Winging it Across America

Last week, I watched Nova's "The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies", which follows the 2000 mile migration of the Monarch butterfly. These amazing creatures are found throughout the world, but it's only in North America that they make such an arduous, obstacle-filled journey. I was saddened by our own miserable contribution to its decline, but uplifted by the butterfly's never-say-die attitude. I know, you're probably kicking yourself because you missed it, but wait! You can watch it online. It's informative and moving. I did learn that it takes four generations of monarchs to complete the journey. Enjoy!

Dairy Rabbits

Read an interesting little news item this morning: Scientists, at a biotech company called Pharming Group, have genetically modified rabbits whose milk will be used to treat heart patients. The rabbit herd's milk contains a protein that helps control inflammation in the human body.

This has just got to be some kind of hoax, don't you think? I can't imagine how one would even go about milking a bunny -- I'm picturing doll-sized pails, and dairy farmers with really tiny fingers.

I've Got a Bat and It Isn't Even Baseball Season

Yesterday afternoon, while putting garbage in the garage, something flew overhead. For a few moments, I hung onto the hope that it was a bird, but with some dread, soon accepted that it was a bat. I opened the large door, spotted the bat on the floor, and tried to shoo it outside with a broom. He was so darned scared (and cute), and wasn't about to budge. That's when it hit me -- I never see bats in the winter. I closed the door, went back into the house and checked Google for some bat information.

Bats hibernate and will die if put out in the cold. So now, my garage is a bat cave. Luckily, there's no door leading directly from the garage into the house, so I don't have to worry about that. But I do get a bit of a shiver when I have to go out to my car. I have no idea where he's hanging out -- there's hundreds of great cubby holes where he could hide -- but I hope he's only here until spring (and I keep saying "he" because a "she" could have babies later and decide to take up year-round residence).

In my second book, Return to Aten, Jodie, the main character, ventures into a cavern which, it turns out, is chock-full of bats. As all teenage heroines must do, she continues on despite her fear. She's much braver than I am, I think.

Time for Something Cute

If you're anything like me, you're running around getting ready for the holiday season. I'm having 27 people for dinner on the 25th, but always have time for a dose of cute. Click here if you have a moment.

It's That Time of Year Again: Christmas Gifts for Your Pet

What do our pets want for Christmas? Just our love and attention. And maybe a toy or two (click on photo to get the big picture):

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Other than their cuteness value, what else do these three dog toys have in common? They each represent objects that you'd never want your dog to actually chew on. Why not stick to ... hmm, what would you want your dog to chew on?

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This moving bag with twitching cat tail is sure to freak your cat out.

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I like the idea giving a cat more space to climb, but I have visions of someone slamming the door open, and ... well, you can see where I'm going with this.

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Now, how cool is this? And when it's time to take your cat to the vet, you entice it inside the goldfish with a treat, pinch the fish's mouth closed, sling it over your shoulder, and you're off.

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For more great gift ideas, visit ThisNext.

In the Old Days

Things sure have changed since I was growing up (in the 60s and 70s). I'm not talking about the leaps in technology (hey, back then, we got giddy over colour television and Atari's Pong). No, I'm talking about everyday stuff like:

Garbage Bags and Bins

We used paper grocery bags for kitchen waste. Paper! There was no backyard composting, no green bins. Can you imagine the oily, mushy mess that must've leaked through? On garbage day, we put the seeping bags into the dented metal garbage can with the lid that never seemed to fit properly. We didn't have to worry about raccoons getting into our scraps -- they didn't live near us because we hadn't yet used up all their natural habitat. But the dogs ...

Dogs That Roamed Free

There were no poop and scoop laws. No leash laws. Our own dog was either in a fenced yard or on a leash, but most dogs in the neighbourhood were let out through the front door, free to do their business wherever they pleased. And if they fancied a little snack, they could always tuck into one of the easily accessed garbage buffets.

One Bathroom

We were a family of four, and had only one bathroom in the house. Now, I've a family of three and have four bathrooms. It does make life easier at times, but those toilets and sinks still have to be cleaned.

What changes have taken place since you were a kid?

Nooooooo!

October 29, 2009
Two weeks later

Bugs and Stuff

A confession: Many years ago, my husband and I visited a friend's cottage up north. The mosquitoes were out in full force, and a rather noisy one broke into our bedroom, keeping me awake (although my husband slept on). I turned on the light, but was unable to find the source of that irritating "zzzz". Then I remembered: mosquitoes only bite once (a myth, I've since discovered). I was desperate -- a sacrifice would have to be made. I placed my husband's arm gently on top of the covers, and I ducked underneath. Note: this was before West Nile Virus. Soon, the buzzing stopped, and I slept. Years later, when I told my husband and friends this story, he was kind of surprised that I could be so ... so selfish and cruel. Our friends thought it was hilarious.

And on a unrelated topic: I've always wondered where moths hung out before electricity.

Something to Crow About

I recently watched The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, a Canadian documentary series on CBC. The episode was called A Murder of Crows which details the inner life of one of the "most intelligent, playful and mischievous species on the planet".

I have a new respect for these birds--they are able to recognize faces, use tools and problem solve. When they're making all that sleep-rousing noise, I think they might actually be trying to tell us something. Here are some crow facts that I lifted from the CBC website:

Crows are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Crows have an exceptional ability to remember and pick a single human face out of a crowd.
Crows are far more likely to be found living close to cities and suburbs than out in the country.
Each generation of crows is capable of building on an earlier generation's knowledge.
New Caledonian crows are one of only three species, besides human, in the world capable of making tools.
Crows live with a mated pair, their kids, and offspring from previous years in an extended family.
Crows have different warning calls - one for cats, and one for hawks, and another for humans - 250 in all.
Crows are omnivores and eat fruits, vegetables and meat.

Check out a short video clip here.

What a Ride!

A tiny, three week-old kitten was brought into the shelter several months ago. It's grey and white fur was dirty and matted, and the poor little thing had a Botfly larva embedded in its cheek (this was immediately and successfully removed). But that wasn't the most harrowing thing this kitten had experienced.

He had survived a 30 kilometer (27 mile) drive along a busy 100 km/hour highway, clinging to life under the hood of a car! The driver must have exited his vehicle, heard the meows, then investigated. Luckily, he brought the kitten in, and it's since been adopted.

I just loved the happy ending to this story. That is, I loved it until someone asked, "I wonder how many kittens there were under the hood at the beginning of the journey?"

Now I have this horrible video playing in my head, and I can't get it out.

Meet Your Match

As you may already know, for the past year, I've volunteered at my local Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) shelter. It's been a wonderful experience, and I was very fortunate to be chosen to attend a two-day Meet Your Match Feline-ality training seminar.

This ASPCA program matches adopters' preferences to the cat(s) who best fits the bill by assessing how cats will behave in a new environment. Shelters that have implemented the program experience almost 50% less returns and just as high an increase in adoptions. Go here to meet the nine different "Feline-alities" (or categories).

Although the initial implementation of the program may be huge, I'm looking forward to assessing the cats, in hopes that they will be adopted into loving homes more quickly.

Litter Box Woes

A few months ago, my cat, Meeko, decided the carpeted rec room made a far better litter box than her own. At first, I was in denial: "We must have a leak in our basement," I told my husband. Then, "It's the humidity. We need a dehumidifier." But the unused litter box and the overwhelming smell soon disproved my theories.

I used an enzymatic cleaner to get rid of the odor, and had the carpet professionally cleaned. Luckily, there's a door to the room, and after posting a 2 X 2 foot sign advising everyone to keep the door closed, we usually remember to do so. After checking the Internet for inspiration, here are some of the other steps I've taken:

Removed the lid from her litter box -- it seemed to be freaking her out.
Moved the box
Stopped using the scented litter I sometimes purchased by mistake
Used "Kitty Litter Attractant" to lure her back
Closed every other freaking door in the house (just in case)

And I took her to the vet. There's nothing physically wrong with the cat, but the vet thought she might anxious, so has put her on anti-anxiety medication (although, after all this, I'm the one who really needs the drugs). My heart dropped at the thought of having to administer pills to Meeko, so I was delighted to discover the meds came in the form of a transdermal gel that I apply to the inside of her ear. I'm not sure if it's working as she just had her first dose last night.

This problem has consumed me. What if I can't change this new, unacceptable behaviour? And why the heck did she suddenly stop using her kitty litter box? I've always kept it clean -- to the point where the used litter makes my green bin too heavy for the the garbage men to lift. My husband thought Meeko might be lonely because I spent 4 or 5 days a week at the animal shelter. Perhaps Meeko smelled the other cats, despite the fact that I shower and change as soon as I get home. Who knows? Cats can be so sensitive to any change.

Now, I must go and make sure the last person to use the rec room remembered to close the door. And I may as well check the litter box while I'm down there, keeping my fingers crossed that she's using it and not some other, unprotected spot.