Let It Snow

Talk  about rain for 40 days and 40 nights, it feels like we've had 40 snowstorms: fluffy snow, heavy wet rain and snow, and more fluffy snow and even some rain.  Will it ever end?  It certainly is making my impending move to FL a lot more appealing.  My body hurts from shoveling and I didn't even do that much.  Larry used
the snowblower and did most of it.  I cleaned the vehicles and did a fair amount of shoveling the stairs, the areas where the sb doesn't fit etc.  It is still snowing as I'm writing this and TC is still meowing to go out. I tried to tell him it was too cold and wet, but he was determined.  But I didn't give in.  One of us has to have
and use some common sense and I guess that I am the one.   I feel sorry for all the little animals like squirrels and birds that are out in all this stuff.  It's hard for them to find food and shelter.  I spent today( and a few other days when it snowed) running outside with sunflower seeds and peanuts for the birds and squirrels.  They come to door and bang on it and the birds come up to the door and sit on the rails. I give them the peanuts and they prefer the shells be removed first (the squirrels seem to like the shells better).  I get
great joy and fun from  giving them the seeds and peanuts and other leftovers.  My concern is who will feed them when I'm in FL?  Even the birds seem to trust me they ignore me when I'm under the bird feeder, and just this week I had an exciting experience.  I saw a little bird in my shed banging against the windows trying to get out.  I quickly put shoes on and a sweater and rescued him.  He was a bit afraid of me, but I was able to pick him up and put him outside.  Now I check the shed every day just to make sure no birds are stuck in there.  It was a tiny bird, smaller than the palm of my hand.  It was also
an exciting experience for me, not so sure about the bird's appreciation of the experience though.

Problems with Hunting

I admit it: I'm an echo freak, and an animal advocate. I don't do as much as I should, but I worry about it and feel for the animals that are harmed every day for profit. Sadly, the people who are responsible for the killing of elephants for ivory, and other animals for fur or food derive some sort of sick pleasure from the pain inflicted on them. I have had a few discussions with my brother-in-law (not really discussions, more like he yelled, and I didn't get a word in). He maintains that killing deer, wolves and other animals hunted for food, fur, or skin actually improves the herd and that the gun clubs actually help the survival of the animals by killing some animals. He believes that they reduce their numbers so they don't starve. I don't actually disagree with this premise, but I don't believe that hunting has anything to do with it. Thinning the herds may have some sort of benefit, but putting a bullet between the eyes (figuratively) of a doe or buck is not something I ever want to do. I think nature has a way of thinning the herd and doesn't need any help from us. Besides how much do you think the deer that is killed thinks it's ok? Also I don't think the hunters are careful enough or have such good aim that they don't make mistakes. I think they go for the biggest and healthiest deer and there is little compassion for the one they hit. Having said that a part of me thinks that what they do (the hunters) is better than what we see happening to animals in the slaughter houses and factory farms. So there is really no answer that is good for the animals. Thinning a herd means we kill one individual so that others can survive long enough to mate and reproduce and then we can kill more. Also the hunters usually go after the biggest and healthiest animals, not the sick and weakest. The only answer is vegetarianism and I'm close to that, eating meat only 2-3 times a week. I worry about that, but I also see that the wolves attack the deer and the death of the deer is not quick or painless. So are we that different from the animals. And while I would not kill an animal to eat it, I do eat meat. My compromise is to not eat meat for 2-4 meals in a week. I don't use cows milk (almond milk is good), but I like cheese, eggs, and chicken which causes me a great deal of anxiety. What is the answer? I wish I knew, but I have an early day tomorrow so I have to go to sleep without answering my question.

Chipmonk CPR

This story is a few years old, but since I haven't used it here before I thought some
might find it interesting and amazing.  That's what I thought about it as I was
writing this.

Today I went outside to feed the birds and squirrels, but the minute I opened the door my red tabby cat Seamus ran out the door like a streak of lightening.   I didn't run immediately because he doesn't leave the yard usually when this happens.  He just stalks things.  I grabbed my cup of peanuts for the squirrels and headed out to retrieve my little  boy. When I looked at him I realized he had something live in his mouth.   When I got close enough to grab him I realized it was a chipmunk..  I tried to pry open his mouth and was successful after a few seconds.  He growled a warning to me to back off, but I never really listen to that kind of threat.  He just wants to scare me.  So I continued to pry his little mouth open and finally the little chipmunk fell out, landed on the ground and lay very still.  I thought he was dead.  I picked him up and held him and cradled  him in my hand while I inspected him.  He wasn't breathing.  He had a small hole on his right lower abdomen with only a spot of blood  and his left front paw (looked more like a little hand) was bloodied.  I looked at him for several seconds wondering what to do.  Then with one finger I pressed on his chest and a gulp of air came out.  I pressed 2 more times and the same thing happened each time.  Then he started to breathe  a little on his own.  I stroked him gently and walked to the bird bath with him in my hand and put a tiny drop of water on the side of  his mouth.  He quickly  moved his mouth and swallowed.   I gave him another and watched him.  He licked his lips and seemed to regain consciousness.  He started to squirm a little as I continued to touch him gently with one finger.  Then suddenly he moved very quickly and jumped right out of my hand and ran off (to the bushes in front of the shed).  I didn't get a chance to check out his bloody paw.  I put some food under the bushes for him and a little water nearby.  When he ran he didn't appear to limp.  It seems unbelievable  and amazing that I could resuscitate a chipmunk.  I know as you read this you might think I'm crazy, but I thought it was amazing!  Imagine CPR to  a tiny little chipmunk.   I do hope he survives.  And  that bad boy Seamus is grounded till it snows.  

After that little incident I did some research on the life styles of chipmunks and learned that they only live for about 3 years, they mate for life and hibernate in underground borrows  during the winter.  They usually have about 3 litters in a lifetime. Moms nurse the babies during the winter and feed on the stored food. They keep their dens very clean with separate quarters for sleeping, eating  and elimination all underground.   I have found that they show up around 4:30pm as they gather 

food and carry it to the dens. This year I've only seen one a few times.  I just  think they are sooo cute.  I hope I see some in the spring.

New kitty complications

If you read this blog, you know that I love kitties, cats, and felines of all species - domestic, small, big, wild, exotic, fluffy, slinky - all of them and am drawn to the homeless even more so.  I have 3 of my own or is it that the three of them are sharing me? Could be.  They do run me. Recently I have been visited by a little tuxedo cat (discussed in a previous entry).  He feels tiny compared to my group (all 12-16 lbs) has long hair, but not fluffy or thick - kind of sleek.  The problem is that he visits me twice a day for food, flea treatments, cuddles and naps, but he won't stay.  He gets along well with my group and loves lap time with me.  When he decides to sleep in my house he likes my pillow and wraps his paws around my head.  I think he likes the contact.  When he first comes in he runs around meowing and I catch him and comb him for fleas and ticks.  I do have some Hartz topical flea stuff that seems to work for the ticks too.  It is supposed to last for a month, but it's more like 3 weeks.

I'm planning to visit my daughter who happens to live in FL (I'm in CT) and stay for close to a year to help out  with my 3 grandchildren (plus a managerie of animals)while she finishes her masters in social work.  So- moving my group will be difficult enough without trying to plan for one more.  Still I worry about him when he's outside at night, and I offer him food and a place to stay, and he does come inside sometimes.  But I wish I knew if he had a family because he needs to be neutered, have shots etc. Also he doesn't actually know what a litter box is used for. He is   a little unpredictable, ocasionally  swiping at me for some unknown reason.  I think he spends his time away from my house in the woods because he usually has around 6-10 ticks and sticky things we used to call devil's teeth when I was kid, stuck to his fur, but I don't know the real name.  He is cute and seems to be winning my heart.  I don't really need this.  I've been trying to follow him sometimes to see
if he goes to a home, but he loses me after 20 minutes. One smart kitty it seems.
To be continued.

10/27/2013

The new kitty now named Timothy Cat or TC for short has resisted moving into my house, but he still visits and takes long naps and purrs very loudly.  He's another one that doesn't like me on the computer.  When he came in tonight he tried to eat but had to jump in my lap after about 2 bites.  He seems to love being loved even more than food.  Right now he just came inside and had a few bites, many pets interrupting my writing then eating then back to my lap (causing me to put the computer down quickly before he punctures the screen). He has his few minutes of petting, scratching, brushing and then goes back to the food for a few minutes.  He is a little character, but he's stealing my heart. The problem is I shouldn't have another kitty.  I'll be moving in a year or 2 and traveling with kitties -4 of them is no easy task when it's more than 1500 miles.  I'm losing sleep over this trying to
figure out the easiest way to do this.  Any idea?

Back Yard Menagerie

Short note here.  I now have 2 possums and 2 neighborhood cats visiting my back yard.  Miss or I guess I should say Princess Chloe is not fond of either one, which is demonstrated by the banshee screams and hisses.  More tomorrow.

Backyard Menagerie

Had an unusual morning today.  I fed peanuts to the squirrels and sunflower seeds to all who were interested.  The squirrels are getting very brave and coming closer to my home from time to time. 

On my first morning in this house a deer, more specifically a doe, was snoozing in my back yard.  She seemed very comfortable and huge.  She was way in the back and when I stepped outside (when I first saw her) she stayed very still.  Eventually she meandered off, but was in no great hurry.  So I don't think she was afraid.  Sadly I've never seen her again.  I do hope I will someday though.

The first week or two was mostly squirrels, a few black birds and a few blue jays.  But as it became a regular event and more food appeared especially at the back of the yard where they feel safe more and more began showing up.

Today I counted 10 squirrels (since I can't really tell them apart I try to count when they are all on the ground at the same time).  That seems to be the
residential group.  They chase other interloping squirrels away.  They grab the peanuts and run with them up the trees and eat them or maybe hide them.  Today and yesterday though they were burying them.  They must know that winter is coming.

I have a husband and wife pair of cardinals who come for the sunflowers seeds. They are shy so I put the seeds way in the back of the yard to give them some feeling of safety and privacy. They are frequently together and very beautiful. They have a sweet little chirp.

I also have some very noisy blue jays.  They are beautiful too.  They love the peanuts and swoop down and grab one almost while still in motion and head up to the trees to eat them.  They sometimes harass the squirrels and the chipmunks.  They squawk loudly  and in the beginning there were only 2 that I saw, but their numbers have increased to 5 or 6.  A few look small ones - maybe juveniles.  They sort of float down for the pickup sometimes and then zoom off with a peanut in the beak.

Which brings me to the next group.  As far as I can tell there are 3 little chipmunks in my backyard.  None of them seem able to sing though.  They are timid and the squirrels like to chase them away.  They never get close enough to hurt any of them.  The chipmunks are so cute and they have figured out ways to cross the yard undercover, darting from leafy plant to leafy plant.  So I put the peanuts under the large hosta plants.  The little guys are one up on the squirrels because they can put the peanut into the pouches on the sides of their mouths.  Squirrels seem able to carry only one at a time. It's cute to see them try to figure out a way to get 2 in there, but it never works. The chipmunks are a little like the hamsters my daughter had when she was young, but they all have the same markings: reddish color and white stripe down the back stopping at the tail.  The only differences I have been able to perceive are size and tails.  One looks smaller than the other 2 although he does seem to be growing, one has a very bushy, squirrel-like tail and one has a bushy, but short tail.  It looks as though it may have been injured at some point. Today the chipmunks ran past me (very close for them) about 2 feet from where I was on the landing of the back stairs. He ran across the bottom stair.  With only 2 stairs from the ground to the landing that seemed very close, and very exciting.  I stood there very still and threw peanuts between sightings of the chipmunks.  They hung around for what seemed like a long time running across the stairs each time they passed. I think they knew that the squirrels would avoid the stairs while I was standing there.

Then a few days ago a group of morning doves joined the breakfast club in my backyard. There were about 7 or 8 a few were small and looked like young birds.  They seemed to like the sunflower seeds, but I think I should look for something in a little bit smaller size.  Maybe I'll check online to see what they like best. They are very polite birds:  quiet, keeping a distance from the other feeders, and showing up after the others have left.  They spook easily if I even look out the window (not opening it mind you).

Lastly I also have a group of crows, very noisy crows that go after everything they find on the ground or in the garden ( a very small garden with only about 5 items growing in it).  They seem to squawk all at the same time in a
cacophony of calls and yells. The first few times it happened I had to run and see if something was happening, but there was nothing - just noisy birds.

Only one thing seems to be a bit of a problem.  A stray cat has found my yard and seems honed in on the chipmunks.  So far he hasn't caught any but he knows where they feed and sits and waits for them.  If I tap on the window he leaves pretty much for the rest of the day. He seems wild or feral to me.  If I could get close enough I would feed him.  I love cats and have 3 indoor only cats that allow me to be their live-in servant. I think if I fed him maybe he'd leave the chipmunks alone.  He's not fast enough or big enough for the squirrels or birds. His main interest does seem to be the chipmonks. So far though they have outsmarted him (with a little help from me)

Stay tuned for more backyard animal adventures.