ArtFire Seller Spotlight: Chris Wrinn and the Swan Rescue
The ArtFire community is more than just a marketplace for small businesses and handmade crafters — it’s also a tight-knit community of big hearts and caring individuals!
A great example of how members of the ArtFire tribe do whatever they can to help those around them is Chris Wrinn of Gilded Owl Jewelry, an ArtFire seller and regular contributor to the ArtFire community, who recently had a run-in with an injured swan. Here is the story in her own words:
Swans breed in our harbor town, Milford, CT and this one was somehow injured and out of its element.
We were driving down Bridgeport Ave, which is a busy street not far from the Boston Post Rd. I noticed a bunch of people standing around a white object and it dawned on me it was a swan. I yelled at my husband to ‘STOP’, which he did, and I ran over to it.
The concerned people had gotten her to the side of the road. No one knows what happened, but she was limping and couldn’t stand or run to fly. If they tried to get near her, she would try to get away. They were frantically trying to call for help and no one would help it from the fire dept to the Audubon society which is located here in town.
I belong to the CT Swan Society so I knew a bit about them. I also had done wildlife transport before, (just caged), but never literally picked up a swan. Luckily, she was a bit more cooperative than geese. Know the phrase ‘wild goose chase’? It’s true. I think she was in a bit of shock.
I just grabbed her, put her on my lap and drove to the Ansonia Nature Center in Ansonia, CT. They have wildlife rehabilitators there. After an hours ride (we got totally lost) they took her in. She’s now in the hands of Bonnie Alexander who specializes in birds and waterfowl. It takes an incredible amount of time and work to take care of wildlife. Kudos to Bonnie!
I don’t know the swan’s status as of yet, but they did tell me she ate a lot and had gotten very feisty. You’d never know it by how well behaved she was in the car. I’m sure she thought she could fly better then we could drive. (You should have seen some of the looks from other drivers and passengers!)
Many thanks to my husband, Dave, for driving ‘us’ there, the Ansonia Nature Center for taking her in, and Bonnie Alexander for doing the actual rehab.
The swan is currently in the care of wildlife rehabilitator Bonnie Alexander, a long-time volunteer with the organization and someone who works tirelessly to look after her rehab flock.
If you would like to donate toward the recovery and rehabilitation of this rescue swan, and all of the others she cares for, PayPal donations can be sent to: bonnie.birdlady.alexander@gmail.com
Ansonia Nature Center, a 501c3 wildlife rehabilitation center in Connecticut, is the center the swan was taken to. Tax deductible donations can be sent to them via the following link: http://ansonianaturecenter.org/support/donation/
What a great story and it doesn’t surprise me at all that Chris would do something like this. She’s a wonderful caring person, and I know how much she loves all animals. She even likes some of us humans.
This is such a great story. Thanks for going the extra mile! What a beauty!
It’s wonderful that you were able to help that swan!! It must have been in bad shape. Swans around here are very difficult to approach, even when sick or injured. I’ve had a few swans, geese and ducks in my yard that needed help – no easy task. Your good deeds will be rewarded, I believe in Karma!
Zoraida
My $25.00 donation is on it’s way to the Ansonia Nature Center. It’s the giving season and I couldn’t think of a nicer way to give. Come on artisan’s, let’s make a difference and show the world where our hearts are. Thank you Chris and Dave for caring.
Way to go Chris!!!! Great job caring for our feathered friends!!!
Such a wonderful rescue story and that photo of Chris and the swan driving shotgun is a treasure. Kudos to Chris and her husband!
Thank you everyone for your kind words and helpful donations. It will surely be appreciated. xoxoxo
Hoorah for Swans & a bigger Hoorah for Chris! You are a true friend to Twitter peeps as well as swans! Congrats on your good deed of derring- do!