Kindness of Homeless
I volunteer with wildlife and at times go to some unusual places to get wildlife out of scrapes and have them treated and rehabilitated. One time I had to go to Circular Quay in the city (Sydney), and find a homeless man who had called us the night before about a bat.

It was weird I hadn't been called out when the call came in as an animal in trouble can die if left and this bat had been left for about 9 hours at this point. I also wasn't optimistic that the homeless man would still be there or whether or not I'd be able to find the bat.

As it was, I found the man and at the same time saw the bat. This man had nothing, was grimy, thin, had a sign asking for money and yet was utterly lovely. He told me all about the bat and it really touched my heart that he had used some of his own money to make the call to try and get help given how little he had himself and how much help he himself needed. These are the kinds of people that, to me, are the ones I would help first - those who are kind and still have a heart.

The homeless man explained to me that the bat was pretty feisty (they usually are when sick and terrified, otherwise they are usually very curious about people and look you in the eye, not as a challenge but because they are interested - and not interested in eating you, stop being terrified people!), he'd given the bat water through the night and shared the small amount of food he'd been able to scavenge as well, which again I found deeply touching.

I went and picked up the bat who had concussion and really wasn't at all happy and people had been walking back and forth within centimetres of this poor animal all day without making a single call about her. Yet a man without a home, money, food, shelter, security or friends who could help him in a material way had ensured that help would come, that the animal would not die of thirst or hunger and kept an eye on her through the night and half of the day until help arrived. Also given how much pain and fear she was experiencing the man had taken a real risk of being bitten, of which he was aware as we talked about it, but he could not see another creature suffer without trying to help. All I did to help him was thank him profusely, and give him $10 and still wish I could have done more.

I have found on several occasions that the homeless will help someone worse off than themselves and while this man was the strongest in his help towards this sick bat, many homeless people have aided animals and deterred other people bent on mischief from interfering with animals.

I hope that homeless man has been able to get help as he was a wonder.
(Dog Bum Cute, wiggly, has scary anal glands, Mon 6 Jul 2009, 9:00, 7 replies)

I don't like this QOTW...
It keeps making me cry.

Click for you, and a million clicks for Batman.
(Galahad is out of his gourd on yellow bentines, Mon 6 Jul 2009, 12:10, closed)

.
What happened to the bat?
( browser still relating boring anecdotes into a void on, Mon 6 Jul 2009, 12:43, closed)

What happened to the bat
Little girl bat did recover. She was dehydrated and had a very sore head and had bled out of her ears from the swelling of the brain. She stayed with an experienced bat carer for a week and was ready to go and was released. Sadly I don't know what happened to Batman though - good name - I hope he is ok too.

Thanks for the clickies!

P.S. And yes this QoTW keeps making me upset or cry as well. I am however extremely happy to have been able to share the story of Batman, when my spirits are low I sometimes think of him. Then of course, being a big girly, I cry.
(Dog Bum Cute, wiggly, has scary anal glands, Mon 6 Jul 2009, 15:38, closed)

Was it a fruit bat?
I saw them when I was last in Sydney. Big scary buggers from a distance but amazingly intelligent and gentle looking close up.
( SteamedCleaner, Wed 8 Jul 2009, 1:25, closed)

Arrogance
"These are the ones I would help first, those who are kind and still have a heart"

So people should get help based on your assessment of their moral value?

Arrogant doesn't even begin to sum this up.

THESE ARE PEOPLE!
(cockneyjack, Mon 6 Jul 2009, 17:59, closed)

reap

you reap what you sow Mr. Jack...
(The Cats Twat, Tue 7 Jul 2009, 14:47, closed)

Yes, fruit bat.
Yes SteamedCleaner, it was a fruit bat - a grey-headed flying fox if you want to be technical. They do grow to be rather large I have to admit and they have very pointy teeth. It's lovely to hear you got to be close up with them, they are amazing animals, there is no challenge in them, they are just interested in you. Then if you scare them they might wee on you of course. Oh. Yay.

Hey there CockneyJack, well, bats are people too aren't they? And any creature can be referred to as a person if you want. I love your arrogance line - lololol - look in the mirror. Then try to grow a dick.
(Dog Bum Cute, wiggly, has scary anal glands, Thu 9 Jul 2009, 8:06, closed)