My desire to adopt another dog finally outweighed the reasons I should wait to do so.   I was looking at petfinder.com admittedly a little compulsively.  I was looking for a dog that would be a compromise between what I like for a dog and what Dan likes.  He really likes sad, wrinkly dogs: basset hound, sharpei, pug.  I found a pug named Hailey that caught my eye and seemed pretty cute @ Pacific Pug Rescue.  All the animals are in foster homes so you have to fill out an application to set up a time to meet the animal.  So I did so, and had to provide 2 references and a relative!  And they really check with all of them.  Part I thought was funny was they didn’t check with my landlord…  Finally after all that we went to a pug adoption event @ Furever Pets.  OMG, some of those dogs are freakin’ hilarious.  Junior was a big happy guy with rolls of skin around his neck.  Emma was a very sweet blind girl.  I personally took to a guy named Oscar but was on the hunt for a girl.  We met Hailey who didn’t seem anywhere as shy as they made her sound.  Next day we had a meet and greet at the house.  Biggie seemed to get along with her alright but Lucy on the other hand was freaked the f out.  Her tail was all in poof out I am not happy mode. Hailey was mostly interested in sniffing everything and trying to find anything she could eat whether it was out or not.  She also did not hesitate to poop on the kitchen floor, which was just to funny really.

Dan went somewhere and when he returned we both agreed while Hailey was a highly entertaining, great pug we didn’t think she was the one for us.  She also seemed to have a caring living situation until the right one for her came along, if anyone is interested in a pug she is wonderful.  So off to the humane society we went, I had been the day prior and was interested in a dog named Janella. A dachshund/chihuahua mix, or CHIWEENIE transferred up from California, recently spayed with a cone around her head.  Janella, what kind of a name is that?  Blah!  Anyways, we had a meet and greet with Janella.  She already seemed more warmed up to me than the day before.  Once a dog gives me a big slobber kiss I am pretty much done for.  Well, she did and I was sold.  Biggie and her didn’t seem too interested in one another but they also weren’t showing any teeth so all and all it seemed alright.  I looked to Dan, “what do you think? ”  I ask repeatedly.  I think he is not sure about the second dog thing but says yes he likes her.  I ask him 20 times if he is sure.  Really, I don’t think he’s going to tell me no, but I worry I’m driving him crazy but by asking him repeatedly I am probably doing so.  Yes, ok yes.

Janella is promtly changed to Betsy and we are on our way home with two dogs in the car.  Me beaming like the dog loving freak that I am.

Betsy looks very similar to Biggie.  Same color and same shape of head.  She has the dachshund body, the cutest big feet and a huge head.  If I ever learn to spell dachshund without the aid of google it will be a miracle, let alone say it.  She is scared of rides in the car but does not appear to have any of the same issues that Biggie does.  She’s a big dog in a small body and so far has not been intimated by any large dogs in passing unlike Biggie who cowers behind me she runs right up to them.  Major hurdle at this point is her interest in chasing cats.  My cats.  Not good.  I can see all my cat lover friends in a frenzy over this.  Don’t worry guys, it will all be okay!  You can’t bring home a new animal and expect everything to be all holy jolly in the snap of a finger.  These things take time and I’m sure Betsy and the cats will come to an understanding.  It just may take a couple claws to the face first, harsh I know but such is life.  Lucy and Biggie can be pretty friendly with one another so I have hope.  Not to mention Chloe and Lucy when they first met, yikes stripes.  Biggie is learning to share me and play with his new companion.  I’ve got a full house and am done adopting pets but my heart is overflowing.  I may not be perfect but I am good at this and enjoy is so so much.

Betsy Smalls

Happy Sabrina (& dorky)

Big & Betsy

Serious cuddling on the couch with Lucy, Big, Betsy

Hailey

www.myspace.com/jinesispro

MG

Notre tour du monde vous emmène cette fois-ci en Angleterre, Londres plus précisement. Cliquez ICI pour mieux le connaître

Props à DS

Biggie appeared to have some sort of cold.  His normally very clean ears were suddenly filled with dark wax galore, cloudy eyes with big yellow goobers. Poor guy.  I debated if I should take him to the vet.  He was scratching at his ear and cutting himself with his claws which was not helping the situation. I freak everytime one of my pets gets a scratch or sneezes but I don’t go to the doctor for every sneeze so why should they?

I was in the process of switching Bigs to his gluten free kibble.  I was giving him half the new and half old.  I completely switched him to the gluten free food, Orijens.  I bought some organic ear cleaner from New Seasons and went to work cleaning his ears a couple times a day.  The directions say to put a couple drops inside their ear and massage.  This is easier said then done.  As it was a bit tricky to put in the drops and massage before he did his doggie head shake and splatter me with ear drops.  So after having Dan help me a few times, I gave up and soaked a cotton ball with the liquid and rubbed the inside of his ear with it.  I think it was a little less shocking and picked up the wax pretty well.  Within a few days his ear was looking worlds better and he smelled a little bit like a candle.  He quickly learned if I had a cotton ball and a bottle it was time to hide.  Sigh, but he learned to forgive me quickly. 

His eyes are way better now, no more thick eye goobers.  They’ve always been a little bit wet but I think they are the best they have ever been now.  So I’m sticking with the gluten free is the way to be motto for me and big.  And it just goes to show a little TLC can get the job done.

So, it looks like producer/grime artist Rapid is going to release a new track soon called ‘Go Rapid’. The Ruff Sqwad members haven’t been heard of for a while now, except Tinchy of course. Slix dropped Down Vol. 2 in 2008 and hasn’t been heard of since, nor has Fuda Guy after releasing the mixtape Head Gone. Dirty Danger has never released a mixtape, and we all know the story of Tinchy. You may think I’ve missed out Lee Brasco, but he’s not actually part of Ruff Sqwad amazingly…

Ruff Sqwad member Rapid was spotted donning a pair of high-top Reebok Classics on his latest video shoot. Alongside a brown NY New Era and Hooze Redi Jeans tee. But this time, we’re going to focus solely on the trainers. Recently we’ve spent too much time on shirts & hats, so I’ve taken this into consideration, and just doing the trainers this time (Either that or just pure laziness, I hear you Graeme – Ben).

So as you can see from the picture, the very recognisable Reebok Classics. This time though, in the high top version. Reebok Classics are what the name says, classic. A simple design, and I’m sure about 50% of people have had a pair at one point (It’s got to be higher than that! – Ben). But this time, it’s the turn of the high top version. Available in both black and white, with an RRP of £60. If you’re interested in these, visit Infinities here for the white version, and here for the black version.

If you’re interested in Ruff Sqwad’s mixtape, visit UKRecordShop for the back-catalogue of mixtapes, singles & vinyl’s.

-  Graeme Day

The RSPB reserve at Saltholme marshes has Hares as residents that are occasionally seen. Normally they keep well hidden, but I saw one on my most recent trip as it bounded to the edge of the waters at Wildlife Watchpoint, the hide nearest the reserves main building.

Hare (Lepus europaeus)

There were fine views of Redshanks on the mud flats.

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

The mudflats also attracted a pair of Dunlin.

Under bright sunlight, the speckled pattern along their wings can be seen.

As soon as the cloud dims the light, they appear much duller.

Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

These birds are probably Juveniles, as they do not show the distinctive black patch on their bellies, seen in the breeding season. In winter they look grey.

Black-tailed Godwits were present at a number of the hides. Firstly from the new viewing point (close to the car park) called Back Saltholme. This sequence shows off the wingbars in flight and the black tail.

These show the elegance of the birds when feeding in the mud.

They often group together.

From Saltholme Pool, I saw through the spotting scope a Black-tailed Godwit in the water, again displaying the wing pattern and the black tail before flying off.

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

Needless to say, Bar tailed Godwits have a barred tail, amongst other distinguishing features. I didn’t see any bar tailed godwits this day, but I did see a Greenshank on Back Saltholme.

Greenshank (Tringa Nebularia)

Ruffs were along the waters edge…

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)

… as were Snipe.

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

In the background, you can see a Lapwing.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)

It was a windy day, so I didn’t see many flying Lapwings. However I did see two great displays of flying geese. First Canadian Geese, who noisily honked their way across the waters, before settling down again.

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis)

Later a gaggle of Greylag Geese followed the same path.

Greylag Goose (Anser anser)

Whether flying in a gaggle as above, or in pairs

or singly on the ground

these birds always elicit a huge warm smile from within me; les oies sauvages.

Lurking in the long grass was a Grey Heron.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

And there were plenty of Little Egrets to be seen all day.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Ducks have begun to reappear in numbers. First, a newcomer to this diary, a male Pintail.

Pintail (Anas acuta)

Now, a welcome return to the shores of Saltholme by the Wigeon.

Wigeon (Anas penelope)

The last two pictures shows the male duck changing from summer to winter plumage, with the distinctive yellow forehead and the white band on the wing.

Next, Gadwalls. They are large ducks, and the males in winter have a wonderful, complex grey colour in full sunlight.

Gadwall (Anas strepera)

Teal have also returned in numbers. These are much smaller ducks and the males have a delightful pattern on their head. The first few pictures were taken under cloudy, windy conditions as the Teal rides the waves. The last pictures were in still, sunlight conditions and show off their colours to their best.

Teal (Anas crecca)

Mute Swans are always present at Saltholme.

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)

Another new visitor to this diary; a powerful Great Black-backed Gull swept over the reserve.

Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus)

That beak looks vicious!

This next little bird is most definitely finch like.  I’m going to identify it as a female Reed Bunting, but I’m open to other suggestions…

Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Finally, a congregation of Golden Plover, swept over the water.

Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)

I await the huge, shimmering flocks of Golden Plovers that can be seen later in the year at twilight.

Here is what Swizz Beats wife, Mashonda had to say …..

After having a great evening with my son and enjoying some fun twit chat, I decided to sign off and get some work done. However, a few hours later I was advised that I should check @Alicia keys twit page. I’ve never reached out to her on twitter before. I feel our issues are a lot more serious than a website conversation. Not to mention that I’ve reached out to her many times in the beginning of this whole thing, as any wife would do. Unfortunately, I never succeeded in getting a response.

The 1st time I meet AK, my husband introduced us to each other at an event. ( I have no choice but to call him my husband, until he is not anymore) In the messages that I sent to her (AK), I made it very clear that on the contrary of what she might be hearing, I am still married to my husband, living with him and just had a child. Its been two years and I still have not received a response. What I do receive, is constant displays of selfishness and disconcern to me and my son.

I was a fan of AK’s last album, we were both signed to J Records and I always checked up on her projects. I sang her songs and admired her for creating Superwoman and Karma, I would never deny her, her talent. I believed in her until I found out she was possibly sleeping with my husband. The affair was denied by both, until it was finally admitted months later.

Already I can hear some of you saying ” why are u blaming her, You cant make someone leave their wife, You cant break something thats broken”. Well, my marriage was not broken, as far as I knew we were celebrating our sons birth and getting ready to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary . Call it blind love, whatever. I call it being a devoted wife.. As far as me blaming her and not blaming him, thats false. Me and my husband have worked out our differences. We are in a good place as people and as parents. I accept his choices and I am comfortable enough with myself to move on. I am so very blessed in many ways.

After having a great evening with my son and enjoying some fun twit chat, I decided to sign off and get some work done. However, a few hours later I was advised that I should check @Alicia keys twit page. I’ve never reached out to her on twitter before. I feel our issues are a lot more serious than a website conversation. Not to mention that I’ve reached out to her many times in the beginning of this whole thing, as any wife would do. Unfortunately, I never succeeded in getting a response. The 1st time I meet AK, my husband introduced us to each other at an event. ( I have no choice but to call him my husband, until he is not anymore) In the messages that I sent to her (AK), I made it very clear that on the contrary of what she might be hearing, I am still married to my husband, living with him and just had a child. Its been two years and I still have not received a response. What I do receive, is constant displays of selfishness and disconcern to me and my son.

I was a fan of AK’s last album, we were both signed to J Records and I always checked up on her projects. I sang her songs and admired her for creating Superwoman and Karma, I would never deny her, her talent. I believed in her until I found out she was possibly sleeping with my husband. The affair was denied by both, until it was finally admitted months later.

Already I can hear some of you saying ” why are u blaming her, You cant make someone leave their wife, You cant break something thats broken”. Well, my marriage was not broken, as far as I knew we were celebrating our sons birth and getting ready to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary . Call it blind love, whatever. I call it being a devoted wife.. As far as me blaming her and not blaming him, thats false. Me and my husband have worked out our differences. We are in a good place as people and as parents. I accept his choices and I am comfortable enough with myself to move on. I am so very blessed in many ways.

My concern with AK is no longer the fact that she assisted in destroying a family but that she has the audacity to make these selfish comments about love and wanting to be with someone, even after knowing their situation. How is this the same Superwoman that I sang out loud with in my truck? I ask myself sometimes.

If you are reading this Alicia, let me start by saying, you know what you did. You know the role you played and you know how you contributed to the ending of my marriage. You know that I asked you to step back and let me handle my family issues. Issues that you helped to create.

Im not saying everything was perfect all the time but no relationship is perfect. We made a vow to God and I believe you should have respected that, as a woman. I know you owe me or my son nothing but I just wish you would’ve handled things more carefully. I’m not judging you, I put you and the whole situation in the hands of God, the Higher Power. Just know that as a woman, I expected so much more from you. I never had intentions on reaching out to you this way but after reading your twits tonight, and the constant disregard, you left me no choice. I feel that after 1 and a half years of you hiding this affair and acting like it doesnt exist, that now is the time to confront it, since you talk so openly about it now

This is not a publicity stunt, I dont have a record coming out. I just need to close this chapter in my life and that means confronting our issues. There is a small child involved. His dad loves him to death and he wants to spend more time with him but hes afraid because he knows we don’t have a relationship. This is my main concern. My son NEEDS his dad and I NEED to be comfortable with you. For him!

I know many will see my point and many will not be able to look into what’s real because they only want to see Alicia Keys the celebrity, not the human. This is not for the “people”, this is for you. Like I said I was left no choice but to reach out to you this way. By now, Im sure you want to find a balance in this as well.

I read your tweets tonight and I felt they were very insensitive. You have no idea how much pain I was caused because of this affair. Its baffling to me that you don’t understand what I might have gone through with this situation. I dont consider myself a victim anymore, Ive learned alot from this! I just ask you to try and be a bit more realistic and delicate to the situation, at least until my divorce is final. I felt me attending the party would have been a starting point for us, since you shook my hand after I offered it, but I suppose I was wrong.

If its so, that you and my husband are meant to be together, then God bless you both and I hope you never have to deal with what I did. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. If you two being together forever is the case, its more of a reason for us to get along, because I’m not going anywhere. Theres a child to be raised.

To answer your tweet, choose smart over spark. Sparks burn everyone, be smart! Its simple actually, just think of the shoe being on the other foot.

Stay blessed and lets work this thing out with respect and dignity.

The Ruff & Reddy Show este prima serie de desene animate creata de Hanna-Barbera pentru o televiziune(dupa ce au plecat e la MGM).Primul episod a fost difuzat in decembrie 1957 la NBC.Prima oara au fost alb-negru dupa care au primit si niste culoare.Au fost create cu bani putini de tot

Sincer sa fiu cand le-am vazut prima oara nu m-au impresionat,dar cu timpul au inceput sa imi placa cat de cat,asa ca le-am luat,sunt bune la colectie.Chiar daca sunt putin exagerate ca actiune(dupa mine),desenele astea raman o legenda in animati.

Desenele sunt mai neobisnuite ,are ca personaje principale pe Ruff o pisica isteata si pe Reddy un caine cam prostanac(de putine ori aceste doua animale isi gasesc locul unul langa altul),care au tot felul de intamplari sf,rachete,avioane,masini ,etc care duc la salvarea lumii…Curios pentru desenele animate HB episoadele acestei serii au o legatura liniara,fiecare episod avand legatura cu precedentul(cel putin asa mi s-a parut)

Alte personaje rofessor Gizmo, Ubble Ubble, Salt Water Daffy,Captain Greedy,The Terrible Texas Twins,The Goon of Glocca Morra..

Episoadele 1,2,3…

Lista de episoade :

• Night Flight Fright
• Planet Pirates
• Whama Bamma Gamma Gun
• Hocus Pocus Focus
• The Mad Monster of Muni Mula
• The Mastermind of Muni Mula
• Creepy Creature Feature
• Muni Mula Mix-Up
• The Creepy Creature
• Crowds in the Clouds
• Reddy Rocket Rescue
• Surprise in the Skies
• Last Trip of a Ghost Ship
• Pinky the Pint Sized Pachyderm
• The Irate Pirate
• Dynamite Fright
• Marooned in Typhoon Lagoon
• Scarey Harry Safari
• A Creep in the Deep
• Bungle in the Jungle
• Jungle Jitters
• Hot Shot’s Plot
• The Gloom of Doom
• The Trapped Trap the Trapper
• Pot-Shot Puts Hot Shot on Hot Spot
• Slight Fright on a Moonlight Night
• Westward Ho Ho Ho
• Asleep While the Creep Steals Sheep
• Copped by a Copter
• The Two Terrible Twins from Texas
• A Friend to the End
• Heels on Wheels
• Killer and Diller in a Chiller of a Thriller
• Ship-Shape Sheep
• The Boss of Double-Cross
• The Whirly Bird Catches the Worms
• Hot Lead for a Hot-Head
• The Goon of Doubloon Lagoon
• Tootin’ Shootin’
• Blunder Down Under
• The Late, Late Pieces of Eight
• The Metal Monster Mystery
• Big Deal with a Small Seal
• The Goon of Doubloon Lagoon
• Two Dubs in a Sub
• A Real Keep Submarine
• No Hope for a Dope of a Periscope
• Rescue in the Deep Blue
• A Whale of a Tail of a Tale of a Whale
• Welcome Guest in a Treasure Chest

Ten reasons I ♥ Biggie Smalls

1.  He is so SMART and learns so fast.  He knows if I put my finger to my lips it means calm down.  He knows if I get his leash he gets to go somewhere.  He knows he’s not supposed to eat the cat food though sometimes it’s too hard for him to resist.

2. His Ears – cute as a button they are super expressive.  Cutest when they are folded forward but hard to catch on camera in this position. And His Tongue That thing is seriously long and well nicer on my face then the cats!  Who does like to lick my nose. (When I’m sleeping no less.)

3. I learn about life from him.  He keeps me honest, he teaches me a deep sense of committment about unselfish love, patience, responsibility… He lets me know that some routine in life is okay and it can still be fulfilling,

4. He is a mole.  This little guy LOVES to be between the sheets.  I tell ya, if I didn’t kennel him during the day I think he would stay in bed for a least half the day.  I guess he takes after me!  He crawls so far under the covers I can’t really understand how he can breathe.

5. Cool as a cucumber.  He is so calm, I could really learn something from him on this one. Except…When I come home from work or well any time I come home he washes my face with his tongue.  He jumps up and down and climbs all over me.  How could I not loving someone being that excited to see me?! Sometimes he can barely contain his excitement.  You can see on his little face and his squirmy little body he is trying his hardest. If he knows I have treats and am going to ask him to do something he might try to do three tricks all at once before I ask anything of him. Shakefloprollcrawl…treat, yes?

6. He’s such a ladies man.  Marci the girl doggie that lives downstairs just loves him.  Girl dogs want to climb all over him, other male dogs have tried to hump him on many occasion.  Everybody loves this guy.

7. He knows how to get comfortable anywhere.  In a pile of rocks, in the dirt, in a small crack between Chappy and me.  He will plop down and let it all hang out and be happy as a clam.

8. His doggie smell. I’ve grown quite found of his smell.  It’s sweet and savory like a muffin and really not very smelly or overly doggie.  Weird to some I suppose.  But really I think the better care you give your pets, the better they will smell.  Biggie gets occasional baths and his teeth brushed.

9.  He picks up on things I don’t.  It’s nice to know if anyone actually did try to break in my place he would growl at them.  Since this has been a underlying fear of mine ever since I was five and watched Unsolved Mysteries.

10. He loves me just as I am and I do the same for him.

I had Chappy take a video so it’s actually in decent light and captures the whole picture.  Biggie learned a new trick since last week already so I can’t wait the usual time span to post!  So proud of my boy, so smart:)

Capri In The Book Shop

nocturnes written a long the ever passing caravan of days

deserted debris in hope of hastening a pitch black oasis

sparkling the only un-still things such as stars or the jewelled throat

by pd lyons

of ghosts haunted by something beyond all knowledge like your eyes

the only dark that shines as if a different kind of sun

my mouth for your love

dreams of smoke on wandering horizons

red glow desert darkness

a voice whispered wet silk

drawn as if my skin found out in the wind

scented by foreign creatures

ground perfumes attracting strong fingers

nourished by such exploring

fed by sky blue horses

my heart like other fruit contains a fertile seed

a treasure trove for beetles an insect paradise

and I saw you with tears in American gowns

you were just like Picasso but knelt on the ground

as if genuflecting before the print page you’d inhale

the spirit right out of his grave and I just couldn’t

take it so I wandered around as if I could shake you

like salt from my skull

but I end up returning an orbit of doubt

no matter how determined

the scent of your soapy skin draws me with

so many things I could not identify and even if I could

would never ever say

like ivory in the morning someplace else away

beyond a snow tipped mountain

before the savannahs open prayer

dark meandering luxurious survival

our daring selves mortal among the Edens.

http://stores.lulu.com/pdlyons

I’ve been slacken, time to get back at it.

These days it sounds like I’m putting Bigs on my diet. Organic treats only, gluten/corn free kibble.  My co-worker ranted and raved about Petcurean dog food.  I thought I would check it out but it seems rather hard to come by and not in my usual pet shopping locations.  I finally gave up and decided I didn’t need dog food shopping to be an inconvenience in my life.  So I’ve decided to test out Orijen.  It wasn’t the most expensive nor the cheapest.  I’ve heard decent things about Wellness and well I guess it’s the designer in my blood but I judged it by the packaging.  Orijen just has good design.

After reading the ingredients I thought I should pour myself some for breakfast.  Geez.  The cats seemed to think the same thing, “Hey, mom this stuff is good, we want some.”  My cats are totally finicky eaters and not interested in anything that doesn’t look like kibble.  Not cat treats, salmon, tuna, milk…nope no interest.  But I poured out some of that Orijen and Chloe had her face in it in 2 seconds flat.  It’s probably better for her then her cat food really, but one pet diet chage at a time or at least species. Biggie hasn’t been diagnosed with any specific allergies, I just think it’s better for him. I want to keep him as happy and healthy as I can so he can live a  long joyful life.  That is why I got a dog in the first place, to give him a loving/caring home, the cuteness is just a perk not the motivator.  He does get a lot of eye goobers that I’m wondering if I can get cleaned up.  Wheat allergies can cause all kinds of symptoms in dogs just like people, that shit just gunks up whatever system it gets into.  Itchy skin, excessive paw licking, seizures, asthma…to name a few.  Plus the better the food the dog is eating the less they should have to eat and the less the will eliminate because they are getting more nutrients from the food they are consuming. Luckily Biggie doesn’t seem to have any major concerns.  Our Montana doggie friend, Finn was allergic to grass! Poor guy had a rash all over his legs and belly.

I’m also not really into giving a dog “medicine” if I don’t really have to.  I started giving Biggie heartworm medication because we were going on trips where I knew there would be a lot of bugs.  I don’t give him flea prevention meds.  I just watch all the critters like a hawk for any creepy crawlers.  The cats got fleas once and that was more than enough for me.  My mom had always taken care of the animals when I was young so when I got my first cat I didn’t really think of it until it happened.  Poor Lucy was so allergic to the fleas she got bad scabs and itched like crazy, she licked off patches of fur and I had to get her a shot to calm down the itching.  While I don’t give it to them monthly, Advantage really does work like a charm.  Kills those suckers in no time.  My kitties don’t go outside and Biggie has short fur so I figure I could catch it before it got to bad.  I suppose some people might not agree with this, but to bad.  I’ve heard about kitties going a little bit whack after getting flea treatments and the cheaper versions of dog treatments containing permethrins  are suppose to be really bad for cats so if you have both you shouldn’t use them because they most likely come in some contact with one another.  Ultimately I just don’t want to give my animals pesticides.  Some natural flea repellents include lemon essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil which you can mix with water, use cedar mulch in your yard, (just like cedar in your closet to ward of pesky wool eaters), and neem dog shampoo/sprays.

Just like cleaning up my own diet/health I’m learning as I go here by paying attention and taking in what I can.  Or in this case not taking in.

Photo by Jamieleigh
Location: Orlando, FL
Playing: Grey Parrot “Cressi”

Rough housing your bird is actually a VERY good thing to do with them early on. It’s a form of play that some birds LOVE and NEED. Other birds, maybe not so much, but every bird can enjoy it. Even my most mellow parrot, Bondi, lets us know she wants to play rough once in a while. Not as often as our grey parrot, Cressi, though! Cressi LOVES to rough house!

It’s important to remember your own strength when playing hard with your bird, because you can easily knock the wind out of them. They’re small so remember to be gentle even though you’re playing rougher than normal. You never want to hurt your bird or it will be scared to play like this with you in the future.

The positive side to rough housing:

• It helps let your bird know you’re fun to be around!
• Your bird is less likely to get upset if someone accidentally bumps it.
• It will make your bird more handle-able because it will be used to all sorts of handling from play time.
• It’s fun for you and your bird and anyone watching!

Photo by Jamieleigh
Location: Orlando, FL
Playing/falling: Grey parrot “Cressi”

It can be scarier rough housing with a large bird like a macaw, so in that case I’d recommend using toys, objects, props or even blankets to make it possible to play rough without getting accidentally bit into during the process. Sometimes our birds forget their own strength as well!

i dont want to talk to you

maybe show you maybe not

little more to the left but not really so close as all that

morning when the door knocked open

let no one enter without waking me

barefoot naked knife in hand

out the back three flights down

running i almost followed

almost let the dog go

But by then he was gone.

little more to the right but not as close as all that

night arguing about something

and where was the dog

what did he do

the fuckin dog

didnt you really mean

why didnt i do something

equally raging i wanted to know

why didnt you do something

why didnt you make it different

he came back right

but by then you left