After many years as a wildlife rehabilitator who did not take in opossums I am now caring for three of them. This fall the first young male opossum (Octavo) came to us after being attacked by a dog. His tiny face was covered with wounds and he also had a severe upper respiratory infection. Since I had virtually no experience with opossums I relied on the guidance of two other rehabilitator friends to help care for him correctly. Within several weeks Octavo was showing dramatic improvement when another older female opossum arrived.  Medusa had also been attacked by a dog and in addition to face wounds she had a broken jaw and badly injured eye. Her injuries required even more intensive care which involved holding her while I hand fed her by a syringe, and daily medications. Weeks later a third, much smaller female arrived in such bad shape that I honestly thought she was dead. After weeks spent giving her sub-Q fluids, medications and hand feeding her with a syringe she slowly began to show signs of surviving and so I named her Ophelia.

What used to be the overflow squirrel room has now become the Opossum ward. After extensive research and talking to experts I now have a better understanding of their care. Both my husband and my workers are amazed at the time and energy I spend cooking, chopping and creating their daily meals. All of this time and money is more than worth it when you sit quietly and watch and listen to them eat. Once their food bowls are set down in their cage they quietly approach their bowl to begin their feast. Each one of them has a favorite food item that they carefully eat from their bowl. When they begin to eat they chew so loudly and with so much enthusiasm that you cannot help but love them. I find them completely endearing and I sit and watch them until they finish. After they have finished their food they carefully lick the bowl clean and then they groom themselves before heading back to bed.

The time I spend with these three opossums has become my quiet Zen time. No matter how tired I am I always feel better after I have been with them. Each one of them has their own personality but they all share a peaceful strength that inspires me. When you see an opossum outside all you may see is ragged ears, fierce teeth and a loud hiss, but when you are able to spend time getting to know them you discover the wonderful creatures they are. Perhaps, some day, we can do that with all living creatures.

With Gratitude and Blessings,
Cheryl