Mango Season

Aah mango season. We have three trees and every second year we get a bumper crop. The ones that benefit the most are the possums who eat them before they ripen, birds, insects and fruit bats. We humans get the mushy left overs to toss over the fence for the horses and cattle. Yep, the mangoes we eat come from the shop.

The Adventures of Dementia Dog & Geriatric Cat

Poor old Roger the Dodger Staffy dog (11 y.o.) has dementia.  He sometimes stands there looking completely lost.  He now wanders off seemingly aimlessly and tires easily on walks.  But Roger is also a gentler, calmer boy and is still a delight to cuddle.  His appetite has not diminished and he still loves us unconditionally.

Cous Cous (15 y.o.) looks old now.  This photo shows her before her bones started to protrude.  She is also gentler these days and no longer bites or scratches when it takes her fancy.  Sleep is her thang but Cous Cous still loves a run and play with young Dr Watson the rex cat. 

Both of our elderly animals suffer somewhat under the persistent and sometimes less than gentle attention of our younger animals but would be lost without them.  Mixing the ages keeps the old ones young and the young ones learning.

Devon Rex Super Cat

Megatron Destructopuppy Escapes Stalag 13

Yes, just look at her.  Who doesn't love a puppy right?  They are so cute and soft, playful and happy.  Oh yeah Megatron is just a bundle of joy.

Megatron was a free puppy, you know, the backyard mongrel that should be able to survive and thrive because of their hybrid vigour.  Tough as old boots and easy to care for.  Our new puppy is all of this and more.  She also comes with an uncanny ability to excavate where you are most likely to tread when not looking.  Her skills at destroying all that is beautiful in this little part of the world is unmatched, eg. water garden, fake lillies, hats, balls, Roger staffy's ears, food dishes - hers or not (OK, they're not particularly beautiful) and hats.  Megatron has a particular liking for socks; clean or dirty it does not matter.

Her interest in the cats has scored her many a scratch on the nose but she can't help herself.  Those furry little soft critters are just so mesmerising.  Dr Watson will chase her and Cous Cous will stand up to her so there is no danger to them beyond the pest aspect.

The latest and biggest problem with owning a puppy is the yard security - keeping her in. And this free puppy has cost a fortune in fencing materials.  The first fence was put up by professionals with apparently dog proof fencing - HUH!  Try again. 

We had some left over fencing wire so we moved it along the half-way mark to the last fencing installment (literally halving the space available to escape through) and the Lovely Husband and I spent many hours clamping it to the original fence.  We had just stood back and sighed with relief at our completed fencing when Megatron Destructopuppy stuck her head through the fence.  Oh how cute, she can get her head through, we smiled knowingly.  But then our smile was wiped completely away as a front leg followed, then another, her body twisting and turning, and then FLOP! She fell to ground on the outside of the fence.  We stood there, slack jawed and didn't know whether to cry or rant.  I think I swore profusely at this stage.  She is part snake or lizard or something. 

Fencing Part III:  The Lovely Husband bought some small gauge welded wire and again we clipped that to the original fence over many hours and again stood back to admire our hard work.  This time there was no way that part puppy, part snake was getting out.....sigh, finally she is locked up.

Megatron Destructopuppy, escapologist extraordinaire is contained.  We can relax in the knowledge she is not going visiting the neighbours and digging in their yards, destroying their hats and stealing their socks.  That fence willl stand for many a year and contain all manner of dogs big or small. We are able to relax on the back veranda, drink in hand and watch over all that is fenced.  Job well done, again.

Chicken Thief Strikes Again

"Hormone" pronounced with a lousy French accent.

At the moment we have about 35 chickens and one happy, happy Faverolle rooster, Hormone.  We did have a Transylvanian Naked Neck boy (Vlad) as well but a stray dog has taken him recently.  I was a picture of ladylike behaviour NOT as I ran, in my big gumboots, across paddock and through barbed wire fence chasing the mongrel thief .  If swearing could drop him he would be a desiccated shadow of his former self but alas no, it only made him run faster.  Sigh.  The big brown kelpie x has visited our free rangers about five times now and I have had it up to pussy's bow with him.

Fortunately this is a small community and I have been making enquiries of people in the area.  I have possibly traced him to a property I will check out tomorrow.  Someone told me that someone else saw a dog with a chook in its mouth crossing their paddock so I have a direction to head in at least. Short of putting a map of the local area up on the wall, sticking coloured pins in it and calling Tommy Lee Jones to come and co-ordinate a dog-hunt, I will take persistence, gossip and a lot of luck to find the culprit.  Wish me luck.

Elementary My Dear Watson

Meet Dr Watson, a new member of our furry family.  So named because he is always, always investigating.  He needed a home and we adopted him which our old girl Cous Cous the puss puss was not impressed with.  She doesn't give a toss that he is a blue smoke Devon Rex and that he just loves people, his affection is endless - to the point of annoyance sometimes.  Fair enough too.  Cats are naturally loners and our 15 year old moggy is no different.  But after months of having half the house each to themselves they are now co-habitating getting on quite well.  No cuddles and smooches between them but lots of chasing and playing just the same. 

Dr Watson has the new pup on the run and respects the old dog.  He has had to learn about the outside world as he was an exclusively indoor feline.  He has been rescued from a very tall tree top, from the roof top twice and if he is left outside when we leave the house during the day he gets a little anxious and lets us know his displeasure when we return.

Devon Rex cats are active and athletic, affectionate and vocal and they barely moult.  Love him.

She's Ba-a-a-ck!

Yes, it has happened.  After nearly a year off from blogging I will attempt to get back into it with more regularity, just like the proverbial high fibre diet, the blogging must continue.

Updates

We have lost our lovely Layla Greyhound to a nasty lesion on her spine that paralysed her within six days of her first symptoms.  What a special dog she was.  We were heartbroken and she has left a hole in our family that still hurts sometimes.  No surprise to me that if you look hard enough there will be something funny about the dire situation.  I am sitting on the floor of the vet surgery, crying, cradling my poor greyhound's head and saying my goodbyes.  The vet sat with me and we talked about what a treasure she was as a pet and a patient.  He rose to go get the euthanasia solution drawn up and our lovely Layla, ever ready for a meal, was able to raise her head (the only movement she had) and watch him leave and I knew in my heart her thought processes were "He is off to get my food.  How much?  Doesn't matter, any food is good food".  I was able to laugh about it much later.  Her pleasures were simple.  Affection, attention, playing with Roger staffy, a good zip around the paddock and most importantly of all FOOD.

I suspect Roger felt it worst of all.  He became depressed and lethargic.  We waited for two months before applying for another rescue greyhound but there was a waiting list.  We needed a cat friendly one but so did many others.  Roger did not improve and out of desperation I acquired a free Pound Puppy of sorts, a cross bread of beautiful brown eyes and black, shiny coat.  Apparently this little waif was a Border Collie x Rottweiler....hmm right.  It transpires she is a B/Collie x Kelpie x who knows what.  I have said all along I would not get a Kelpie/cross.  Too busy, too much stimulation but of course when you are in love with your pup you don't return her do you?

Megatron Destructopuppy is our newest member of the family.  She is now seven months old and a beautiful natured beast that sometimes tests my ability to keep patience, as puppies do.  More about her later.  Roger the Dodger, it turns out, has dementia which also accounted for his strange and quiet moods.  He is 11 years old and it seems he is ageing quickly.

Farewell Layla Greyhound.

Freaky Fox and Keystone Canines

Picture it:

The Young Negotiator (now 19) and I watching a mangy but well fed fox lope across our backyard.  This fox is weird and strange in that the yard is home to TWO dogs, is fully fenced and well,  the fox has no brush tail.  In fact the fox appears to have minimal fur cover without actually being bald.

Roger the Dodger (staffy) at my feet now sees the fox and begins barking before he takes off out of the lounge room, down the stairs and across the backyard in pursuit of said fox.

Layla (greyhound) does not see the fox but knows there is trouble afoot and also leaves the lounge room at top speed, entirely clearing the back steps in one leap, barking aggressively.  She in fact overtakes the staffy, as one would expect from a greyhound, and gets to the back fence to continue her barking into an empty paddock.

Roger meanwhile has reached the end of the pool fence around which the fox has disappeared and takes the corner well only to trip on.....nothing and do an almighty chin/chest plant into the very wet grass and slide out of view behind the pool, front legs facing backwards (imagine a suckling pig on a Slip-n-Slide minus the apple) .

Layla has finally realised the action is not in the back paddock and turns to continue the chase behind the pool also.  Whether she has actually scented the fox or was just trying a new direction is anybody's guess.

The Young Negotiator and I are laughing at these Keystone Canines and their antics wishing we had a video camera set up and running.

The fox meantime, who incidentally has had time for a cup of tea and scone by this stage, has long gone leaving the dogs excited but somehow not fulfilled in their quest.  We later found a chicken carcass in our yard beyond the pool where the fox had been heading.

Questions I have to ask myself:

1.  Why is the fox so short in the hair and lacking a brush tail?

2.  Why would this fox bring a chicken carcass into our dog-infested back yard and so obviously returning to consume it?  (It has been suggested that it had met our dogs in the past and was feeling entirely safe).

3.  What on earth did that staffy trip on?

Weird things a-happening here yesterday, but highly amusing just the same, except for the loss of one of our laying hens of course.

Frizzle Naked Neck

 

Naked Neck Frizzles & Plymouth Rock

My new 'teenagers'.    Two frizzle naked necks and a Plymouth Rock.  There was a second Plymouth but a carpet snake ate it on its first night with us, damn it.

Water Cooler Chicken Chatter

 "I says to Doris, I said Doris, you know I just don't care if the rooster thinks your a hot chook.  She gives me that look, you know the one where she stares down her beak at you and you just know she doesn't believe you."

My new faverolles, so cute.

Dry Ground

This was our paddocks one week ago...desperately needing rain.

Holy Hail Storm Batman!

Only small stones but they shredded the mango tree as you can see...

Our Garden

 

Damaged Greyhound



 This poor greyhound has had a bad week.  Our dogs are inside at night while we watch TV and every now and then they go out for a bark and a wee.  One night recently Layla came back in looking a wee bit subdued (which for a greyhound is nothing new) but she was even more so.  Then I noticed the blood dripping on the floor.  Ooh 'eck I says, or something like that anyway.  I think she had had a run in with a possum or something.  Under her left eye was about a 1cm cut but under her right eye, and I mean just underneath her right eye, there was a cut for the full length of her eye!  She had some skin off her muzzle as well but compared to the other injuries they did not matter.

I was a veterinary nurse in the 80s for about four years so out comes the First Aid Kit, cotton balls, home made saline and drag my teen son out of bed (he was the only other person home) and we convened in the laundry (aka ER).  I had to clean out the wounds, apply pressure to stop bleeding and then bandage to hold her face together.  She could barely see because of my work and she tried to remove said bandage too.  I made up a bucket for her head and she went to bed that night looking mighty funky.

The next day I took her to the vet for stitches and the bucket had to stay on for 10 days until I removed these stitches and she is now free.  Her modelling days are over though.

Layla no longer chooses to go out at night for a bark and a wee.  She stays in and minds the fort.  The middle picture is her waiting patiently for the cat to finish drinking before she has a turn.  Such a polite Bucket Head.

Wonky Egg for 2012

This chook must have a bum like a rose bud!

Cute Rat Alert!

How cute is this little rodent eh?

The Dynamic Daughter's pet rat, Chai enjoying some cuddly time.

Coupla' Chicks Scheming

Don't these girls look like they're planning something.  Does it remind you of the animated movie Chicken Run?
My two bantam Wyandottes were sharing the love in their clucky state.

Toad Bites Dog

Bloody Roger!  This dog is approximately 9 years old.  He has lived with the poisonous cane toad hopping around our back yard for all his life and ignored them.  Until last night.  At bed time.  My bed time.  He and I were in the back yard last night, I was hanging out washing just before going to bed.  He was biting a cane toad.  Oh and you know what?  Poison tastes bloody horrible in your mouth apparently. 

We rang the vet.  He told us to hose his mouth out for 10 minutes, rub his gums and inner mouth area and keep him calm.  Do you know many dogs who can keep calm while you hose out their mouth?  Probably more than I imagine.  But a staffy?  But Roger?  It took three of us.  The Young Negotiator was there to stop him from backing out had hold of the little nugget body.  The Dynamic Daughter was on hose duty.  (Don't wash the poison down his throat either).  I was on washing and rinsing duty.  Apparently the poison sticks to surfaces and begins transferring its toxin so that is why you need to rub his tongue, gums, teeth, mouth and not get bitten for your trouble. 

Truth be told he was pretty reasonable considering.  We must have removed all the poison because he stopped frothing and shaking his head.  We were all pretty wet and smelly (you know, wet dog smell) at the end of it.  I don't know whether he will bite a toad again because how much he associates that attack with everything that happened afterwards is any body's guess.  I am hoping not.  Bloody dog.  OK, I am happy he is fine. 

There is nothing like slipping into freshly laundered sheets with pillow and doona fresh from being in the sun all day and having that lovely and unique Eau de Wet Dog come between you and your loved one.

From a Dog's Perspective

ROGER: Staffordshire bull Terrier, mad as an axe, ADHD, cyclonic.

LAYLA: Retired and rescued greyhound.  Calm, quiet and always hungry.

Visitors

Roger:  Was that... is it... oh yes it was a car door slamming.  LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME.  I love you, I don't know who you are yet but I love you.

Layla:  Is someone here?  Excitement.  Maybe they will have food.  Maybe they will love me.  I always need love.

Roger:  It's the grandparents.  I LOVE the grandparents.  Grandad loves me!  Grandma too but with restrictions.  I want you both I WANT I WANT I WANT.  What the... the Pack Leader Mum has me by the collar but I will pull.  Maybe she will let go.  She is talking to me but all I hear is blah blah blah Roger! Those legs, I. must. lick. those. legs.  Grandad's legs are long and skinny and hairy.  His legs play with me and chase me.

Layla:  Grandparents.  I love them.  Do they have food?  Have they touched food lately?  Will they still smell of food?  Wet nose in their hands will tell me.

In The House

Roger:  The kitchen is off limits when food is being prepared or when the family are eating.  This is so hard!  I break the rules every day and every day I am sent out but one day they might forget and not notice me.  The cat can come and go as she pleases and she does this to show off.  I don't care.  I am bigger than her. 
If Pack Leader Mum is at the computer too long I bark at her.  If she swears or sighs or is upset I talk to her and come to comfort her.

Layla:  The kitchen is off limits when food is being prepared or when the family are eating.  If I walk very slowly and quietly, don't let my nails click on the floor I can bypass this rule.  The floor can contain smidgens of morsels of edible stuff.  The bin is my mecca.  I must get to the bin.
Wherever Pack Leader Mum is I am.  She often forgets things and goes up and down the hall or in and out of the house many times but I must stay with her.  I used to be lonely and isolated and I will never again be lonely and isolated. 

A Walk

Roger:  Smells are everywhere.  Here, there, all over the place.  Oh I gotta' pee.  I am in a big hurry.  You never know when the world might end or we have to go back home.  Quick quick quick.  Oh I gotta' pee.  Jackpot!  Calf poo.  I gotta' eat it before Layla finds it.  Scoff, choke, hack, scoff.  Oh I gotta' pee.  Oh yeah, carcass of rodent.  Mmmm, roll in that, roll roll roll.  I smell great. 

Oh Pack Leader Mum is calling home.  Quick quick quick.

Layla:  Freedom, run run run.  Smells everywhere.  Where is that rabbit?  Squat and pee.  RABBIT RABBIT RABBIT rabbit rabbit rabbit.... gone.  Ooh calf poo.  Eat it before Roger.  Where is that rabbit?  Smells everywhere.  Oh there is Pack Leader Mum at the top of the hill.  She loves me.  We are too far apart.  Run run run.  Puff puff puff.  Where is that rabbit?  Oh baby, calf placenta!  Roll roll roll.  I smell great!

Pack Leader Mum is calling home.  Gotta' go.  Do not want to lose my family.

An Outing

Roger:  Car trip!  Puff puff puff I am so excited and we haven't left home yet.  Ooh ooh ooh someone I don't know walking past the car.  I LOVE YOU!
On leash in open air and I want to sniff sniff sniff.  Oh I gotta' pee.  Person... I LOVE YOU.  I want to lick your legs.  Running away?  How exciting, me too.  Dog... I really want to know you before I decide whether to attack or play.  Pulling pulling pulling.  The lead may give way, I might be able to chase all those people/dogs/inanimate objects.  Oh I gotta' pee.

Layla:  Car trip?  Oh OK.  Mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation.  Pack Leader Mum and Dad drive round bends and my lo-o-ong legs have to surf them in a confined space.  Roger's excitement is catchy. 
On leash in open air and I stick close to my Pack Leader.  They might try and separate from me.  Dog... if I don't look at them maybe they will ignore me.  Eww they are sniffing me.  Stand tall and think of something else.  Food.  No time to sniff.  Got to focus on staying with Pack Leader.  Person... stay cool, don't do anything.  Oh a pat, lovely, I will take that.  I gotta' crap right here and right now.

Bed Time

Roger:  You are running late Pack Leader.  It is time, I am restless.  Are we going out yet?  Oh yay, it's time for my bedtime biscuit.  Big, hard biscuit.  Chained to my kennel first and then biscuit.  Chomp, crack, choke, cough, chomp.  Mmmm. Bed time with the mozzies.

Layla:  Are you sure it is that time?  What if I lie here just a bit longer.  Ooh biscuit, I forgot I was hungry.  You go first, there are toads out here.  Chained to my bed in shed and then biscuit.  Very gentle when I am given the biscuit.  Biscuit very hard.  Pack Leader leaves and I lie down and eat.  I want to be in the house with the family.  I am chained now because I wrecked the door to my shed. I stress when I am separated from the family.  But I know I will see them in the morning.  I will not be lonely or isolated again.  They even give me breakfast so I know I won't starve.