The Boys met a baby Possum last night

Around 8:30 last night I let the boys out back. In a bit I went to check on them and I could see they were both intently focused on the same spot on the ground. I got a flashlight and discovered the object of their interest was a baby possum. It's body was about 5 inches long with an equally long tail.
I called the boys back in and went back to check to see if the possum was injured. It was apparently OK but a bit traumatized as a possum will do when threatened.

I got a cup of water and an eyedropper and got it to drink then I got a stick and coaxed it to wrap it's tail around the stick. I then lifted it onto a low hanging tree branch where it grabbed on to the branch and seemed in control. I then went back inside.

Half hour later I looked out and it was again back on the ground so I figured it must have fallen off the branch. I brought out a piece of sardine and it grabbed it off the end of the fork. I placed the remaining fish on the ground and by observation I did not think it would survive.

First thing this morning before I let the boys out I went out to what I thought would be to collect the body but it was nowhere to be found. Hopefully it just eventually came out of it's trance and went on it's way. Possums are good insectivores and are harmless so I'm glad it survived.

And so ends another urban wildlife adventure.

Awww - you took such good care of the baby possum.

What a cool story. Glad your pups didnt harm it. I think Dexter would have brought it to me in his mouth. (like he did with a squirrel the other day). :o


- Dave

Maybe mama came by and picked him up.

I use to rehab orphan wildlife for a vet I worked for. I had the opportunity to raise a lot of Possum's. One I had for over 3 yrs. He was born with a problem with his ball and socket joints, they never came together. So instead of releasing him, he lived a long healthy life with us. I still can see him with a cherry, he would eat the fruit off the pit, and he would spit the pit clear across the room. They were so much fun!!!

Hope its Mum did find it and take care of it. Sweet story.

Another triumph for a gentle labrador ( and Freckles )

What a great thing, you helped that little thing regain it's sanity after the boys checked it out. Hopefully it learned a lesson. Possums are such wonderful creatures, yes I even like their tails. I look at them as part of God's clean up crew. The sad thing is they really don't live very long and a high percentage die before they reach the age of 1. Poor little things. Thanks for lending it a hand.

Really cool story!

That was very nice of you :) Possums are very cute.

I unfortunately have a very sad memory of a possum that I dont think I will ever be able to erase from my head :( It had just been hit by a car and was in a trance in the middle of the road. I wanted to save him but there was so much traffic on the road and he didnt look like he'd make it. I was young and my dad didnt want me getting out of the car on a busy road and he was afraid of exposing me to some kind of disease. So he drove us around the possum. I will never forget the look in those eyes :( I went home that night and cried and to this day when I think about it it brings tears my eyes

I know its kind of a debbie downer story...just wanted to share it and say that it was very wonderful of you to help that little guy out. It made me very happy to read about it :)