Misfit Island
Deep East Texas needs animal rescues. Two compromised sites have closed in recent months and the options are few for abused or abandoned animals. Wendi’s Misfits in Lufkin recently announced its closure and is currently placing animals. The founder of another passed away in February and most of her rescues have been relocated.
My mother Nancy Daniel lived in Nacogdoches, Texas, for 10 years and I joined her for the last five. We have a secluded property in Central Heights, dozens of dogs, birds, horses, and even some funny donkeys spent time on the property. Each animal came and gradually became part of our herd.
My mother has been rescuing all of our lives. Losing Mom took the wind out of our sails. We spent so many days in the fog of pain. Nothing was as heartbreaking as watching the misfits follow Mom in the hearse when the coroner came looking for her that late February morning.
My mother had the ideas and I executed them. At one point, we had 20 rescues running through our campground and it felt like a zoo. Placing seven brought us down to 13. After losing Lexi, Riley and Winston, there were ten of us surrounding her during her final days.
Her talking African gray had been in a large rolling cage with Mom for 25 years. Buzzie spoke his voice exactly (down to the smoker’s cough). When her new parents came for her, I held it until they carried it and I walked in and fell to the ground.
Soon all 10 will be in new homes. I am the one who is not resolved. My heart has absorbed so much loss so fast that it is almost numb. Sometimes I can hardly feel or eat. But quitting smoking is not an option.
For now, I lift my spirits at a place called Oak Manor Nursing Home on Ferguson Street. Residents are helping me address the feral cat population under their building. Since Mom was there briefly 9 months ago, two new litters have appeared. We are trying to stop the little ones from going wild and plan to catch / spay / release the older ones.
It’s clear that the final pieces of the new design have yet to fit together. And they won’t until the time is right for success. That is the law of the universe. The last five years have been an education in rescue, I am ready to graduate with a ‘Master of Misfit Care’.
A secure, secluded property with a livable structure is needed for the next version of Misfit Island. Kennels are needed to separate sick or weak animals, a fund for vet costs, and enough room for everyone to breathe for a healthy setup.
Writing and rescue may one day be expanded to include foster care. Children and animals are a good combination if the property is controlled. So many goals and dreams. I think it will join.