Charlie's Second Chance

All living creatures; humans and wildlife, are part of the “circle of life”. When this circle is whole, life is strong and full of harmony. But when a thoughtless act breaks this circle, like beads on a string, suddenly, life is threatened or damaged.

This is a true saga of a seagull named Charlie, who overcame incredible odds to become part of the circle of life again. And of the many people who stepped forward to help him on his journey to freedom.

Charlie’s Second Chance is the real-life tale of Charlie, a Maine seagull mortally injured by human hands, who is gently brought back to life before being returned to his wild ocean home. This story introduces the important role of the wildlife rehabilitation system and teaches children and parents alike, the steps to take after the discovery of an injured wild aniamal or bird.

The story line follows the beautifull illustrations of Randy Bushey, a renown bird and animal artist. His illustrations capture the essense and simple beauty of wildlife. Each drawing takes the reader along the long path of recovery that Charlie and his caretakers took and to his final release into freedom.

The most important lesson this story offers is that love can prevail after cruelty and despair. The circle of life can be made whole again.

Author Biography

Beth has always been fascinated with two elements in life; flying and wildlife . Her father being an Air Force pilot, instilled in her, the love of flying and a very early age. Growing up on an old tobacco farm, she learned the ways of the wildlife and acquired a deep respect for the cycle of nature and the “circle of life”. After a career as an airline pilot and flight medic, she returned to other first love; wildlife. After studying and training, she built and operated a wildlife rehabilitation with the speciality of working with seabirds. The center was located at the ocean’s edge and had the ability to pump in ocean water to the large salt water pools used for rehabilitating seabirds. This door to healing was opened to many, many seabirds. Each bird brought his/her own story of hurt or abandonment. Loving, caring hands of wildlife rehabilitators and volunteers helped each bird gently toward recovery, or end of life. “Charlie” the seagull’s story was one of the most powerful and poignant stories of rescue, rehabilitation and release that the wildlife center had ever seen or been a part. Beth wanted to write a story about “Charlie” and share it with children. Not only to share her love of wildlife with young children, but to tell a true story of deep hurt, healing and release. Randy Todd Bushey was born in Bangor, Maine and started drawing at the age of 10. An avid reader of comic books, it was this imaginative art form that crafted his art style early in life. He is a self-taught artist who uses pencil, pen and currently many digital mediums to convey themes that include avian species, wildlife and realistic portraiture. “ As an artist, it is a dream come true when a project of this scope comes along. I am humbled to be part of Charlie’s incredible true story. It is my hope that this book inspires, teaches and conveys a message of compassion and love for all living things including ourselves.”