Bounty of Beauty

My yard has become a bounty of beauty. All the flowers I planted are attracting butterflies. One more beautiful then the next. We also have had many birds be very successful nesting. Wrens have nested and raised young in at least 5 spots in the yard. Right now there are Wren nests on the front porch and another in the window box on the breezeway window. Each holds five babies. I think there may be another in the wood shed, which already had a successful hatching of Carolina Wrens back in April.

Baby Wood Turtle

After a lifetime spent in the woods there are still things that bring back my sense of wonder and make me feel like a little kid again. Today as I was on my daily hike, I was thinking about not ever seeing baby wood turtles. About 15 minutes later, there she was. I watched her for about ten minutes. What a beautiful animal. I hope she has a long uneventful life wild and free. I am thankful for sharing a moment with her.

Who I want to be

I keep this picture on my bedside table. It helps remind me who I want remain. It's me at eleven years old. I was still unspoiled by the world, but not completely naive to the pain of life. I didn't care about my weight, my hair, or what other people thought of me. I was nice to everyone and had a huge heart. Being out in nature and spending time with animals was my life. The bird I'm holding was my first successful Rehab. His name was Brat and he was a Starling that I was given by a neighbor, as a tiny naked hatchling. He survived and was released with a flock of Starlings. Behind me is my tent that I saved up green stamps for a year or more. On the stump are starfish from t he beach drying. The world seemed so full of possibilities, so exciting, each day a gift with something new and wonderful to discover.

Tipi

On 7/11/10 friends and family joined us up on our little slice of heaven and helped us to erect our Tipi. What a wonderful spiritual place our land is.

A simple Walk

I spent most of this week feeling really down in the dumps for no particular reason. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why, sadness just followed me around all week. I think the answer just came to me....I was suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder! I'm just in from my first hike in a week. I feel fine again. Monty ended up sick so we didn't hike all week. I did take the boys up to the park to romp with some other dogs, but that doesn't fill up my soul like a nice quiet walk alone in the woods. How blessed am I? I figured out what brings my soul back into alignment...and it's free....no medication, no head doctor, no other coping disorders....just take a walk in nature!

Another female Wood turtle today! She was just out of the water. I've lost count how many I've seen this year.

HOT!

I can finally hear again after months of issues with my ears because of a severe cough. I am so happy that once again the sweet songs of birds fill my ears. I've been getting the boyz up to Cascade Lake most days, staying close to water at all times due to a oppressing abnormal heat wave. We get out early and have seen so many varieties of birds. Pilateds continue to be seen most days flying across the lake. Yesterday a Pair of Broad Wings where soaring above the park. It won't be long now for it to be time for the Hawk Watch. Lots of fledged little ones every where including adorable nuthatches.

We had another Black Bear in the yard a couple of days ago. Hubby was working on our new patio and didn't even notice him walking through the yard. I tapped on the window and pointed out back, the bear had already disappeared in the bushes, but could still be seen through the brush. Hubby thought I was showing him about the doe he had been watching only minutes before. Seems the two crossed paths in our front yard, much to the amazement of a women and her daughters who were delivering a baby squirrel to me at the same moment. They wanted to know if our yard was Wild Kingdom.

My feeders are inundated with Black Birds already. A family of Cardinals have been here for the last couple of days. RB Grosbeaks continue. The House Wrens are nesting again. Too funny how many nests the male builds. He has a nest in every birdhouse as well as the roosting box and the window box. Seems they have had two clutches already. Guess he is getting ready for a third. They are one hard working bird.

Our Tipi is painted and tomorrow is the big day....we are putting it up.

County Park is a Refudge for wildlife

I was saddened to learn of the proposed future development of the Warwick County Park. As the entire world is being developed at an alarming rate and wild tracts of land are being fragmented to the point that breeding populations of flora and fauna are threatened with extinction, the Co. Park has remained a refugee for so many wonderful species of insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. It is a large, beautiful and unspoiled piece of land teeming with wildlife. For anyone who lives to get out into nature daily, like myself, you need nothing more then a pair of hiking boots to head out and enjoy what is free, natural and only minutes from your home.

For some reason, there are people who believe that a piece of property is of no value unless it is developed for human activities. When wild places are developed it changes the entire dynamics of the Ecosystem. Once destroyed they are gone for ever. Not only does our wildlife need unspoiled habitats like the County Park, so do humans. We all need places where we can get out in nature, so we can go back to the very core of who we are and where we came from, the County Park as it exists today is one of those places.

I can only hope that any future development of this rare gem is done with great consideration, not only for all the wildlife that already call the park home, but for future generations of children who deserve to have wild places to roam.

I love bears!

I've had two great black bear sightings this week. First one was on Sunday night, when a very large one, maybe about 300 pounds came around the deck and Petey went toe to toe with him. The bear did NOTHING to Petey. He stood his ground and when Petey came when called, the bear retreated. Gentle as always. This morning I had errands so decided to take the dogs up to Cascade Lake Park early. On the way home we went past this little guy rummaging through a garbage can.

Back to normal

After the last two weeks of chaos, since adding Monty to our family, I cans say that today, I'm finally feeling almost back to normal. Monty is a very smart puppy and laid back, he is making it very easy for all of us to bond deeply with him. He and Petey have become good buddies already, which was my main concern. They play on and off all day long and seem to know when the other has had enough. Today they even laid on the same bed together. Biggest shock of all, I caught Petey licking his ears! It has been an amazing experience watching Petey begin to bond with Monty. Every day I've seen him open up to the experience of a puppy in his life and embrace having his very own playmate.

We head to the woods every day of the week, usually VERY EARLY in the morning. The one day I didn't run them....WAS INSANE here! They roughed housed for hours on end. The hiking has been glorious. I really love getting out earlier then ever before. We have run into many wood turtles because of the hours. I also love being ALONE up in the woods.

Meet Monty!

On Friday June 11, 2010 I picked up our new little Dobeboy, Monty. He is three months old. For six months now I thought about getting another puppy while Petey was still here with us. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. Male Dobes tend to like being the King of their castle and some don't tolerate sharing it with another Male. Because Peter is un-neutered we felt bringing a female into the house would be harder for him to deal with, because of the heats. With heart failure drawing ever closer, I know in my heart a female would have been a big mistake, causing Petey to be miserable. I wouldn't want to spay a female until she was full grown, as it can cause orthopedic issues. Right now Petey thinks Monty is a puppy, no gender. They play all day long. Monty is also very low dominance and drive. He is a sweet easy puppy, very easily worming his way into all of our hearts.

Every day since Monty joined our family, we have hiked together. Petey and Monty have become fast buddies during the hikes. The first morning we ran into a bear, thankfully Petey's recall was good. There have been lots of deer, turtles, and birds. It is fun watching Monty follow Petey and learn all about his new world.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Letchworth State Park

Fawn

Took this little guy in today. I'm turning him over to another rehabber that has two other fawns so he has a fighting chance at growing up to be a normal deer. Someone basically stole him from his mom. They kept him for five days and finally turned him over to my humane society. He is on Lactated Ringers for the next 24 hours because he has diarrhea. Tomorrow afternoon I will start him on a Goat Milk re-placer. What an amazing little creature, I'm completely smitten, I could see becoming a vegetarian again.

Letter to the Editor

Please think of the animals.

Over the last couple of weeks, several sad incidents have come to my attention. Some citizens are apparently taking in wild animal babies and trying to raise them, instead of contacting a Wildlife Rehabilitator. In New York State It is illegal for anyone to process Native wild mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians with out a valid Wildlife Rehabilitators license. Wild animals deserve to live out their birth right, free and wild out in nature, not ever kept as pets in cages.

When wild animal babies are raised by inexperienced humans, they imprint on them. This creates an animal who will have a very hard time surviving out in nature. Those who try to keep wild animals as pets, soon find out that the once cuddly baby becomes a nasty adult who bites, scratches or kicks, and they need to release them. Most will now be very ill equipped to find food and survive for very long on their own and are doomed to suffer a horrible death.

Please, before you touch any baby animal, feel free to contact me with any questions you may have as to weather or not it really needs your help. Their young innocent lives depend on you to make a good decision on their behalf.

The animals thank you, as do I.

Bull Frog

Our pond is doing really well. Both my turtles look very healthy and happy. I'm glad that I can put them outside in such a large pond for the entire Summer. The Bull Frogs are huge. Both spent the Winter in the house after we accidental dislodged them from their hibernation spot.

Wood Thrush

Is there any song more beautiful then that of the Wood Thrush? If there is I haven't heard it yet. Petey and I had an amazing 2 hour hike up in the County Park. The forest was full of bird song. I was enjoying it so much I could have stayed out there for more hours. I had so many good looks at birds, very happy I brought my good binoculars.

Something inside of me feels like it's woken up again. The world looked so beautiful and my heart felt so happy. Petey and I really enjoyed our time together. Each moment with my boy is magical.

I've decided that I've wasted far too much precious time online in forums. I need to get back to the things I used to do and love, one being spending much more time out in nature, another is writing and reading. Sitting behind the computer for hours on end has helped keep me in depression and get completely out of shape. If I want to be able to be out there hiking into my golden years I really need to get back into shape.

Warbling

Petey and I went up to Cascade Lake Park today. It was a gorgeous morning. We had near perfect temperatures, crisp and clear out. The forest was full of bird song, the Spring migration in full swing. Warblers were everywhere along with orioles, Tanagers, Thrush, Grosbeaks, Buntings. Highlights include an awesome sighting of a Pileated Woodpecker soon as I arrived at the park. Scarlet Tanagers are truly our most stunning neotropical visitor. The trees are fully popped.

On the home front, lots of squirrels are still nursing, still haven't seen any of their babies. The ones I helped raise were let go yesterday. The Phoebes nest has three eggs in it, and it looks like she might be incubating them. I hope so. RB Grosbeaks continue at the feeder. RT Hummingbirds are hanging around. I put up a feeder for the Orioles but I can't seem to lure them into the yard.

Spring Birding

I've been really bad about getting out birding and writing down what I've seen so far this year. Today I went up to the property, I so enjoy exploring the place, it is such a unique piece of land. I still can't believe it is ours.

I planted all my pots and window boxes today. I need to get some new perennials to fill in the front gardens. Everything looks incredible. I love gardening now.

YES I Got It!

I've spent the last five months going deep into my soul trying to figure out this thing called life. Trying to figure out the lessons that are given to each of us and how we are suppose to be getting them, so that we don't have to repeat them over and over again. So we don't have to feel the gut retching pain of loss again and again. My most difficult lesson reared it's ugly head again. Days before my fiftieth birthday, my beautiful boy Petey was diagnosed with DCM, a fatal heart ailment which takes Doberman's lives very quickly. Shock, sadness, and complete disbelief has again filled my days. Why me? Why my beautiful baby? Haven't I suffered enough? But this was no accident, no cruel joke on me, it was another message from the universe, will I finally get it? Five years ago I lost my Dad suddenly. I spent the eighteen months following his death, deep in grief over not seeing him one last time, not getting to say goodbye to him. I was full of regrets. Should haves, could haves and would haves, filled my every waking moment. This time around...I've been given the gift of time....the gift of saying goodbye....the gift of no regrets, no should haves, no could haves and no would haves. Once again, I've missed seeing the gifts I've been given, blinded by my grief over the *thought* of losing my boy,cringing away from the pain that is headed my way....Once again I have stopped taking this thing called life ONE DAY AT A TIME. Everyone dies, everyone feels pain, everyone has loss, it IS life. It's how we live each precious day we are given that makes for a happy full life. There are no guarantees in this life, anyone can leave us at any given moment. If someone is precious to you, celebrate them every time you are together. We only have today to live, celebrate every waking moment.

All is right in my world today. I have a hubby that I cherish, four amazing sons, my beautiful mom is still alive and healthy, I have lots of extended family and friends that I love, I have my health, a home, food on the table, and my PETEY IS ALIVE. He hasn't left me yet, we have lots more adventures awaiting us, and I aim to make each day we are given together here on this beautiful planet the best day ever! When his number is up, he will leave me and I will be broken and sad, but I will have no regrets, his life will have been a great one, filled with adventure and my love. My heart is full, I thank the universe for clarity. I do think that this time I've GOT IT!

AT

Gorgeous cool day. Perfect hiking weather for Petey, and I was feeling a bit better after being sick for the last month, so we went up to the top of Cascade Park to the AT. Beautiful view of the lake on a crystal clear day. A Raven was soaring over when we arrived. Lots of birds in the woods, many Bluebirds. A couple species of Warblers, Warblers, Wood Ducks, Red Tails, Vireos.

A Faithful Dog

A FAITHFUL DOG

A Faithful Dog Will Play With You

And Laugh With You -Or Cry-

He'll Gladly Starve To Stay With You

Nor Ever Reason Why,

And When You're Feeling Out Of Sorts

Somehow He'll Understand

He'll Watch You With His Shining Eyes

And Try To Lick Your Hand.

His Blind, Implicit Faith In You

Is Matched By His Great Love -

The Kind That All Of Us Should Have

In The Master, Up Above.

When Everything Is Said And Done

I Guess This Isn't Odd

For When You Spell "Dog" Backwards

You Get The Name Of God.


Cascade Lake Park again with my sweetie Petey. Still very windy, chilly because of it. Lots of turtles out sunning, only notable bird was a Grey-Blue Gnatcatcher.

Mothers Day

Today it was again, very windy, not good for Warbler watching so instead of heading up the the Basherkill for some birding we decided to stick close to home. We went up to Cascade Lake Park. Had a few nice birds that appear to be staying and nesting. Red-start, Scarlet Tanager, Pileated, Waterthrush and Ovenbird. On the way home we had a nice sighting of a Raccoon running down the side of the road. Petey had a nice run. Going to be cold tonight, looking at freezing temps, so glad I held off from planting annuals.

Bear track

Took my sweet boy up to the property this afternoon for a little walk. He had a great time as usual. Found that a bear had been down by the river a little while before we got there. I love that bears up on the property are foraging for their natural foods. When you see bears near humans it's only because they are looking for something to eat like bird seed and garbage. Had a Solitary Sandpiper and the Blue bird continues. Phoebe nest above our front door is almost complete.

Cascade Park

Took Petey to the Humane Society to feed the baby squirrels. They got 3 more in, poor little guys had their tails all intertwined, must have gotten something on them in the nest. They were able to separate them, but their tails are not able to move yet, hopefully with a bit of time they will regain some movement, enough so they can go free.

Petey and I went for a beautiful walk up at Cascade Lake Park, we had the entire place to ourselves. I've been feeling so down in the dumps and getting out on such an incredibly gorgeous evening made me think about how lucky I really am. In a couple of days I've known about Petey's DCM for 5 months. That is far longer then many people get to have their DCM diagnosed dogs still by their side healthy. I've been enjoying every moment with my beautiful boy. He is such a sweetheart, so much fun and such a great companion.

Notable birds tonight, Hummingbird at home, Phoebe building a nest over our front door on the frat sign. Carolina Wren babies in our shed almost ready to fledge. Yesterday a bluebird at our property. Today Redstarts and Water Thrush up at Cascade Lake.

Beautiful!

Busy morning had to pick up another little bunny and head on over to the animal shelter to check on and feed the baby squirrels. As I was about to turn on to the road leading to the animal shelter a family of Canada Geese stepped into the road and began crossing, I stopped my car, put my flashers on and started flashing on coming cars. Mom, Dad and four brand new babies crossed the road with out incident to the pond.

Later on at home first Rose-breasted Grosbeak showed up and also a Hummingbird. Life is good here in Warwick!

Gorgeous day out. Petey and I decided to head up to Cascade Lake Park and go up to the beaver pond. It was the perfect weather for Petey to be comfortable hiking with his compromised heart. I am going to have to stick near water so he can dip in and keep his hikes to shorter less taxing distances. The beaver continues on in the pond, working on taking down a very large tree. All the leaves are unfurling, a bit early for those of us who warbler watch. Today's notables were deer, turkey, Red shoulder hawk, red tail hawk, red eye vireo, blue grey gnatcatcher. After we finished up on Cascade I stopped at the property and walked down by the water, two wood ducks are still hanging around! So hopeful they decide to nest in one of our boxes.

Another rehab in last night, a bunny. Don't think he should have been taken in, is just about ready to be on his own. Rabbits don't do well in rehab, they die of fright more often then we are able to save them. People need to leave them alone and let nature take it's course. The squirrels are doing fantastic, I went to see them last night. They are ready for soft release.

Took Petey to a 3rd Cardiologist on Tuesday. My gut was right, the other two wait for heart failure to treat DCM. Our new Doctor treats now, trying to keep the heart in better shape to give them more time. I felt so hopeless the last 4 months at the mercy of doctors I had no confidence in. Now at least I feel that I am doing all I can for Petey. He was put on 4 different medications. He is already to Moderate/Severe Occult stage, heart failure expected about 6 months to a year from now with out trying medication. With medication we might get another year or so. It was worth the 4 hour round trip to see Dr. Goodwin. He is a wonderful caring man. Petey and I are lucky to have found him.

Petey

I've spent the last 4 months consumed with my boy and his illness. Worrying about his potential shortened life, when he will leave me, how much will he suffer, will I give him a proper quality life and why ME being given another sick dog? Tonight as I entered my walk in closet to get ready for bed, I looked at a group of pictures of all my past dogs. I have a memorial set up on my dresser, weird? IDK...we have pictures of dead relatives all over the place, but our beloved dogs...most people don't. They all have meant so much to me. I even have the collar of my first dog buttons. Dogs make my world whole and right. Petey is no different then those that have come before him. I decided tonight that although I had hoped for more then a decade with my GORGEOUS boy...I have no control over how long his life will be. He will be with me for how ever long he is suppose to be, I need to stop torturing myself and thinking I can control his illness and stop the heart disease. Every moment with him is precious and he has given me the gift of not wasting any of it. I truly love Petey more then any dog I've ever had in my life. I hope we have many years together left but if we don't I know in my heart...it has been a quality life for the two of us, and I am so thankful that he was mine for what ever time we have! I love you Petey!

Sandhill Crane

Spring has sprung in full force here in Orange County NY. The scent of the flowers filling the air is intoxicating. Birds are starting to trickle in. Today I saw my first Water thrush singing his heart out. Petey and I had a fabulous walk up at Cascade Lake Park, it was about 60 degrees, brilliant sunshine and the sky was an amazing shade of azure blue. This was the sort of day you are so grateful to be alive. Later on I got a birder call from a good birding friend, a tip that there was a Sandhill Crane a mile from my house...we found him and got an excellent look. Now it is time for a Spring Supper of Sauteed Soft-shelled Crabs and Asparagus.

Letter to the Editor

Once again it is that time of year when wild animals give birth and hatch their young. Soon the young wild creatures will begin to venture out into the world on shaky legs and fragile wings. Every year the lives of many innocent wild babies are upset by people who only mean to help them. They take babies from the wild in a mistaken attempt to save them, thinking that they are abandoned or orphaned. When in fact the would-be rescuers are harming the young animals chance of ever becoming a normal adult. Those early unsteady steps and flights are part of normal development, helping young animals learn to take care of themselves. People assume that the young are abandoned when in fact the mother is usually close by keeping an eye on them. Please watch from a far and only help an animal if you are positive that the mother is dead. If you do end up taking a wild animal please contact a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator and give the animal a chance at someday being returned to the wild as is it's birth right. It is illegal to process wildlife in the state of New York with out a license. You can find a list of Rehabilitators on the NY State Wildlife Rehabilitation Councils site, they can answer your questions or take in animals that truly need our help. http://www.nyswrc.org/counties.htm

One last word of advise, before you mow your lawn, walk around your property and check that there aren't any reptiles, baby animals, rabbit nests, fawns or baby birds hiding in your grass. If you see a baby animal or find a nest, maybe don't mow that section until they have moved on.

I thank you and so do the innocent young lives you help save and keep wild.