Interview with daddy. 4/23/22

Daddy and "Ki," a Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus elegans

Obi - Happy Saturday, everyone. I hope your weekend is starting out wonderfully. This is a picture of Daddy. Anyone who knows him would tell you that it's an old picture. A red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus elegans, is sitting on his glove, originally from California. This photo was taken in Eugene, Oregon, where the Hawk served as a wildlife ambassador for the Cascades Raptor Center. Daddy said that was his favorite bird ever, and he was so thankful for their trust in each other, but I'm sure he can share that another time. 

Mina

I shared that because today, Daddy is joining your two favorite Ferret Hosts on a special episode of Tonks Talk. So, I turn it over to my lovely sisters without further ado. (Remus counts down with his toes and gives the go sign).

Tonks

T. Good morning, and welcome to a Saturday edition of Tonks Talk. Today, we have an exceptional treat for you all.

M. before the blog, we interviewed many animals and some people, but we have never had the opportunity to interview Daddy.

T. Welcome to the show, and thank you for joining us. I promise I will keep this as painless as weasely possible. 

D. I guess that means inevitable shenanigans are gonna be taking place? Little twerps are probably gonna walk off with my wallet and keys again. 

(Daddy looks over at a disappointed Obi and Sadie, confirming his suspicions. Immediately, Tonks stands to speak.)

T. They made us do it. Sadie said she was gonna make Obi thrash us every time we refused. (looks at Obi and points.) You see how fat he is and how much bigger he is than us. (Obi buries his face in his paws smartly)

M. (Looks at Daddy) What would you do?

D. I would start by grounding Sadie from all treats and chew sticks for a week (looks at Obi), then ground Obi for two weeks, one for his stupidity and the second for his stupidity. Then I would remind you to never be afraid to come and tell me when they are up to something, and if they bully you, tell Mommy. She will deal with that.. ( At this, Obi and Sadie mope off to their dresser drawers).

T. We will. (Mina nods her head along with Tonks.)

M. Well, now that we have you, can we still do the interview?

D. Of course, you may. I have been waiting for this day. I love the show, and I watch every episode. ( the girls laugh, and Tonks speaks.)

T. You have to because you are always working the soundboard. ( The girls laugh again)

D. Does that mean I can let Remus do it from now on, and I can go watch sports or paint dry?

Remus—I'm sorry, technical difficulties. We are in the middle of an attitude adjustment. I'll fill you in on what I can.

(In the background, a scuffle can be heard. Along with quite a few yips of pain from Daddy.)

R. This all started when Daddy uttered, "Watch paint dry." I'm not sure who threw it, but a mic zipped right by Daddy's head, followed quickly by Tonks and Mina. Tonks went high, and almost like they trained for it, Mina went low. 

(Daddy can be heard crying uncle in the background, and things quiet down.)

R. While Daddy was trying to fend off Tonks, who was lunging at his nose. Mina had him behind the knee, which made Daddy fall forward. He didn't want to crush Mina. It was almost over as soon as they got Daddy on the ground. I think it is safe to say that Daddy will be working on the soundboard from now on. We will be back after a short break. 

(As everyone returns to their seats, Remus finishes duct-taping the mic to the holder and then counts down and points.)

(Jubalantly, Tonks, and Mina do rock paper scissors to see which one talks first out of the break. Tonks, scissors, and Mina rock.)

M. (beaming) Welcome back all. Now that we have that taken care of. I will ask Daddy a question I hear he is pretty used to hearing. (looks at Daddy) Now, what did you learn? (Mina and Tonks laugh while Daddy groans at the inside joke.)

D. You know, if my boss sees that, I'll never hear the end of it. I think that is her favorite question. (Daddy facepalms as the girls laugh again.

M. (Looks at notes, then at Daddy and asks) Say here, you work with animals for a living. What can you tell us about that and the kinds of animals you work with?

D. I would love to, but first, thank you for the wonderful wrestling match. How about later we make it best two out of three? (After Mina and Tonks glance at each other and nod, all three shake hands and paws.) I work with animals, but not as much as I used to. But I am the Facilities Manager for Cascades Raptor Center, https://cascadesraptorcenter.org/. Unfortunately, the facilities take up so much of my time. I still bring the Osprey out on occasion. Once a week, I run the hospital. Otherwise, I am busy working on something.

T. I bet. Mommy told us how many birds there are and how many enclosures you help maintain. 

D. (Leans forward) That's not even half of it. Since we are a small staff, we all have to help each other with things, so there is always plenty to do. There is no way we could do it without the volunteers we have. Each department has volunteers, and the Facilities is no exception. I couldn't maintain the place without the construction team and volunteers who care for other "Truck" needs. The "Center" still needs a pickup truck.

M. What bird that you worked with over the years would you say is your favorite, and what about now? 

D. The first part of that question is easy, so I'll tackle that first. My favorite of all time would be the Red-shoulder Hawk in the picture. I love their species. They are very tenacious and known to defend their territories fiercely. She always called an alarm when someone was coming up the hill. Therefore, we always knew when there were visitors. She was also quite good at letting you know if you crossed her. She treated me with a lot of patience while teaching me. 

T. So, who would be your favorite now?

D. (Daddy laughs and says) Hold on a minute, I'm not done. There are a few runner-ups?

T. (With a curious look) Runner-ups?

D. She may have been my absolute favorite, but there are three that were almost as close. "Puck" an American Kestral Falco Sparverius, "Finn" a Gyrfalcon Falco Rusticolus, and "Pefa 176" AKA Peregrine Falcon Falco Peregrinus, and patient number 176 of that particular year. My favorites are "Danu," an Osprey Pandion haliaetus; Osprey is my favorite type of Raptor, and "Kali" because she is a Turkey Vulture with Cathartes aura and her remarkable presence.

M. Have you always worked with animals?

D. No, and that's a great question. I wish I had. I regret not going into Veterinary medicine or some field that dealt with animals when I was younger, and I admire the young talent I see coming into the animal sciences today. I expect continued advancement in animal husbandry, training, and education in the future.

T. What role/job have you enjoyed the most?

D. Education. By far, education. With or without a bird, one person, or one hundred people. Sharing your passion and passing on the knowledge you have gained to someone else are some of my most satisfying experiences. 

M. Are there any other types of animals you would like to work with? 

D. Just about any type of predator, except sharks. (Laughs) Jaws scarred me for life. Bats interest me, and of course, Mustelid conservation would be an area I'd like to work in.

T.  (Clapping her hands) It's my favorite time. Ok, Daddy. If you could be anything for a day, What would you be?

D. (Sits back and takes a deep breath pensively.) Hard to not say talk with animals. This blog is just a bunch of talking animals. I would want to fly, not be affected by the elements while in flight, and to fly ultra fast. 

M. That would be so much fun. Fly above the rain clouds without feeling hot.

(Daddy, Tonks, and Remus look at Mina, Tonks asks?)

T. Don't you mean feeling cold?

M. No, I mean hot. It would have to be since it's closer to the sun. (Daddy facepalms, Remus looks away, and Tonks starts.)

T. That's not. (but gets cut off by Daddy)

D. Yes, wouldn't that be awesome? (Tonks frowns, Remus smiles, and Mina seems pleased. Tonks recovers.) 

T. That does seem so fun. Imagine flying through caves so the critters can't hear you coming. (Tonks laughs maniacally, and everyone looks at her. Then, finally, Mina breaks the silence.)

M. Well, that's all we have time for this week. Thanks again for joining, and we hope you got a laugh or two. See you next week in an all-new episode of

T. Tonks Talk. Take care.

Nymphadora.

Daddy and Danu, Osprey
Pandion haliaetus

 

Nymphadora Arwen "Tonks" Schug

Wilhelmina "Mina" Tulip Schug