Spring is here!

Yesterday I got out for a nice little hike with my oldest son and Petey. After being in Florida for the past week I was surprised to find the trails up at Cascade Lake still under snow. While we were away there were torrential rains that caused major flooding and road closures. Florida also had up to seven inches of rain, the end of their storm occurring while we were en-route, making for a very rough plane ride. Petey hadn't had a run in over a week and had the time of his life running, trailing and leaving pee mail. He also took his first swim, which he needed very badly! He is very happy his mommy is back home and lets me know every chance he gets with lots of kisses. On the walk we saw our first Painted Turtle and heard a Phoebe. No Spring Peepers nor Wood Frogs chorusing as of yet. I heard a Woodcock calling last Friday at Steward Airport when we arrived for our flight to Florida. A couple of Turkeys continue at my bird feeders. Most of the W.T.Sparrows and Juncos are gone.

Happy Birthday to my youngest son who turns 16 today. Incredible how quickly time has passed.

My beautiful Petey remains happy and healthy. I cherish each moment I spend with him. Every moment is turned into Quality time, as it should be for everyone in your life. Today is all you have so make it a good one!

Florida

Red Ear Slidder Fosters

Today I picked up two new babies, Red Ear Slidders. I am fostering them for the Warwick Valley Humane Society until they are big enough for their adopters pond.

Flocks of Black birds grow each day. Snow is still very deep not great for hiking, hopefully this 50 degree weather will help melt it soon, I'm ready to get back out there with my Petey.

When I awoke this morning I looked out the window and found this poor little girl sleeping under our bird feeder. She appeared exhausted and stayed close to the house for several hours. As the sounds in the house increased she moved to the back of our yard and laid down under the bamboo. I can only imagine what she must be going through. Our snow is still so deep and there are so many coyote packs around. Maybe she sort refuge here from them. On our property last weekend we came upon a coyote kill, a young deer. It had only happened the night before. There were a dozen Turkey vultures all over the carcass. Some have to die in order for others to live another day. It is the way of nature.

Read a really disturbing article in Audubon this month. It was about wildlife photos. I was not aware that there are game farms that keep wildlife just for the sole purpose of renting them for photo shoots. All those gorgeous wildlife photos in calenders and such can be fakes. Pictures of animals who basically spend their lives in cages just so we can have beautiful pictures of them to look at. What the game farms do is bring the animal to a fenced in area for photos shoots. How sick has our world become? I for one don't support this, and will be looking for labeling that tells where a photo came from. Wildlife belongs wild and free.

Harbinger of Spring is here!!!!

Today the first Red Wing Blackbirds came to my feeders, Spring can't be far behind. It immediately reminds me of all the wonderful nature experiences are coming soon. The Spring Peepers will be singing their little hearts out, Woodcock doing their spectacular aerial dance in the moonlight, Giant Mole Salamanders out in the rain heading to their breeding Vernal pools and so much more. The advent of Spring blooming is the most wonderful time of life.

Spent the last couple of days up in Vermont on our annual work trip, always a great time. Good food, people, wine and laughs! The scenery isn't too bad either.

Spring Birds....

We had two snowstorms last week totally about 40 inches. After wards I had two good birds at the feeders, a Brown Thrasher and a Rusty Blackbird. Today there was a couple dozen Robins. Today there as also a Grackle, but so far no Red Wing Blackbirds. Turkeys continue, they come several times a day in different groups. Fox Sparrow!

Sunday we went out snowshoeing on the property. Across the river we could see a lot of Turkey Vultures on the ground and in the pine trees, as we got closer we knew there was something dead. Coyotes had killed a deer the night before. It was like being in a nature documentary. The property is so beautiful, can't believe it is almost ours.

Heading up to Vermont today for our annual trip. Looking forward to being with our friends and seeing the beautiful forests of Vermont!

Turkeys continue! The flock grows bigger each day, today there was about thirty and they stayed the entire day. There are now a couple of different groups with Toms and Jakes. Toms are starting to strut their stuff. Two Grackels this evening...Red Wing Blackbirds...soon! This afternoon I took Petey on a quick loop in the County Park during a heavy snow fall. It was so quiet and gorgeous out. Petey had a blast. Tonight we are getting up to 8 inches of snow.

My Petey

Today a fellow Moderator on a Forum I belong to, created this beautiful picture of my Petey. What a thoughtful gift. She knows how I feel about my boy, because she is also a Doberman owner. This breed is so special, like no other dog I've ever owned or spent time with. I am going to print this picture onto photo paper and frame it, I already have the frame. The frame has a place for the picture on one side and a shadow box on the other that you add a paw print to. It came with a soft material that hardens when exposed to air. I already took Petey's print from his gigantic paw. He was none too happy it but complied with a miserable look on his face. Although my Petey's feet are far from the Doberman standard of nice tight *Cat feet* I still love them. They are the biggest feet I've ever seen on a medium size dog. So big that people still ask if Petey is young and still growing. Those big feet have served him well with the type of running he does everyday on our hikes. We had a vet visit this morning for a BUN and Creatinine test. The Ace Inhibitor that Petey is on for his DCM can cause Kidney damage in some dogs, so I'd rather be safe then sorry. He put a few pounds back on, so I must up the exercise, no more excuses, Petey is ready and willing no matter the weather, it's mom who is being so lazy and full of excuses. Our vet said he looked good, that I need to treat him like a normal dog, and expect him to live years. With tears in my eyes I told him...I'm trying.

Yesterday my flock of turkeys returned to the bird feeders, fist time in 2010. Yesterday there were about a dozen and today twenty five. I heard a Cardinal singing a Spring song, can it be far behind? I'd expect a flock of Red-Wing Blackbirds any day now...and then the birding can begin. What an exciting prospect....Spring is almost here with all her glory, birds to watch, Spring Peepers to hear singing their beautiful song, vernal pools to explore, warmer weather to beckon us out into nature more often. The thought of all that to look forward to just put a smile on my face. The rebirth of the earth never fails to awaken my sense of wonder.

Birding with Petey!

My hubby is on his annual trip to GA riding and male bonding with all his Dirt-bike friends. I decided to get up and go out birding with my faithful sidekick Petey. We headed out to the black dirt region of Orange County NY. We drove out on Missionland Road looking for a couple of rarities that had been spotted Thursday. We were unsuccessful finding the Lapland Long-spurs and Snow-buntings, so we will give it a go tomorrow morning as well. At the end of the road 5 turkeys and a rooster upon seeing my car came running down the dirt road to see us. They were so funny, got right up close to the car. They retreated once they took a look at Petey who had his head hanging out the window watching in amazement as the six birds ran full speed towards the car. We continued on over to another location to hopefully find the Long-ear owls that spend the Winter in a certain stand of pines, I easily found three of them. I picked up a half dozen owl pellets for dissecting later on. I love to see what they have been eating. We went on to Oil City Road, nothing notable out there. I did see one Rough-Legged Hawk. After that we stopped at Iron Mountain hiking trail and I let Petey out for a little run. We headed towards home and went to the property we are buying and did a little snowshoeing. A pair of Red-Tails were on the top of our little mountain, and a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers were down by the river cursing from dead tree to dead tree. Wonderful day spent with the best dog ever.

Yesterday on our Snowshoe up at Cascade Lake Park we had a small flock of Robins, and Bluebirds eating multiflora Rose Hips. Beautiful birds against the white backdrop of snow.

Woodchuck Rehab

Today I got in a young Woodchuck Rehab. He was turned into the Humane Society by someone who found him wandering around out in the snow. He is last years youngster, and seems very tame. He is eating well and he looks to be in good health. I have to wonder if someone didn't raise him and release him. I'm going to keep him until the weather warms up and see if I can't do a soft release with him.

Today we got another 7 inches of snow. It was looking like we weren't going to get much more snow and then the last week we have had two storms. Lots of birds at my feeders. I've been seeing Robins daily. The *White* Red Tail has a friend hanging out with them all the time now. Someone in the Mearns club had two Lapland Longspurs out in Pine Island on Saturday. I'll have to get out there birding next weekend.

Snow!

Finally some snow and a snow day! Everyone was off from school and work, so it was like a mini vacation. Beautiful out, wonderful snowshoe.

Gift of Life

I'm back at living, enjoying the moment. Petey is a gift everyday he is here with me, and I'm not longer taking that for granted. We are back to hiking everyday no matter the time or the weather, he lives for his daily run. Today I even bought him a couple of things, a new name tag that reads, Scratch My Butt! Ordered a case of Bully stick treats and a new stuffie. I also ordered him a special set of pill boxes for his daily handfuls of heart healthy vitamins. This is his life...sick or not he is going to have the best one I can provide.

Lots of activity outside. I've seen Robins several times over the last week. Flock of Cedar Waxwings around too. Had a small flock of Red-Wing Blackbirds two weeks ago. So far NO turkeys. Every couple of days I see a flock that looks to be about 30 birds across the street and in the corn fields. I miss them coming to my feeders. Today during my drive to work there were Redtails everywhere, I think this is their courtship time. The White Redtail on Eagle Road has also found a friend. Would be really interesting to see if the Lunatistic color comes out in any of the offspring they might produce. Big snowstorm coming tomorrow, really looking forward to getting snow...finally!

Work

Today Petey came to work with me. Over the years he has really settled down, it is an absolute pleasure to have him in the office with me. It makes me smile all day long. Everyone in the building comes down to say hi to him, and he makes them smile too. All our employees know and love him. After I took him out for a potty break he ran up the stairs to the second floor offices, and muzzled his way in to a box that was sitting in the hallway. He grabbed a pigs ear out of the box and ran down the stairs lightening fast right back into my office! He was so proud of himself. How lucky to have tenants who run a dog treat internet business.

This morning there was a dozen Red-Wing Blackbirds under the feeder, can Spring be far behind? Yesterday I booked a flight to FL for March, so I can see moms new place and do a little early Spring birding and Kayaking. I'm really looking forward to it.

Coyotes

I just read something so disturbing I feel as though I am going to vomit. There are states that allow coyotes to be hunted with dogs. When the dogs catch up to the exhausted coyote they tear the poor animal to pieces alive. The dogs wear GPS collars so the hunters can catch up and put fresh dogs on the chase as their dogs tire, the coyote doesn't have a chance to get away. What makes people so sick and inhumane that they could do this to any living creature? We don't allow dog fighting but doing this to a helpless living creature is acceptable?

The first day (1/1/10) we looked at the property we are trying to buy there was a coyote up on our little mountain barking a warning that we were on it's turf. This made me so excited and happy. Coyotes in my backyard! I can't wait to hear them howling at night. I still can't believe we are hopefully buying the beautiful piece of property that is teaming with wildlife. Most of the land would be considered waste land as it isn't build-able. Its very wet with a river at its bottom. We will be putting our log cabin in the very top corner of the property and leaving the rest wild. I can not wait to live there, and be surrounded by all the wild animals that make me feel alive every time I glimpse one of them.

Today was in the 50s and pouring! Petey and I didn't get out. Over the weekend we did go to our land on Saturday and Sunday and walk the entire piece. Petey loves it up there, lots of smells and room to run around. He will have his own swimming spot.

*The Coyote's Important Statics

Weight: 15-45 pounds
Length with tail: 40-60 inches
Shoulder Height: 15-20 inches
Sexual Maturity: 1-2 years
Mating Season: January-March
Gestation Period: 58-65 days
Number of Young: 2-12, 6 average
Birth Interval: 1 year
Lifespan: 15 years in the wild
Typical diet: Small mammals, insects, reptiles, fruit and carrion


*Coyote Facts
- Only 5-20% of coyote pups survive their first year.
- Coyotes can run at almost forty miles per hour and jump over an eight foot fence!
- Coyotes can breed with both domestic dogs and wolves. A dog-coyote mix is called a "coydog."
- The coyote is more likely to be afraid of you than vice-versa.
- The coyote maintains its territory by marking it with urine.

My Cousin put this on my facebook wall a few days ago....I really like it.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
The animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours, they move finished and complete, gifted with extension of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not b...rethren; they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth. -Henry Beston, naturalist and author (1888-1968)

Lily gave birth!

I was at home today as my 3rd son broke his shoulder blade yesterday. I turned on the bear cam and it looked like Lily was having major contractions. I couldn't stop watching. Finally around noon she gave birth! You could hear the cub crying, it sounded just like a human baby. It was amazing to be a part of seeing something so special. I love bears,I never tire of the utter excitement I feel when seeing one, it always feels like the first time. For the last 21 years living in my house between two roads I've wanted to move onto only one road in my town. I always look up there at houses, land, wishing I could live where the bears are all the time. We have never found any property that seemed worth us leaving our home where we have raised our family. Miracles do happen, yesterday we signed contracts on a large beautiful piece of property on that road! I hike in the park at the top of the road three or four times a week. The property fell into our laps, as if heaven sent, I believe my dad may have had something to do with it, as his best friends son emailed us the listing, he came across it by accident, our Realtor never showed it to us, nor were there any signs on the property. It has a river, streams, ponds, a vernal pool, pine stands, wetlands, and our own side of a mountain. I have to pinch myself when I go to see it, someday I will be living there! We won't be rushing into the building process, as hubby wants to pay everything off and put in the septic and well as he can pay cash. He hope to design some energy efficient things into the log cabin we will be building. I will be able to do wildlife Rehab no problem, putting lots of soft release pens on the property. We looked at the property on New Years Day, and called to say where do we sign! We knew instantly that this was where we were meant to finally build our log cabin we have dreamed about for 30 years. As always we didn't question our gut feelings, and now three weeks later, I want it closed, so it is ours to enhance and preserve for wildlife. I'm excited to put some food plantings in and hang some bird boxes. The property should be home to wood and bog turtles too, how exciting to have them living in my backyard. My own vernal pool..what can I say about that other then....WOW! I can't wait for The big day with the Mole Salamanders.

Now on to more good news. Petey's second Holter came back good. Doesn't mean anything has changed, but the Cardiologist who is handling his case wants to treat this as fairly early. He has the disease, his heart is not normal, but for now he is only putting him on an ace inhibitor. He will have another Holter and Echo done in four months and we will see if we need to add more meds. My vet said Petey will be on a cocktail of meds before this is over. For now I'm to treat him like a normal dog, feed him his raw, give him his fist full of vitamins, exercise him normally and keep him THIN. My vets office doesn't think Petey will be leaving me anytime soon, and I hope they are right. I already have his 4th Birthday collar picked out! No one knows for sure how the disease will progress,he could go in 6 months or six years so they want me to stay positive and let him LIVE his life how ever short it might end up. The vet, tech and secretary were all so wonderful to crazy me. I got hugs and they told me to stay in the now. Love this dog and don't give up on him. And that's what I plan on doing.

Juliet

This is Lilly's 7 year old Aunt in her Winter den. She hasn't given birth to her cubs yet either. What fun to be able to watch Lilly on the cam while all the bears here are hibernating. I'm looking forward to Lilly giving birth and watching her cubs for the rest of the Winter.

Lilly the Bear!

Here is something really cool to check out! There is a Cam in a Wild Bears Den in MN. She is due to give birth to her first cubs any day now. I love bears and hope to become a bear educator this coming year. http://www.bear.org


Petey's second opinion was no better then the first, if anything it was worse. Because of the arrhythmia he is a candidate for sudden death. He won't be on meds until tomorrow. The Cardiologist has the results of his new 24 hour halter, and will prescribe a couple different meds to deal with the arrhythmia and to try to slow the disease down.

The one thing I've noticed the last couple of weeks since Petey's diagnosis is just how thoughtless and basically unkind people can be. Why is my dog of less value then a human being? People have said such ridiculous things to me. At least your boys are healthy, can you imagine if it was your hubby who was fatally ill, just think about all those poor people in Haiti, and then the stupidest remarks, he is just a dog and you can get another. Why is my pain and sadness something others think they can control with asinine remarks? I am hurt and filled with anger right now. Of cause I am grateful for all my life's blessing, I've always felt like I won the lottery of life having the best hubby in the world and four incredibly awesome sons who bring me more joy then I ever imagined possible in one life time. But all of that doesn't change the fact that my dog is very sick, I'm going to lose him soon and I'm trying to cope with the pain of knowing that he isn't going to be with me much longer. The only people who seem to understand how I'm feeling are true dog lovers and of cause....people who have known and loved Dobermans. Two people in my life although are suffering their own life challenges offered the best comfort of all, sincerity that I will pass on to the next person who needs that from me. I will take from this experience with Petey and learn...Peoples pain is their own, you can't compare anything you have gone through or are going through with what others feel. Everyone's pain in unique, and very personal. Sincere love given to others is the only way to help someone feel better in bad times. If there is one thing I've learned in this life...the bad times come and go. The only guarantee we have is that nothing stays the same, everything changes all the time. I hope that I can take this lesson out in life and truly become a much more sympathetic compassionate person to everyone in my life. Love is all there is...spread it.

Quality Life?

I spent the last four weeks in a state of numbness. I feel as though I missed the holidays, and for what reason? Petey's diagnosis put me emotionally in the toilet. He has DCM, but has no symptoms yet, why am I mourning his death before he is even gone? What has changed from four weeks and one day ago? Nothing, absolutely nothing. I have knowledge of a condition that most Doberman owners don't know about until it is too late to do anything about it, and potentially add more time with medications. I have no idea of how long he will live, it could be years. Owning and loving this breed we all have about a 50/50 chance of having our dogs diagnosed with it in their lifetime. Despite my sadness, Petey is still living each day as if it is his last. He has no idea that his heart is damaged and will shorten his life. I know that I've been a good Dobermom since the day he came into my life, I have no guilt or regrets, but now I've become even more conscious of what a quality life is for *him*. I've been trying to look at the world through his eyes. It's been fun. I spend more time cuddling and petting him, I stop what I'm doing for an impromptu game of tug, I was able to get a 100# of fresh venison because that is his favorite food, he wanted to roll on smelly deer bones the other day and I let him, tonight after work I walked him in the dark with a flashlight, up in the park where all his doggie friends left their pee-mail. He loved running in the dark! Everyday becomes a new adventure for Petey and I. In three short years he has completely changed how I look at dog ownership. It has been my honor to share his life.

Yesterday was my Dad's 5th death day anniversary. I shed a few tears and I spent most of the day thinking about him. I still miss him as if he only passed yesterday. Tomorrow I want to pick up some of his favorite foods and have a little feast in his honor.

Sunset Cascade Lake Park

It still amazes me to live minutes from a beautiful scenes like this. I've lived in this town for close to twenty one years and not a day goes by that I am not in awe of it's beauty. Growing up in suburbia and having so little nature around as a kid taught me to appreciate the little things. Any small sighting was reason to celebrate, everyday a chance to see something new. Nature is the one true gift you can give yourself everyday...and it is free for the taking.

As I write, I'm sitting looking out my kitchen window there are no less then two hundred birds in my yard and at least a dozen squirrels, all trying to survive another day. Feeding backyard birds is the best way to bring nature to you. It is instant joy every time you look out a window. If I could give one gift to someone who is house bound because of illness or age it would be to set up a bird feeder in a spot they could easily view it and keep if full for them. How much nicer would it make someones day to view something living instead of just TV.

Today it is very windy and in the teens. Yesterday was the same, but Petey and I got out for a nice little hike, at dusk, nothing out and about but us, beautiful none the less. Today we will do the same. Have to keep the boy happy and strong.

Happy New Year!

Up until the last couple of weeks 2009 was such a great year for me. Petey's DCM diagnosis kind of put me in the toilet the last three weeks, but I'm to the point of coming out of the sadness and coming to the realization that if I had known about the DCM in his lines, I never would have bought him. I never would have had this wonderful boy in my life for the last three years. All the pain I'm in now and will be in when he passes, is well worth having known him. This past year, I've really enjoyed all the time I had out in nature locally and also went on several wonderful vacations. All my free time this year was filled with the beauty of nature. I'm never bored or lonely. Nature fills my soul up every time I step outside. This year my New Years resolution is to live in the moment, fill each day with joy. Stop worrying about the future, I have no control over what or when anything is going to happen.

2009 I am grateful for;
My hubby
Sons
Extended Family
Petey
Love of Nature
Vacations
Roof over our heads
Food in our bellies
Health
Fitness

Looking forward to 2010....bring it on!

Christmas tree

Creating this tree each year IS my favorite tradition. I love waking up Christmas morning and looking outside and seeing all the birds gathered eating the bounty I've provided for them.

Petey 38 months

Christmas was wonderful this year. Having all my beautiful sons gathered under the same roof for the last week and a half has been amazing. I am totally enjoying them as never before. I feel such peace of heart and mind when they are all at home, as if I can exhale. As a parent it takes a long time to let your children go, to stop thinking and worrying about them.

There hasn't been much time to get outside for more then short outings with my Petey, because of all the holiday preparations. I'm almost afraid to run him for too long, but that has been torture for him. He doesn't care that he is sick, that his heart is damaged. Today we got out with Daddy and had a wonderful hike in 50 degree weather. It was gorgeous out. Still very hard for me to look at Petey with out feeling so much pain and sadness. I love him too much. I spend more time with him then anyone else in my life. He is my side kick my constant companion, my joy. I feel such anger that he is sick, that his life is going to be cut short. I'm trying so hard to get rid of these feelings to enjoy the now, to be thankful that I know his days are limited, so I can fill them with fun, for both of us. We hiked up to the Beaver pond, he has been busy and even had a hole in the ice so he can continue to get on land to take trees down. I was so happy to see that he is still up there surviving.

Yesterday I did the XMas count with my hawkwatch friends Denis and Tom. It was about 38 degrees and raining. Despite the weather we covered about 60 miles of driving and 7 hours searching for birds out in the black dirt region of Orange Co. NY. We were only able to list about 37 species. Highlights of the day...Rough Legged hawk, an immature dark phase female, who we were able to get very close to and watch hunt. Savannah Sparrows and Vesper Sparrows.

50! What? How did that happen???

Although I'm still reeling from Petey's very recent diagnosis. It has been a blessing in disguise as it has pulled me back into the today. I think the hardest part of life, is to live it for today, it is a lesson I've been trying to get right since I was about ten years old. No doubt about it, Petey lives for today....he wants nothing more then his run, good food,a bowl of fresh clean water, several play times and affection, he is here now....and as long as those needs are met, he is very content and happy. He shares his happiness all day long. I can't help but smile when I look at his beautiful big face and his little nub of a tail wiggling away. His joy about the little things is contagious. How we humans manage to complicate our lives so far past today just amazes me, and we all do it! I guess most of us never really live life as full as our beloved dogs. They don't need as many years, because they fully live their lives from their very first breath. We start living ours much like them, and somewhere in childhood we let everything else around us take over the very joy of being alive, at seeing the wonder in an ordinary day. Once again....my Petey has taught me life lessons that no human could. What I take into my second century of life, is the gift of Petey's lesson, when I look at him I will remember not to take another moment with my family and friends for granted. We all have to die and as my beloved father told me only six days before he left us suddenly. When it is your time, it is your time. When your number is up there isn't a damn thing you can do about it! My dad was a very wise man. I miss him dearly but know in my heart he is watching over me today.

Sad heart....

Yesterday my beautiful boy Petey was diagnosed with a fatal genetic heart disease. He will not get to grow old. We aren't sure how much time he has left, he could die suddenly any moment now, or could last a year or more. The disease progresses differently for each Doberman it affects. This information has left me in shock, numb and in complete disbelief that this could be happening to him at only three years old. He has been the light of my life since the moment he joined our family. Although DCM is a possibility in every line of Dobermans, for some reason I really didn't believe it would become Petey's story, or if it did, he would be nine or ten. He has three grandparents who are ten, and one that died at ten. I thought we had a good shot at a decent length of life. I've done everything right by him in the health department and yet there is no stopping this disease. They are born with the gene that causes the cells in the heart muscle to stop contracting. Petey has already lost 50% and he hasn't even had a symptom. I pray he gets some more quality time with us, and that he doesn't have to suffer at all with this horrible disease. He is the picture of health right now, thin, huge muscle mass, white teeth, energetic, just no way I would have imagined that his heart had become a ticking time bomb. I will do my best to stay in the moment,and make his last bit of time here on earth a blast! He has been my best buddy and I owe him a normal life to the end. My heart is broken once again....first comes love....then comes pain...that's what life is all about. No one escapes the pain, unless they go first. Good vibes for my baby boy!

New Letter to the Editor....

From a Wildlife Rehabilitators Perspective.

As a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in NYS I support Suzyn Barron's (the president of the Warwick Humane Society) position, that all cats need to be kept indoors. It is estimated by scientists in the United States, that Cats Kill millions of birds and more then a billion small animals each year. Cats are not a part of a Natural Ecosystem and they compete for food with Native predators that are already stressed from loss of habitat. Wildlife Rehabilitators across the country take in and care for tens of thousands of animals and birds each year that are injured by feral and free roaming cats. For the safety and preservation of our Native Wildlife, I ask that you please consider keeping your pet indoors or supervise it while outdoors. Thank you.

Yule Decorations

Thanksgiving in VT

The last couple of weeks have been very busy that I haven't had time to write. I had my last day at the Hawk watch several weeks ago, an excellent season for different birds, I'm never disappointed that I take the time out of my life to volunteer up there. My last day was very cold and windy, lots of Red Tails so it was well worth the wind burn.

Last week we rented a house up at Killington VT. It was three stories high, 8 BR, 5.5 Baths, 3 LRs, 2 Kitchens. It was the perfect place of family and friends to gather for a wonderful Thanksgiving. This is the second year we have done this, and I really love to go away for Thanksgiving. It is my favorite holiday, and it is so nice to enjoy it again after more then a decade of hosting it. We had a total of 26 people over the course of the week. Truly wonderful time. Best part was that Petey was able to join us, I wouldn't have rented the house if he couldn't. He had so much fun...three levels filled with his favorite people on earth. I enjoyed giving him lots of new toys, Christmas at Thanksgiving. He loved being the center of attention. When ever he would run upstairs to my moms apartment, he would be met with oh the boys here! He ate up all the attention.

While up in VT we went for a short visit to VINS vinsweb.org Vermont Institute of Natural Science. What a wonderful Rehab Facility. I wish we had a place like that within driving distance, what a super volunteer job that would be for me, maybe at retirement. They have a vast collection of Raptors that are unable to be released back to the wild for one reason or another. While they are an excellent teaching tool and helps support the Rehab work that VINS does, it is still very sad for me to see such noble birds spending their lives in cages, even the beautiful cages that VINs provides for them. As I get older I see nature and wild animals so different then I used to. I hate to see any animal caged, and unable to live out their lives as they were meant to, wild and free. All of my life I've been able to travel to beautiful natural areas, every year going further from home,having the opportunity to see so many wild animals has made me even more committed to help preserve habitat, and to do Rehab work to help animals return to the wild where they rightfully belong.

Today's hike was up to the Beaver pond, he is very busy....lots more trees down. Today there was ice on the pond up there, must have been very cold and windy up there overnight. On the way home, I went to several locations and gathered berry branches and greens for Yule decorations outside the house. Looks pretty and is also food for the birds visiting the yard.

Breathe....

I spent the past 3 days immersed in classes up at Lake George with the NYS Wildlife Rehabilitators Conference. Taking the steps to sign up for and then attend this conference was so outside my comfort zone I amazed myself. It truly was the most eye opening experience I've had in a very long time. The classes were excellent and the veterinarians and Rehabbers were remarkable. Their dedication to raise or heal injured wild animals and return them to their rightful place in nature is incredible. They make sacrifices that few people would ever consider. I learned far more then I expected. The classes were well put together and the lecturers very well spoken and prepared. I plan on attending every year from now on. Next year it will be in Buffalo. I hope they have a few turtle classes again, as that is what I plan on specializing in. I found support in two wonderful women who have devoted their lives to saving our native turtles. I hope to design a program to teach the public about turtles and how important it is to leave them in the wild and not capture and keep them as pets. I'm feeling really happy and good right now, having found more direction as to what I can do to really make a contribution in this world. Saving a adult Wood and Box turtles contributes so much more then I had even thought possible. It takes a female wood turtle about 20 years of her life to just replace herself. They don't breed until they are into their teens, and with predation few babies live to breed. I need to figure out how to educate the public, I am determined to get the information out there.

Hike up at Cascade Lake Park today. GORGEOUS OUT! About 55 degrees. Still 4 Eastern Painted turtles out on the pond, one being my little head start guy from last Winter. Saw a deer, lots of Beaver sign up at the top of the mountain. He has taken down quite a few small trees in the last week, and put up a ton of browse for himself. Winter Wren,Juncos, W.T. Sparrows, Canada Goose still on the pond. Lots of Turkey Vultures and one Red Tail.

Bears still out and about, got my feeders last night!

Red-Bellied Turtle

This is the turtle that I've mentioned in other posts. Last Thursday night, October 30th I was able to walk right up to her, and pick her up. No struggle at all. I had been keeping an eye on her for about two weeks now, knowing something must be wrong that she hadn't hibernated and was getting increasingly slow to react to people coming near her, even allowing photo shoots. Poor old girl has a URI. She will be spending the Winter with us, housed in a 110 gallon stock tank in my family room. She is 13 inches long and weighs 9 pounds. The vet gave her a broad spectrum antibiotic shot on Wednesday night, and she will get another tomorrow, and possibly a third on Monday night. I am very happy I was able to save her life. Her name will be Jilly.

Today is my last shift at the Hawk Watch. NW, 8 MPH winds expected, perfect Red-Tail flight conditions, but no clouds for hawk-watchers to see those migrating. Hope the forecast is wrong about the cloud cover. It would be great to go out of the 09 season with a bang!