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By Deric H
The first instruction I was given was,
“Would you like to take ten mackerel out
of the fridge and feed them to the seal in
pen 9?” I had to pinch myself, I was about
to feed a seal on my own. This was the
first of many similar situations where I was
overawed by what I was being asked to do.
I had previously imagined that I would be
required to spend most of my day cleaning
pens, preparing food, sweeping floors and
washing up, with perhaps the occasional
glimpse of the animals or birds that were
being looked after. Of course I am there to
carry out all those essential housekeeping
tasks, however, I do get to assist directly
with the animals and birds if I am
confident and happy to do so.
Since reaching the age of retirement, I
had been seeking a rewarding voluntary
role without succe