City streets are no strangers to wandering birds, yet in Hewlett Harbor, New York, one passerby noticed something that didn’t fit the usual scene. A tiny creature was struggling near the edge of the road, its movements faint and uncertain.
Concerned, the witness quickly flagged down a security officer who happened to be nearby. Together, they approached the fragile figure.
The officer was puzzled by how little the bird seemed to move, though he guessed it must be a duckling. Wanting to keep it safe from cars and curious onlookers, he placed a cardboard box gently over the animal and reached out to a local wildlife rescuer.
Neither the Good Samaritan nor the officer realized that what they had just sheltered would soon reveal a surprising truth.
Not A Duckling As Assumed
When Karenlynn Stracher, a well-known wildlife rehabilitator and rescuer in New York, arrived at the scene, she was intrigued by the officer’s description.
“When the officer first found me, he told me that he had found an injured duckling,” Stracher told The Dodo. “I told him that it would be very unusual to have a duckling this time of year.”
She chose to confirm before drawing conclusions. Carefully lifting the cardboard box, she examined the tiny creature.
Her caution proved wise. The small bird was not a duckling but a pied-billed grebe, a species uncommon in that part of the country.
“They’re not common in this area. They’re much more common on the West Coast,” Stracher told the officer in a video taken at the site. “But they do end up here. You see them on occasion.”
Karenlynn quickly placed the bird into a secure carrier, providing it with a safe space.
A Concern About Health
Though pied-billed grebes sometimes appear outside their usual range, Karenlynn questioned why this one was found on land rather than water.
Normally, grebes inhabit sluggish rivers, freshwater marshes, lakes, and estuaries, so being stranded onshore raised concern.
She brought the bird home for closer examination. While there were no visible injuries, the grebe appeared nervous but calm.
“It was clear she was nervous, but she was not panicking or struggling at all,” Stracher said.
To investigate a likely issue, Karenlynn conducted a simple water test, placing the grebe gently in a tub to observe her feathers.
The results confirmed her concern.
“It is clear here that her feathers are getting wet,” Stracher said in a video she posted on TikTok. “Her waterproofing is not what it should be.”
Waterproof feathers are crucial for grebes, which spend most of their lives on or under water.
A lack of waterproofing can result from parasites, poor nutrition, malfunctioning preen glands, stress, or other common causes, and one of these factors likely affected this bird.
Getting Expert Help
Realizing the condition required specialized care, Karenlynn contacted the wildlife professionals at Sweetbriar Nature Center. Their facilities and expertise would allow them to determine the cause of the grebe’s inability to waterproof and treat her plumage effectively.
Once her waterproofing and health are restored, the plan is to release her into a suitable habitat.
“We expect she will be fully releasable come springtime,” Stracher said.
Though separated from the water she needs, the timely rescue and expert intervention provide hope that this rare grebe will return to her natural environment safely.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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