Tonight’s Bat Adventure

Well I have just had an adventure!!  Yet another of my famous bat ones 🙂 or should I say 🙁 ?  I woke up to the all too familiar sound of a bat flapping around in my room … in the pitch dark. There is a certain familiar gentle flap of wings that immediately wakes me from a sound sleep!!

I tried a different tactic this time.  As Susan went to call the police for help, I got a yard stick and went back in.

Last Time

Last time we called the police and then the bat had gone from room to room .. and it took the police ages to find it – they were going to give up but thank goodness the young one insisted on trying yet again. So I did not want a repeat performance on that one!!  That was the night Susan had come home from the hospital after major surgery.

Tonight’s Tactic

So this time I gathered all the courage I could muster (my tennis racket I kept nearby had been put away) … so with my trusty yard stick, I turned on the light (which is bad because the bat can’t work as well).

The bat was flying all around the room, but I got up all my courage and went across the room and opened the window from the top so that bat would have a place to get out.  Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to sense the draft from the window and get himself out.

Told Not To Scream

Now Susan told me not to scream this time.  I said there was no way I could promise that.  I got the window open, fully hoping he would just fly out.  I couldn’t leave the room or turn off the light because then there would be no way for us to know whether the bat was still in the house.

Fear of Rabies …. and Bats

Besides my fear of bats, of course with bats now there is always the chance of rabies.

Unfortunately, the bat keep flying around … as I gave little (or not so little screams).  It wasn’t too bad when he was on the other side of the room.  I keep encouraging him to just leave.

Tried to Go to Sleep

He then tried to crawl into a knapsack I had on the back of the door – that wasn’t so good!!  So I whacked the bag to get him out.  That worked.  But then he was still flying around!!

Came toward Me

For some reason the bat then started coming over in my corner of the room.  And unfortunately coming lower – to a height that was my face and body.  That wasn’t going to work!!!!  And he kept coming in my direction – with my screaming … Susan says they were little girly screams 🙂

It kept coming – I told it not to … but he felt he needed to for whatever reason.  So I whacked at it as it came toward my face.  This is a very big (unhappy) first for me.  I think once or twice the stick just sort of moved him away.

Whacked at the Bat

But he came back!!  This didn’t work for me so I whacked at it.  It was terrible – he went to the floor but still flapping.  It was horrible!!  I didn’t know what to do expect put the yard stick over him to keep him down since this just wasn’t working.

In the meantime, Susan had called the police and told them I am disabled and could they come.  They called back and said the Animal Control Officer was coming. That was a relief.  Susan ran around and closed doors so that if the bat did get out, he would still be a little contained to the hallway.

Sad Sad Situation

But in the meantime I had an injured bat that I couldn’t let fly around.  I was very sad about this.  I had gotten up all my courage to cross the room with his still flying around to give him a supposedly easy way out.  And I knew he wanted to get out.

I didn’t know what to do except hold the stick down.  I kept telling him I was so sorry as he was crying and talking with me.  By that point he was too injured … but it was very sad to be part of taking a life that had no real purpose.  The bat’s life had purpose – but the taking of his life didn’t.

Screaming for Help

I was screaming to Susan to come help.  I needed something heavy to help keep the yard stick down.  She gave me the water jug to help.  And she gave me my walker so I could sit.  It was very sad.  And Susan spelled me on this sad task.

I am sure the neighbors must have heard my screaming with the window wide open.  So sorry if I woke someone!!!  Or scared someone!!

We Got Help!!

The Animal Control Officer came and he was totally wonderful!!!  And he brought a good net with him!  He came in and said we did the right thing and yes, the poor bat was dead.  He put his body in a jar.

Animal Control Officer Wonderful!!!

He was also great about educating us.  He said the bat virus would die in 24 hours so he told people it was safe to reuse things in 48 hours.  He was kind and calm and just a truly special and unusual person.  He helped but he also did it with a grace and gentleness that many of the police officers can’t do because they are scared too.

The Animal Control Officer said that none of the bats that had been tested so far this summer came back positive for rabies.

So we are going to leave that part of the room alone for 2 days.  And then it should be cool and groovy!

I Am Still Scared!!

I am still scared and edgy!!  It is getting to be light a little at last.  Bats could still be going home to rest for the day, but at least it is not pitch black where I can only hear and not see!!

It is only a few times over the years that there has been more than one bat in a night … but I am still frightened now 🙂

I am SO SO lucky that Susan was home!!  Usually she is at work on Sunday night.  But she took a vacation night – some vacation!!

Where From Here?

I have to live with having killed the bat.  No way around that.  And it is time for me to begin to move on with life.  I may just stay up for the rest of the night and start working.

Thank you so very much for listening to my story and being there so I feel like I am telling someone.  Have a great day …. and night!! ~ Diane Clancy

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