She gave birth to five. Unfortunly two were still born, and there was a third that was nearly dead, and two healthy ones.
When I first found them, I thought three were dead, but one pitiful little creatures eyes moved. I picked the slimy thing up, and it was cold and stiff, but there was still that flicker of life. So I rushed it inside and held it in front of the fireplace, so close my hands were burning. But the wee little thing started to warm up. After a few minutes there was movement! So I gave it to Malachi, saying, here! Hold it this close! It has toward up! And I dashed to the phone to call my mum.
After telling mum what was what I asked her, whatdo I do? And she says, it has to go on its mums teat. So I thanked her and hung up.
Leaving the baby with Malachi, I rush out the back, grab a large cage, fill it with freshinlypicked green grass, and bring it inside. Then I go out the front, and I grab Ribbon and the two surviving babies, and bring hem all inside.
Depositing the two babies in the cage, I turn Ribbon upside drown, carfully take the baby off Malachi, and attempt to attach it to the mum as teat.
It didn't want to know about it!
It was still very cold and stiff, so I open it's mouth and shove it on, but it didn't do anything, so I put ribbon back in the cage, give the baby back to Malachi with the instruction, keep it as close to the fire as you can bare, and call mum again.
I can't get it on the teat! Is there anything else I can do? I ask.
Mum says, um, um, err, have you got an eye dropper? You could give it some water through that.
I says no, I do not have one.
Mum says well, give I some orange juice!
I says, okay, I'll see what I can do.
Hanging up the phone, I go to th kitchen, grab an orange, and quarter it.
Taking a piece with me, I go back to the lounge room, take the baby from Malachi, and thrust it's nose into the orange.
Now, the baby is quite warm by this stage, and struggles. It doesn't want the orange! I pry it's jaw open, and clamp it down over the fleshy part of the orange, and hold it there as the bay wiggles.
After a short time, I let it let go, and the baby gives me an indignant look, which I am quite happy with. Hey! It has the strength to give me a look!
So after this I shoved it under mum in the cage. If it dies it dies, I can't do anything more for it. Putting the cage right I front of the heater, and making sure mum has food, I leave.
All that day I keep an eye on the trio, making sure Ribbon has food, making sure there are no dead bodies on the floor.
By evening all the babies are still alive and I am hopeful.
The nectar day all thee babies are scampering around the cage! Success! We didn't loose it! Oh happy day! I call mum to let her know. Mum expresses surprise that the baby is alive and well, but happy, too.
All the next day I make sure the mum a and babies are comfortable, and happy, and that nigh (last night) I put the cage away from the fireplace so they could feel the cooler temperature, as I don't want to keep them inside the rest of sir time with us!
This morning the little family have been put outside with the group, and so far everything is peachy. I shall see if they need to be brought inside tonight, but for now, all is well!
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