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Surprisingly, Lily did not turn her nose up at the special food recommended by her physician.
Furthermore, the others accepted it as well, which is fortunate in the case of Sophia and Muffin who also have medical issues.
At twice the price of ordinary food, I’d prefer not to be feeding to everyone, but try explaining that to a cat!
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Though we are grateful when the little darlings condescend to eat what’s put in front of them and our headcount is half what it was, so in theory we should be able to manage.
In practice, of course, vet bills are becoming increasingly expensive along with everything else while my income…
One hopes we’ll all run out before the funds do!
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Running out isn’t something you really want to think about but it happens to us all, so why hide from it?
My only concern is not leaving behind any animal that is in my care. This means facing quite a few more painful goodbyes and what gets one through those is generally the presence of other animals.
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“There’s always us!”
Indeed, wild animals are a help, though it doesn’t do to get too emotionally involved with them.
We’ve been capturing images of the fox kits using the trail-cam, but I haven’t posted them because we are very afraid the story won’t end well.
We have found remains frequently and have been expecting a hue and cry from an enraged farmer which is likely to be very distressing.
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Bunnies don’t hibernate but in Winter we only know they are around from the footprints they leave when snow is on the ground.
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“D’is green stuff much better missus.”
“Not so cold on my shoes.”
“And it grows tasty yellow flowers.”
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Hopefully, there will always be birds.
“Just keep the suet coming missus!”
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(Red-bellied woodpecker)
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It’s fanciful, but I like to imagine that they see me through the window and know that I talk to them.
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They like peanuts as well as suet.
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This week, the thrasher was back.
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Competition for Little Red and the doves.
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…and grackles.
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Grackles are often seen hanging out with red-winged blackbirds.
Their feathers are iridescent.
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While I’m much better with fauna than with flora, I do appreciate flowers and plants.
I had to clamber down a steep bank to get a look at the daffodils. How they came to be down there, I don’t know.
We’ve been planning to move them for 7 years now…
Somehow, when Fall rolls around, there are other things that need doing. You know how it goes!
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When is forsythia not forsythia?
I was surprised recently to find a few yellow blooms in a hedge. It never bloomed before and these few flowers were all it produced.
???
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It was good to see new growth on the bushes that Grant trimmed last year.
Reduced to sticks, more like.
He never does anything by halves!
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It’s that time of year when you’re never sure where you are.
Early this morning I turned off all the heaters and changed into a t-shirt.
Not long after the sun went in, the heaters were back on and I was pulling on a sweater.
And now I’m going for a hot drink…
The wildlife does help to accept the loss of your beloved pets, even though it is not the same of course. But you are right to consider your own mortality when it comes to taking on more pets. That’s my main reason for not getting another dog when we lost dear Ollie.
Best wishes, Pete.
Your outdoor critters are so fun to look at! 😍
Thank you for sharing these cute pictures of them enjoying their snacks!
Catherine
Thank you, Carolyn, for the interesting update on your devotion to animal life! I don’t take on any pets now for the same reason as Pete: my mortality. I love your wildlife creatures!
Your photographic talent is, as always, breathtaking!
Joanna
We decided not to have any more cats when our last one died. We just couldn’t bear the thought of either losing another or leaving one behind for someone else to sort out.