There at the right place at the right time, a Hartland family of a husband, wife, and three children was on the way to go sledding when an owl swooped down onto a car in front of them. The owl laid in the middle of the road after being hit while the car that hit it drove away as if nothing happened. Luckily, the Haley family was there to help.
Canceling their plans, the family got out of their car and went to help the little owl. "(I) just walked over to him, talking like I do to a dog or cat, just reassuring him he was going to be okay and just talking to keep him calm," the husband, Jordan Haley, explained. "He let me pick him up, and he tucked his head back -- almost like he was saying 'thank you.'"
Haley said that the family contacted local wardens to come pick up the owl, but they refused because the owl wasn't severely injured. And though not visibly very injured, the owl wasn't flying away either. He was "awake and very friendly." They had to wait a little longer for Avian Haven to arrive to take care of the owl, and as they were waiting, they wrapped the bird in a blanket, and Haley held the owl on his lap, keeping it warm and safe. Now, the owl is in the safe hands of professionals.
"It was an amazing experience my family will not forget!" Haley said. "We needed this to reassure us that the world will be okay!"
We're thankful to the Haley family for taking the time and putting an injured animal's needs before their own. People who help animals are truly something to be grateful for, and the Halwy's story is one that proves that it doesn't take much to save an animal's life. All it takes is a little love and a little time.
Story via NEWS CENTER Maine.
For a weekly dose of animal-themed community challenges - Subscribe to our Newsletter!
Can't get enough of ICanHasCheezburger? Find us on Instagram!