Guardian Angels of Canadian Geese

Yesterday afternoon was a bit eventful.  At the office, we have a family of Canadian Geese that nest every Spring - every year, same time, they arrive, and I love them so!!!  The female has a limp from when she got into a fight with something trying to get her babies one year.  She's a survivor and a fighter!  We've lost a couple of males to the traffic on the highway, which I have found quite devastating when I'd see the bird lying there.

Yesterday afternoon, one of the bachelors was found under a friend's truck in the parking lot.  He had been badly injured - most likely someone clipped him with their car when coming into the parking lot - obviously a little TOO fast.

Well two of my friends/co-workers helped out, got towels, grabbed him up, friend sat in the back with this giant goose on her lap, my other friend drove, and I navigated because I was the only one who knew where the animal hospital across town was - that was willing to take in the goose.

Oh My GOD - the SMELL!!!!  That poor goose stunk so badly; not to mention, he peed and poo'ed all over his guardian angel holding him.  He didn't like our opening the windows, so we flew down the highway with our hands over our faces trying to block out the stink - we made it in time, before the hospital closed, and they came out and took him right in.

Now I'm waiting to hear whether he survived the night and if they will be able to bandage him up and give him to the wildlife rescue/bird preservation place called BEAKS.

Even if he didn't make it - WE TRIED!!!!!!!!

Update:  He had to be put down - at least humanely where he wasn't suffering anymore.  The vet said that someone had really torn him up- obviously a vehicle hit him.  She said that we did the right thing and ended his suffering.  And, she tried to make me feel better by saying that someone brought in a little gosling, and he was doing very well.  I am pretty sure that the idiots that have occasionally almost hit me in the parking lot, are the same freaks that did the hit and run on the bird.  They'll be sorry the next time they come across my path - I will embarrass them!

The Stand Off

Who is going to stay in the Rubbermaid Container - will it be Habibi or Noomi?  Can you guess?  These two cats play together - they chase each other all over the house, I can't help but laugh when Noomi instigates a game of chase.  She whacks Bibi and runs like a mad girl, skids to a halt, arches her back, looks to see if he's chased her... if he hasn't, she goes flying back and whacks him again.  WELL, she wins ownership of the Rubbermaid container - Habibi is a WUSS.

Last night he was snuggled up with me and we were watching Call the Midwife.  Noomi, the fatty-cat, jumps on the bed, sneaks up on him and smacks him.  I look at her and tell her "No" and so she puts her paw down, leans over and starts washing his ear!  THEN, of course, when she thinks the coast is clear, smacks him again and the chase is on!  

It doesn't really feel great having an 18 lbs. cat jump on you and use you as a diving board or to push off for a good leap or sprint.  

BUT, it does feel good when they wear themselves out and snuggle up with me in bed - purring and all soft and sweet.  I just love my cats - though Noomi is not mine, but my Kid's.  

I walked into the living room last night to watch Game of Thrones with my son, and there he is sitting on the couch doing his homework with fatty-cat all up against him with her paws and head on him - saying, He's MINE, ALL MINE... my poor son cannot even go to the bathroom without her having to be with him.  If he doesn't let her in, she screams outside the door and practically throws herself at it, until he opens it and lets her in.  She only does it to me, if he's not home.  

Every cat owner knows, cats like to go into the bathroom with you and do circles eights around your legs, but this cat, this chunk of fatty-cat, she wants to sit on your lap and groom your face and hair while you pee.  My cats are freaks, and I love them dearly...

My Thoughts and Prayers to Boston

Spring-Summer is Here

It's in the 80s, afternoon showers, muggy, humid, ughhhh... while I hear and read about the crazy Spring Snow Storms and the cooler weather in the rest of the USA, I'm stuck here in HADES!  So, instead of whining, I went out and I bought the most beautiful Geraniums (I never kill them, so they are the perfect choice for me) and some Gerber Daisies.  They are all nice and snug in their new soil/pots on my terrace - my next step, to get a new gas tank for the grill - time to start grilling out at night - before the 100 degree weather hits.  Sadly, with the afternoon/evening storms, I haven't had a chance to get in the pool - hopefully there will be a perfect night this week to go do some laps and float around and stare at the stars!

Habibi's now suffering an ear/skin infection from getting water in his ear when he insists that he must drink out of the faucet - running water only.  Sadly, right now he's just sitting there staring at the faucet in the kitchen sink; willing it to come on, waiting for just one little drop... ignoring that clean, fresh bowl of water that is out for him and his sister, Noomi.  I fear he'll figure out how to turn it on - the longer and harder he stares at it - those cogs are turning - he's diabolical, dastardly, and if he's desperate enough for running tap water, he'll find a way to turn it on...

Noomi, she's quickly on her way to weighing in at a nice plump 17 lbs right now - at the age of 1 yrs ... SHE IS FAT!!!!!!!  The doctor said she's very healthy, just a bit plump.  I don't over feed her, she doesn't get treats, and she eats low fat, no filler food - like Habibi.  He's thin, she's fat.  They run around and play all the time - so there's no lack of exercise.  There's nothing wrong with her - I guess she's predisposed to being a plump tabby.

The kid is going to school at night now and working full time.  I am so relieved that he finally has found a good job - though there are some new growing pains - it's interfering with some plans he had to go to an arena football game.  I just said, Welcome to the World of Grown Ups, we can't always go out and have a good time because we want to - but have to either stay home or be at work - for many "mature and adult" reasons, like financial or responsibilities that come first.  Oh well.... My electric bill has been cut in HALF since he started working - and that's the way it's going to stay!!!  

The Iron Lady - RIP

I wish her soul peace and eternity with her beloved husband.... What a role model for women; a young girl having grown up in a flat over one of her father's grocery shops, being accepted to Oxford and becoming a chemist, to being the First Woman to become Prime Minister of Great Britain.... having raised two children and remaining married to the same man until he passed away .... GO MARGARET!!!!!!!    It doesn't matter about the "politics" - the wrongs or rights while being Prime Minister - it's about the fact that as a woman, she made herself heard, she stuck with her goals, she wasn't afraid, she was stubborn, obstinate and STRONG - and in a world where there is still violence and atrocities committed against our fair sex, she is someone I admire.

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." - 1965, speech to National Union of Townswomen's Guilds Conference.