an awesome sight to see for sure, although I never get that close.
ReplyDeleteAnimals ARE smart, I think sometimes smarter and wiser than people. Rachael is someone I'd like to meet. What a wonderful work she does; no greater calling than teaching IMO. I love that photograph of her with the great horned owl. One day when my daughter Jen and I were living in St. George, an owl perched in a tree by our condo. Only time I've ever seen such a creature up close. I felt sad the next day when he was gone.
ReplyDeleteYour header photo is awesome, Inger!
And thanks for your comment on my post where I just reviewed a crime thriller. You said you might help me in ways I don't know yet if I write a memoir about my daughter Jen. (I knew that we're the same age!) I just told her that I may also weave my brother into the story. For a while I was a kind of (reluctant) caretaker of my brother, and have already written material about him that's novella length. My title was Loving My Brother Again. Since Jen was with me during the process, I think I can dovetail the two characters and end up with a full length memoir.
He had to sense her calm and caring heart.
ReplyDeleteI love her hair cut and wish I could pull that off. It looks so easy to care for.
Dear Inger, I so agree with you that animals somehow know those humans who love and trust them. And I do remember past postings about Rachel and all the good and wonderful and necessary work she does for animals and for all of us with whom she shares her work. Peace.
ReplyDeleteA special story about a special lady!
ReplyDeleteFelice giornata a te...ciao
ReplyDeleteHow could I not remember Rachael? She is an inspiration. And the skunk knew that. Animals know good people when they meet them.
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ReplyDeleteRachael is gifted! I see how the animals truly love her. So glad that was a smart skunk!
ReplyDeleteOh yes I agree animals know. I can see that Rachel is a very special kind lady.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story and a lovely friend.
ReplyDeleteHey Inger - What lovely comments from your fellow bloggers! Thanks everyone:) I have always loved skunks - they are cute and very curious. I've been fortunate to work with one and it was so sweet - very soft pads on the bottoms of their feet. And, thanks for the comments on my haircut -- I cut it myself! Super short is so much easier when you work with animals. As always: thanks for promoting Sydney's Legacy, Inger! The animals & I really appreciate it:)
ReplyDeleteHi Inger - love those photos aren't they just great ... and what Rachael does is just brilliant .. cheers Hilary
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