Owls.

My Mum is 97 and is now in a very nice residential care home.

A while back however, when she lived at home, she was admitted to hospital where she was attended to by a young doctor. He gave her all the usual tests and concluded that, whilst her physical health wasn't brilliant, her mental health was very good.

 "She remarkable for her age, she still does her own shopping and everything!"
"No," I replied, "she *thinks* she goes down the shops, but that was in 1997, she hasn't left the house on her own for at least five years."
"Nope, she's really just fine."
"OK, ask her what day it is"
"August"
"Ah, I see what you mean."

The other week was her 97th birthday and it just happened to coincide with a trip to Dudley Zoo. We went to see her the day after the trip to find it had been cancelled "due to lack of interest". Not to be deterred, the home organised for an "Animal Man" to come in and visit.

He bought in several obscure creatures, including an Owl.

My mother apparently caught the owl's glaze and remarked loudly "Just what the bloody hell is that?". The owl immediately took umbrage and promptly flew across the lounge, landing on her head. The owl was retrieved in good time and my mother calmed with a cup of tea.


We had visions of the poor young doctor from the hospital with his clipboard.

"Hello dear, are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine now they've taken the owl off my head, thank you."

[ ] Fine
[ ] Slightly mad
[ ] Mad
[√] Barking    tick

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