Dumb or Comfortable?

The Mourning Dove. A rather common species of bird in the city. A sometimes common species of bird to my backyard. Some days or weeks there can be up to half a dozen motoring about the property and other times for many days none.

They do not have a reputation on being the most brilliant bird in the city. Their nesting habits can be quite threatening to the survival of their species. A nest built very loosely of twigs that one can see through the bottom of it. A startled adult Mourning Dove can fly out of the nest in such haste and actually destroy it accidentally... and the eggs within. Often, a startled adult Mourning Dove can also abandon a nest of eggs if they feel threatened by humans or predators in the area.

But, lets not dwell on these facts of the Mourning Dove.

I welcome these birds to my yard. Some refer to them as another form of Pigeon but I would argue that till my last breath. The Mourning Doves at least have some backyard feeding etiquette. They are not aggressive, they are not piggish, their bathing techniques are quite graceful.

I can always tell when one is flying in before I see it as their wings whistle when flying.



My concern for these visitors is the fact they are ground feeders. I do have one platform feeder; a pair of them will sit in and feed but often it is cleaned out by the Squirrels or knocked to the ground... so it's not used very often unless we are outside much of the day to keep an eye on it. The thin black chains are difficult to find in the grass.

So, with their ground feeding, they spend much time roosting or just sitting around and especially so on warm sunny days. The early sunny days of Spring had us find one pair enjoying every bit of sun light in the yard for as many days there was high sun over a week.



It's not so bad as you can see in these photos with them being out in the open spaces; but at times they also spend it in the developing bird garden of mine. If it was within the Honeysuckle Bush or other shrubs, providing some cover, that would be great, but that just isn't the case. I often worry about some cat around the other side of the bush just waiting silently. So, what's the deal? Are they just that dumb or that comfortable on the property? We try our best to keep the area free of roaming cats. Meadow is on a leash and harness, unable to get anywhere near the bird garden. We keep super-soakers nearby when neighbours' cats decide to pass through or try to get a thrilling hunt on. We just can't be out there all the time or watchful all the time.

I know they just aren't the most brilliant of the feathered friends who visit but I would like to think that maybe they do feel a little safer here. I mean, there's birds here all the time, there's many species of birds here all the time. Some of the others are keeping a watchful eye about the area for predators (cats, hawks, etc) and let off quite a shriek when danger lurks. As seen in the next photo, an American Kestrel flew in to a tree nearby, an alert was set off and everybody went off into hiding... well, everybody except these two. Their eyes opened a little more, their heads popped up but they never moved from that spot. Once again... are they dumb? Are they comfortable? Did they feel this was their own way of protecting themselves, by being more or less still? I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I mean they cannot be that dumb... they still exist.


As pictured below, this is how I like to see the Doves. Safe up in the trees. While the one on the right was at the end of a yawn... it would seem he is enjoying the sun, the company of his mate and possibly a good story (maybe his compliments to the chef of the feed they just had below or pooping on the neighbour's cat)...



What do you think?

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The Beautiful Joe Park... Meaford, Ontario... every town should have one!

At least twice a year, I like to visit northern parts of Ontario and especially the area of Meaford, Ontario. And with each visit to Meaford I make a visit to "The Beautiful Joe Park". A park which I think every town and city should have. It doesn't have to be named this, but it's meaning should be the same... a park dedicated to the animals who touch our lives.

I was unfamiliar of the Beautiful Joe story even after learning about this park. Some friends told us about it as a nice place to visit and potential bird watching. It wasn't long after that Angie and I learned who Beautiful Joe was and how touching his story is, what this park really means. Here's a brief bit on his story...


The real Beautiful Joe was an Airedale-type dog. He was medium-sized, brown, and described as likely being part bull terrier and part fox terrier. He was also described as a mongrel, a cur, and a mutt. He was originally owned by a local Meaford man, who abused the dog to the point of near death, and even cut off his ears and tail with a hatchet.

Walter Moore, father of Louise Moore, rescued the dog in 1890 from what likely would have been a violent death.

And from this, a couple years later a book was to be made...

In 1892, Margaret Marshall Saunders (1861–1947), first learned about Beautiful Joe when she visited her brother and his wife, Louise Moore. Saunders was so touched by Joe's story that she wrote a novel-length, fictionalized, autobiographical version of it, entitled Beautiful Joe. Margaret Saunders relocated the story to a small town in Maine and changed the family's name to Morris to win a literary contest sponsored by the American Humane Education Society. The book was first published in 1893. By 1900, over 800,000 copies sold in the U.S., 40,000 in Canada and 100,000 in the United Kingdom.

The response was tremendous; both the book and its subject received worldwide attention. It was the first Canadian book in history to sell over a million copies, and by the late 1930s had sold over 7 million copies worldwide. In 1902, a sequel, Beautiful Joe's Paradise, was published.

In 1934, Saunders was granted Canada's highest civilian award at the time, Commander of the British Empire or C.B.E.

In 1963, the official Beautiful Joe Park was named in Meaford, next to the Moore house where Beautiful Joe was rehabilitated by Louise Moore. A Beautiful Joe Heritage Society was formed in 1994 to preserve Joe's legacy and ultimately establish the Moore residence as a museum.


So, that is the story of Beautiful Joe and the impact his story had on the world.

Now, about the park. Sure, it's a park, a forest, a river runs along the side of it. What's the big deal? Well, Beautiful Joe is buried here. The better part of his life was just next door and I'd like to believe he spent some happy sunny afternoons in this park just being a dog... running and playing. There are a few monuments about the park dedicated not only to Joe but to all animals. A 9-11 World Trade Centre site for the rescue dogs that were lost on that morning. How many people out there ever gave one moment of thought that not only humans died that day? So there wasn't hundreds of K-9 rescue dogs lost but the ones who did perish that day shouldn't go unnoticed.




Another section has a wall full of plaques that is slowly growing every year with those displaying a memorial of their own animal friends who have passed on. Some of the plaques stand out much more to me than others.



I raise a glass to Barbara Selkirk for having so many four legged friends in her life...


It's nice to see another great dog got a great home in the end...

I get a glowing feeling as I walk through this park. In this moment we, the people, take a step to the side for our animal friends. This is for them. It seems most who visit this park also realize that. In this moment, although I feel this all the time... animals are people too! They get the respect they so deserve for the impact they have on a person or family's life... they are family! This is not a pet cemetery. This is not a place of sadness if you choose it not to be. This is a place to remember, to re-joice our four legged friends/family members.


The final resting place of Beautiful Joe. As I said, I would like to believe he had many great days on this same piece of land he is resting in.



If you ever happen to get up in the Georgian Bay area... please make a special visit to The Beautiful Joe Park in Meaford. It's pretty much right inbetween Collingwood and Owen Sound.

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My Sad Little Birdy

I have a saying that I have always believed in and tell others... "Animals are people too!" All creatures great and small have feelings much as humans do and they can express them in their own ways. It's just up to those around to actually pay attention and notice.

Like right now, Misfit (our Budgie) is a sad stressed out little bird. She's been very quiet the last week and from my experience the year before with her, she will be for another 3 to 5 weeks. Last year I only thought it was because of the seasonal change; summer is ending, the days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler and I think she knows this and is saddened in her own way, being a tropical bird who enjoys the heat and humidity. What I do notice this September though is her loss of feathers. She went through a similar stage in the Spring and it was a molt. She lost all her tail feathers and many about her body over a span of 4 weeks. She became very quiet, not even singing along to her favorite cds (Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons or her song birds cd). She even looks uncomfortable during this process. Research shows that this is almost painful at times for birds... the feathers are needle-like and they say it's a prickly feeling on the bird's body. Feather loss is a sign of stress in a bird as is them picking and pulling their feathers out. So when they naturally lose their feathers I assume it is a naturally stressful time for them. They require a better diet (vitamin and mineral supplements added to their food). They require a lot more sleep (12 to 14 hours is good).

Misfit is normally a very happy chatty active little bird. Right now she barely makes a sound, doesn't play with her toys and is wanting to go to bed earlier than normal. She lets us know when she wants to go to bed... she has some very distinct noises in the evening. We ask her if she wants to go to bed and she re-acts with a variety of wing and leg stretches. I've had Budgies in my past and have never recalled one who loved being put to bed at night (not like Misfit does). One might think she was ill with her inactivity but her appetite shows me that is not the case.

What can we do for her? Keep her warm. Keep her fed. Keep her rested. In a few weeks she will be back to her old self again and we'll be wishing for some peace and quiet when she really gets going with her squeaks and tweets, bell ringing and so on.

Imagine that! I know so many who think little of birds... not in a bad way, they just don't think about them as much of anything other than an eating and pooping machine. Wow! Something so small but with so much personality and feelings and in need of proper care... meaning, a responsible family with them who will notice and realize these stages they go through and help them along.

Here's Misfit in her most memorable days for me... flying free out back with the Sparrows.

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First signs of Autumn and it's August!

Have you noticed anything different up in the sky within the last few days? Do you ever look up to the sky? Some do, some don't. If you do, you may notice a sight such as the photo below. "A bunch of birds flying around. What's the big deal?" you might ask. Well, it's really not a big deal unless you absolutely dread the end of summer. It's the first signs of Autumn coming and Fall Migration beginning.



Today at work, on my lunch break, I look out to the front grounds and noticed a sight similar to the photo below... a flock of Brown Headed Cowbirds. This is the first flock I have seen since their return back in the Spring. I said to my co-workers, "Oh, it's all over now." A few heads pop up, curious to what I am talking about. Some inquire and listen on as I explain my comment. There weren't many happy faces in the lot as we didn't have much of a summer this year. What can we do? Nothing! Go through the seasons, make the best of the them, and hope for a better summer next year.



I borrowed these pics via Google images but hope to have some of my own to share as my backyard can turn into quite a hot spot for a feeding stop over through the month of September. The sounds can be deafening with some flocks. I gladly throw handfuls of shelled peanuts and seeds to my feathered friends, assisting them on the long journey ahead. Maybe you do the same?

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Know Your Neighbor and their Pets

This past Saturday, just as we were leaving the house to go out for dinner... the rain had just started to come down (again) and as we sat in the Monte Carlo, letting it run for a moment (them oldies), I happened to notice my neighbor's cat moseying along on the other side of the street. So, what's the big deal? Well, to anybody else on the street who may have noticed this feline, they would just think it's another cat in the neighborhood. For us, knowing this cat, we knew she should not be out on the streets roaming around.

Meet Louise!


Louise is one of my neighbor's handful of "misfit" cats that she has taken into her home over the years, one of a handful, who may have not had a chance at a good life because of her *imperfections* but we all see her as a little more unique. Louise is deaf. Louise has 3 legs. So, as you can see, Louise definitely should not have been wandering about the street.

It only took us a second before we were out of the car, dashing across the street, going after her. Lucky for us she didn't hear us coming, and her quite laid back personality had her just sitting there looking up at us as we moved in. My neighbor wasn't home, I made a few attempts to contact her with no luck. So Louise was scooped up and brought into our home. Meadow slept through the whole ordeal, even as we locked Louise in the storage closet off the kitchen while we went out for dinner.

Finally my neighbor returned my call and as I told her we saw Louise walking up the street, she went into a panic and tearful rant. I had no opportunity for almost 30 seconds to get a word in to let her know she was safe with us.

My neighbor was going to be gone for another few hours, which was fine by us. I tell you, for a foreign cat being brought into a strange home, there was no stress with this one. She was fine in the closet for the 2 hours we were gone. When let out, she figured out where the stairs were to the basement and down she went and slept the next 3 hours till she was re-united and returned home.

From the time my neighbor left till the time we left and saw Louise, approximately 2 hours had already passed. Another 5 hours would go by before my neighbor returned home. If we had not seen Louise and taken action... who knows what the outcome may have been. A deaf cat sure can't hear cars or other threats. A 3 legged cat sure wouldn't have much of a chance defending herself. Lastly, Louise likes to spend much of her time in the basement so there is the possibility she may not have been noticed missing until the following morning.

So in my head the worst case scenarios have been played out but you never know, cats are quite remarkable creatures. Louise may have made it back home, if we had not seen/taken her, and might have ended up sitting on the front steps waiting for her "mommy".

I am happy with how this story all played out, like fate stepped in, how timing was so well with the beginning actions to it. So perfect! Louise is right across the street from us as we sat in the car. Things like that.

I tried to get a better/clearer shot of her but she really isn't keen on the flash.



If anyone has been wondering what has been up with me and my blog, even though I made mention some time ago about cutting back through the summer months. I had hopes of stocking up on blog topics for the fall... but with all the rain this summer and as July arrived, some bad flooding in the basement has taken over our lives. It's finally going to be repaired this week, taking about 15 days to complete, and hopefully then I can relax and enjoy the remaining weeks of summer with our animal friends. Nobody has been neglected through this though...

See you all again soon...

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Smokey!

I'd like everyone to meet "Smokey"! She is a real character, has been a very welcomed guest to the yard and a part of our lives for 4 years now; so I am not sure if that brings her closer to 5 now or maybe a bit older?

There's usually around 6 to 10 Squirrels in the yard at times, yet only a few ever get a name that sticks. You've met Jigger. Others not mentioned, some gone but not forgotten, include Blutto, Bandit and every year one gets titled "Nipples" for obvious reasons.



Smokey has been like family, and if she would live in the house with us, we'd probably let her. Meadow approves of Squirrels unlike her feelings towards other Cats. We've talked about how if we ever moved that we would have to take Smokey with us; but I think we will remain here for some time yet. With that, I have always wondered about the life span of the common Squirrel of these parts. It's rather confusing really... many do not make it to a ripe old age dying of a natural death (cars, predators, humans and their constant destruction of habitat, etc). In my research, a typical Squirrel of this species can live 5 to 7 years. There are reports of Squirrels in captivity living up to 20 years. What a difference!

She is showing her age these days. Her attitude has changed also. The once ever so playful, un-shy girl is now more cautious and reserved. I miss her days of climbing all over us, sitting at the picnic table during a meal, entertaining our guests with her little "tricks" for a peanut as you will see in some photos below. My father always loved her rooting through his coat pockets for a peanut. She has been coming around a little more lately, she knows we got the peanuts but her cautiousness makes me sad. We had such fun together over the years; what has happened? Is this part of aging? Does she not completely remember? Has something happened to her through the last winter, like a bad experience with people, and she is not as trusting anymore? If this is the case, it's probably for the better. As I've said before, I do worry about some of the more tame Squirrels approaching the wrong person in their travels and end up getting hurt. Neighbors of mine have thought some of these so tame Squirrels are actually attacking me.

There are a lot of stories that I could share about Smokey and perhaps another time I will.

The only one I want to share at this moment, which shows how much we adore her is this... in her younger years we saw her daily and it didn't matter much on the season either. The last couple years have had her disappearing for many days at a time and even more recently weeks to a couple months! I realize that one day Smokey just isn't going to come back. The worst part of that will be the not knowing what happened to her. So, in her absences before, we'd worry and call her, keep an eye for her every chance at home during the daylight. I bought a clear plastic magnet picture frame, put one of Smokey's photos in it and it sticks up on the inside of the back door. I wonder if guests take notice to it or not? Smokey has always made my time out in the yard more memorable and enjoyable. Two summers ago, just after I put that photo up and Smokey was absent for over a week, I was walking over to the corner store. I am always paying attention to that around me, seeing who I recognize in my travels and I sure don't mean people. Suddenly there is this gray Squirrel on the other side of the street. I call out "Smokey!" and she came running. She climbed up the fence next to me, looking me in the eyes and I pulled out a peanut for her. I scolded her for not being around and for being out on the street (a couple sitting on their porch must'a thought I was crazy). I didn't care. I was just so happy to see her. Her disappearing tricks are conditioning me to the day, hopefully not any time soon, when she will be gone and not coming back. I only hope she is going to be another one of my furry friends that I meet at Rainbow Bridge one day...

Enjoy the photos below and see why Smokey is in our hearts always...

Angie is standing in this photo. Smokey jumped up to her from the old deck rail.

Smokey and I with a small piece of wood. That board is still hanging around the yard. This is the summer I caught Misfit (the Budgie)... there's the bird cage way down at the back of the yard.

Me, Smokey and the stick again. I like the glimmer of light above my hand in this shot. It appears that Smokey is reaching up to it.

Angie and Smokey again. This was part of our weekend morning coffee ritual. I hope Ang isn't mad at me for posting these early in the day shots.

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What Person Thinks They Have the Right?

I read a small tid-bit in the Toronto Sun today about approximately 300 to 400 Seagulls being poisoned out Windsor, Ontario way. 100+ were already dead and the rest are suffering and waiting to die.

I've done some further reading and other versions of the story don't stray far from the above details. It appears someone has been leaving tainted food on the top of a closed Home Depot store which has been empty for about a year now.

Where do I begin? Love them or hate them, a Seagull is a living creature. It feels pain much like we do. Why is someone poisoning them? What right do they have to choose that hundreds of these birds must die?

Here is a shocking quote from the article too... "If it's considered pest control, it's not illegal.... Under the animal protection legislation". Why does that not make any sense to me? Animal protection legislation allows such inhumane forms of pest control?

Next, what about the food chain? I am sure there are other birds and animals in the area who may go for this tainted food. They will be dealt the same fate. Also, other birds and animals may find one of these dead Gulls, feed upon it, and too end up dead.

I don't have much knowledge or experience with Seagulls other than feeding them french fries at the park, or this one who hangs out at a drive-thru Tim Horton's in Meaford, Ontario and gets fed lots of Tim-bits through-out the day by the employees or customers. He's quite a character! I've enjoyed watching them in groups up along Georgian Bay, waiting for beach goers to hit the water, leaving their picnic lunches unattended. I have to admit I even laugh when they chase little kids along the beach wanting whatever they may be eating. Many of the kids drop their ice cream cone or hot dog in the sand and run away screaming while the Gulls quickly devour the spilled snack. Which leads me to one thing they are good for... shore line clean up. You don't get too many dead fish along the shore with the Gulls around.

I understand cities and their "culling" tactics due to mess and over population. I may not like it, I may not agree with it every time, but I understand it (sometimes). New York recently gassed over 2,000 Canada Geese. Something about the mess and to do with that plane that crashing into the Hudson River (01/15/2009) which they blame a flock of Geese for... flying into the engines; or did they actually get sucked into the turbines?

The Human race can be such a cruel and selfish lot at times. Far too often I am not proud of what man kind does to the other creatures who inhabit this planet. A Seagull surely has it's right to a life on this planet.

I know a number of people who are unhappy with the Seagull population in Toronto. Yes, Seagulls are shorebirds, but Toronto is built along Lake Ontario, and the Gulls are making their way inland more and more. There are a number of rivers, creeks and ponds within the city but what lures them in even more so is the amount of food litter people leave carelessly about the ground. I snapped this shot one afternoon at a strip mall parking lot. Dispose of your food waste properly and scenes like this won't happen. I commend this Gull for stepping in to clean up, even though he's going to make a heck of a mess of that non-biodegradable styro-foam container first.



I would like to end this on a happier note... trying to give these squawky, garbage eating, poop machines a better image. If you cut and paste the link below, you will witness a 13 second video, which many of you probably have already seen, of one quite famous and clever Seagull in Scotland who loves Doritos so much and knows where and how to get them. If this doesn't show you there is more to these creatures and animals in general, I don't know what will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VILrWeO5QYs

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