Love? Leave it to The Beav

The fancy, scientific name for the rodent resting under the serenity of pine and gum trees is Castor canadensis, but The Beav is beyond any definition some smarty pants penned on this species. Don't believe it? Well, just ask Horry County Councilman John Boyd and his wife, Betty Boyd, about their pet beaver, a friend and member of their family. "He's been an integral part of our lives for 13 years," John Boyd said without any hesitation. "He's very loving toward me and Betty." How could this critter be anything but kind to his papa and mama? They have provided him with a fine habitat. The Beav's living quarters are 750 square feet and feature a lazy river and a lodge built by the councilman's own hands using mud and pine trees. If a nifty crib were not enough, the Boyds make up for any misgivings by keeping The Beav content and chubby on a diet of apples, carrots, willow branches and bread. The menu, with the exception of nature supplying the willow branches, costs the Boyds at least $10 each week. "The Beav prefers willow over other types of branches because it has an aspirin effect," John Boyd said. Since April 1993, The Beav has been a Boyd living high on the hog. And his life in this neck of Aynor woods began after John Boyd had to kill his real mama. Back then, John Boyd was a wildlife specialist for Horry County and killing beavers that damaged property or caused flooding was a part of his job. His duties also included keeping records on the birth rates of beavers. So after the mother beaver was dead, he performed a Caesarean section and took out the kits. Then, about five minutes later, Boyd laid the kits out on the dam and saw one of them take a breath. That's right, The Beav was fighting to live. So, the man who would eventually sit on Horry County Council picked up The Beav and began rubbing him on the sides to stimulate breathing. Touched by The Beav's survival, Boyd knew in his gut that the kit had to be his kid. The Beav was only a few ounces then and now weighs about 45 pounds. About two years ago, however, The Beav got gravely ill. "He quit eating. He wouldn't eat at all, and he lost weight," John Boyd said. "He was weighing a little more than 20 pounds." Veterinarian Bill Altman figured The Beav might have had a problem with his kidneys or had parasites, but Altman didn't know for sure and decided to treat The Beav for both. After being given antibiotics and rounds of IV treatments, The Beav beat the sickness. And is back to being the consummate beaver. Although he shares his homestead with Honky Donkey (a donkey John Boyd bought from a man down the road) and four cats, three of which stay outdoors, he is a loner for the most part. "Remember Oscar The Grouch who lived in the garbage can on 'Sesame Street'?" John Boyd said. "Well, that's The Beav. He loves to hate other animals." The Beav, a cute curmudgeon with yellow teeth, stays in most of the day and usually ventures outside his lodge only at dusk. If John Boyd attempts to get his attention before then, The Beav is oblivious. He digs, swims and finds tons of time to eat before heading in the Boyds' direction for some quality time and touches. He will let strangers spoil him, too, while he pretends to hate it. "The Beav loves to be petted," John Boyd said. "When you rub him on the back, he will nibble on his paws and chew real soft on your arm." On Thursday, The Beav will lose petting time with the Boyds because they will be heading to Rangley, Colo., where John Boyd will start his new career as president of Northwestern Community College. Their animal family will stay put, including The Beav, who will be cared for by 11-year-old Emily Butler, the Boyds' niece, during their absence. "We have to keep The Beav here," John Boyd said. "It's not like we can take him to a boarding school." John Boyd said his wife will be flying into town regularly, and he will peek on The Beav whenever he can. Besides, he plans to return home eventually after spending some time in Colorado. "Beavers in the wild have a life expectancy of 10 years, while beavers in captivity can live up to 20 years," John Boyd said. Time, then, is on their side. The Beav turns 13 on April 14, and the Boyds plan on being with The Beav in spirit, if not in person. "We wouldn't go through the work and the trouble we did for The Beav if we didn't consider him part of the family," Betty Boyd said. "We wouldn't go through the trouble to keep him if we didn't love him."

fancy, scientific name for the rodent resting under the serenity of pine and gum trees is Castor canadensis, but The Beav is beyond any definition some smarty pants penned on this species.
Don't believe it? Well, just ask Horry County Councilman John Boyd and his wife, Betty Boyd, about their pet beaver, a friend and member of their family.
"He's been an integral part of our lives for 13 years," John Boyd said without any hesitation. "He's very loving toward me and Betty."
How could this critter be anything but kind to his papa and mama?
They have provided him with a fine habitat. The Beav's living quarters are 750 square feet and feature a lazy river and a lodge built by the councilman's own hands using mud and pine trees.
If a nifty crib were not enough, the Boyds make up for any misgivings by keeping The Beav content and chubby on a diet of apples, carrots, willow branches and bread. The menu, with the exception of nature supplying the willow branches, costs the Boyds at least $10 each week.
"The Beav prefers willow over other types of branches because it has an aspirin effect," John Boyd said.
Since April 1993, The Beav has been a Boyd living high on the hog.
And his life in this neck of Aynor woods began after John Boyd had to kill his real mama.
Back then, John Boyd was a wildlife specialist for Horry County and killing beavers that damaged property or caused flooding was a part of his job.
His duties also included keeping records on the birth rates of beavers. So after the mother beaver was dead, he performed a Caesarean section and took out the kits.
Then, about five minutes later, Boyd laid the kits out on the dam and saw one of them take a breath.
That's right, The Beav was fighting to live. So, the man who would eventually sit on Horry County Council picked up The Beav and began rubbing him on the sides to stimulate breathing.
Touched by The Beav's survival, Boyd knew in his gut that the kit had to be his kid.
The Beav was only a few ounces then and now weighs about 45 pounds.
About two years ago, however, The Beav got gravely ill.
"He quit eating. He wouldn't eat at all, and he lost weight," John Boyd said. "He was weighing a little more than 20 pounds."
Veterinarian Bill Altman figured The Beav might have had a problem with his kidneys or had parasites, but Altman didn't know for sure and decided to treat The Beav for both.
After being given antibiotics and rounds of IV treatments, The Beav beat the sickness.
And is back to being the consummate beaver.
Although he shares his homestead with Honky Donkey (a donkey John Boyd bought from a man down the road) and four cats, three of which stay outdoors, he is a loner for the most part.
"Remember Oscar The Grouch who lived in the garbage can on 'Sesame Street'?" John Boyd said. "Well, that's The Beav. He loves to hate other animals."
The Beav, a cute curmudgeon with yellow teeth, stays in most of the day and usually ventures outside his lodge only at dusk. If John Boyd attempts to get his attention before then, The Beav is oblivious.
He digs, swims and finds tons of time to eat before heading in the Boyds' direction for some quality time and touches. He will let strangers spoil him, too, while he pretends to hate it.
"The Beav loves to be petted," John Boyd said. "When you rub him on the back, he will nibble on his paws and chew real soft on your arm."
On Thursday, The Beav will lose petting time with the Boyds because they will be heading to Rangley, Colo., where John Boyd will start his new career as president of Northwestern Community College.
Their animal family will stay put, including The Beav, who will be cared for by 11-year-old Emily Butler, the Boyds' niece, during their absence.
"We have to keep The Beav here," John Boyd said. "It's not like we can take him to a boarding school."
John Boyd said his wife will be flying into town regularly, and he will peek on The Beav whenever he can.
Besides, he plans to return home eventually after spending some time in Colorado.
"Beavers in the wild have a life expectancy of 10 years, while beavers in captivity can live up to 20 years," John Boyd said.
Time, then, is on their side. The Beav turns 13 on April 14, and the Boyds plan on being with The Beav in spirit, if not in person.
"We wouldn't go through the work and the trouble we did for The Beav if we didn't consider him part of the family," Betty Boyd said. "We wouldn't go through the trouble to keep him if we didn't love him."

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.