Long Live the Frog
Hope springs eternal in the domestic jungle...
I had just skidded into the driveway from several days in Savannah, hobnobbing with film folk and holding events with IATSE for GA Film Fest weekend. My house had been shut up the whole time…with a bag of tangerines I forgot…a few of which went bad. Um..yeh.
I tossed the fruits and propped the side door open for ventilation/luggage load-in, and commenced to race thru the house, throwing every window open for a good airing-out. When I reached the back bedroom, I pushed the window up slowly. It was the toughest one in the house, and you had to put your all into it! When I got it raised about five inches, I saw, to my shock and heartbreak, there was a little deceased baby frog, dried up brown and perched on the sill, gazing westward.
I probably trapped him when I shut it. Damn! Poor little guy. I slowed my pace and cupped the little frog on my hand. At least I could give him a respectful burial.
But as I passed thru the kitchen, something made me take a left toward the sink. If I had been trapped in the sunny window for that many days, I’d want a bit of cool water on my dead head. I held the frog and turned the faucet on low, one little blast.
BOOMP. I felt a pulse in my hand immediately.
What??? I grabbed up a jug of spring water and headed to the shady porch. I gave him another little splash. I sat the water down and made a little oasis spot for him in a pottery saucer, on a fuzzy geranium leaf. I poured a little water…he got a little greener and fatter. I softly ran my finger down his teeny back and his right leg slowly emerged. A pour-over, another back rub….the left leg stretches out!! The baby frog was green again.
We both rested for a moment, then I gave him one more splash. For the first time, he turned his weensy head around to look at me. I waved and said something goofy. The little frog took one more look around at everything, and jumped into the mimosa. Ah..
Saved.
Never underestimate the power of high vibes and hope. Stay lime green, people.
So interesting and I've actually had a similar experience with the exception that the frog was lodged in the hatchback of my car! I have a special connection to all creatures and especially frog's, amphibians, aquatic critters and I thought for sure the sweet little frog was fried. I was about to leave for and appointment and hadn't used or opened my hatchback in 4 day's..I was sure he was toasted but, like you did, I gently rehydrated the sweet little green creature and I ever so gently did a couple of chest compressions and low and behold? He came back from his baked stasis and the moment we shared when we locked gazes will remain with me forever. I've always had a special connection with frog's and toads.
I was over an hour late for my meeting and my excuse for being late was traffic and in hind site? I should have said what actually happened but, the moment seemed so personal and special that I felt like if I shared it? It would somehow be violating the beautiful event that froggie and I shared...Forever green with envy that I was fortunate to have this experience.
I have a terrible phobia of green tree frogs, but I'm glad you saved.The little guy two years ago it looks like.