Couple finds stoned owl in Christmas tree

NBC 2 ^ | 12/15/05 | NBC 2

[Pikamax]

SARASOTA— The Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary in Sarasota is getting ready to release one buzzed bird back out into the wild. Vets at the sanctuary have been caring for a screech owl that was found acting a little odd.

A couple purchased a Christmas tree and had it in the house for five days before decorating it. That's when the couple discovered a tiny screech owl in the tree.

The couple called the sanctuary's rescue squad.

But the story wasn't very interesting until Melissa Dolinsky began assessing the owl's health.

"I kept smelling him and smelling him going, 'What is that odor?'"

She thought it smelled like marijuana.

"Just kind of laying there as happy as could be," said Dolinsky.

They examined the owl looked in his eyes and determined the owl was stoned.

"Absolutely a first for me. I've never had any owl or any other winged creature for that matter come in high? Absolutely a first," said Jeff Dering of Pelican Man's Bird Sanctuary

In true holiday timing, the December guest has generated some much needed attention for the struggling sanctuary.

The sanctuary named the owl Cheech the Screetch.

The staff set Cheech free Thursday afternoon into the trees along bradenton beach.

[sweetliberty]

There is a joke in here somewhere.

[digger48]

[Hank Rearden]

Oh duuuude - the eyes are a definite giveaway.

[FReepaholic]

Reminds me of when me and a buddy went to the woods to cut their family a Christmas tree.

After several days in the warm house they found hundreds of tiny baby praying mantis all over the walls and curtains. LOL!

[FreedomFarmer]

Dave? Dave's not here, Man.

[Mr. Jeeves]

"Come on, tough guys! Ya wanna fight? I can take youse wit' bot' wings tied behind my back!"

[SouthTexas]

You'd think the residents would have noticed the half eaten Christmas cookies.

[GLDNGUN]

There is a joke in here somewhere.

This is series. Somebody "smoked a hooter".

[SouthTexas]

Think he would be endangered if he would have dropped a seed and caught the tree on fire. ;)

[GladesGuru]

"The staff set Cheech free Thursday afternoon into the trees along bradenton beach."

Thursday, patrons of Pizza hut were importuned by an owl seeking chocolate chip pizza.

Oops, make that chocolate mousse, please - and hold the tails and claws, please.

[Only1choice____Freedom]

AAAHHHH !!! ANTS! ANTS! GET THEM OFF ME!

[xrp]

[Old Seadog]

Maybe yhe had a doctors Rx for the weed.

[Americanchild]

nah, owl eyes always look like that. I work with several.

[BobS]

"The owl says: "Dude, I am higher than Jesus right now." ...

Before saying "Call the pizza guy and tell him I'll spot him $10 if he brings a six-pack with him. I'm thirsty".

[rock58seg]

Actually it was probably the mother of all contact highs. Mice and rodents ate M.J. seeeds, and the owl ate the mice.

[BobS]

Um, who did they buy the Christmas tree from?

[rock58seg]

Owl and a monkey, sitting on a limb smoking some pot, when a lizard wanders by and asks to join them.
A little later the lizard says it's thirsty, falls off the limb and heads for the river.
On the way he meets a crocodile who asks what he's been doing. The lizard tells him about the owl and the monkey on a limb.
The croc decides to join them, He makes his way to where they are.
He looks up says, Hey!!!
The monkey looks down, squints a little, and asks, "Hey Dude, How much water did you drink???

[Jet Jaguar]

not a ping.

[rock58seg]

You want to go cut your own tree! Right??