Treading Water (9 page)

B
y the time Dr. Mac is done with the well-puppy checkup, all the Vet Volunteers have made up and made some plans.

“Sorry, kids,” Dr. Mac says after the family has left and she has locked the door behind them. “That took longer than I expected. First-time dog owners have lots of questions. I didn't realize they were first-timers, or I wouldn't have asked for you to come so early. She looks around at all of us seated on the floor and in the chairs of the waiting room.

“Did I miss anything?” she asks. Boy, did she ever.

“We had talked about doing high school presentations, but we've decided to drop those and put on a Community Awareness Day,” Sunita pipes up.

I look at Maggie, then back to the group. “A spring open house at the wildlife rehabilitation center,” I say. “We can show people around the center and teach people about the problem of abandoned animals.”

Dr. Mac says, “Are your parents on board with this?”

“I haven't asked them yet. It just came together when all of us started talking,” I explain.

“We could bring the bunnies that have been abandoned here,” Jules suggests.

“Maybe some families would adopt them the day of the open house,” Sunita says. “Especially if we advertise ahead of time that they're available. Give people time to consider the adoption. We don't want anyone doing this on impulse, after all.”

“What if we called the shelter to see if they wanted to come, too?” David asks.

“You mean participate?” I ask him. “Maybe bring the bunnies that they have?”

“Yup. That's exactly what I mean,” he says. “And, what if we invite the feed store and tractor-supply managers to come? They could learn about this problem. Might help for next year.”

David can really surprise you some days. Inside that goofy brain of his lurk some pretty fantastic ideas.

“We could have the ducklings learn to swim,” Maggie suggests. “People would come out to see what we mean, and they would have fun and a great lesson on what can happen to animals purchased as temporary toys.”

“That's a great idea,” I say.

“I got it from you,” Maggie says.

“What?”

“When you did the presentation in science class. I listened,” she says. I remember that she did. Even though she was so mad at me then, Maggie cares about animals and just eats up animal facts.

“Sounds like you kids have a lot of planning to do. Great ideas, all!” Dr. Mac says. Then she looks at me, “Brenna, you'll talk to your parents and get this nailed down?”

“Immediately,” I say. I realize that it's a great opportunity to show them that I can be mature, and make up for some of the trouble I've caused recently.

That night, I e-mail all of the Vet Volunteers and give them the open house date, four Saturdays away. We have a lot to get done.

Four weeks later, we have a gorgeous day for the wildlife rehabilitation center open house. In fact, it's so warm, it feels like a summer open house.

I walk around with Poe on my shoulder and my clipboard in my hand—it has all the times for the day's events in case someone asks me for them—and check on all our “stations.”

I spot a reporter. She is carrying a large satchel and is holding a small notepad.

“Are you Brenna Lake?” she asks.

“I am.”

“Nice to meet you. I'm Vivian Michael,
Montgomery County Gazette
? Your father—I believe it was your father—he's out there parking cars? He told me to come find you and I'd get a lot of good information? He said you'd be the one with a crow on your shoulder?” She smiles wide and nods her head up and down a lot.

She seems friendly. I like her. But it's kind of funny that everything she says sounds like a question even when she isn't asking anything.

“What would you like to know?” I ask.

“Well, I would like to know why you have a crow on your shoulder. But do you want to show me around? I can ask some questions as we go. Will that be all right?”

“We can start right here,” I say. “We're calling this the Bunny Bungalow.”

Jules and Sunita are in charge at this station. Their pop-up tent has no sides to it, just some shade over all the bunny cages and straw bales. Jules has the abandoned lionhead bunny on a bale of straw. Sunita has the tiny black bunny that someone left in a box outside Dr. Mac's Place. A couple of preschoolers wiggle around in front of the bunnies.

“Jules, Sunita,” I introduce them, “This is Vivian Michael. She's a reporter.”

“Hi,” they say at the same time and then look at each other giggling.

“What can you tell me about these rabbits?” Ms. Michael asks. “They seem friendly.”

Jules and Sunita look at each other. It seems like neither one knows who should talk first. I rescue them.

“Jules, maybe you can tell her about where all of these rabbits came from?” I can see Sunita relax a little. She smiles at Jules and pets the rabbit in front of her. While Jules tells about finding the rabbits, Sunita lets kids pet them. She and Jules have made bunny-care handouts. Sunita goes over one of the sheets with a mom and her two kids who drove an hour and a half to look at the bunnies for adoption.

“So what other questions do you have for me about bunny care?” Sunita asks the lady.

“I think you've answered all my questions,” she says. “I had rabbits my entire childhood. And now that my cat has died I think I'd like to have a rabbit again. My kids are so excited. I already bought a cage.” Her kids nod and jump around a little. Their mom rests a hand on each of their shoulders, and they settle down with big grins plastered across their faces.

“Oh, so you've come prepared,” Sunita says.

“I've been considering a bunny for the last year. When I saw the info about this open house and all the bunnies up for adoption, we just
had
to come.”

Sunita and the mom continue to talk, while Sunita shows her all of the available rabbits. I listen again to Jules's conversation.

“I had no idea that people would just turn pet rabbits loose into the wild,” Ms. Michael says, in horror.

Jules points out the poster she made, and David's, too. David's has great information, but the rabbit he drew looks a little like a pig.

Ms. Michael jots down a few more notes and turns to me and says, “I'm ready for our next stop.”

I lead her to our Fox Family Station. Dad has built some temporary stockade fencing to shield the fox family from the visitors. Dad and Sage outfitted it with a hole—like a duck blind—so people can see the fox family but not get too near them or be seen by them. Sage is stationed there. He allows visitors to borrow his binoculars, and he explains how and why we care for animals like this fox family and how and when we release them back into the wild.

There is a line of about twenty people waiting to see through the binoculars. Sage was smart when he constructed a box for the smaller kids to stand on so they can see through the “duck blind,” too. Everyone over here at Sage's station is also paying attention to the signs that say,
PLEASE SPEAK QUIETLY, WE DON'T WANT TO FRIGHTEN THE FOXES.

Next, I take Ms. Michael to Mom in the critter barn. The family she has been talking with thanks her and leaves clutching Mom's handout. It shows what it takes to run our center. It has information in case people want to donate, volunteer, or even adopt a bunny. I introduce my mom to Vivian Michael.

“Nice to meet you,” Mom says. “Brenna, I can show her the rest of the place so you can get ready.”

I head off to find Maggie. Our presentation is set for two o'clock, and it's almost that time now.

I jog past Jayvee, crouching in the grass with a bunch of other kids. Jayvee has a special station set up to show off his origami dinosaurs, because what wildlife open house would be complete without the dinosaur display? Josh and a guy I recognize from the Outdoor Club are at a picnic table nearby helping kids make origami rabbits, ducks, and chicks. Jayvee helps them make dinosaurs. No one has abandoned any dinosaurs lately, but if they do, I know Jayvee will be on hand to tell them why they shouldn't.

The animal shelter's station is right near Jayvee's. They also have a pop-up tent and straw bales. A few families sit on the bales listening to the volunteer. The animal shelter has brought pictures of dogs and cats needing good homes. They also brought application forms. Every hour they give a presentation on adopting from the shelter as well as volunteering there. I looked at their photos earlier and thought I should consider volunteering my services. They could really use someone who can take better pictures than they have now. I bet they'd stand a better chance of having some of the animals adopted if people could see them clearer.

But I remind myself that I'm already doing plenty of volunteering. I can't do everything—especially if I want to do it right. And keep my friends. And that's when another idea comes to me, the Ambler High School Photography Club. They could take on the animal shelter as a community service project. They could rotate volunteer photographers who go in and take photos of the animals in need of good homes. They'd certainly be better than the ones the shelter has now. But that club wasn't very nice to me. And honestly, I'm still too embarrassed to bring it up with them. I'll suggest this to Nick and let him talk to them instead.

Alongside my father's workshop, the Outdoor Club has set up a food stand. They're serving lemonade and cookies and, oddly enough, grilled asparagus. The asparagus is Zoe's idea. She's always trying to get everyone to eat healthier. Zoe stands behind the table with Nick and his girlfriend and Dr. Gabe. I recognize a couple of other boys from the Outdoor Club, too. One is arranging asparagus on a platter. Zoe seems to be assisting him in some way. I know it's not just because of her love for green vegetables. Typical Zoe. I don't think she can help herself.

Walking up to their table, I wave to Dr. Gabe, Nick, and his girlfriend.

“Hey, Brenna, great turnout!” Nick says. His girlfriend looks up from her phone.

“Sure is. Thanks for helping out,” I say.

“I'm on call today, but I figured I'd hang around here until I'm needed elsewhere. It's nice to see how well things are going,” Dr. Gabe says. He and Nick continue their conversation.

“Hey, Zoe,” I call, “any chance you know where Maggie is?”

“Haven't seen her since we set up the kiddie pool. Is she still over there?” Zoe asks.

She turns back to the boy she is “helping” without waiting for an answer from me. I just shake my head and continue on.

And then I see Maggie with a few adults heading my way. I recognize Mr. Kurt, manager of the feed store.

“Brenna, this is Mr. Morris from the tractor supply,” Maggie says, introducing the other man.

I shake his hand. He looks at me strangely. Then I notice his eyes drift up. I had forgotten that I was still “wearing” Poe.

“Probably not used to a crow hanging around,” I suggest.

“Not hardly,” he replies. “Nice bird.” He looks wary.

“Thank you,” I say.

Mr. Kurt from the feed store says, “Now, I know I met you not long ago. With that rascally boy.”

“Oh, David, he's actually really nice,” I begin. “He just—”

“Don't take offense. I like rascally boys. Raised four of them myself. He's in all the time with his dad. I like that kid.”

“Thanks so much to both of you for coming. Maggie and I are about to begin our presentation,” I say.

Maggie says, “Yeah, thanks.” She points to my mom and the reporter heading our way.

“Good,” I say to Maggie. “I wouldn't have wanted to start without them.”

Maggie looks at the men and says, “Would you like to have a seat?”

She points to the rows of nearby straw bales. Some families are already settled in. Dr. Mac stands beside the easels that Maggie and I set up earlier. The kiddie pool is off to the left, and we are about ready to begin.

I smile at Maggie. She smiles and gives me a thumbs-up.

Dr. Mac begins, “Ladies and gentlemen, children, and animal friends, I'd like to introduce you to two of my Vet Volunteers. This is Brenna Lake and Maggie MacKenzie. They have a special presentation.”

I hear a child in the front row stage whisper, “Is she a pirate?”

I motion to Dr. Mac to take Poe. I sometimes forget that not everyone expects to see a crow sitting on someone's shoulder. I don't want him to be a distraction from our presentation. I glance over at Maggie. She looks a little nervous.

I lean in and whisper, “You've got this. They're here because they want to know.”

Maggie nods and begins. “One of the sadder parts of spring is the abandonment of Easter pets.”

I flip the paper on the easel so everyone can see the first poster. It's the one Josh did. It shows an empty Easter basket and a bunny hopping away.

Maggie continues, “Every year, people buy rabbits, chicks, and ducklings as gifts for children. Most people do not realize the care that these pets need. Every year, people drop off these new pets the week after Easter to the animal shelter, the vet clinic, or to the dangers of the wild.”

I flip the chart to show Maggie's poster on the statistics of how long these pets are expected to live in the wild before becoming prey to other animals, dying of starvation and hunger, or being killed in traffic.

The audience is hushed. The two store managers look concerned.

It's time for me to speak. Maggie flips the chart to reveal my poster. I give the same talk that I did for my science class. I tell people about the cruel practice of dyeing animals.

Now it's time for our duckling demonstration.

David and Josh lead the ducklings across the grass and through the crowd to us. The ducklings look like grown-up ducks now. At just five weeks, they are fully feathered, white Pekin ducks. Just like Dr. Gabe predicted. Maggie flips to the next poster of my photos of our first attempts at introducing the ducklings safely to water.