Wow- you are awesome! Very brave and caring. The post brought tears to my eyes. Frightful is beautiful... and I am sure she thanks you for giving her a chance.
You have done an awesome thing!
Sometimes we are chosen to help an animal in my beliefs this would be a strong indication that the Hawk is your Totem. Mine is a squirrel as I was once chosen by a squirrel, not nearly as cool as yours but it is what it is. She chose you because you were brave enough to save her.
Releasing her will be awesome I'm sure. Even though Rocky was just a squirrel it was very rewarding knowing he was living the way he was supposed to.I had many people tell me I should keep him. Since he was never confined or leashed it was never an issue he chose when to leave.
Purr, you aren't the first person to tell me that a hawk must be my totem. And that was one of the things I told Frightful as I talked to her prior to catching her.
And when I discussed that with my daughter after leaving Frightful at the Center, she was a little bummed because she thinks a squirrel may be her totem. Last summer at camp, as she was sitting quiet and still in a patch of forest, a squirrel came and sat on her leg for a moment. It sat still, then looked at her, turned and looked around, and then ran away. She was in awe of that moment. But isn't so much in awe of having a squirrel for a totem LOL.
I got an e-mail from Katie this morning. Frightful took fluids last night, and then even ate a skinned mouse! This morning she was standing and not laying down, which Katie says is a good sign. Since she didn't expect Frightful to be able to handle solid foods yet, I am really happy that she ate the mouse, too! I feel very very hopeful for Frightful!!
This morning I drove threw blowing snow on my way to work, over patches of ice, with the wind buffeting my car. And smiled all the way because Frightful is safe, warm and fed. Even if she doesn't pull through I know I did my best and she's much better off. My soul has warm fuzzies today.
Yay. I am so so tahnkful she found you. I am also glad you did not give her mice (the fur could have been a major problem for her in a weakened state) I was going to suggest cutting some fresh chicken or beef into stir fry strip size for her.
In our traditions and beliefs, Hawks are messengers. Hawks have been known to intervene and cause drivers to avoid unseen road hazards. By our beliefs, she came to you with a message or teachings if you will. I am sure if you think on it, you will find that message/teachings
The hawk, specifically the Redtail is a strong totem for you. Like me, you will see them often I am sure.
I found Nikki. a redtail, under an orange tree when she was about the same age as Frightful, she had been shot by some kids with BB guns and her wing was damaged. Back then, you did not dare call , a vet or anything like that because they would just put them down and be done with it...most still do. So, I climbed off my horse, walked over to her and she was flared up like your Frightful, but I told her I wanted to help and I picked her up...she never offered to bite me so I climbed back up on the horse with her and rode home. My Grandfather and Great Grandfather help me get the BB out, stitch her up and we used popcsicle sticks to straighten the broken bone on her wing. She became my pet and companion even after she healed, she would never leave. She followed me horseback riding, she was always near me...until she died when I was around 17 years old. She has a good healthy life and I removed one her talons after she passed and kept it...I have it to this day. They are amazing creatures.
Frightful taking fluids and eating a fleshy mouse is a good sign indeed...keep us updated please.
One was about 7 or 8 years ago. I worked at a pet store and was getting a parakeet for a customer. When another customer walks up and interrupts me. He had a large bird under his arm. I thought it was a chicken at first and then when I realized it was a hawk I ran to get a large box. The man laid it in and I called a rehaber. When she arrived she asked me to help by holding the hawk so she could look at the bird and give it some steroid injections. The hawk would not use her legs. I held the hawk with the thick glove and the way she showed me. Sadly I don't know if she survived. I asked the rehabber to update me of her progress and never heard anything.
The other was about 5 years ago. I had started a different job and was in the warehouse and heard a cry similar to what baby parrots do when they want to be fed. I finally found the source of the cry. It was a young hawk with traces on. I called around and finally got the number for the falconers association. They said they had no reports of missing birds but they would come and see what they could do. That was a Friday. Monday the bird was gone so I assume they got it.