Newton's law

I think it was Newton that said, "for every action there's and equal and opposite reaction".

There are lots of practical applications of this law. For example, a few months ago when I was building the tawny aviary in our shed I climbed up the step ladder and hit my head on a light fitting above the aviary. Naturally, when you hit your head on something you duck. I ducked and bashed my face on the top of the aviary. It hurt for a couple of days, so I was a bit disappointed that I didn't at least have a black eye to show for it.

Tonight I managed to demonstrate the law again and I don't think the other person involved was too impressed.

We have a tawny in care at the moment. She almost certainly has rat lungworm disease, so we won't have her in care for long. Basically, we've got her for a couple of days to see if she improves, then she'll go back to the vet we got her from if she doesn't.

With rat lungworm disease the birds will still take food, but they become increasingly paralysed until they can't survive. Usually they are put out of their misery before then. It's misery because they usually still function from the neck up, the parasite affects the spinal column. I went to feed this poor girl tonight and she bit me quite hard. Newton's law kicked in and I pulled my hand away. Unfortunately, she was still attached to my finger, so when I pulled my hand away she came with it, just long enough for her to be dragged out of the basket. Then she let go and ended up being unceremoniously dumped on the concrete floor.

I wouldn't have mentioned this, but Donna fed her last night and did the exact same thing, so it's not a one of. If you're a new carer and you're reading this, don't be too embarassed about any silly mistakes you might make. Just try to learn from it, we certainly did.

I can't help thinking that when she goes to meet her maker, she'll be planning to haunt the poor vet that decided we'd be the best carers for her. I hope not, he's the best vet in the area.