3 minute read
Room for all creatures great and small
BY KERITH WADDINGTON
Carrie Daviduk’s bucket is always full.
Of chicken feed. Or goat greens. Or cat kibble. Or, simply, water.
But her bucket is always full figuratively too. Since 2006, and on her own dime, Daviduk – a Cedar resident on a four-acre property with a heart even bigger – has opened her home to 11 goats, 10 feral cats, five to six kittens (either kept or adopted out), three dogs, about 20 turkeys and hundreds of chickens in need of care.
She laughingly admits that while she’s “at maximum capacity” with her current roster of 33 chickens, two turkeys, eight goats, five cats and one dog, she spends much of her free time working with rescue organizations such as Cowichan Cat Rescue, CatNap, Foster Kritters and A Home for Hooves to help two- and four-legged friends in need.
She explains her motivation to help those who can’t help themselves.
“Although I was a city kid and grew up in North Nanaimo, I had my own horse whom I loved very much,” she says. “I really connect with animals on a deep level and enjoy their company. And I am lucky to have this much space, which enables me to help out. Feeding this motley crew feeds my spirit, so it’s a win-win all around.”
Whether blind or deaf, friendly or feisty, young or old, a variety of animals have been welcomed to Daviduk’s home over the years. She admits that, at the moment, only the chickens “pay for their keep” by laying eggs she can sell. “The rest are absolutely useless,” she laughs – except, of course, for the peace their happiness brings her. Daviduk supports her furry friends through her work as a farrier.
Daviduk graduated almost 20 years ago from the farrier program at Kwantlen College and has made her living trimming hooves and shoeing horses ever since. She likens the experience to people trimming their own nails, “just on a larger scale, and requiring lots of strength and patience.” Daviduk has a regular rotation of clients from Duncan to Coombs who keep her extremely busy.
She admits the work is hard on her body.
“My joints take a beating, so I incorporate as much physio and self-care into my weeks as possible,” she says. “But it’s work I love, probably because I had my own horse growing up. I like to think I am a bit of a horse-whisperer. It’s gratifying to be able to calm a nervous horse down [until] they let you work on their feet. It’s an honour, really.”
Back home, Daviduk enjoys listening to the young turkeys as they try to gobble but end up producing a garbled “honk” instead. Some chickens are loving, while others try to draw blood. And goats Dorothy, Blanche and Fernando think they own their pen, but Poppy, the smallest, will raise her hackles when needed and put everybody in their place with a good head butt. “These guys are endlessly entertaining,” admits Daviduk, who also provides a home for some freshwater fish and a couple of snails. “I can’t help myself,” she laughs. “When I hear of a critter needing help, I’m in!”
Daviduk is proof that out in the country, there is often a heartwarming story just next door.
