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Re: Re: Re: Re: Saving Pets

canopytree@aol.com
Sat, 13 Dec 1997 15:26:11 -0600

Two years ago on the Fourth of July I was home and not planning anything special for the day. The phone rang and a person explained that a young macaw had just escaped from the house. Could I catch it? I explained that there was no guaranty that I would be able to catch the bird. Normally I have a $65 minimum charge. Because of the holiday I would have to charge $80. They understood all of the costs and risks.

The reason that I took the job was mostly a challenge and experience. I have had pets since I was a child so I understand and appreciate the connection to pets.

When I met the couple, they showed me the tree that the bird was in. It was a pretty bird with green and red feathers. After I got into the tree, I started to work my way out onto a limb that was parallel to the one the bird was on. When I got to about six feet away I jiggled the perch limb and the bird flew off into the woods. The fellow was ready to pay me but I stayed to see if we could find the bird in the woods. After some time we gave up. I told the couple to call the police dispatcher in town as well as the local communities to let them know the bird had escaped. After I stashed my gear, the fellow pulled out a crisp $100 bill! Nice pay for climbing twenty feet into an elm.

Later that afternoon I got a second call from the people. The bird had been spotted about five blocks from the morning tree. I had not put my gear back into my work truck so I headed straight to the bird's roost. This time the bird flushed and flew to the roof of the house. The woman who owned the bird got on the roof and was bale to get close enough to the bird to grab it's legs. Captured! After stashing my gear the fellow pulled out another Franklin. Boy, if I made money like this twice a week I could sell all of my saw, trucks, chippers, ladders, etc.!

One of the neighbors who was there for the rescue attempt called me later to bid on some work. I didn't get the job though. It went to one of the "Pickup and Chainsaw Gang" no insurance, etc.
So it goes...

I agree with Laura and the firefighter, we should stay off of poles and get paid for what we do. We are professional at what we do and we should have professionals work for us. Poles are for utility line workers.

Strong limbs and snug ropes!

Tom Dunlap