Abracadabra: animal encounters

Who was that?

I was out with my mom for some early morning exercise in the back ring when I noticed someone black. She was sitting there and doing not much. It was one of the barn cats. I think she was waiting for a field mouse to appear for breakfast.

*****

There must have been someone lurking behind those bushes – maybe it was a bunny rabbit as we met one time. My ears perked up but neither I nor my mom saw anything.

*****

One evening recently there were a lot of noises as usual when all the people had left for the day. There was a rustling of shavings and munching of the last pieces of hay.

Yoshi the puppy and Molly a visiting doggie friend were settled in for the night as well. It being quite warm still outside some of the stalls were empty.

After it was dark and very quiet there was a slinking noise and a very different smell.

Who was that? Yoshi and Molly asked quite loudly as they barked.

Someone came around the corner into an empty stall. Whoever it was was not interested in making himself known and everything got quiet again.

The next morning when my mom and the barn staff came into the barn – who is that in the stall?

It was a little fox. He moved out very quickly after this without even saying goodbye.

*****

So I never know who I will meet up with next.

Perhaps the next time it will be a deer or a goat or a skunk. These are all true stories – you just have to ask my mom. Charisma her first horse met a deer. Bishop her second horse met a goat. I believe my mom met a skunk in her back yard.

Cute addition: Killmouseky the kitten

I have been watching older episodes of Midsomer Murders on Youtube. The daughter brings home a kitten for a few weeks stay. He or she looks to want to sleep in the bed. Tom Barnaby says no way and Joyce says - a lonely kitten and just for tonight. In the next scene Tom is sleeping and the kitten is cuddled up close by. Very cute!

Barn cats

There are always cats around the barn. Currently there are two of them but they do not get along at all. They like to go in and out but not so much when it is cold - they look for a horse blanket or something else to curl up on. They do get fed but it is expected that they will also catch a mouse or two.

The other day I saw one of the camp kids carrying one of the cats. She said that the cat was not supposed to be where she was.

I thought to myself - all the best with that one - cats will go where they like!

A condo cat story: Benny’s story continued

So this is my latest story. It happened some months ago but I am only able to write about it now.

In case your forgot my name is Benny and I am a famous condo cat.

*****

My brother Harley was not his usual self. His tail was drooping and his ears were not so perky. He was not interested in eating and quite frankly I was not interested in eating his share of our very fine meals.

Then when this went on for a few days mom and dad started to get worried and they began to make some frantic phone calls. They sounded very upset and then so was I.

Then Harley was packed into his carrier case and off he went with mom and dad. I hardly had time to wave a paw goodbye and he certainly could barely lift his to wave back at me.

The condo was very quiet for quite a while. Some time later mom and dad came back alone. Where was my brother?

Mom and dad were not up to talking much but they gave me some extra hugs and cuddles and kisses.

Not too long later there were some more frantic phone calls. What is it with people and these funny pieces of plastic they put up to their ears?

Then mom and dad both looked very sad and so was I. What was happening and where was my brother? I had been looking for him all over the condo and in our favourite hiding places.

Soon after - for my mom is quite efficient - my mom took me and held me close - Benny, my dear fellow - this is pastoral care 101 for cats. Dad came closer and listened in.

It seems that Harley was very sick and even the efficient vet could not make him better. Mom and dad had to make the difficult decision to have him put to sleep.

I was not going to see my brother ever again. Whatever would I do without him?

Some time passed and I was very lonely. The extra cuddles and kisses and hugs were fine BUT I missed Harley so much.

Then there were some more phone calls but of not so frantic a nature. I heard the word - kitten - and my ears perked up but nothing else happened for quite a long time. I was still very lonely.

*****

Then one day mom and dad took out the carrier that had belonged to my brother Harley. I got somewhat interested. They came home a short time later.

My mom and dad had someone to introduce to me and quite gently too. This was to be my new sister - Kaitlin.

We looked at each other quite closely. We were kept quite separate for a while but we started to talk with each other right away.

Mom and dad were starting to look happier again,. Their natural smiles were starting to come back.

It was not too long before we were more formally introduced. We shook paws, gave each other a gentle poke and our ears went up and our tails went down.

This might be alright - I was thinking. Mom and dad looked to be even more pleased. They were happy that we were going to get along.

Not too long after this first introduction we were found sleeping together. It was very cozy to have someone to curl up with again.

There was more to come - early one morning I had to introduce my new sister to the games that I like to play. I had to do this gently at first - for my sister is young.

We wanted to show mom and dad how we play together so well.
- looking at each other
- pouncing
- rolling around on the floor
- tearing down the hallway. The carpet seems to get a little wrinkled but we do not care.

So my life has changed but I am happy again.


Love from Benny and Katie - the two condo cats

Saying goodbye and hello

It is always difficult to say goodbye to an animal companion - either small or large.

I wrote earlier this year about the two condo cats - brothers they were - that I looked after for a bit while their mom and dad were away. Unfortunately Harley got very sick and he had to be put down. His brother misses him a whole bunch. Mom and dad put out a nice picture of Harley where he used to like to sit.

An online friend had a rescue dog who was a real character. The dog was having major health issues. Unfortunately she had an accident and she had to be put down.

Owners really miss their animals when they are gone.

Benny - really Benedict - the condo cat - will be having a new little kitten sister in the New Year. Her name is Kaitlin - so there will be a team of Benny and Katie!

I might have mentioned how Abracdabra came to be part of my life. When I had to put Bishop down she came into my life as a very welcome addition.

I do have lots of pictures of Bishop and his predecessor - Charisma. It is a good way to remember them.

Images of different kinds

I was reading about images of God and different ways of praying.

*****

This made me think of animals who have their own personalities and ways of being themselves.

Dillinger - one of the next door puppies - was lying by the window when I came close by. He barked. He stopped barking when he saw it was me. Then his tail started wagging. He knew I was a friend. I have seen him just lying there over the back of the chair.

Images from being protective to being friendly and then relaxed.

Horses also have their own image to keep up with. Abra is a warm and friendly horse. So was Bishop. I would say that Cari was less so - she was lively and very pretty.

*****

People have images too.

I am sure that many have heard it as they were growing up - my how you have grown. She looks just like her mother.

Then later on - she does not look older or she has not changed a bit.

*****

How you look and how you others see you is an interesting study in personality - for people and animals.

Images in prayer is a whole different area of interest.
　

What’s new pussycat?

So that is what I asked the two wonderful male cats I looked after for a few days. Their mom and dad had gone away for a long weekend.

They are brothers and therefore get along very well and like to have fun together too. They are strictly indoor condo cats so they like lots of attention from peoples (their wording).

******

This is Benny’s story.

Mom and dad had their bags at the door. They gave us extra long hugs and kisses. What was up? Then they were both gone out together but that is not so unusual.

Mom and dad always leave plenty of food and water. There are lots of places to play and sleep in this condo. We like it a whole lot. A rather large number of stuffed animals live here too. We do not play with them - at least when anyone is at home.

We cannot tell time very well but some time later when our dishes were looking a little more empty, a new person came to look after us. She seemed to be very efficient. Everything was soon cleaned up including our litter box and our bowls were all nicely filled up again.

She stayed around for some time but was quite quiet. She liked sitting in our mom’s special chair. She did talk with us and petted us both. My brother is a little more shy than I am but he did let himself be petted too.

We wanted to show her how we play together so well.
- looking at each other
- pouncing
- rolling around on the floor
- tearing down the hallway. The carpet seems to get a little wrinkled but we do not care.

Mom and dad eventually got home at some late hour - there was some mumbling about a plane flight being cancelled.

I hear that our new friend might be back again soon. That is quite alright with us.

Love from the condo cats - Benny and brother Harley

If dogs run free

The very last episode of Inspector Frost has this title. It is quite gripping. I did read about the end of the episode - in fact there are three different endings. When I have finished watching my recorded version, I will check out the other two which are available on the TV Ontario web site.

In the middle of watching it, I heard a quite loud bark from outside. Under further investigation, three of my neighbour’s puppies had escaped to my back yard underneath the fence. The next move was out the gate and across the street. The neighbour and her cousin went looking for the escapees - one came back home by himself.

These dogs were running free too.

The television program is not so nice - it is about dog fighting but there is a nice romance in the works too.

Zoo animals

There was an item in the news recently - a baby panda was going to China.

It is a big event for China to loan pandas to various zoos. I think that the zoo having panda parents from China has to pay a substantial sum. When a baby panda gets to a certain age he or she has to go to China.

*****

There is another zoo animal in the news - the elephant at the Edmonton Zoo.

Some are concerned about her welfare.

Her name is Lucy. She is 34 years old and has lived at the zoo for 32 years. I expect I have met her. I have nice memories of visiting that zoo with my friends in Edmonton who had two young children. Now those children are both parents - maybe they will take the kids to the zoo to meet Lucy the elephant.

Strange encounters of the animal kind

Charisma met a deer. I wondered why she was getting all excited when riding out one evening. The deer was in the next field. I do not know who moved faster - Charisma or the deer!


Bishop met a bunny - it just sat there in the path close to where I was riding him. They looked at each other very cautiously.


Bishop met a goat - you can read about his encounter here.
http://vickimilcahistorical.blogspot.com/2009/06/lucky-goat.html


Abracadabra met some lively squirrels who were running around in the rafters in the arena. She did not get too excited by them.


*****


Encounters with young foals is always interesting at a barn where moms and babies are not often seen. The young ones who are running around and being their usual lively selves gets anyone else interested.


This will be happening again early next spring. There is a mare in foal. When leading her out to the ring this morning the barn staff thought better of leading her through the narrow passageway - she might not have fit!

Fun in the snow

My name is still Esther Bunny and I want to tell you all about my latest adventure. It happened this way.

*****

It was a cool December morning and Dillinger - the puppy - now bigger than a few months ago - was busy looking out the front window.

He began to scratch his ears. He could not quite figure out what he was seeing. There was some white stuff all over the ground. What was this?

Just then there was a ring at the doorbell. Dillinger’s mom answered it and there was a good friend - Esther Bunny. She was well wrapped up in a pink and blue scarf.

“Can Dillinger come out and play in the snow?’ she asked politely.

“Of course” said Dillinger’s mom. “Come this way.”

Esther Bunny took Dillinger’s paw and they stepped out - hopped out or jumped out - into the backyard.

“This looks like fun” said Dillinger. “What is this white stuff?”

“This is snow silly - it comes in the winter when it is cold. It is fun to play in.”

“Then let’s play” said Dillinger. That is what the two friends do.

Looking at the window were the other three puppies. They looked like they want to join in the fun too.

Dillinger’s mom easily got the hint and she opened the door and out they jumped into the backyard snow.

The four puppies and Esther Bunny had lots of fun together.

Now watching them were the three cats. The youngest - Calvin said “ I do not think I want to play in the snow too but it is fun to watch the others having fun.”

The puppies and Esther Bunny waved their paws at the three cats and of course the cats waved back.

It was quite a while before the four puppies and Esther Bunny were all tired out. Their ears were getting very droopy.

Dillinger’s mom - who had been watching all the activities very closely let everyone inside again. “Are you all pooped out?’ she asked.

They all wagged their tails in response except for Esther Bunny - who twitched her nose.

“Then maybe I should send you on home again so these puppy friends can have a little nap.”

There was much hugging goodbye - including the cats - and it got very confusing.

Then Dillinger’s mom gave Esther Bunny a special hug and sent her on her way home. She hopped off looking very happy.

When Dillinger’s mom turned around she found that the puppies were all sleeping after their fun snow adventures.

THE END
　
　

Urban animals - Ottawa and Vancouver

I have not seen any bunnies, raccoons or skunks around my house lately.

In Vancouver Kathi thinks that she saw coyote paw marks on the back deck. The cats at the barn where Red Serge lives are encouraged to stay in at night because of the coyotes.

We met a family of raccoons on the way to the airport.

I found some interesting information online about urban wildlife and how to get along with it from the Stanley Park Ecology Society and the City of Ottawa.

*****

I had several sightings of Faith - the neighbourhood cat that lives next door to Kathi. You can read abut last year’s encounters with her.

http://vickimilca.blogspot.com/2008/10/things-that-go-bump-in-night.html

When my brother in law and I were checking out the neighbourhood view on Google Streetview I asked him whether he saw Faith hiding behind a tree. We did not find her.

One night we had some lovely salmon for dinner. My kind hearted sister and a long time animal lover gave her a small piece. I am sure she went away content.
　
　
　

Groups of...

I was looking for names of groups of animals and more specifically bears and bunnies.

- Sloth or Sleuth of Bears.

- Bury, Colony, Circle, Nest, Herd, Litter, Trace of Rabbits.

Just for fun there was a second page to this website - some funny suggestions for groupings.

- A Cardigan of librarians
- A Catalog of librarians
- A Shelf of librarians
- A Stack of librarians

Here is the site - quite fun.
http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/kennel/collectives.htm

Vets or vets??

When I am reading the headlines of the local newspapers - and I do read the Ottawa Sun online as well as the Ottawa Citizen - a familiar word will catch my eye.

Vets to share…was one of the latest.

Is was not about war veterans as some stories will probably be closer to November 11. It is about veterinarians like the ones who look after Abracadabra and the famous ones depicted in All Creatures Great and Small.

The swimming pool

It is a hot and humid summer day in Ottawa. Dillinger’s tongue is hanging out a bit more than usual. Esther Bunny’s ears are just a bit more droopy.

The two new friends are standing looking at a cool pool.

Esther Bunny asks Dillinger “Do you like to swim?“ and he answers “Of course it is lots of fun.”

“Then lets jump in” says Esther Bunny. So she takes Dillinger’s paw and then there are two little splashes in the little pool.

The two friends have some fun splashing. Whether they are really swimming is another matter. Soon there is less water in the pool and definitely more on the two animals and lots of water on the ground.

“This was fun” says Esther Bunny and Dillinger at the same time.

Dillinger hops out first soon followed by Esther Bunny.

Dillinger shakes himself most diligently. Esther Bunny tries this too but it does not work at all - her ears are still very droopy and wet.

“Maybe my mom will help dry you off” says Dillinger.

Just then Dillinger’s mom appears. “Esther Bunny you do look a little wet.”

Dillinger gives a short bark. “Do you want me to dry her off?” asks Dillinger’s mom. Dillinger barks again and wags his tail.

“Just a minute Esther Bunny. Here is my fur dryer. Hang onto your ears now.” So Esther Bunny enjoys getting herself and especially her ears and even her tail dried by the fur dryer. She gives Dillinger’s mom a little hug.

Dillinger waves goodbye with his paw as Esther Bunny hops off home.
　

Furry friends

More airlines embracing furry travelers - the headline in the news today.

*****

“Does this include small stuffed bunnies or teddy bears?” asks Esther Bunny. She is talking with her new neighbour friend.

“No“ says Dillinger the puppy next door. “I immigrated from a foreign country. I think they mean real animals like me.”

“But I am a real stuffed bunny” says Esther Bunny. “I did immigrate too. I came all the way from China.”

“I am not sure my foster mom is going to keep me” says Dillinger. He looks sort of sad.

“I hope she does” says Esther Bunny. “Then we can have some more fun times together.”

At this Dillinger ears perk up. “Let’s play tag.”

So the two new friends race around until they are all tired out and have to lie down and have a nap together.

　

Donkey and Easter

Donkey Cross

"Bring me the colt of a donkey,"
was the Master's request.
A young donkey was brought to Jesus to carry him to Jerusalem.
A week later Jesus was ordered crucified.
The little donkey so loved the Lord,
that he wanted to help carry the cross.
But alas, he was pushed away.
The sad little donkey waited to say good-bye until nearly all had left.
As he turned to leave, the shadow of the cross fell upon his shoulders.
And there it has remained,
a tribute to the loyalty and love
of the humblest of God's Creatures.

February 2nd

So today is 2 important dates on the calendar.

Yesterday at church we celebrated Candlemass. Candles were blessed. During the reading of the Gospel, everyone was given a lighted candle and the main lights were turned down. The fact that it was a dreary day outside made the candles and their light quite pretty.

Today the groundhog who lives in various locations in Canada and the U.S. will be sticking his nose out of his winter residence. Six more weeks of winter or an early spring??

Here in Ottawa there are lots of large snowdrifts and the groundhog may have a hard time seeing out of his burrow.

I do see a number of groundhogs along the Transitway. Now that the Ottawa buses will be running again soon, they may be poking their heads up to see what are those strange red and white vehicles travelling close to their homes.

Things that go bump in the night

So my first night at my sister's visiting I was woken up at one point with what sounded like a loud thud noise. I thought nothing of it as I was not in my own house and all houses make noises - especially at night. Early next morning I stepped out to pick up the newspapers. The front door was open - very strange. Was someone trying to come in? What was that strange noise I heard?

*****

The tale (or tail) is as described.


The evening before my sister - as a good householder - had gone to put out the recycling for early morning pickup. Something had happened and she neglected to lock the front door.

A neighbour's cat who likes to invite herself into the house, must have been watching Kathi. Some time later she decided to pay a visit. Very quietly as cats do, she slunk upstairs. My brother in law was not interested in seeing her in the house, so he opened the sliding door to the deck.

With a loud thud she was out of the house.

*****

So this is what I had heard - the cat being thrown out and that is why the door was open.

She is a cat non-Grata and will continue to be. I saw her the next day and she was still trying to get in and she was still being refused entry.

Such is the life of an unwanted visitor.

Bunnies in my life

Bunnies in my life - I promised to tell you the story. It all started with Ruthie Rabbit (a pyjama bag) who appeared in my life as a late Christmas present. My mom made 2 of them - one for me and one for my sister.

My Ruthie Rabbit is very well travelled and educated. She went to summer camp, boarding school and two different universities. She has been living with me in Ottawa for a long time.

Esther Bunny came into my life in 2004 when my mom was sick. She has had some real adventures and some made up ones. You can read her stories on my blog and my Web site.

When growing up Kathi and I received some bunny themed gifts - most of them from relatives in England. I have a Peter Rabbit tray and a Peter Rabbit bookcase with all the books in it. It is fun even now to go back and read them and the illustrations are excellent.

There are bunnies all over my house. There are bunnies in the basement. I have a bunny shelf with bunny ears at the top - one is up and one is flopped down.

Upstairs and downstairs, everywhere in my house there are bunnies. You would think that they multiplied and they did.

I have one quite faded Bunnykins bowl - I think it is Bunnies Shopping. There was also a Bunnies Gardening item that was very popular with my sister and I when growing up.

I have a good collection of bunny ornaments including one of my favourites - a little brown bunny with a carrot who sits on my bedside table.

A few years ago a real bunny came to visit my area of the city. He was quite happy to sit on my grass and eat the clover. He was definitely not counted as a garden pest.

One friend living not too far away from me had a pair of bunnies come so regularly to visit that he named them Albert and Emily.