I received a rather frantic phone call from my neighbour last week, she had undertaken to care for her sons’ cat for a month and had totally forgot that she and her hubs had booked to go to London for five days. “Could you see to the cat?” she pleaded. Well of course I could.
So….in I trotted four or five times a day to feed and stroke the wee critter. After about three days I noticed that it hadn’t pooped….not once, it was eating fine so I began to worry.
Now….my next door neighbours are the most ORGANISED people I have EVER met. Everything is run to military precision; the chap is also an ex-police inspector and takes security extremely seriously, I’m still amazed that I have a spare set of keys to their house and the fact I’m allowed in when they’re not there.
I became concerned that the cat was pooping somewhere it shouldn’t….y’see that would NEVER do, that could induce strokes or seizures in my neighbours! So….I began to creep around the house looking for stray poops. Under the bed I peeped, behind couches and anywhere else where a rogue cat may go to the toilet….but there wasn’t a poop in sight!
Then, to my UTTER dismay I realized that I had MOVED things!!! Yes…MOVED things….like beds and whatnot….and of course my neighbours being the types they are would notice this and wonder why I had been sneaking nosily around their home…..arghhhh….I have never felt so mortified, and of course having a dreadful memory meant that I had no chance of putting things back in their original places….sighs…
Anyway….the cat didn’t do one single, solitary poop until my neighbours returned home. I toyed with the idea of confessing but thought I’d keep my own council unless confronted and then tell the truth, the whole silly, sorry truth……or maybe I’ll tell them when a little time has passed by…. how bloomin’ awkward! Life eh?
So that’s the sneaking, the scratching is far, far worse!
A few days ago Sam hunted down two more baby hoglets. It was pitch black and very cold hence I was wearing my expensive walking coat and my best weather-proof gloves that I usually keep for walking holidays.
I got home, wrapped the hogs in towels, popped them on my breakfast bar and asked hubs to keep an eye on them while I grabbed a couple of cat carriers from the garage.
ladybird larvae
I removed the first hog from the towel and popped it on my kitchen scales, at which point I realized that FLEAS were POURING off it….in WAVES! Oh boy! I’ve dealt with hedgehogs for years and have had my own disabled ones for the last five years and NEVER have I seen anything like this infestation. I quickly popped the hoglet back in the towel and noticed that was crawling with fleas too…and that they were ALL over me, over my coat, my gloves….
So I quickly threw my coat and gloves outside….in the rain….sighs… sorted the hoglet, then immediately jumped in the shower. Oh my…..fleas were everywhere, they were all over my body…..EEK….I felt ILL!!!!
Stones in his pockets….an amazing two man production I went to see…
That night I didn’t sleep for a second. I literally clawed at my head and body all night convinced there was still a flea on me….actually the very thought has me scratching as I type. And the icing on the cake…..the next day I took the hoglets to the rescue and as I got out of the car I noticed two more fleas on the arm of my jacket so another coat got flung! And I had to fumigate my car AND my house!
The little rabbit with the broken leg is coming along beautifully.
Yesterday, myself and a couple of colleagues from the rescue took the van and lots of carry cases to collect 20 or so rabbits. The woman said one of her male rabbits had got loose and as a result three of her females ending up having babies which were now all eight weeks old.
You wouldn’t believe the trouble we had catching them, they were in outdoor runs and were totally feral. All we could see was a blur of fluff as rabbits leapt through the air, tore around and basically morphed into quicksilver. It took simply ages to catch then all and when I got back in the van I noticed my arms and hands were dripping with blood. WOT a week eh???
I felt rather sorry for the woman but she was obviously a hoarder as her house was filled with stuff from floor to ceiling…and she seemed to be collecting animals too. We left her with two male rabbits to prevent her from rushing straight to a pet shop for more, she also had a dog, cat and two guinea pigs.
I must say the rabbits are all absolutely adorable, and are settling in really well, but now there isn’t an inch of space in the wildlife unit, and the hog hospital is full and over-flowing too, it’s going to be a long winter!
There have been high points to the week, yin and yang ….I received these beautiful flowers…and
all these wonderful plants and bulbs came in the post today from Chloris….I certainly wasn’t expecting this, I thought seeds were on the way!
Here they are all potted up, now if you could take a peek Chloris and let me know what is what I will be ETERNALLY grateful….I know a few, but am unsure of others.
And finally….
The rescue asked me to design a few cards for gift donations….I haven’t finished these yet and I’m not sure if they look OK or not…
This is the first time I have heard of a constipated cat. Maybe they need to put more fiber in his diet.
I think it was just sulking, cats are extremely good at that, it was being fed the best of everything. Thanks Jason.xxx
Hahahaa… the going round the neighbour’s house and moving the furniture looking for catpoos is just the sort of thing I’d do too and get all tied in knots wondering whether to tell them or not! So I wonder where he did do his poos. Do let us know 😉 ! hahahaa…
HOw awful to have all those fleas everywhere! Nightmare!
You have been very busy chasing rabbits and everything – I’m exhausted just thinking about it! The cards look great though – well done! Hope you have a nice restful weekend now…. though somehow I don’t think you’re the relaxing sort really! 🙂 xxx
Lol….I’m SO pleased it’s not just me who gets into such scrapes, why oh why does it all get so daft I often ask myself!!! Nothing has been said to date….not one word…which is suspicious in itself….so cringey!
Fleas….I’m STILL scratching…’orrible things they are.
Lol….I don’t really sit much, there’s always too much to do! I usually settle about ten pm and watch something on tv or read. Thanks Arose.xxx
A real roller-coaster of a post, and terrific photos, which had me laughing and scratching in sympathy! xx
Lol….sorry about the scratching, I seem to have set everyone off! Thanks Flighty.xxx
Urgh, fleas. The mere mention has me scratching. I hope you’ve got rid of them all now. I’m so pleased to hear that the rabbit from your last post is on the mend, he looks a lovely little thing. Will all the rabbits you brought in to the rescue get rehomed? I would think that small animals are quite difficult to rehome as you usually think of cats and dogs in rehoming shelters rather than other animals but I may be wrong. How lovely to receive some new plants through the post, such a generous gesture.
The fleas have gone but I’m convinced they’re still there and obsessively scratch all the time….
The little rabbit has made a full recovery and has now had the neck collar removed, a great outcome!
Yes, all our domestic animals are re-homed, ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas, gerbils etc, then as they go the next on the waiting list comes in.
I’m thrilled with my plants, I can’t wait for Spring. Thanks Jo.xxx
I agree that the cards are lovely. What a time you had, so you take domestic and wildlife. no wonder you always seem to be so busy and I guess that this time of year is the worst.
Now I’m scratching too.
Thanks Sue. Yes we take small mammals such as ferrets, rabbits, chinchillas, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats etc and domestic birds as well as wildlife, the unit is always full to bursting. The domestic animals are re-homed.
Sorry I have you scratching….lol xxx
The hazards of caring for animals -eh? I should think the neighbour must be rather grateful that you stepped in at short notice. I’ve just been reading a novel whose main character is a hoarder so interesting you mention that. The character didn’t have pets, but I can imagine what a problem that would be when excessive collecting extends to animals and the situation gets out of hand. You and your colleagues dealt with your case in such a wise and sensitive way for all concerned. You’re doing great work with all these issues and being so caring and creative. Glad you have those flowers to enjoy and the gift of plants. Have a good week, Dina!
Hazards indeed….I’d prefer most things to fleas….you can’t get then out of your mind for weeks afterwards!
We often come across animal hoarders, it’s an illness, the people can’t even care for themselves and are over-run with animals which are usually totally neglected sadly. It’s always best to leave them with a non-breeding pair, usually they are relived but many quickly build up their animals again.
Thanks for your kind words Linda.xxx
What a stubborn cat not to poop! I think I would have confessed to moving things while on Poop Patrol. Fleas are such nasty creatures. Sam is quite the guardian angel for hogs in need of some care and love. I love your gift cards. I wouldn’t change anything. 🙂
Stubborn indeed! I was getting worried about it….sighs…I know I should have ‘fessed up but took the cowards way out…it all sounded so fanciful somehow! Urghhhh….fleas, I’m STILL scratching…
Sam loves hoghunting…and hedgehogs….such a strange fellow!
Thanks Casa, they liked the gift cards…just a sponsorship form to go…xxx
I always thought that hedgehogs were covered in fleas but these see to have bad more than their fair share. Yuck! Only you would think of checking up whether the cat had done a poo or not. You do make me laugh.
Sorry I should have labeled the plants individually. The little one in front is a silver leafed Cyclamen hederifolium. It is quite hardy. Behind it is the silver leafed Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, it has blue flowers in Spring. Either side are 2 Iris foetidissima, the ones with orange berries that you said you would like. Behind the Brunnera is Hesperantha coccinea. It blooms in Autumn. On the back left is the Phygelius that you liked on one of my summer posts. It has orange trumpet shaped flowers. The plant to the back right is a seedling of a pretty pink Hellebore called Walburton’s Rosemary. The bulbs are Nectaroscordum siculum. It used to be an Allium but it had its name changed. I hope they are all things that you like. It seemed silly sending seeds when I had the little Iris plants. And it seemed a waste not to put a few more little treats in the box at the same time.
It’s really unusual for a hog to have that many fleas, most don’t have any, they are more prone to ticks. I’ve never seen anything like that before, and hope not to again….damaged forever I am!
Ahha….thanks SO much for the descriptions, I am really thrilled, I can’t wait to see them in the garden next spring….I may have to create a “Chloris” patch in the garden. I absolutely LOVE them all…..Thanks again.xxx
OMG flea infestation – I can’t think of anything worse – poor you. Glad the bunny with the broken leg is getting on okay thank goodness. And if one wasn’t bad enough you now have hundreds – didn’t the woman know that they breed like … well, rabbits! The gift donation cards are lovely – well done you.
I’m still convinced there are fleas about, even though it’s all in the mind! Urghhh…
The little bunny has now had the all clear and the neck collar is off, the leg has been saved, great news that!
We seem to have rabbits everywhere at the moment…and hedgehogs! Thanks so much Elaine.xxx
My dear Dina… what a great post. I so admire the way you’re willing to help out with any animal problem… and I’m just sorry you live so far away, or I’d ask you to come over regularly next week, because I plan to take a trip in the north, and I’m leaving Nechama behind for a few days. I was thinking that if those neighbors were to ask you if it was any trouble taking care of their cat, you could sort of hesitate… and then say you weren’t going to trouble them with the story… because relations between humans and cats are always very special… but there were a couple of situations when you popped over to feed the cat and noticed him on his hind legs, pushing furniture around.
About the hogs… now that I’ve heard that story, you can be sure I’m not going to save any. But it did occur to me that after all the experience you’ve had with living creatures, it might be just the time to start a flea circus. Maybe you could teach them tricks… With best wishes always, xxx
Now it’s a darn shame that we don’t live closer to each other, how lovely it would be to spend time getting to know Nechama….sighs…
Hahahahaha….if I am questioned re the furniture I think I’ll go with your version of events….after all a cat is capable of anything!
You have me laughing away re you not wanting to rescue hogs, I feel a little skittish myself at the moment….I think the flea circus may have to wait until my current phobia of fleas has died down a little. Thanks Shimon.xxx
You never seem to run out of adventures, m’dear. I love your doggedness chasing down those bunnies. And I have to say, I started feeling itchy up and down my arms just reading about that flea infestation. Poor hoglets! Poor you and those coats and gloves!
And thanks for that photo of the ladybug larvae. I always forget what they look like (we have few of them here…) since they are so very different (as larvae often are) from the mature creature.
What a contrast from your meticulous and orderly neighbors with the one cat (my Nikki wouldn’t eat or drink for three days when we moved house) compared with the hoarder with multiple pets. Very strategic of you not to deprive her of all her animals!
Lol, sorry about the scratching, fleas certainly mess with mind…once bitten and all that!!!
Ladybird larvae are so strange looking aren’t they, I’m surprised by how many there are at the moment, they are all merrily chomping away on what’s left of my plants.
Sighs….cats eh? One of the most single-minded creatures ever, I can well believe your Nicky went on strike! Thanks Anne. xxx
Oh, Dina, what a week! I hate fleas and mites and can imagine your horrible experience…and how great it must feel now that it’s passed! Hope the little hogs aren’t suffering, either…or Sam (?). Your kitchen looks so beautiful, and the flowers only make it more so. It’s cold, gray and November-y here. I love it, but a bouquet of flowers would certainly brighten things up a bit: must share thoughts–and your photo–with husband. 🙂
How lovely to receive plants in the post! May they thrive.
I LOVE your gift/donation cards. They’re perfect! Your art is delightful.
Blessings and hugs from here to there…
It’s awful being covered in fleas isn’t it? Sam and Annie had a few on them too but are treated so anything biting them would die quickly. The little hogs were sprayed with frontline so the fleas were quickly dealt with and they should now come along nicely.
I do hope you whispered in hubs ear, you DESERVE a beautiful posy and as you say they cheer the home up no end!
Thanks Kitty, blessings and huge hugs to you and yours too.xxx
Ohhh dear! The history of hedgehogs with fleas… put me itch! Damn, poor things, who knows what a nuisance…
But as far as I know, the fleas of the animals are not like the lice that take children in school!
Patience, Dina, you don’t know what we’ve been through my husband and I because of lice!
Certainly the bunnies are really cute… but now that Cocoa is with us… again the joy of a small cub is here!
I’m happy to hear that the poor rabbit with the leg problem is now going better (hope they didn’t have to cut it off…)
Have a lovely w.e. – great hugs! 🙂 claudine
Lol….it had me itching just writing about them! Oh you poor things….fleas and lice, we can certainly do without the darn things!
Awwwww…..SO glad to hear Cocoa is settling in, she is a real beauty and you all must be having so much fun watching her play. Bless!!! Huge hugs.xxx
Where to start… It’s just as well you don’t officially rescue fleas. Dear heaven, where do you go from here with a hedgehog sniffer dog?
The rabbit is coming along well after being taken out of its dubious domestic situation. As for the other bunnies, they look adorable enough to find new homes for.
That was one very constipated cat expressing its anxiety at being without it usual people. It probably greatly expressed its relief when they returned home. It is a shame you had the caring responsibility both of the cat and the gift of trust of the house during the neighbours’ absence – one of them would have been plenty.
I hope your first aid on your arms was ace. xxx
Lol….I can’t find it in my heart to rescue fleas, I have seen the awful damage they can do, like fly strike….so no mercy, just a swift death. Sighs…..what to do about Sam and his hog hunts, now there is no more room in the rescue for any more hoglets so if he finds any more I shall have to rear them myself.
That little rabbit is coming along nicely, turns out it was only three months old so hopefully should make a good recovery. The others are so cute they should find homes quickly.
That cat…..yeas I think it was missing it’s people despite me visiting it frequently.
I still have my cuts, but they are healing nicely, thanks Menhir.xxx
Yeah! What a post…Super! What with ‘the hazards of cat-sitting’……..flea-hopping…rabbit-popping etc…etc….Wow! You need a holiday after all that…or maybe…just an extra glass (or two) of your favourite…tipple! Big Hugs! xxx
Lol….thanks Bushka. I scratched for days, and am scratching once again reading these comments. I shall certainly have a larger glass of wine.xxx
The day we moved into our house the pest control van was parked outside the house next door. Not a good first impression. It was only later we discovered he WAS the pest control man! Entertaining post and the cards look lovely by the way.
Lol…..I can see why that didn’t make a first good impression! Thanks for visiting.xxx
Eerrgghh fleas .. we used to have them on Tristan … my Mum and Dad would be up in the night and chase them in the bed by the light of a candle with a piece of soap … RESPECT, Dina!!
Oh good grief!!! In the bed? REALLY? Candles and soap???? Was the soap used to TRAP them….arghhhh……don’t tell me, I’ll scratch for a month!!! Thanks Gilly.xxx
Wow what a post!
I LOVE the fluffy bunnies – they really are adorable. As for the fleas, I remember one summer when Bill the children and I went to Maine for several weeks only to find when we returned home that the house was infested with fleas!!! They were jumping around and yes we had to have the house, and us, fumigated:).
I love the story about your neighbours…,,,wonder if they spotted anything. ?
Wonderful to think that you are potting plants. Spring will soon be with us.
I LOVE the gift card designs. They should go down a treat. OK Dina. Keep all the good work up and keep dry. Janet xxxx
The bunnies are really gorgeous so hopefully they will be re-homed asap.
Eek!!! Oh ….that story set me off on another scratching frenzy….how ‘orrible!
My neighbours have remained remarkably quiet on the subject which raises several red flags….sighs…
Thanks Janet, they liked the gift donation cards….now I need to sort a sponsorship form.xxx