RIP Maxwell & Serioja

We had sad news back in the summer that two of the pets, we looked after the previous year, had passed away, in Keri Keri, North Island, New Zealand.

Max the dog, was a very sweet boy, although he had trouble getting about he always found his inner-puppy on a daily basis, when he knew we were going to take him for a walk or play with the ball. The energy didn't last for long, but he enjoyed himself.

If he disappeared for a short time we always knew that he would be off visiting his friend George, for a dog with mobility issues, we were always amazed at just how fast he got to George's house.

Whilst he was in our care we were charged with the task of putting him on a strict diet, which slowly, but surely began to show in his physique. We had the whole neighbourhood behind our cause, noting the progress Max was making on his daily walks.

We progressed from a slow amble to an almost sprightly jaunt! Hopefully this all helped to make his last days on Earth more comfortable.

We will always remember this big imposing-looking dog hiding under the study desk as the 'low battery' warning sound on the fire alarm went off. For days after he looked warily at the ceiling.

Serioja the cat was also very loving and very close to Max. The two were never very far apart from each other.

As with all of our 'foster pets' they both have a special place in our hearts and minds.

We know Max will be enjoying his new found freedom with Serioja by his side.

African Grey Parrots - South of France

Having got caught up in the flight disruptions caused by the Icelandic volcano, we are glad to be back in France on our current house sit.

We are in a small village just north of Carcassonne, looking after two small dogs, an elderly cat, an aged Camargue pony, 7 chickens and 3 African Gray parrots.

Our current house is a converted windmill on top of a mountain with 360 degree views over the surrounding countryside, giving us superb sunrises and sunsets.

This is our first time looking after African Gray parrots. We have been looking forward to getting to know this beautiful bird.

We are looking after 3 African Parrots.

Cookie is a male bird caught in the wild. He was initially very shy with us, and stayed in his nesting box just poking out his head. Gradually, day by day, he has got braver, sings us a lovely tune and bobs his head up and down. By the end of the week he was staying out on his perch when we entered the aviary.

Sugar is a female bird and was raised in captivity. She is much braver with us, and from day one she had stayed out on the perch, gradually coming up to us to take a peanut from us.

Baby is the offspring of Cookie and Sugar, this is a rare occurance, and was not expected by the owners. He/she is now about 6 months old and the gender is not yet known. He was very shy of us to start with, growling when you approached his nesting box. At the end of the first week, he was getting braver, staying out on the perch and singing to us.

We sat in with the birds to start with, just chatting to them. We had a pet owner's manual to give us some background information and what to look out for in terms of behaviour and what it means.

These birds are extremely intellegent and we wanted to learn how to communicate with the birds, in order to build their trust. The first thing we learnt was not to look at them directly to be less intimidating, and we sat down in the aviary to make ourselves smaller.

Our first breakthrough was reading that when a parrot wants to gesture to another parrot that he wants peaceful contact he rubs his bill (whetting) against a branch, by rubbing our fingernails againgst a branch or on wood, this sends the same signal. The first time we tried it Sugar came right up towards us and started whetting his bill, mirroring our gesture.

We were also told that parrots may try and peck your hand, but this does not necessarily mean it is being nasty, we were told not to flinch away from the peck, or scream "ouch!" as this will shake the bird's confidence! Sugar has pecked Della a couple of times, and she managed not to react or pull away each time.


More info on African Gray Parrots

Aloha Hawaii

We have left colder climes for the sunny and warm island of Hawaii. Land of volcano, waterfalls and lush rain forests. The flowers and birds here are very colourful and the sea is blue.

Our latest assignment is looking after two rescue dogs called Freda and Sadie. Both dogs are female and 12 years old.

Freda a mixed breed.
She is a very sweet girl, a bit arthritic but loves playing with a frisby. Is a bit of a sun worshiper as well, a good pass time in Hawaii.

Sadie an Australian cattle dog.
Sadie loves to herd anything that is moving, and will nudge you along on your ankles with her nose. She is very active and follows us everywhere, offering her help. The link below gives some more background information on the breed.

http://australiancattledog.rescueme.org/uk

Vancouver Island

We are in our final week of house sitting in Qualicum Beach,Vancouver Island. The time has passed very quickly, and we making sure we catch up with everyone before we leave.

This time of year brings the Brant geese, in their hundreds to the area. They are migrating from Mexico on their way to Alaska to mate. They stop off in our neighbourhood to feed and restore some of the weight they have lost on their journey so far.

Their migration co-insides with the herring spawn. There has been a great deal of activity all along the coast with sea lions, harbour seals, fishermen and tonnes of sea gulls. They are all waiting to have their fill of the herring, which spawn in their thousands before heading back out to deeper waters.

The water colour is black at first with the number of fish, and then it goes a turquoise colour when the eggs have been laid. The sea lions can be heard barking all night and they compete for the fish with the gulls in a feeding frenzy.

Where we are house sitting we have had a ring side seat throughout all of these proceedings. Since the first day of Spring, the weather is gradually getting warmer, the frogs are croaking in the pond and the ducks are beginning to pair off. The Bald Eagles, having finished nest building back in February, are now staying closer to the nest, perhaps the young won't be long arriving.

The cherry trees are in blossom and the daffodils and crocus are blooming. We arrived as the trees were losing their leaves back in November, and we will be leaving with signs of new life all around us.

On this house sit we have made many new friends and we will keep in touch with them from now on, via the Internet. We have had some marvelous experiences with the SPCA and ETRA, and helping out at local charity events around Christmas. We have met many of the neighbours in our street, everyone making us very welcome, and part of the community. We feel like locals.

We will be leaving Angus in the capable hands of his owners. He has been a pleasure to look after, and we will miss him. We have loads of photos to remind us of the fun the three of us have had.

SPCA - Class of 2010

We had the last session with the puppies today. They are old enough to be spayed or neutered and be put up for adoption.

They are all proficient in sitting, lying down and coming towards us. They have all had walkies training on the lead, and are fully socialised with humans.

They have grown and learnt so much in their short time with us.

We have all got our favorites. Here is Della with Bernard, he is a favorite of many. He is very placid, and serves as a lovely pillow for the other puppies.

Tracy's favorite is Buffy. She is the most intellegent of the litter, she picks up everything she is taught very quickly.

It was a bitter sweet day, knowing that we will see them all go soon, but knowing they are going to have a family to love them.

We feel we have all played a part in giving them the best start in life. Puppies learn the so much, right or wrong, from when they are very young, and what they learn, makes them the dogs they become.

We have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a dog trainer and these puppies, the opportunity doesn't present itself very often. We have learnt a great deal, and will continue to seek out further reading in the future.

Sidewalking at ETRA

I have completed a couple of sessions now at the riding centre.

The same clients come each week. The first session was taken up with getting every one's stirrups to the correct level, the right person on the right horse, and so on.

We did manage to go on a trek outside, along the bridle path, which was very pleasant, out in the fresh air. It was necessary to stop a few times, to get some riders comfortable, and used to their horses, but in the main it went very well.

The clients on the Tuesday session that I help at don't need to be held whilst they are riding along, so this makes it easier for the side walkers, who are able to avoid the puddles and obstacles on the ground. We just have to hold them when going in and out of the barn, (going from light to dark environments can sometimes spook the horses), we have to be prepared for this eventuality.

I have had a different client each week, and each one has thoroughly enjoyed their time, in their own unique way. One client is blind, and sings a tune to themselves, and smiles the whole way round, There are children and adults and each get something from their experience.

The ponies/horses are very placid and take all the noises and sudden movements in their stride.

Our little troop of 4 horses being led by a pony handler, with one rider and two side walkers either side, and the instructor behind with a megaphone, is a merry little parade, chatting and squealing and laughing and singing.

The hour session is over very quickly, after we have finished the trek, we come back into the arena and have a little trot, depending on ability. All too quickly the clients are led up to the dismounting block where they reluctantly bid farewell to their pony/horse, until next week.

The helpers have a 15 minute break before the next clients arrive. Someone has usually made cakes or cookies, and there is tea or coffee to drink.

I leave each week, feeling that I have helped to put a smile on some one's face, and that thought puts a smile on mine !

Puppy Training

Our weekly training sessions have proved very effective with the puppies at the shelter.

The group has progressed steadily, they all sit when given the hand signal, they will then lie down and then stand up when they are given the signal.

We are varying the task slightly and have begun to increase the time between when the dog sits to when he gets his reward for sitting. Also we have let him sit, them moved one step to the side and then back in front of the dog before giving him the treat if he is still sitting.

They have been getting used to wearing a collar. The collar has been put on when they first come into the training room and are chasing about, not paying attention to the collar. Another good time to try the collar is when they are very sleepy, and about to go to sleep.

We have been getting them used to being picked up, being grabbed by their tails, from behind, by their ears etc, making it a fun thing to be handled by humans.

They are very quick learners, and when they are old enough, they will be very adoptable.