She was late to school for the best reason.
A Heartfelt Rescue: Opossum Saved by Compassionate Teen
A few days ago, Cathy Howard and her teenage daughter were on their way to school when they noticed an animal behaving oddly in the road. At first, they were unsure what was happening, but it quickly became clear that the creature was an old opossum in distress.
A Call to Action: Stopping for the Opossum
Despite being late for school, Howard’s daughter felt compelled to help the ailing opossum. She urged her mother to pull over, and though hesitant at first, Howard eventually agreed to stop. “Before I could even get to a good stopping point, she was already opening the door,” Howard recalled.
A Gentle Touch: Naming the Opossum Thomas Jefferson
Determined to save the frail creature, the empathetic girl carefully picked up the opossum with a blanket and wrapped him snugly. She decided to name him Thomas Jefferson. Remarkably, as soon as she held him, the opossum calmed down.
“My daughter has a Disney princess aura,” Howard said. “All animals just seem to really love her.”
An Understanding Teacher: Late for a Good Cause
After arriving at school—albeit a bit late—she explained to the school administration that her tardiness was due to helping an opossum. While they didn’t consider it an excused absence, she felt her actions were worth it.
Seeking Help: A Visit to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Howard later dropped Thomas off with Tisha Raiford, the director of Louisiana-based Geaux Wild Rehab. Raiford wasted no time and rushed the distressed animal to the vet. The veterinarian concluded that the opossum’s circling behavior was due to severe dehydration and emaciation, along with a small toe injury that required treatment.
A Journey to Recovery: Thomas Jefferson Heals
In the days since Thomas arrived at the wildlife rehabilitation center, he has been slowly healing and adjusting. “He is eating really well and drinking,” Raiford reported, noting the progress he has made since his rescue. With the support of caring individuals, Thomas Jefferson is on the road to recovery, thanks to the compassion of one thoughtful teenager.