There I was minding my own business trying to get a little something to eat from this big metal thing. I think the humans call it a dumpster. I thought with all this dirt on me they wouldn’t be able to see me. Then suddenly there were a lot of them standing around staring at me. I was really scared and tried to hide under the big metal thing. Ow, ow, what’s that thing they’re hitting me with - hey, stop that! Ouch! Maybe if I growl and show my teeth they’ll leave me alone. Grrrrrr. Rats!...it’s not working. Oh, oh, here comes a human carrying a funny box with bars on the front. She’s telling these humans to get away. Hey, what are you doing? Put me down. This is humiliating, being grabbed by my tail. She’s putting me inside that little box with the bars on the front.

Now she’s taking me to one of those contraptions that moves and runs over my friends. Is she going to run over me too? Well, at least I’m inside this contraption and not under it. I think I’ll hide in the back of this box under the blanket. Maybe she won’t see me. Oh, now we’re moving, but where are we going? I liked it outside.

After what seemed like forever, we stopped. My box is moving again. Hey, what’s all this water for? Egad, I’m getting a bath. I didn’t mind being covered with all that dirt and oil. It kept me warm. Say, this isn’t so bad. I really feel good. Now where? She’s putting me into a larger box with bars on the front. Oh boy, fresh water – and get this, a whole bowl of food just for me. I could really get to like this human.

Seems like a long time I’ve been in this box. I’m so fat now, I can hardly move. Yipe, I’m coming out and into that smaller box with the bars on the front. Back into that contraption that runs over my friends. It’s moving again. Where to now?

Guess we’re here, wherever that is and it’s dark.

What’s this? She’s opening the box with the bars on the front and I can see grass and trees out there. I’d better make a run for it. Here I gooooo. I’m free again! I’m free again! This is the life. This is where I belong. Wonder who that human was and why she liked me so much. I sure will miss all that good food and stuff though.

Jan Harrell
PW Board of Directors
Raven & Crow Team Leader

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