Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Animoto Paca moto
Our awesome girl Paca went on a long walk yesterday and though it thoroughly exhausted her she was so happy that you couldn't wipe that smile off of her face - if you dare try.
Leashed up all three dogs and struck out for Napa Auto Parts where the 'daddy' works to retrieve the camera out of the Jeep, which shouldn't of been left in the Jeep (my bad). Haven't calculated the distance yet, best guess is right at a mile.
Art seen us coming and invited everyone in the store out to see 'his' dogs. The girls were ecstatic to see him and then very glad to receive a drink of water (which is always kept in the Jeep). The doctors office next door to the parts store was vacant for the weekend - so - took advantage of all that open space and let the girls run around and have a good time - whilst some photos were taken - Win \ Win!
Put this video together this morning on Animoto - only 30 seconds - gotta love that!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
National Bat Appreciation Day!
This is a grand day indeed! Checked out a book at the library on making bat houses, checked out a couple more to educate self on different species and all things BAT!!! Who knew my timing was right on with the National schedule...
Main concern on providing a home for the bats is that the neighborhood kids will shoot them with B B guns and that just would not do anyone any good. Been trying to think up ways to get across to these kids without coming off too mean - ya know. Thought of coloring books, no funds for supplies, thought of pamphlets, same deal, thought of just talking to them - but I already have and witnessed a sweet little blue bird being carried off by one of them after tell tale sound of said gun being fired, none of these ideas are going to work. So I'm going to talk to one of the twins today and see what she has to say - fresh energy - closer in age, who knows - worth a try.
Did put this together, squeaked out enough ink to make 2 copies, thought about taking one to the store my items are in and brainstorming with them too. We'll see - have to save the bats!
Main concern on providing a home for the bats is that the neighborhood kids will shoot them with B B guns and that just would not do anyone any good. Been trying to think up ways to get across to these kids without coming off too mean - ya know. Thought of coloring books, no funds for supplies, thought of pamphlets, same deal, thought of just talking to them - but I already have and witnessed a sweet little blue bird being carried off by one of them after tell tale sound of said gun being fired, none of these ideas are going to work. So I'm going to talk to one of the twins today and see what she has to say - fresh energy - closer in age, who knows - worth a try.
Did put this together, squeaked out enough ink to make 2 copies, thought about taking one to the store my items are in and brainstorming with them too. We'll see - have to save the bats!
National Bat Appreciation Day
One reason to celebrate bats is that the “insectivorous” bats rid our world of many bothersome insects. In one hour, they can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes.
Fun Bat Facts:
- Some species of bats can live up to 40 years.
- Can see in the dark and use their extreme sense of hearing.
- Are the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight.
- There are over 1200 known species of bats.
- The United States is home to an estimated 48 species of bats.
- About 70 % of bats are insectivores.
- One of the largest bats is the giant golden-crowned flying fox bat weighing up to 4 lbs with a wingspan of up to 5 ft. 7 in.
- Bats are very clean animals, grooming themselves almost constantly.
- North America’s largest urban bat colony is the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas. It is home to an estimated 1,500,000 Mexican free-tailed bats, which eat approximately 10,000 to 30,000 lbs of insects each night. Annually around 100,000 tourists visit the bridge at twilight to watch the bats leave the roost.
- One colony of 150 big brown bats can protect farmers from up to 33 million or more root-worms each summer.
- Almost 40% of American bat species are in severe decline with some already listed as endangered or threatened.
- Three U.S. states have an official state bat. The Mexican free-tailed bat represents Texas and Oklahoma and the Virginia big-eared bat represents Virginia.
(information compiled: http://nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-bat-appreciation-day-april-17/)
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Nurse Paca K9
On a hot summer day in 2011, in the fine city of Greenville, SC stood a part store in the industrious area of Poinsett Hwy. This part store was like many other part stores in the fact that it had parts, people selling parts and people buying parts. What was different about this part store was the manager, a huge man standing well over six feet tall and commanding every inch of his space. This manager, the employees would soon learn had a big soft spot for dogs. For when the most homely looking hairless dog came strolling by the store this man showed his true nature and took her into his heart right then and there. He, in all his great wisdom - was clueless as to just how bad she was, all he could see is that she needed help.
The call was made to me, I was this man's girlfriend at the time - I knew what it would take - I called Animal Control, I called them three times that day and had a couple of other people calling too. By the time I was through with my chores for the day and no one had came to collect this dog I knew it would be up to me to aid out this dog, even though I was no way ready to take on such a challenge as her.
The manager and his crew had started calling the dog Paco, for some inside joke towards either an employee or a customer - not exactly sure but when I realized they were using Spanish I questioned the 'O' at the end for a female and that is how she became Paca and the name has stuck (like Chuck).
Paca's first real meal in a very long time was biscuits and gravy from a fast food restaurant - well that's not a real meal - but it was to her and cemented her affection for the tall man with a big heart. Her second real meal was compliments of me when I came to address her needs and take her home. Seen the pictures, heard the description, I pretty much knew what I was up against - and it wasn't pretty. She ate her first helping of food from me, before I gave her a bath with medicated shampoo and treated some of her worse sores.
Without knowing how she would be around cats, other dogs, etc. protective measures were in place, she was only allowed in the house on her leash and no free time, she went almost immediately to a kennel or crate to allow her to meet everyone and everyone to meet her in a protective environment for all.
She was taken from an area known for illegal dog fighting and given her condition I suspected she was used as a bait dog for such activities. The vet agreed. We also felt that she had been pregnant maybe up to the day she came into our lives, but aborted her puppies when her body just couldn't handle anymore.
The poor girl had just about every parasite known to attack a dog, it took 2 years of ivermectrin, antibiotics, steroids, pain killers, and misc. other meds to get her a 100% clean bill of health, but it happened, she made it, she does this dance - we call it the bug free dance, she gets all happy. She was so weak with so many ailments that the vets said she couldn't handle the normal 'short kill' on heartworms, we had no choice but to drag it out over the long haul - the alternative wasn't acceptable.
Her body healed long before all of her emotional wounds healed, as a matter of fact I don't know that some of them will ever be completely healed, she has been through that much. She is happy right now, well as happy as she can be - she wants her forever family, she wants a bed\kennel\crate that doesn't get moved around, this ole gal loves security.
When her foster dad had knee surgery we were worried about her being in the way, or causing an accident, couldn't of been more wrong on that one. She was the most gentle and slow moving creature you ever seen, she sensed more so than understanding our words that she had to be careful and that could be read in her eyes.
Every animal that has been sick or ailing in some way she is there for them. The other day I was watching a video on YouTube of a Bulldog puppy speaking to his person. Paca got out of the bed in the other room and came in to where the sound was and she was excited, she loves babies.
Paca is healed, Paca is very well behaved and knows all the basic 'commands' most people teach their dogs. One of the most amazing spirits I have ever witnessed in an animal and she deserves to have the stability and family that Guardians have, because she is one. Looking for her forever family - she is ready.
The call was made to me, I was this man's girlfriend at the time - I knew what it would take - I called Animal Control, I called them three times that day and had a couple of other people calling too. By the time I was through with my chores for the day and no one had came to collect this dog I knew it would be up to me to aid out this dog, even though I was no way ready to take on such a challenge as her.
The manager and his crew had started calling the dog Paco, for some inside joke towards either an employee or a customer - not exactly sure but when I realized they were using Spanish I questioned the 'O' at the end for a female and that is how she became Paca and the name has stuck (like Chuck).
Paca's first real meal in a very long time was biscuits and gravy from a fast food restaurant - well that's not a real meal - but it was to her and cemented her affection for the tall man with a big heart. Her second real meal was compliments of me when I came to address her needs and take her home. Seen the pictures, heard the description, I pretty much knew what I was up against - and it wasn't pretty. She ate her first helping of food from me, before I gave her a bath with medicated shampoo and treated some of her worse sores.
Without knowing how she would be around cats, other dogs, etc. protective measures were in place, she was only allowed in the house on her leash and no free time, she went almost immediately to a kennel or crate to allow her to meet everyone and everyone to meet her in a protective environment for all.
She was taken from an area known for illegal dog fighting and given her condition I suspected she was used as a bait dog for such activities. The vet agreed. We also felt that she had been pregnant maybe up to the day she came into our lives, but aborted her puppies when her body just couldn't handle anymore.
The poor girl had just about every parasite known to attack a dog, it took 2 years of ivermectrin, antibiotics, steroids, pain killers, and misc. other meds to get her a 100% clean bill of health, but it happened, she made it, she does this dance - we call it the bug free dance, she gets all happy. She was so weak with so many ailments that the vets said she couldn't handle the normal 'short kill' on heartworms, we had no choice but to drag it out over the long haul - the alternative wasn't acceptable.
Her body healed long before all of her emotional wounds healed, as a matter of fact I don't know that some of them will ever be completely healed, she has been through that much. She is happy right now, well as happy as she can be - she wants her forever family, she wants a bed\kennel\crate that doesn't get moved around, this ole gal loves security.
When her foster dad had knee surgery we were worried about her being in the way, or causing an accident, couldn't of been more wrong on that one. She was the most gentle and slow moving creature you ever seen, she sensed more so than understanding our words that she had to be careful and that could be read in her eyes.
Every animal that has been sick or ailing in some way she is there for them. The other day I was watching a video on YouTube of a Bulldog puppy speaking to his person. Paca got out of the bed in the other room and came in to where the sound was and she was excited, she loves babies.
Paca is healed, Paca is very well behaved and knows all the basic 'commands' most people teach their dogs. One of the most amazing spirits I have ever witnessed in an animal and she deserves to have the stability and family that Guardians have, because she is one. Looking for her forever family - she is ready.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Barking Tree Rats
(personal insert from Sheila)
Don't know if they are trying to figure out what the hell is going on, or just plain laughing at the cats, and they evidently do not know that Phoebe Peppercorn has figured out how to come and go at will - creative enclosure design or not.
But at 7:30 a.m. this morning several of the curious critters convened in the trees over the cat enclosure (dragon den), and made noise - lots of noise. Even though I did hear them, they are not what prompted me to look out the window - but instead it was Texas talking back to them. He was talking to them in that voice he reserves for certain species of animals, he communicates to me in a similar fashion, he doesn't talk to the dogs or other cats this way. When I pulled the curtain back and he saw me he came running to me as if to say "momma, they're teasing me". Is this how a panther feels at the zoo?
Poor guy, now I am really not going back to any of them caged money boxes for the humans - and if the places aren't making any money - then why in the hell do they torture such beautiful creatures so. Are they truly living a healthy and natural environment? Is there a spark in their eyes?
Seen animals that have lost that spark of life, seen that spark desperately cling onto life - until the last damn moment.
There is too much misery in this world for me to contribute to their suffering.
There are many things in our world needing attention, I pick the animals of my own free will. I will be their voice, I will be their caretaker, I will take up my whole being to fight for them. This that I take on, I don't do so lightly, and in truth it is a form of therapy - very expensive arse therapy - but still a form of self help by helping others, a way to heal by concentrating on healing those that can't heal themselves at this point in their life.
For my fight I ask no energy be taken away from other worthy causes, what I do ask for is that you don't throw negativity in this direction - working real hard over here and could use good thoughts and positive vibrations.
Don't know if they are trying to figure out what the hell is going on, or just plain laughing at the cats, and they evidently do not know that Phoebe Peppercorn has figured out how to come and go at will - creative enclosure design or not.
But at 7:30 a.m. this morning several of the curious critters convened in the trees over the cat enclosure (dragon den), and made noise - lots of noise. Even though I did hear them, they are not what prompted me to look out the window - but instead it was Texas talking back to them. He was talking to them in that voice he reserves for certain species of animals, he communicates to me in a similar fashion, he doesn't talk to the dogs or other cats this way. When I pulled the curtain back and he saw me he came running to me as if to say "momma, they're teasing me". Is this how a panther feels at the zoo?
Poor guy, now I am really not going back to any of them caged money boxes for the humans - and if the places aren't making any money - then why in the hell do they torture such beautiful creatures so. Are they truly living a healthy and natural environment? Is there a spark in their eyes?
Seen animals that have lost that spark of life, seen that spark desperately cling onto life - until the last damn moment.
There is too much misery in this world for me to contribute to their suffering.
There are many things in our world needing attention, I pick the animals of my own free will. I will be their voice, I will be their caretaker, I will take up my whole being to fight for them. This that I take on, I don't do so lightly, and in truth it is a form of therapy - very expensive arse therapy - but still a form of self help by helping others, a way to heal by concentrating on healing those that can't heal themselves at this point in their life.
For my fight I ask no energy be taken away from other worthy causes, what I do ask for is that you don't throw negativity in this direction - working real hard over here and could use good thoughts and positive vibrations.
Peace, Love, and Harmony!
May your days be great and your nights be even better!
Focus your energy, direct your intent,
aim for the stars,
and hit it with everything you've got!
Friday, April 4, 2014
Jurassic Cat Enclosure
This clip is the best way I can describe to all the adventure of building a cat enclosure and keeping them in...
...and around here the 'big one' would be Phoebe Peppercorn.
...and around here the 'big one' would be Phoebe Peppercorn.
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