While she softly explained the bizarre situation to a very amused dispatcher, Sarah never took her eyes off her new guest. The dispatcher assured her that a wildlife rescue team was on the way, but it would take about twenty minutes. So, she waited. For the next twenty minutes, woman and wildlife sat completely still, sharing a quiet face-to-face moment in the morning light. The initial hostility entirely faded. The beaver eventually tucked its webbed paws tightly against its round chest, completely relaxed by Sarah’s calm presence.
By the time the wildlife handlers arrived with a secure transport crate, Sarah felt a strange, fond bond with the little guy. They safely corralled the furry intruder, promising to release him directly into the nature reserve’s creek.
As the truck drove away, Sarah finally shut and securely locked her kitchen window. She walked back to the living room, poured herself a fresh, much-needed cup of coffee, and smiled. She absolutely could not wait to tell this story to her kids the second they walked through the front door after school.