Zoo Day

Some time back in early spring, I bliped the departure of some of our Chabo chickens to someone living near Memmingen. A week or two later he took another couple. During these visits we learnt that he - Michael - also had two border collies and worked full time at the Memmingen Animal Rescue centre. He was also the one who recommended the vets practice that operated on Flash's tumor recently, the invoice for which arrived last week - it was a lot less than we expected, no doubt for many who aren't in to pets far too much, but for us worth every cent.

On one of his visits, Michael had said we must come over to his place and meet his dogs and see how our Chabos were doing. Had been a few failed attempts but today we finally managed it and what a great afternoon it turned out to be.

Firstly we were warmly greeted by his family, particularly his mother and somehow we were on the same wavelength from the first second. She has an interesting US-German background with a good portion of Indian blood in her veins and a very large yearning for a life in the wilds of somewhere like Montana. She clearly feels "couped up" in Germany and although she has a large old farm and can for German conditions lead a "natural" life, she yearns for a freer and more open lifestyle. For the moment she keeps busy looking after the various animals and cooking twice a day for seven people.

Michael is clearly very much her offspring - apart from the beef cattle they raise, he has assembled a number of other animals. Not on a "Rescue" basis though, although of course that happens too. and indeed after the stormy welcome from the Border collies, the first animals we were shown were a cat with a litter of 5 week old kittens that had sought refuge in their farm buildings. However there were lots of Maine Coone cats and kittens, fallow deer, parrots, loads of chickens in all forms including our Chabos, peacocks and a large old mix-dog that looked something like a cross between a husky and a brown bear. He was ever so friendly to us but despite his old age and aching bones, we had to keep Flash away as he is not overkeen on other male dogs. Flash wasn't too bothered as the three other young BCs darting around were too much for him.

A planned one hour visit turned in to four. We tried sitting down in the garden to enjoy the wonderful weather and some home made cakes but kept getting side tracked to visit another group of animals somehere on the farm. Angie was in her element and I know that she would have willing packed a few four legged furry things in to the car. Naturally daughter Kate and family with their animal tendencies were mentioned and perhaps if we have time when they are over we could pop by or visit Michael at the Rescue home.

Animal rescue homes in Germany is for the most part a voluntary charity type system but there is a small degree of state involvement. I am not clear on how it works and will have to ask Michael to explain it to me one day. I do know parish councils can opt in or out of a form of tax based on inhabitants and think that if they opt out, the rescue centers can invoice them for looking after any animals rescued from their parish. This led many years ago to a good friend (Christa, bliped in the past and due to visit next week) getting a call from the mayor of her village, very angry that she had handed in a kitten that had sought refuge in her home!