I Brake for Squirrels!

The I Brake for Squirrels bumper sticker.  I would put this on my car and that is saying alot.
Only $5.99. I'm ordering one. Are you with me? CLICK HERE to order from Kabdoodle.

PS: Click the link - they have all kinds of other ones, like I Brake for Zombies, sure to come in handy this holiday...

Animal Gift! For the Love of Squirrels...

Just right for the Squirrel lover?

This little pillow cover is meant for a 16 x 16 throw, with designs front ant back at only $20.  Also available as a piece of framable art, a tee shirt, stationery cards, a phone case, an ipad sleeve etc... just check it out on Society6.com.

Throw Pillow Cover made from 100% spun polyester poplin fabric, a stylish statement that will liven up any room. Individually cut and sewn by hand, the pillow cover measures 16" x 16", features a double-sided print and is finished with a concealed zipper for ease of care. Does not include pillow insert.

Did you know I did a gift blog that ramps up this time of year? Please visit and subscribe or bookmark, and pass it along to friends.

I find godo things and write them up. Been doing it for about 5 years now, so there's lots to scroll through from years past as well. 

CLICK TO VISIT MY GREAT GIFTS BLOG

Kitty IQ Gone to the Dogs

This cool photo found on Rants and Giggles on Facebook

Morning Has Broken

The original use of the word "awesome" was to inspire awe. Nature always does it for me...  

Get lost in this picture of daybreak in Maine, taken by my friend Richard Weidman.

Why not go somewhere by foot, bike, or car to seek out your own daybreak this weekend? 

‎"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.
So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

Feeding Squirrels is Like a Walk in the Park

I went waking in The Park for the first time in a little while and visited some of my little friends. I always feel I've earned my day on earth if I've fed a squirrel... 

“He could tell by the way animals walked that they were keeping time to some kind of music. Maybe it was the song in their own hearts that they walked to.” 
― Laura Adams Armer, Waterless Mountain Dew

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."
~ John Muir

Hump Day Thoughts...

The sum of the whole is this: walk and be happy; walk and be healthy. The best way to lengthen out our days is to walk steadily and with a purpose.
Charles Dickens

Don't Fret - Our Animals Stay With Us

Because Love is the greatest power in heaven or on earth.

On Walking

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~John Muir

Giraffe Lips are Good

Happy Hump Day!

(it would be sooo much better to say that if this were a camel, right?)

The AZA ROCKS

Baby Elephants in their Pool

These babies have made international news with their antics - they are joy personified. If you haven't already, meet Baylor and half sis Tupelo from the Houston Zoo. It was a joy to see them come into the world and grow.

Seriously, there is no way to not have every trouble on your mind disappear or any mood you're in be lightened by just pressing play. SHARE IT!

One of my subscribers who is also a good friend of mine from our days at the Zoo AND a fellow blogger (please visit her cool blog A Life of Whimsey) wrote this on her Facebook page and I was struck by it... and thought I needed to share it here. I asked her to send a picture of what prompted it and she sent me the below.

 Being human seems to be the most wonderful with a dog sleeping in your lap.

Waaw....

Famous Giant Tortoise Lonesome George Dies

Breaking News: Lonesome George, the famous, last remaining Pinta Island giant tortoise, who long serves as a conservation symbol for  the Galapagos Islands passed away Sunday. He has no known offspring and so this is the end of the line for yet another species of animal on this earth. 

Photo Credit: AFP/File, Rodrigo Buendia

I had the express pleasure of editing and publishing the blog series by Dr. Joe Flanagan, the Houston Zoo's marvelous vet. He kept a diary of his time in the Galapagos on one recent trip to help giant tortoises repopulate Pinta Island. You can read his whole series HERE, you just need to start at the bottom and work your way up.

To quote Dr. Joe: His island was stripped of tortoises by pirates and whalers in the 17th and 18th centuries. This species of Galapagos tortoise was thought to be extinct until George was found in 1971.  He was transferred to the Charles Darwin Station in 1972 and is now housed with 2 female tortoises from another island in hopes that he might reproduce. Despite many attempts, there have been no fertile eggs, and the hope of finding a female tortoise from the island of Pinta anywhere else in the world, including zoos and private collections, is very slim.

Read more about Lonesome George's passing HERE.

The Calico Cat at the Paia Inn

There are two kinds of cats - the talkative, bendable, must-be-with-you-at-all-times lap cat, and the cold, cigarette smoking, trench coat wearing cats - too cool for you.  My childhood cat Puff was the latter. I loved him more than anything or anyone in the world.

I dealt with his testy meows, his rejections, and finnicky eating habits for his short life of 10 years... and I told you how much I loved him anyway right?  But if I could have another cat, I'd hope to get one like this calico who ran up to greet me when I checked into the Paia Inn in Maui.

She chatted with me as she led me to my room, came right in as I unpacked, walked back out the door with me, and bid me a noisy adieu as we parted ways in the parking lot.

The next morning I went to get coffee on the lanai and found her napping on a chair. True to form, though you can tell she is a little groggy, she immediately snapped awake and said not one but four hellos.

A Visit with Elvis

I read somewhere that Muscovy ducks have a life span of about three to maybe five years. This then leads me to be extra delighted when I visit The Park and find Elvis safe and sound, since I've been visiting him at The Park for about 5 years already. I've written much about Elvis on this blog, but if you haven't read it, CLICK HERE to get your introduction.

I've said his world is small, and, I imagine, relatively simple. I find inspiration in that. He is free to go where he wants, and while there is a big lake, an island or two and several forested areas he could visit, he chooses to stay on or at the edge of the reflection pond at the entrance of The Park.

I get warm fuzzies when I see him, alone or with a rotating group of 1-3 feathered mates that roll with him. He's alive and well after all this time and his black pompadour still looks fabulous (hence the name...). 

This day he was on his own, which delighted me. I always could call him over and he'd eat from my hand, but it's much nicer when it's just us two, and he doesn't have to compete with the others in his gang.


I sit, and he rests on the water, occasionally using a back webbed foot to stabilize his position, and we commune. Sometimes he gets out and stands on the side, eyeing me at first for a couple of bites, then fully trusting. There is nothing better than just being quiet with an animal, being respectful that they have allowed you to be close to them, within their territory.

After awhile, he, or I, decide to go on our way. Until the next time.  And so far, there always has been a next time.

Bye-bye Elvis... for now.

What's That You Have Little Squirrel?

Yesterday, while walking through a quaint little village, I saw something fuzzy scampering across the cobblestones quite a ways ahead of me. I always have an instinct for squirrels. Friends tease me that I'm like the dog in whatever kids movie that is, that always says "Squirrel!" In fact, that is exactly what I do. I wish I could be as observant of everything else, or more important things, like my stock portfolio, but alas, that stuff is not cute.

I immediately abandoned where I was headed and followed the little thing until I got close enough to identify that it was indeed a squirrel. He was quite off balance by something he was carrying in his mouth - way too big to be a nut.

I did my best to scamper behind him, moving fast enough to gain ground but not so fast as to make him move even faster, thinking something was pursuing him. He'd stop but by the time I'd get my darn auto-focus camera to stabilize, he'd take off again. Finally I got a shot of what he had snagged for lunch...

Pizza! 

Purple Grey (Parrot, That Is)

Went walking on the beach and had to stop to chat to this woman who took not only her dog out for a walk but her African Grey Parrot, in this super-cool little backpack.

The handsome devil was as enthralled with me as I was with him,

and bent down to get a better look at me and my camera as I snapped away.

I know Greys are a handful, having essentially the mentality of a 4-year-old 

 who will outlive you. That's a big commitment, of both your time and patience. 

But how cool would it be to enrich the little guy by taking it out to feel the wind 

and see and hear the surf?

Why a Squirrel?

I happened to see this picture on Massachusetts Facebook page. 

Does anyone know why they chose a squirrel? 

I heartily approve..

What Spring Will Bring: Ducklings and Baby Geese

What a Bird Will Do for a French Fry

Have you heard the phrase, "happier than a bird with a french fry?" I've seen many a grackle outside of McDonalds and like establishments, willing to get run over to peck at one or three smashed into the street... and once in awhile have witnessed a lucky bill clamping down on a whole fry, flying gleefully from the scene, with several other birds in hot pursuit. 

 This is a great shot that someone must have taken on some little jaunt out to sea. 

I hereby announce that I am going to try this next time I am on the ferry heading to the Vineyard...

No idea who's photo this is to give proper credit.

Foggy Morning Sea Gulls

I never have a clue what they're really thinking.

Farewell to Kiva, the Giraffe I Loved

Very very sad today. Mourning the loss of Kiva the giraffe, who passed away this morning in the safe and excellent care of the Houston Zoo vet and hoofed stock staff. A very special being, the most charming and engaging creature I've ever known. Long-time readers of this blog will recognize him as "my boyfriend". He was the first animal I really bonded with when I began at the Zoo, and our little love affair carried on over the 4 years I was there-- and it will continue. So gentle for his size, and such a flirt... with only me, of course. 


You forever marked my heart, tall guy.


Here was the blog post I'd written about him back in September of 2008. You can read more about Kiva and his family by clicking the Giraffe category from the list to the right of this page.


I'm In LOVE!


Again. Used to be with the zoo's very handsome lion Jonathan, and though I'm still sweet on him, for the last 8 months or so I've been charmed away by the big, tall male giraffe. I've a huge crush on him and it seems like my affections are returned. In fact, I've been positively encouraged by him, I'm convinced of it. He pays me a lot of attention when I'm on the sidewalk, bats his huge brown eyes at me, and follows me until he can't see anymore (and at his height, that's a long way). Though in reality he's probably interested in a lot of folks, I'm in denial and am quite sure WE have a special relationship. Today was further proof of it.

The zoo was in dire need of help after the hurricane, so I went to pitch in for a few hours. There is just so much to do at home and so many others to help, but I'd been especially worried about the giraffes at 3 and 4 am when that storm was RAGING, wondering how they were getting through it. Their only shelter is a tall but narrow wooden house -- all they really need most of the time. But with 100 MPH winds, I could not imagine how they'd fare. I was so glad to see all five of them were there, with no injuries, happily watching their crew of humans tidying up their back yard.

I ended up helping rake and clear their habitat since I couldn't find anyone in carnivores. It did my heart good to be near them. Once I got close enough, my new boyfriend put his big face down to mine and got nose to nose with me. He stayed there breathing through his soft nostrils. His keeper, thinking I might be unnerved, said he might just want to smell me but I knew different.

He licked me and kept his face there for so long I felt forced to tear myself away so I would not look like I was slacking. I moved along, but he kept finding me. He's irresistable; I had to pet his face and coo to him. Around the fifth time I finally risked being totally unprofessional and whipped out my camera, handed it to someone and asked for a quick shot. I knew it would be a once in a lifetime pic. And this is what they got.He's pressing into my cheek and knocking my glasses askew, but clearly he loves me... for who I am, not how I look on clean up day! And I love him!

My niece pointed out that his head is 4 times bigger than my own and they are right. These beings are unspeakably beautiful and awe-inspiring. To have connected this much with one was a miracle, something that was a peak experience in my life, a life that has been chock full of big and amazing things. 


I love you Kiva, and I will never, even forget you.


You can read the details about his passing on the Houston Zoo website. 

ADORABLE BABY SQUIRREL

Need I say more? 

Me feeding a little orphaned Gray, with those little kneading paws.

 Just please sit down before you press play. 

You've been warned!

Great Horned Owl

Every year, the Wildlife Rehab Center, now called The Wildlife Center of Texas, has an Open House so folks who volunteer can enjoy themselves for all they give to the Center. 

It's also for others in the community who make the donations that keep this wonderful rescue center alive. It's the one day they can get a rare tour of the facilities and see just what kind of work is done behind closed doors. No one who drop animals off (over 9,000 animals in 2011) and who is not a volunteer or from the nearby SPCA (of Animal Planets Cops Houston fame), is allowed in where the animals are, because it's a serious "hospital".  

The atmosphere is one of healing and relative calm, so traumatized and orphaned animals can do the important work of recovering so they can hopefully be released back in the wild in ship shape.

A few of these animals would never survive if released, due to broken wings that make them unable to fly, etc... These animals often become ambassadors for their species in the many educational programs the Center does within the community. And they come out for some of the visitors to see from a safe distance on this special Open House night. 

I came into contact with my first Great Horned owl on Open House night about 5 years ago. I was stunned and still am every time I'm privileged enough to be this close to one, and remain fascinated by their giant blinking eyes. See for yourself:

If you're an animal lover, and I know you are if you're reading this, please LIKE the Wildlife Center of Texas' Facebook page HERE. You will see wonderful photos and stories of the tremendous rescue and releases they do there every day, 24/7, 365 days of the year!

Cheetahs and a Baby Impala

Someone sent this to me in an e-mail and I thought you'd like to see it too:

The law of the wild says kill only when you are hungry. Photographer Michel Denis-Huot, who captured these amazing pictures on safari in Kenya's Masai Mara in October last year, said he was astounded by what he saw:  "These three cheetah brothers have been living together since they left their mother at about 18 months old," he said. "On the morning we saw them, they seemed not to be hungry, walking quickly but stopping sometimes to play together. At one point, they met a group of impala who ran away. But one impala youngster was not quick enough and the brothers caught it easily." These extraordinary scenes followed:

I asked a Carnivore Supervisor from my local Zoo what could be going on here. He said the cheetahs are likely just too young to be doing much.... and who knows, it I'm sure is also because they're probably not hungry :-)

Heeeere Elvissss

Yep Elvis.

He's still around.

My Elvis at least. Living in the reflection pond at The Park.

I read somewhere that muscovy ducks live about 3-4 years, but it's been over 4 years since I first admired Elvis' fabulous jet black pompadour and the perfect, red, stitch- like adornment around it... and we became friends.

Over that time I've seen him hang with a changing group of guy ducks, sometimes one, sometimes three others. Once in awhile, he comes over to me and we have some time alone. I like that time.

I'll talk to him as he paddles steadily toward me, and hold out a piece of bread.

It's never anything less than amazing to commune with an animal. I always feel in my element.

Baby Black Squirrel

One special thing about the month February: it's just about time for squirrels to have their babies. They have them twice a year --  starting in February and again in early fall.

A few years ago I got to help two little black squirrel babies at the Wildlife Rehab Center and somehow fed this one with one hand while stealing a few seconds of footage with my other. It's such a rare sight (and of course, such a joy) that I wanted to capture it to have forever.

I came across the little video this morning and since I haven't published it before, I thought it would be fitting to celebrate the baby squirrels being born everywhere.

Boston Squirrel

I met this little guy in the Boston Commons. He ran up to me and climbed into my purse when I set it down to fetch him nuts. I would have taken him home except I don't have any trees in my apartment.

Frog Love

Yep, it's real. A teeny tiny frog to star off your New Year....