The extraordinary life of a roo called Myrtle

[babylonsister]

The extraordinary life of a roo called Myrtle

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2009/01/26/myrtle470,0.jpg
When David would take guests snorkelling and exploring, Myrtle would swim after the boat, only her head visible, until the boat was out of view.
Picture: Paul Sheehan

Myrtle had identified David as the dominant male and never drifted far from him. She was jealous of any young women who came to the island, growling and kicking them if she got a chance

Paul Sheehan
January 26, 2009


She turned up out of the bush one day, a young kangaroo born in the wild, and attached herself to a farmer. She liked human company and stayed close to the house. The farmer called her Myrtle. Over time she became part of the family. She loved sitting on the couch watching TV.

This often happens when a joey is rescued by humans after its mother has been killed. They usually don't know how to survive, stop identifying with other kangaroos, and end up hanging around the nearest farmhouse.

As Myrtle grew she became too big for a household with little kids and the farmer offered her to a friend who was building a resort on an island inside the Great Barrier Reef. She'd have human company, be safe from hunters and cars and would also make a great mascot for an Australian wilderness lodge. The friend, David, agreed.

"Myrtle was lying on the couch happily watching cartoons when I arrived one Sunday morning," David told me. "She wasn't too keen on leaving and we had to drag her by the tail and manhandle her into a cage." When the cage door was reopened after a boat trip to the island, Myrtle peered around for a few moments then hopped off into the rainforest. They didn't see her for days.

"On the fourth day she appeared at the staff house looking hungry and a bit lonely." Myrtle hopped into one of the open bedrooms and claimed it as her own. She spent most afternoons lazing on the bed. "In the morning she'd stand at the breakfast table and expect a bowl of cereal like the rest of us. She didn't like being left out."

more...

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/paul-sheehan/hey-roo-blue--the-tale-of-a-larrikin/2009/01/25/1232818241433.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

[LakeSamish706]

1. She's beautiful.... David is very lucky, and I hope he knows that....

I so love critters and think that they have every bit as much (probably more) in the smarts department than humans do....

[Booster]

2. Wow. What a story. I recommend that you all read the

entire story. Thanks for posting.

[Maat]

3. To Myrtle!

:toast:

May she rest in peace.

Myrtle, if you will, please say "Hello" to Ozzy, Athena, Lazarus, Rhino, Minerva, and the rest of the crew - at Rainbow Bridge - for me.

[KittyWampus]

4. it makes me sad to think Myrtle died alone

[Maat]

12. Yes ...

but she was loved, and she knew it (I believe). Rest in peace, Myrtle.

[depakid]

5. What a fine story for Australia Day! (The Aussie 4th of July)

Roos are funny critters, more intelligent than you'd expect.

Anyone getting down Sydney way who wants to see a "wild" mob can hire a car and drive 90 KM north to the town of Morisset. On the grounds of the hospital- right on Lake Macquarie, you'll find a couple hundred roo's hanging out in the shade and hopping around the lawns.

Bring french bread. The "tamer" ones will eat it from your hands.

(Just be careful with the big males- as with many animals, they can get a bit aggressive).

[babylonsister]

6. A friend from Australia e-mailed this story, also mentioning

Australia Day. Thanks for clarifying that for me. Aussie Independence, it's a beautiful thing.

[depakid]

9. It celebrates the arrival of the First Fleet on January 26, 1788

One of (the many) cool traditions is the Australian(s) of the Year Awards.

This year's recipients are very cool.

http://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/pages/index.asp

[lavenderdiva]

7. what a wonderful story-

I grew up in Australia, and my father's work took him out in the bush. One day, while driving at dusk, a mother wallaby ran across the road and unfortunately, my dad's car hit her killing her instantly. He got out to check on her, and saw small feet sticking up out of her pouch. He brought the baby home, and we named her Matilda. My parents checked with the Melbourne Zoo about keeping her, and how to feed her. We fed her a special formula by bottle (they can't drink cow's milk). My dad's old army duffle bag served as a pseudo pouch for her to sleep in. She saw my mother as her mother. Mother would wear an apron around her waist, and hold the corners while Matilda would jump in. Mother would be outside hanging the clothes on the line, and Matilda would hop over and hide with her head between Mother's legs, thinking no one else would be able to see her, if she couldn't see them! She had a pacifier that she would hold in her hands, and put in the side of her mouth.

We loved her so much. After a couple of years, the Zoo thought it best that she come to live there. That was a very hard trip for us to make. She had become a part of our family. It was so hard leaving her there, even though it was better for her.

Reading this story brings back very sweet memories of Matilda. Rest in peace Myrtle....

[KittyWampus]

8. I always thought of Roos as being like deer but them seem smarter than that. Or maybe the word

is more personable.

Deer are about as dumb as rocks.

[lavenderdiva]

10. they are very personable

they have great personalities. Matilda was as sweet a girl as you can imagine. There are SO many more stories that I remember about her. I don't know anything about deer, so I wouldn't be able to make a comparison. I just know that our Matilda comprehended what we asked of her, and showed us love, and loved it when we cuddled her.

[KittyWampus]

16. kick for Myrtle

[Midlodemocrat]

14. what a sweet story. And how wonderful that was for all of you.

[eridani]

11. One problem with animals that imprint on humans

When it comes to reproductive displays, they often want to bat for the hominid team, so to speak.

[babylonsister]

13. Oi oi oi!

:rofl: Like a dog humping your leg? Or worse? :scared:

Roos have their needs.

[4 t 4]

15. What a great story

and sad too

"Myrtle was locked out of the house. This proved traumatic" They should have never locked her out but at least she had the time of lying on her bed and eating breakfast with them.