Posted on 03/30/2010 4:48:30 AM PDT by TornadoAlley3
Smokey the adolescent squirrel is resting comfortably under an oxygen tent in a private room at the Animal Care Center off Club Deluxe Road in Hammond following a jolting rescue early Friday by members of the Natalbany Fire Department.
As of late Friday afternoon it had not been determined if Smokey is recovering at taxpayer expense or if he is covered under the new national health care plan.
At about 4:45 a.m. Friday, Natalbany firefighters answered an alarm at Joe’s Trailer Park, 46068 Milton Road Lot 51. When they arrived, the mobile home was beyond saving, said department spokesman Gary Sandifer.
Sandifer said as firefighters were extinguishing the final sparks, they heard squealing from a nearby tree. Thinking it may be a bird, Sandifer said he went to the area with a flashlight to check. As he was looking up into the tree, a baby squirrel fell near his feet.
He and other firefighters thought it was seriously burned and almost dead, but Wade Piediscalzo, whose wife, Candance, works at Dr. Bill Wheat’s Animal Care Center, said he would give it to her in an effort to save it. Sandifer said the squirrel looked somewhat lethargic.
“He was pretty much singed, but we felt he had a chance to make it,” he said.
At the veterinarian clinic, Smokey was put under an oxygen tent to improve his chances of “making it.” He is in a private room to avoid the stress associated with possibly being too close to the cat patients.
Sandifer said the youngster was immediately named “Smokey” by the firefighters, for obvious reasons.
As to where Smokey will call home upon his anticipated recovery, Sandifer said it is undecided at this time, but because he is now possibly an orphan, he may find bed and board at the fire station.
“We’re quite optimistic he’s going to make it,” he said. “The department takes pride that we haven’t had any fire victims this year.”
As for the mobile home, he said it was unoccupied and ownership has not been determined. The cause is under investigation, Sandifer said.
Seven firefighter and six units responded to the alarm.
Thank God!
So, Obamacare covers animals now, too?
Even without health insurance, everyone already gets medical care. Even squirrels.
There’s room for ALL Gods creatures.......right next to the mashed potatoes.
DOCTOR: We’re discharging the squirrel. We think he’ll be better off at home.
GEORGE: He has no home. He’s a squirrel.
DOCTOR: Your home, Mister Costanza. Just make sure he gets his medicine six times a day and keep his tail elevated.
Ms. Flibble ping
I’d rather be launching squirrels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjYLRLwphcs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Ya6z-NlDo&NR=1
Thanks for posting it!
Sorry for the bad formatting...trying again.
MIRANDA: Doctor, is the squirrel going to live?
DOCTOR: There’s been massive trauma. We could of course try to save him but it would be costly, difficult and we’d have to send away for some special really tiny instruments.
GEORGE: Well, uh, are there any other options?
DOCTOR: We could put him to sleep.
GEORGE: What might that cost?
DOCTOR: Well, it’s by the pound. So ... about 80 cents.
GEORGE: Well? (Miranda hits George) I was just - I’m curious, that’s all. We, uh. we’d like you to do everything possible.
DOCTOR: He, um. he’s not going to be the same, you know?
GEORGE: yeah. yeah. I know.
Kramer’s apartment
GEORGE: So they’re flying the tiny instruments in from El Paso.
KRAMER: El Paso? I spent a month there one night.
NEWMAN: (laughs) El Paso!
Thank goodness they could get the little tiny instruments there in time!
Another reason November can’t come soon enough for me.
ping
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