Say, just how did that little duck get his name?
Is he Hawaiian? No.
Can he shoot molten fountains into the air? Nope.
So, he's not a Goddess of any sort? Absolutely Not!
I knew it from the first time that I met him. He had an enormous amount of personality and
spirit packed into his tiny, little body. I came to the fence and he greeted me, much in the
same way that you would expect a dog to. His little legs ran back and forth, back and forth a
long the fence line, following me happily, quacking the whole way.
The other ducks watched and almost seemed embarrassed for him and his level of enthusiasm.
Something had told me that they had seen Pele's love melee before! Inside his enclosure, I
was surprised again when he jumped up into my lap and demanded to be held. 'Wow! This little
guy is very special!' I thought to myself.
Pele lives at Goose Island in the Pasado's sanctuary. Goose, because Crystal and Meth, our rescued
geese live there. Island, because it is a beautiful patch of land equipped with a nice pond surrounded
by our driveway. Every time I walk by it's the same old song and dance routine out of little Pele - running
along the fence line and poking his head out, never able to take his eyes off of a prospective visitor!
I always wondered just what he was so excited about but I never questioned his name...until today. The thought
had never occurred to me that he was actually expecting more out of my visits. Upon my asking about the history
of his name, Jenny F, Pasado's Operation Manager, was up and out the door in a split second, bursting with excitement
to show me how he'd earned it. Grinning from ear to ear, she grabbed a Chuck-it (ball thrower toy for dogs). I was confused.
She called him and he came running. She "chucked" the ball and he dove after it with a fury and intensiveness that only avid
soccer player could posses.
AHA! It all made sense now! He was named after the Brazilian soccer player known for being the first to achieve
massive international acclaim.
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She chucked the ball again and he rolled it all around the ground, fast as his little legs could carry him. Then, SPLASH!
...into the water it went with Pele maneuvering it all the way around his pond, his tail wagging and a twinkle in his eyes.
Then, he ran back to Jenny and the chase began over again and again.
I laughed and laughed and watched the whole game with amazement. But inside... I was deeply touched. Because he was given the
chance, he now has the opportunity to show his amazing personality and unusual talents! I have witnessed this many times working
at Pasado's - in goats, cows, pigs, chickens, etc., yet each time I am still shocked. Then, I wonder about all those special ones
out there that are never given that chance to shine.
So, maybe next time you are swapping animal stories at the office, in blogs, or anywhere, please pass on the story about Pele, the
little duck that loves to play soccer. Let your friends and family know just how much spirit and soul that one small duck can contain!
Tell them that Pasado's believes that all animals deserve a chance. You might just start a compassion and love melee yourself!
We are able to rescue ducks like Pele because of YOU! Can you please make a donation today?
(don't forget
to ask your employer
to match your donation)
Facts about ducks:
Ducks keep clean by preening themselves with their beaks, which they do often. They also line their nests with feathers plucked from their chest.
Ducks' feathers are waterproof. There is a special gland that produces oil near the tail that spreads and covers the outer coat of feathers. Beneath this waterproof layer are fluffy and soft feathers to keep the duck warm.
Ducks can live from 2-12 years, depending on the species.
A duck's quack has no echo.
Some ducks and geese can fly as much as 332 miles a day!
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And
one very important fact you must
know - More than one half
million ducks are killed in U.S.
factory farms each year to
produce the gourmet
cruelty-based product called
foie gras.
Half a million ducks are cramped
into cages where they can't even
move. They are force fed and
then killed - all for gourmet foie gras.
What you can do:
Don't
buy foie gras and let others
know why. If you see it on a
menu, please kindly ask the
restaurant manager to remove it
and inform them that you do not
support cruelty. |
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