A message from the President:
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you.” Job 12:7, NIV
The wildlife tumbled helter-skelter into our waiting hands in great numbers this last year. Cottontails still numbered more than others – close to 200 were released back into the wild. Opossums, noses quivering in the evening air, raced by this season, the count was close to 40. Fox squirrels, over 60 in all, were graced by loving hands who fed them as often as every hour and a half throughout the day and into the night. Even the oh, so intelligent raccoon came noisily into our lives and 17 found release in beautiful habitat. Bobcats, 8 in all, came to us because their mothers were unnecessarily trapped creating orphans wild with threat and mistrust. A few of our feathered friends waddled, quacking softly, into the life and heart of one of our own. The need for a wildlife center here in north Texas is at crisis level. We found that our time was stretched more than it ever has been, and there were many many days when the telephone calls caused me to break down into tears. I could not help them all. But, once again, Lynn, Maryanne, Rick, DeDe, CJ and John were the lifelines attached to those precious little lives. Once again, my volunteers earned halos in heaven for their efforts, help and comfort. Once again, I am humbled by my team, and owe them so very much indeed.
A little red bat came into our lives briefly one night. This picture was taken at Dottie’s house, and is one I will keep close always. This little red bat sought warmth and solace in the company of a little cottontail. The picture speaks for itself. The bat went on to Amanda Lollar’s Bat World here in Mineral Wells, Texas, and the cottontail went on to be released up at the Clear Creek Wildlife Refuge here in north Denton County.
Thank you, Cyrena and Stan McMurry, for the amazing love and care you gave to me and to the animals this last year. So many domestic bunnies and so much wildlife owe you their thanks. We could not have done what we did without you. God bless.
We rescued over 200 domestic rabbits in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Homes were found for 150. We participated in the Heard Wildlife Museum’s Earth Day event, held adopt-a-rabbits every other week at Petsmart Plano and Lewisville, gave talks at various elementary schools around the area, rescued over 37 that had been let loose in Saginaw and allowed to breed, spayed and neutered other’s rabbits that just didn’t have the financial means to do so, responded to The Cooper Aerobic Institute’s plea for help when 8 domestic rabbits were spotted on their grounds – abandoned for heaven knows what reason. Mom, dad, and 6 young rabbits cunningly and with great glee avoided being caught for several weeks. Finally, we were successful in nabbing 6 of them. Unfortunately, there were others that weren’t so lucky. One of them, just the other night, came to us unable to move – his spine injured. He had literally forced his body up the steps to the front door of the clinic, where Pat found him. She met me that night, and that was the only night that the little brave Dutch was warm and safe. He would not recover from his injury, but he will not be forgotten. He is buried where roses bloom in the sun.
It’s what we do. It’s what I do. There is never a regret, only a growing sadness that the problem of rabbit abandonment – whether at the shelter, on the street, in the field or wherever, will never go away. There will always be a creature that needs help. And, God willing, WildRescue will be there to help. Domestic rabbits are the third most abandoned animals at the shelters, so we are told. We nod our heads for we have known this for quite some time. Wildlife, because of habitat destruction, needs a voice in education and a vow of co-existence with their human neighbors. Yes, this is what we do, and we do it very well.
Thank you Karen, Joy, Brenda and Gerald, Linda, Holly and Chris. Forgive me if anyone has been left out. Thank you Aunt Kris, for creating such a BUNderful website! Thank you Ann, Marilyn, Dr. Rogers, Dr. Patty, Dr. Pam, Dr. Ward, and all of you who have given – financially and physically – to the betterment of this world and the creatures that God has loaned us. Thank you one and all, for by adopting a domestic rabbit, you have saved a great and beautiful life. Thank you, all who have assisted at our events – you caught a bit of the spark of our passion and passed it on allowing the good to spread. It is by the grace of God that we (and I) go on, and it is by your grace that such good work is done. Be generous this year, be thoughtful in your deeds, be willing to take a chance and adopt unconditional love. Be happy, be joyful, and thank you for being our friend.
Here’s to next year and the adventures ahead!
Diana (head bunny and chief whisker wiggler)
Diana Leggett
President, WildRescue/Rabbit Rescue, Inc.
940-442-8289/940-834-9890
Past Messages from the President
We believe that we are our animals Guardian and not their owner. We do not own them but are here to look out after and keep safe these intelligent and gentle creatures, not to abuse, neglect, sell, eat, or abandon them. Step up and embrace the concept of Guardian. To learn more on how to help change this image in your community, please contact us at WildRescue.
If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who deal likewise with their fellow men. - St. Francis of Assisi