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Zen came into our
care in November 2002. She was so tiny and our hearts melted for her straight
away! A
guy who had quoted us for an air conditioner rang at about 9.30pm one night and
at the time I thought....... hey, this is a weird time to be ringing me about
the air conditioner - pushy buggar!! I think he must have realised what
I was thinking because he quickly told me that it had nothing to do with the air
conditioner, he had actually found a tiny baby possum joey and had remembered
that I was a wildlife carer. She
was lucky to be alive. Mum was found in a busy street in town.... squashed
by a car.... little Zen was found curled up in the pouch blissfully unaware. Zen
was only just furred when she came into care, so we had to keep her nice and warm.
She was bundled up in wooly wrappings which we then put on top of a small electric
blanket...... and off she when to sleep. Until
it was feeding time!! Her call was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard,
but I didn't get to think about it too long..... "mum, I want my dinner!!!!!".....or
so she said in possum language! And
there started the life of our little Zen.... eating, sleeping and playing.
What a life!! The playing was fun for us too (until the claws got sharp - we both
ended up with skin like pin cushions!). Happily,
all has gone very well with Zen's raising. She was moved out to the big
aviary in mid February 2003. We are slowly distancing ourselves from her,
which is actually quite a hard thing to do. This is a very bitter / sweet
time for a foster mum or dad. We'll be sad to see her go, but at the same time
ecstatic to see her go off into the wild where she belongs. Watch
this space to find out how Zen's release back into the wild went...... Well,
I am extremely pleased to say that Zen has safely returned to the wild - a job
well done I think! She
periodically comes home to visit as we've left the release hatch in the aviary
open for her. We can always count on seeing her during wet weather as she comes
back to sleep in her warm and dry drey. Clever possum! This
photo was taken after her release on a day where she decided the call of a piece
of corn was just too great! | 
