Remember these!!!!

My tortoises have been out of hibernation for a couple of weeks but it's not been warm enough to put them outside yet. I'm trying to get them to eat but we still have a problem with one of them who always suffers from mouth infection. So tomorrow she is going to the vet; will probably have vitamin injection and antibiotics. I expect they will keep her a few days and it will be another huge vet bill.... the down side of caring for elderly pets!

Rescued Hens

About a month ago a friend of mine gave a home to four rescued hens. They have been settling into their new home, and getting used to the garden. They are being very well cared for and are clearly happy because they have been laying eggs on most days.
Sadly one is being bullied by the others, and my friend has been giving her special treatment to make up for it. This is apparently normal behaviour, to have one that is picked on by the others.
They have a hen house with a bedroom.

They quickly learned to go up the ramp to sleep.

As soon as we went out into the garden they were quickly assembling ready to be fed.


Below is the one who is bullied, but she still managed to get enough food, and her extra treats ensures she continues to thrive. Her feathers are beginning to grow back quite well so all seems well.

The hen below looks very healthy and is the main bully.

They now have an outside pen and they really enjoy scratching about on what used to be a grassed area.

Although I enjoyed seeing them I'm not being tempted to get any for myself, but I'll happily use any spare eggs. I forgot to mention my friend is actually allergic to eggs!!

Archives:
2008: None
2007: Jonny did it
2006: Tyntesfield House

Are we fit for hibernation!!

Yesterday the tortoises were enjoying some September sunshine, as you can see from the photo below. This is a pose you've seen before and one of their favourite spots at this time of the year as they can catch the sun.....

Today they were being examined to make sure they are healthy....

They allowed their mouths to be inspected. All three were said to be in good health...

Then it was time to get them weighed........

Just to make sure they have gained enough to see them through their winter hibernation....

Finally they get measured....

All was well but they do get quite stressed being taken out of their home environment...how do I know...lets just say I had a lot of poopy newspaper to clear up...LOL

Archives:
2008: Booze'n'Book
2007: Witty Wednesday-20

Fun Monday # 132 Pets

This week Sayre wants to take a peep at our pets, she says:

I want to see your furbabies. Or scalebabies. Or finbabies. Whatever form your pet takes, I want to see a picture of it/them and hear the story of how it/they came to be a part of your family.

UPDATE: Don't have pets? Share your skin-babies!!!

Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know that the only pets I have are these:



I'm not going to bore again with the story of how we got them. However if you are really interested you will find their story here. I first introduced them not long after I started blogging back in 2006. They have featured in at least 24 of my posts since then.


I also write endlessly about my family which I love to bits so I have to include a repeat picture of my grandchildren.

I lost my 'furbaby' sixteen years ago she was a beautiful dog (collie/labrador cross), a faithful friend and I have never tried to replace her. She was called Tamsie, she loved the beach and any kind of water, as you can see from the old photos, below.

That's me finished for this week.

POSTSCRIPT:
If no one has any objections I'll host next week.  Yesterday as I wrote my post I had a 'eureka moment' and though this could be a topic we haven't covered before!
Our good friend Willowtree says he might even join in so that's another good reason for me to  host. AND the topic will be 'Shopping bags'.


Here in the UK we are being encouraged to stop using plastic bags so for the last couple of years I have been developing my shopping bag collection.
So 'what type of shopping bag do you favour'-plastic or material? How many do you use.  You could even show us what's in your  bag!

If you fancy this topic please let me know by leaving a link in the comments. I haven't ever tried setting up a linking system so it will be the old way for me.

Archives:

2008: Corfu-Kerkyra New Fortress
2007: Brotherly Love

Tog had a long labour

Yesterday when I returned from grocery shopping Tog was busy digging a hole so I knew she wanted to lay eggs. Over the past week or so, she had tried several places around the lawn but then given up, mainly because the ground was so hard. The rain of the last couple of days had softened the soil enough for her to dig a fairly deep hole.

I kept running in and out to see how she was doing and then a friend called in for a cup of tea. After my friend left I went back out to the garden to see the tail end of the egg laying so I only got a few seconds of video and it's nothing like as clear as the video I took a couple of years back.


Unfortunately it was a very cold, windy afternoon so the eggs were cooling as soon as they were laid. Tog took several hours to pack them into the ground and then cover them, so no chance of them surviving. What was Tom (father of the eggs) doing while poor Tog was labouring away. He was tucked in a corner paying no attention to the proceedings, as you will see from the picture below.

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-70 Childhood Memories
2007: Who's your inner European and others for fun

Tom's in Trouble

I have been defending Tom when EmBee accused him of eating the plants. I have never seen him trying to climb into the raised bed until today and he managed it. He made no attempt to eat the broad bean plants but he did his best to trample them under foot-why because I needed to run and get the camera for a photo shoot!
Personally I still think he was trying to find the shortest route to where I was with the food. I wonder what Turtle Soup tastes like!

Archives:
2008: Friday 40 photo challenge-Sweet Memories
2007: Witty Wednesday-7 Skinny Dipping

Topsy is home from the vets.

Some of you may remember this post when I showed you pictures of the tortoises just after they had come out of hibernation. At that time I was worried about Topsy's mouth infection. I tried to get her mouth clean and get her eating but it became evident that although she wanted to eat her mouth hurt so Embee took her into the vet on Tuesday last and she had a dose of antibiotics, some heat treatment and they allowed her home yesterday. Although her mouth is not completely healed we could not afford to run up a huge vet bill this year, just those few days set us back over £80, so I'm going to continue with twice daily warm baths, cleaning out her mouth and force feeding by hand.

Imagine my delight just now when I got her to eat about 7 peas (may not seem much but it is enough to keep her going). I put her back in the pen with the other two, and gave them some fresh lettuce, dandelions and apple and Topsy immediately started eating some of the lettuce so that is really good.
The trouble is the other two wouldn't leave her alone to feed in peace.
Fingers crossed she will keep improving from now on.

Archives:
2008: Rhubarb
2007: My Dilemma

My tortoises are awake!

It's that time of the year when my tortoises wake up after sleeping for several months. I brought their boxes into the house on Sunday as it's still too cold for them outside. I think Topsy was most wide awake and she is the one who nearly always wakes up with mouth rot. This year was no exception however I decided to see if I could clean up her mouth myself and get her eating before resorting to the vet. She was very good and let me open her mouth and give it a good clean to get all the gunge out and her tongue looked very pink and healthy so I need to monitor daily (we will be taking them for a check up in 10 days but if I feel concerned before then it will be straight to the vet-I'd hate anyone to think I was neglecting their health, but at the same time I don't want to waste money unnecessarily).

I gave them all a bath in warm water and oiled their shells and put them into the large pen that Embee made last year and placed it in the bay window which gets a lot of sunlight in the mornings. You may recall from previous posts about the Trio that they need warmth to make them eat. They are never really interested for a few days, but I did notice a couple of nibbles out of a piece of apple, but didn't see who it was I suspect Tog the smallest one because she had passed fluid which is another good sign. I tried tempting them with dandelions their favourite fodder with no luck.
This morning when I gave Topsy her bath I managed to force feed her about 6 peas, and I know if I can get her to take a few each day this will help keep her going. I am less concerned about the other two and I'm sure they will start eating soon.
Lets hope the weather warms up soon so that they can go outside, but in the mean time this will be their home.

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-57

Witty Wednesday # 79 Adam and Eve's Pets

I was seriously thinking of giving WW a miss but a few of you made me change my mind at least for the time being. I thought you might enjoy this story sent to me by a friend who doesn't have a blog. Not sure the animation is working properly :(

The Story of Adam & Eve's Pets

Adam and Eve said, 'Lord, when we were in the garden, you walked with us every day. Now we do not see you any more. We are lonesome here, and it is difficult for us to remember how much you love us.'

And God said, I will create a companion for you that will be with you and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourselves.'
And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam and Eve. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased.

And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail.

And Adam said, 'Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal.'

And God said, 'I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG.'
And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and was a companion to them and loved them.
And they were comforted.
And God was pleased.
And Dog was content and wagged his tail.
After a while, it came to pass that an angel came to the Lord an d said, 'Lord, Adam and Eve have become filled with pride. They strut and preen like peacocks and they believe they are worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught them that they are loved, but perhaps too well.'

And God said, I will create for them a companion who will be with them and who will see them as they are. The companion will remind them of their limitations, so they will know that they are not always worthy of adoration.'

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam and Eve.
And Cat would not obey them. And when Adam and Eve gazed into Cat's eyes, they were reminded that they were not the supreme beings.
And Adam and Eve learned humility.
And they were greatly improved.
And God was pleased . .

And Dog was happy. . . . .


And Cat didn't give a shit one way or the other.... (cat's paw was raised in a gesture-but doesn't seem to be working-why does this happen on some!)


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John sent me this ages ago:
Julie Andrews Turns 69, this is hysterical

To commemorate her birthday, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan 's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP.
One of the musical numbers she performed was 'My Favorite Things' from the legendary movie 'Sound Of Music'. Here are the lyrics she used:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > > > > > > > >

(Sing It!) - If you sing it, its especially hysterical!!!

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> >
(Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd
that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores. True or false it very funny!!

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-48 Pet Parade
2007: Lost Property

Tortoises Awaken......

Back in November my three tortoises went into hibernation. As soon as the weather became milder and daytime temperatures rose I began to hear rustling and knew they were beginning to stir. This is slightly earlier than usual, they cannot go outside at this time of the year because the nights are still too cold and the important thing is for them to warm up slowly and begin to start eating. It is always difficult to kick start them into eating, which can be quite dangerous for them as they do not have much reserve left after their long sleep.
One way is to give them warm baths which they need anyway and I then apply a little olive oil to their shells.
Topsy, one of the females, is the one I have been having problems with for the past three years as she has woken up with mouth rot. So far this year I have not been able to get her mouth open so I don't yet know if it's going to be another trip to the vet. Remember last year when I nearly had to take out a mortgage to pay the vet bill!

The next problem I had was how to look after them indoors until it is warm enough to put them outside. I suggested to embee that he made them a pen, which he did earlier in the week~ see below as he beavered away when he came home from work.
The next issue was where to put it, the room that gets the sun is of course the sitting room at the front of the house. I can hear you all gasping who, in their right mind, would want animals in their sitting room~ well I know a lot of you have your dogs, cats, birds etc so why not tortoises. They do not smell and provided you keep the pen clean (I line the pen with newspaper) it's not a problem.
Before the pen was ready they were in individual boxes and seemed most unhappy trying to get out. Now they are all together they seem a lot more settled and they have more space to move around. Tom and Tog have both cleared their system and tog has eaten some apple so I am happy with them. Topsy is still pretty lethargic!
As the sun came out this morning they all moved to a spot where they could sunbathe so hopefully this will help Topsy. Let me know if you are interested and I will keep you updated!

P.S. All the photos will enlarge.

Archives:
2007: Happy IVGLDSW Day

Fun Monday # 48 Pet Parade

Lisa's chaos is our gracious host today and she say:

"Let’s meet your pets. I think most of us have at least one pet and I would like to see your fluffy or scaly pal. If you don’t have a camera you can tell us about him/her/them. If you don’t have a pet tell us about a pet you had or a pet you want. If for some weird reason you hate all animals we want to know why gosh-dang-it".

As you will be aware my current pets (if you can call tortoises pets) are hibernating and in any case I have shown you lots of photos of them in the past. So today's offering is about my much loved dog Tamsie, born in 1978 and who had to be put to sleep back in 1993 after she developed septicaemia. I have written about her before so sorry if I repeat myself.
Tamsie was a lovely family pet and from the moment we brought her home, as a tiny fluffy ball, we were all captivated. She was very much my baby and she loved to sit on my knee (even when she got too big and she she was the perfect foot warmer)! She was not supposed to come upstairs but as she got older she used to sneak up and sleep by my bed far less comfortable than her basket!

Tamsie loved water as you can see from the photos. So going on holiday was something she got quite excited about. As soon as we started packing the car she got in and wouldn't budge!

Long walks just sitting in the sun, she was a great companion.
She was equally at home at the tennis club and nearly always came with us. She was tolerated because she was so well behaved. She didn't like too much fuss but she liked to be around people (oh and I think the little treats everyone gave her might have had something to do with it)!
She loved to recline and look out of the window and she always knew when I was due home from work.
The last picture is one of my favourite and it still hangs the wall in my breakfast room.

All these photos were taken in the last three years of her life and do you know, even after 15 years I still miss her and feel quite sad as write about her~ good job you can't see the tears. There are so many stories I could tell you, like the time she escaped from the garden as a puppy, when the girls left her tied up outside a shop and came home, or when she ate all the Christmas chocolate (I may have mentioned that one before) but i think it's time for me to move on and come visiting. See you soon.

Archives:
January 7th 2007: Lost Property