Have you ever experienced the joy of playing a game of fetch with a dog? Cats, too, love to run
after a moving ball. But have you ever experienced a soccer-playing duck?
Here at Pasado’s Safe Haven, we have a crazy quacker who will not only play ball with you, he's
always trying to be the center of attention by being right under your feet.
Pele the duck comes right up to anyone in his line of vision, quacking a noisy hello and nibbling at
your feet to compel you into a game of ball. He uses his wings to fly after the tennis ball,
then retrieves it by rolling it back to you with his bill. Amazing! This talented, social little duck
displays unbelievable talent. What's even more
incredible is how he overcomes the deformity on one
of his webbed feet. It slows him down a little - but it doesn't throw off his "game!" He has adapted
by using his crippled foot as a crutch. This plucky duck shows no slowin’ down.
“With Pele around, cleaning the duck area is a bit more interesting. It takes special consideration
not to step on him!” said Heather, our Farm Animal
Caretaker.
But a volunteer found a great way to distract Pele.
"First, you have to get the tennis ball away from him without getting snapped at. His quack is a lot more
impressive than his bite! Then you have to roll the ball as far as you can and while Pele is busy fetching
the ball you get your chance to clean until he rolls the ball back to you. He can go all day! Sometimes you
spend an hour cleaning that area because you’re rolling the ball most of the time.”
Pele’s personality is a sight to behold! Most ducks will slowly waddle away from you to the nearest pool.
Pele, on the other hand, will insist on having your full attention.
“It’s frustrating sometimes when you have a lot of cleaning to do and you have a duck wanting to play
ball with you. But then I remember why I’m really here: to experience moments like this. It’s full of
laughs!” said one of our weekly volunteers.
“Sometimes when I come into work, I see volunteers showing newcomers the amazing fetching duck. I smile
to myself because it never gets old watching Pele do his thing. We should put him on an amazing animal
show!” exclaimed Heather.
Can't get enough of Pele?
Read Pele's Mele
(don't forget
to ask your employer
to match your donation)
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