Visit Heaven. While It's Still On Earth!

Back to reality (well, as much as a tropical island can really be reality) after four AMAZING days in Aitutaki. What was meant to only be a two day trip to assess the island situation, health check a few cats and see a few ill pigs, I just couldn’t make myself leave. The incredible generosity of the locals ended with my flights being changed from underneath me, being put up in luxury and fed and entertained all weekend!
But other than sunbathing by the pool and doing a cruise of the famously stunning lagoon, I promise I also got some work done!

We started super early with a radio appearance on the morning talk show, where I had a chance to briefly discuss the Esther Honey Foundation’s projects and plans. It was important to try to encourage the locals into neutering their cats since, unfortunately, many of them are very reluctant. A few misconceptions and traditions were addressed, and hopefully we will see many more of them pro- desexing when we next get there for a major Vet Trek.
There were a few minor issues with some local cats; an eye problem, a urinary infection plus quite a few losing their hair. After this I got right into the pig scene. One lameness, some worms and a few cute piglets later (I’ll not mention the incident where I nearly got tackled by a 120kg sow!), I was even asked for my opinion on one of the local lagoon turtles!
Happy snaps were few and far between with no assistant, and owners restraining animals, but I did manage to get some fantastic shots of the lagoon. For anyone considering a visit, I can agree with the advertising slogan: “Visit Heaven. While It’s Still On Earth.”

Spay Day Open Day

Great fun was had by all at the ‘Esther Honey Party’
(otherwise known as our World Spay Day Open Day) on Saturday. Somewhere in the
realm of 50 children were entertained by Gregg’s games, Marg’s face paint, the
boys’ salad and BBQ bananas and my specialty; cookies and ice cream. To be
fair, all the sugar was thoroughly worn off before being sent home, with
skipping and soccer and tug of war. There were certain points in the water
fights and beach activities that I was pretty sure Gregg was one of the
children also, but we let him enjoy it seeing as it was one of the hottest days
of the year.
We found a home for one of our lovely stray dogs, Bonnie,
and raised some vital funds. More than anything, we educated locals and
tourists alike regarding animal welfare and Esther Honey’s role here in the
Cook Islands.
The heat the last few days has been a little insane and some
of the animals are struggling. Our electricity bill is going to be somewhat
scary this month, with the air conditioning in the theatre needing to be run
for all the poor kittens. Even our clinic cat Craig had a few episodes of
panting; enough that spraying him with water seemed the kindest thing to do…
Personally I suspect he enjoyed the attention. The rest of us have to sweat out
feed and clean the best we can. February is almost over, and the cooler weather
should arrive soon.
Mum with new bubs is doing very well, and has also been
sweet enough to foster a tiny orphan stray bought in yesterday. It never ceases
to amaze me just how good the mums here are!

Sounds like it was an interesting week while I have been away; animals near death making miraculous recoveries, haunted abandoned hotel visits, big birthday parties (see photo – amazing!), and more!

The weather has been somewhat difficult to work with; a near miss with a cyclone (so I’m told, I’m not sure I believe them it was more than a storm) and I have come back to rain rain and more rain.

Luckily, the clinic has been quiet (touch wood).Our three Massey boys who have entertained us for a month leave next week, and we will find ourselves with fewer volunteers. If anyone would like to come by to help with animal care we can always use an additional set of caring hands!

In other news, we have a little over two weeks left of raffle ticket sales, and are keen to sell as many as we can before March 1st. Make sure you check out the awesome prizes and get yourselves some tickets before time runs out on our website!

More news soon.

Haiku love

A collection of haikus, written by Esther Honey volunteers in honor of some of our favorite Clinic animals!

Francis - By Marcus
Black, white, shaggy dog
So wobbly shaky and stiff
Causing so much strife!



Mama Dog - By Tim
Big Mama Doggie
House guard distracted by food
She’s large and in charge



Pal - By Marg
Brave lil’ orphaned girl
Up she snuggles on shoulders
Purrs like a machine



Hovis - By Nick
Lazy loving lump
Deaf dog roaming the clinic
Don’t sneak or will snap



Millie - By Marcus
So cute and playful
Re-home her, she’ll come right back
Saves me from drowning



Orlando – By Marg
Big sleepy ginger
Missing teeth don’t hold him back
Watch out, he’ll attack!

Musings of an Esther Honey volunteer

With Jess off enjoying her holiday in Sydney, I’ve been given the exciting opportunity to write a few posts. Let’s start with an introduction. My name is Marguerite Kissel (known at the Clinic as “Marg”). Avid Esther Honey Facebook page fans may recognize me from a photo in our Christmas album of me wearing my infamous heart-shaped glasses while cuddling a kitten. I have been volunteering at Esther Honey since November and am here gaining experience before applying to veterinary school once I return to the United States in a few months. Since arriving in Rarotonga, I have seen incredible work performed and developed friendships with many wonderful volunteers. One of the most beneficial aspects of getting to work alongside so many international volunteers, most of them either vet students or vets, has been getting exposed to varying perspectives on vet schools and practices around the world. The insight I have gained will be invaluable as I continue on my own veterinary journey.

As Jess mentioned in her last post, the Clinic is currently FULL of eager Massey students, which has made the surgery room an especially fantastic place to learn. The vets do a great job of explaining concepts and engaging us as they operate, and we feel fortunate to have such enthusiastic teachers. Before heading to Oz, Jess even taught us how to do intradermal stitches utilizing some discarded suture material and foam blocks we found around the Clinic. We soon discovered that our skilled vets make them look much easier to do in surgery than they actually are!

Outside the surgery room, one of our top priorities this week has been tending to the 15+ kittens, of varying ages, that have been dropped off at the Clinic over the past few days. They are absolutely adorable but many are orphaned and need daily baths since they don’t have a mum to clean them. The fact that they often throw themselves completely into their food bowls during meals doesn’t help! Marcus (one of the Massey students) and I took on a 7-kitten litter and had to create a full-on bathing assembly line to get them all nice and washed up. Oh well, all in a day’s work for the Esther Honeys.

Have a great weekend, more from me next week!