From childhood, Alexandra was destined to care for animals. In time, she joined with friends to buy an animal refuge. Her goal was to have it run by like-minded volunteers.
This is how she met Wendy, the name given a young orphaned wombat. Wendy, so young, didn’t have much of a chance of survival. Most didn’t yet Alexandra was determined and spent many sleepless nights.
“This one will survive,” she said as Wendy snuggled up to her.
As is the goal of rescuing wildlife, the time came to release Wendy. For Alexandra, saying goodbye was harder than she thought. Wendy took one look back and was gone.
Ross's Writing Blog 
anita
March 5, 2012 at 13:29
Great take on the prompt! We do get attached to our animals, don’t we!?
Ross Mannell
March 5, 2012 at 18:43
Thanks for the comment.
Alexandra and the small wombat are real. Alexandra runs a native animal educational sanctuary named “Potoroo Palace”. The small wombat was in her care, although the wombat wasn’t named Wendy. 🙂
Carrie
March 5, 2012 at 13:41
So true. We can get so attached to animals yet they can take off without a care in the world 🙂
visiting from Saturday Centus
Ross Mannell
March 5, 2012 at 18:44
Thanks for the comment.
The people at the sanctuary often have animals brought in orphaned or injured. They find it hard when their charges are released but know that’s for the best.
Janaki Nagaraj
March 5, 2012 at 14:51
Cute…letting go is hard.
Ross Mannell
March 5, 2012 at 18:45
Thanks for the comment.
It soesn;t take long for a small animal to work its way into our lives. 🙂
Jenny Matlock
March 24, 2012 at 10:36
My sister and my daughter were always rescuing wounded animals. And they would suffer a broken heart when they were healed and were able to go back into the wild.
I think I was always protective of my heart…
I tried not to care…
…it hurt less that way.
Perfectly poignant writing Ross!