The rescue remains unnaturally quiet as hardly any wildlife has been brought in over the last month, which is most odd. Having said that, the wildlife unit is still full so it’s a good thing.
This little hog may be coming to live with me in the spring. It has some sort of special needs, as it doesn’t curl up and is always active in the daytime, so although it is healthy and thriving, it would have no means of defending itself in the wild. The hunt is on to find a large rabbit hutch for it. At this rate I’ll end up with my own hedgehog rescue!!!
Recently, we spotted a dove that we released at the rescue last year, with a broken foot. We’ve been trying to catch it for three weeks now, but it’s giving us a right old runaround. It seems to be surviving and is certainly a master at dodging our nets. Fingers crossed we catch it!
This ferret, that has left many a scar to grace my fingers, is finally being adopted, so I decided to get a nice picture to remember her by. As I was taking the pic, she leapt up and grabbed the camera strap that was dangling through the bars of her cage! We had a right old standoff for ages as she simply wouldn’t let go!
In the end I had to poke a pen through the bars to distract her, she immediately dropped the strap and went after the pen, thinking, wow…fresh blood! Ferrets eh!
I’m really going to miss that little ferret. She’s been such fun to watch. She’s clever, dexterous, alert and playful. I’ve had many a laugh watching her playing with her ball under her blankets and popping her head out to keep an eye on what I’m up too.
In a few weeks we have to move all the animals out of the unit and into the house, to do some much needed repairs. There are also hundreds of mouse and rat holes that need blocking up. It’ll be organised chaos I imagine, especially when it comes to ousting angry rodents, a job that is always reserved for me!
Lots of rabbits have been adopted lately, which is great news as we have plenty more on the waiting list to be admitted. If somebody already has a rabbit we “mix” them at the rescue to make sure they get along, as rabbits can do serious harm to each other if they clash. These two are in the process of being mixed….and it’s going great!
This cockerel was dumped in a box outside the rescue. He seems fit and well but we already have too many cockerels battling over the hens so it’s a real problem finding a place to put him…..
A few of our parakeets…..
Talking of rescuing things, I have a real soft spot for neglected, dried out plants being sold in the shops and often end up buying them. I rescued these bonsai trees at Christmas, and these shriveled up hyacinths. The poor bonsai trees didn’t have a single leaf on them but they’re all are looking nice and sprightly now!
And finally….Duggy, the stocks skeleton is so fed up with the cold weather he’s decided to start celebrating Burns night early!!! Oh aye, and a few drafts of brandy are working wonders defrosting his old collywobbles!
I love this post poor little hoggy!
Thanks Jasmine. They are so cute aren’t they.xxxxx
Good luck with caring for the animals. What a wonderful thing to do! I guess keeping animals (and birds) apart that would naturally get into scraps is quite a challenge. And I love duggy!
Lol, thanks Wendy. Yes, we have to watch some of the animals like a hawk, rabbits can actually kill each other if left to fight unsupervised so it’s important to ensure that they get on.
I’m glad you like Duggy, I’m becoming rather fond of him.xxxxx
The ferret made me laugh. Smart one! And the look on his face in the last pic of him is priceless. So cute. As is your little hedgehog. Hope the renos go nice and smoothly for you guys at the shelter.
Thanks Susanne, the ferret is such a character, it’s been called Tinkerbelle!!! Some tinkerbelle!!!
Yes, having work done is always a pain, but a necessary one.xxxxx
A most enjoyable post which had me smiling with the animals antics, especially the ferret.
I’m not a fan of bonsai but it’ll be interesting to see how yours do once they’ve fully recovered. xx
Lol, thanks Flighty! You never know what is going to happen next at the rescue, animals are so unpredictable.
Every time I get a bonsai tree, I always end up letting them do their own thing and most end up outdoors, I expect these two will go the same way. I’ll keep you posted!xxxxx
You do have a collection of animal life there. Some great images. You are doing a great service in your area.
Thanks Peter. There are lots of different animals at the rescue. Wildlife takes in wild animals and birds along with rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, de ju’s, chinchillas, ferrets, hamsters etc and also has a farm. The rescue also has a cattery and a kennels so plenty to see.xxxxx
Duggy does bring a smile to my face.
I do like the look of that little hedgehog, very sweet.
I had a ferret once and found it to be highly entertaining. I also had lots of scars from the odd bite.
Lol, I can empathise with the bites! We had six brought in a few months ago and they are quite demonic! We have to put them in a cage befofe we can clean their quarters! Even doing that results in several bites….we draw straws for the job….xxxxx
It’s nice to see so many of the rescued animals doing well.
Thanks Debi, that’s the very best part!xxxxx
I read a book once about some people who had a pet ferret — smart, inventive, friendly, and snuggly. However, hearing about the nips and scratches you’ve suffered reminds me of their wild side. Love their cute little faces, though 🙂 What a good idea to mix the bunnies to ensure their compatibility. Wish I could’ve done that with my first two cats!
Oh no….nothing worse than two cats scrapping!!! I’ve seen my fair share of that…..I hope they get on now…..
Ferrets are wonderful pets, and highly entertaining but they will turn on a sixpence and bite you, often with no warning whatsoever. And as they are so long it’s hard to hold them and steer clear of their razor sharp, long teeth! Thanks Nikki.xxxxx
I’m with Duggy, only–right now–I’m toasting him with a glass of wine; hope he won’t think I’m being too posh. (It’s not posh-level wine!)
The Rescue looks like heaven, and all the animals look so content. Glad to hear the adoptions keep offering “forever homes” to your loves. What a treat to go on this tour with you! The care offered these dear ones is so precious to our understanding of ourselves, isn’t it? I mean, the world’s so dire at times, yet how reassuring to know that
everywhere, there are people tending the earth and its vulnerable ones… And what makes it even better is that it’s done out of love…Thank you!
Hahahahaha….I’m SO pleased it’s NOT posh wine!!!!! Lol
The rescue is heaven and it’s wonderful to be able to nurse animals back to life and to freedom or adoption.
You’re right, we do see so much negativity in the world, but so much good is going on that doesn’t get airtime. The rescue only survives because of people donating time, money and goods, even computer time. I reckon in all about 500 people keep the place afloat. And as you say, out of love, and there really is so much love out there.
Thanks Catherine.xxxxx
It seems like a wonderful job to me. I find it easy to identify with you.
Thanks Shimon, it is a wonderful job….I mean I get to see all sorts of wildlife and help them on the road to recovery, then the best bit…seeing them go back to the wild. You’d love it!xxxxx
How do you eradicate the fleas from the hedgehogs or do you wear rubber gloves and spray yourself?
Why have you got a leprachaun gibbet gangling in the garden?
Questions questions.
Hahahahahahha….
Well, we spray the hogs with a flea killer and take the ticks off with tweezers. I’m grateful we don’t have to spray ourselves…….
I DO NOT have a leprachaun or a GIBBIT!!!!! Lol
That skeleton is called Duggy, short for sckullduggery, he lives in the village stocks that I bought in an auction, along with other big pieces, last year!xxxxx
It must take forever to keep all the animals cleaned out, fed and watered – true dedication needed – which you obviously have. Love the ferret he looks really cheeky.
Thanks Elaine, it does take ages and we never have time for a cuppa, well, to be honest, we don’t have a kettle or anywhere to sit! Lol
That ferret is such fun, I’ll really miss her!xxxxx
You’ve a right little zoo there. You got a few nice pix of your dexterous ferret.
No signs of life yet with Duggy- it will take some doing.
😉
It really does feel like a zoo there, animals everywhere, and such a variety!
Poor Duggy, he really is having a bad time of it, I even saw a crow sitting on his head a few days ago…..poor lad!xxxxx
Ha ha ha, I love it! Fabulous photos and I so enjoy the pleasure in your lovely posts of the animals and plants!
Lol, thanks Gilly!xxxxx
Ahhh that little hedgehog is so beautiful! I suppose its good that it’s quiet in the rescue – for now at least! Love the skeleton. xxxx
Thanks Leanne, I love that little hog too, it’s so gentle and not at all afraid of people which is really unusual as they always curl up when I muck them out.xxxxx
I’ll tell you what girl, I’d have that bottle of whisky out of Duggies death grasp before you could say Happy Burns Night if you were in my neighbourhood. x
Hahahaha, you’d have to get past me first! And I may put a bit more of a fight up! xxxxx
Hahahaha couldn’t stop laughing at Dougie!! HE’s brilliant xx
Lol, I’m beginning to get quite attached to him!xxxxx