Living Animals Means a Life-Long Commitment - Do Not Give Easter Animals

Please, please, please do NOT give a living creature as an Easter pet - unless (a) you have the room and a wonderful place to keep the animal, (b) it's for yourself and you are an adult with the (a) qualifier, or (c) you will agree to care for, feed, and love the animal when what ever child you purchase the animal for decides that it doesn't want the responsibility any longer or that the animal is no longer cute enough.
  Cute little chicks and ducklings grow up quickly.  Bunnies can quickly become a chore to children.  And please don't give a lamb to someone unless they live in the country and already have sheep, and are willing to take in a stranger.
  All of the selling signs of Spring and Easter involve small, cute, cuddly animals.  But they grow up quickly.  If you're lucky enough to get a hen chick, you can have eggs; but a lot of roosters don't join in with human conviviality.  Ducks can make fine pets, and the hens will also lay eggs - of course, the drakes won't do any such thing.  A lamb will grow into a sheep that needs shearing, baths, pasture, and company.
  I have to admit that my parents gave me three different chicks at Easter over the years.  Two were hens and we kept them, and consumed their eggs.  We gave the rooster away and I'm pretty sure he ended up as chicken and dumplings for a Sunday meal.  My Dad was a farm boy and always knew the realities of having any type of critters about.  I was always considered "tender hearted" and I still am.  I don't want to knowingly consume an animal that I have personally stroked, petted, and fed.  (But I will not become a vegetarian - unless forced to by a medical decree.)
  All animals - be it an 'Easter critter' or a cat, dog, bird, hamster, pony, or whatever - are a life-time commitment.  If you spend time with the creatures, they will bond with you.  You become a part of their herd, pack, clowder, flock, or whatever designation a group of the animals is known by.  Most animals are only solitary when hunting - they enjoy companionship.  They feel they belong.  no animal understands abandonment - whether it be in the countryside or at a humane society or at a euthanasia center.  They have feelings they are lost and alone and the person(s) they trusted most in the world just up and left with no warning.
   Any animal is a life-time commitment.  Always keep that foremost in your mind when you see any creature that tempts you to take it home, or give to someone else.

This Easter, give only plush animals, or creatures made of edible items - chocolate, candy, cake, or bread.  Do NOT give any live creatures for Easter.

They are adorable,

but they are also living creatures with feelings.

A Sunday, Belmont Preview, & Foals

It's early Sunday night, and I was at the Denver International Airport at 6:40 this morning sending Donn back to California.  Lynn isn't feeling well, so when I returned to Boulder, I fed her critters, walked Tessa and watered her plants.  Then I checked in on the bunnies - Chocolate and Blackberry.  Next was feeding and medicating the ABCs - and walking Lola and Cooper.  Then I came home and snuggled with Lovey for 30 minutes.  Then off to walk Charlie - Rosie was cancelled for this afternoon, so Bea and I had a nice stroll with Tess again; then we visited the bunnies, and made a stop at Lucky's Market for our new favorite soap - A La Maison...
   Then I visited Shirley and Gary and got information on the boys - I'll be taking care of Nicodemus and Emmett later this month, and again in June.  Back over to the ABCs to feed and medicate and walk again.  I'm being lazy at the moment, and am awaiting a delivery from Pizza Hut for my supper.
   At the moment, it seems that there will be seven runners in the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes.  Nyquist, the Kentucky Derby winner, will once again face Exaggerator, the Preakness winner.Cherry Wine, who did not run in the Derby, but finished second in the Preakness, is also expected to run.  Lani, the son of Tapit, who ran in both the Derby and the Preakness will return.  And three colts who ran in the Derby, but skipped the Preakness, are also expected in the Belmont - Suddenbreakingnews, Brody's Cause and Destin.   Uncle Lino, who was vanned from the track after the finish of the Preakness, apparently suffered only some inflammation to his left fore, as he flew back to California today.
   On Assateague Island, both Carol's Girl and Jojo have foaled on the Maryland side of the island, leaving only Charmed to produce her baby.  On the Virginia side of Assateague, there are 36 new foals so far.  The first was Tunie's pinto colt, sired by Effie's Papa Bear (aka Hoppy); the latest reported was a chestnut colt out of JABATTA and sired by Wild Bill.  I have photos of 31 of the foals, thanks to DSC Photography and various friends.  I am missing photos of Sweet Jane (aka Duckie) and her new foal; of Gidget and Puzzle's red paint filly; of Seaside and Papa Bear's bay filly; of Jessica's Sandy and Neptune's buckskin foal; and the chestnut colt that JABATTA produced.  Riptide and Diamond's Jewel colt is growing into his markings.  The bay paint filly that Riptide and Grandma's Dream produced is an adventurous little lady, always wandering off from the herd.  Poco's Starry Night's first baby, a red paint (by Riptide) has some spectacular markings, and so does the bay paint filly from Black Star and Wild Bill.  There seem to be a greater number (so far) of black and white pintos than in recent years - Ace is beginning to make his mark...

Do NOT Give An Animal as a Christmas Gift

This is from a couple of years ago, but it is still true today:
   This is the time of year that we enjoy giving gifts.  The hard part is in selecting the right gift to give.  Please do not give a living, breathing animal as a holiday gift (unless you are a parent, giving it to a child who lives with you, and with the full knowledge that you, the adult, will care for the pet).  A lot of people believe in all the old, and cute, adages:  "Happiness is a warm puppy" or "Cuddly kittens bring happiness" or "Bouncy bunnies are best."  This is not true for everyone.

  As a professional pet sitter, I frequently get stopped by folks who admire the dog(s) that I'm walking. The dog is described in glowing terms, and the person often ends up saying, "I wish he/she were mine."  The only problem with saying that is they mean it at that very second, and not in their real-time life.  Most people who are not true animal lovers see a pet as a thing - a status symbol.  I cherish each animal I care for because of it's individuality and personal quirks.  If one truly loves animals, that's what happens.  If you regard your pet as a "belonging," and not a part of your family, then you are not, truly, an animal lover.

  People frequently see puppies, kittens, and small dogs out walking.  People comment to their friends, "Oh - isn't that adorable? I'd like one just like that."  Then the friends get that person a kitten or puppy or small older dog for a Christmas, Hanukkah, or birthday gift.  There is no polite way to refuse such a gift of love - but a lot of people don't have a pet because it just doesn't fit into their life style.  They are always busy, never home, have a wildly fluctuating work or school schedule, or they don't have the money to spare for the upkeep of that new pet.
   Pets take (a) money, (b) love and attention, and (c) time - lots of time.  With any animal, there are veterinarian bills - annual vaccinations and health check ups.  Dogs need to know who is boss in the family, and that takes time, love and patience.  Cats can be trained to do things, but that takes patience and love.  Bunnies and birds can be trained also, but again, it takes time and patience.  Then there is food and water, a litter box, a cage, a kennel, a collar and leash...  Some pets are born with, or develop, allergies - to an environment, to food, to detergent... the list can be endless.  All of this costs money to treat.
   If you are intent on giving your friend a pet, tell them.  Take them to the animal shelter with you.  Let them pick out the animal they want.  But YOU pay for the adoption.  You buy at least a week's worth of food, litter, toys, etc.  You make certain that YOU can take the pet into your home, in case the adoption goes bad...
   No living creature is a "throw away" animal.  Make sure they have a wonderful life; they are your responsibility - especially if you give an animal as a gift!

Carnival Season on the Eastern Shore

Yesterday I had a wonderful time watching young cottontail rabbits playing together, and squirrels chasing and playing with each other.  But, on my way back to Tess' in the afternoon, I saw something that made me cry.  Two young squirrels were running across a three-lane road.  One made it safely, the other didn't.  It seemed to take a glancing blow, but was dead immediately.  The survivor ran back into the street several times, avoiding traffic, and tried in vain to get the other to join him/her.  The dead one was not messily squashed - it looked like it was asleep in the middle of the road.  The survivor kept using a paw on the fallen one's shoulder, as if it were trying to awaken the other one.  I saw it go to the dead one five separate times, and try to get the fallen one to join it.  It was so sad….  I don't know if they were litter mates, friends, a courting couple, or what.  All I know was that the death of one little squirrel made the rest of my day mirthless.
   Race horse California Chrome, who is now in England, has a younger full-blood sister.  The filly was supposed to appear  in her first race on 15 May, but was scratched due to illness - a virus, says her trainer.  The youngster is now scheduled to have her first race on June 15.
  The fourth annual Tall Ships at Cape Charles will be taking place in two weeks time  - the 13 and 14 of June.  I'd certainly be there, if I were closer than Colorado.  More information can be found at:  http://www.tallshipscapecharles.com    There are all sorts of cultural, educational and heritage visits that can be made on the Eastern Shore in the summer.  And most of the Volunteer Fire Companies in Virginia and Maryland are holding their fund-raising Carnivals between now and Labor Day…  Please support our local Fire Fighters and EMT crews by visiting their Carnival, and contributing to the local economies.
   I also highly recommend Captain Barry's Back Bay Cruises from Chincoteague - both the daylight and evening cruises - and Captain Dan's Pony Tours from Chincoteague.   Barry Frishman is my favorite Captain and tour guide - and he's very hands-on and knowledgeable, and everyone has fun on his trips and tours.  If you only want to see ponies, birds, and dolphins the go out with Captain Dan.

Do NOT Give An Animal as a Christmas Gift

This is the time of year that we enjoy giving gifts.  The hard part is in selecting the right gift to give.  Please do not give a living, breathing animal as a holiday gift (unless you are a parent, giving it to a child who lives with you, and with the full knowledge that you, the adult, will care for the pet).  A lot of people believe in all the old, and cute, adages:  "Happiness is a warm puppy" or "Cuddly kittens bring happiness" or "Bouncy bunnies are best."  This is not true for everyone.
  As a professional pet sitter, I frequently get stopped by folks who admire the dog(s) that I'm walking. The dog is described in glowing terms, and the person often ends up saying, "I wish he/she were mine."  The only problem with saying that is they mean it at that very second, and not in their real-time life.  Most people who are not true animal lovers see a pet as a thing - a status symbol.  I cherish each animal I care for because of it's individuality and personal quirks.  If one truly loves animals, that's what happens.  If you regard your pet as a "belonging," and not a part of your family, then you are not, truly, an animal lover.

  People frequently see puppies, kittens, and small dogs out walking.  People comment to their friends, "Oh - isn't that adorable? I'd like one just like that."  Then the friends get that person a kitten or puppy or small older dog for a Christmas, Hanukkah, or birthday gift.  There is no polite way to refuse such a gift of love - but a lot of people don't have a pet because it just doesn't fit into their life style.  They are always busy, never home, have a wildly fluctuating work or school schedule, or they don't have the money to spare for the upkeep of that new pet.
   Pets take (a) money, (b) love and attention, and (c) time - lots of time.  With any animal, there are veterinarian bills - annual vaccinations and health check ups.  Dogs need to know who is boss in the family, and that takes time, love and patience.  Cats can be trained to do things, but that takes patience and love.  Bunnies and birds can be trained also, but again, it takes time and patience.  Then there is food and water, a litter box, a cage, a kennel, a collar and leash...  Some pets are born with, or develop, allergies - to an environment, to food, to detergent... the list can be endless.  All of this costs money to treat.
   If you are intent on giving your friend a pet, tell them.  Take them to the animal shelter with you.  Let them pick out the animal they want.  But YOU pay for the adoption.  You buy at least a week's worth of food, litter, toys, etc.  You make certain that YOU can take the pet into your home, in case the adoption goes bad...
   No living creature is a "throw away" animal.  Make sure they have a wonderful life; they are your responsibility - especially if you give an animal as a gift!

Friends

 

 

 

 

 

Please Do NOT Give A Pet as a Gift...

My cousin Sarah just brought up the fact that she is seeing a lot of advertisements trying to get people to purchase animals for another person as a Holiday gift. Both of us beg you NOT to do so.  A lot of people out there buy gifts for friends and acquaintances, and for those they would like to impress favorably.  The majority of people, and kids, in the world today want to choose their own pet. Kittens, puppies, baby bunnies, etc. all look cute and act cute when they are young, but they also entail a lot of work and money.  If you think someone would like a pet added to the family, first ask.  Second, propose to pay the adoption fee for any critter the giftee would like from any Humane Society, Rescue Group, or any animal aid society.  There are thousands of wonderful animals languishing in shelters around the world, and/or being euthanized on a daily basis because someone could no longer care for the, or no longer wanted them.  Many pets that are given as Holiday gifts - for Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa - end up at the animal shelter, on death row, for one reason or another.  And the reasons given are as numerous as the drops of water in all the oceans - someone in the household is allergic; food and/or veterinary care is too expensive; the new pet doesn't get along with older, established pets; the new owner says the new pet "just wasn't what he/she wanted;"  the puppy chews on things; the kitten climbs the curtains;  (I can continue ad infinitum) ....
Brand new pets are cute and cuddly and will usually be greeted with "ooohs" and "aaahs" of immediate appreciation.  Then reality sets in.  There are annual shots, spaying and neutering, training, licensing, food, kitty litter, toys, and all sorts of other expenses that raise their head.  If the new owner is conscientious, there is also the matter of time - one needs to bond with the new pet, and have the attachment grow.  With today's lifestyle, a lot of that is impossible.
Please, whatever you give as a Holiday gift, do NOT give a living creature.  Please ask the recipient prior to giving; and please adopt an animal from a shelter or rescue.  Don't be the cause of more suffering for the pets of our world!