hummingbird sugar water
For years I've always boiled tap water for 1 minute, then added the sugar, then let completely cool off before filling the feeders. Since the cool off time could take an hour, I have tried something I read which is to only boil half the water so that the sugar can fully dissolve, then adding cool tap water for the remainder. This was very easy and cut out the cool off time completely...but the birds don't seem to like the sugar water now. What could that taste differently...could the cool tap water have too much chlorine taste?
Pet Health: Your Aging Pet
Old age is not a disease. Improved nutrition and exercise, as well as advances in veterinary medicine, result in longer and healthier lives for our pets. Although your pet’s health as he ages is not entirely in your control, you play a critical role in keeping him active and comfortable. Being aware of the natural changes that can occur will ensure that you both enjoy this stage in his or her life.
Why In Home Pet Sitting and Not Boarding?
Here are just a few of many reasons why:
Vanilla in hummingbird sugar water
I read on Pet Research about adding a very small amount of vanilla to home prepared hummingbird water. I tried it and it's been a success with the birds. Has anyone else used vanilla or any other flavor? What have you used and what were your outcomes?
Pet Tattoos :)
Brittany suggested a blog to show my kitty tattoo so here goes!
Three years ago my seventeen year old cat, kitty passed away 
I wanted to find a good way to always remember him so I got his portrait tattooed on my back two years ago.. here it is before the writing and after...
Then this past weekend I got a memorial for my dog who passed away in january at 12 years old
Butterfly Koi & a Shubunkin
These are a few of the fish in our backyard pond. The gold and white ones are butterfly koi and the orange speckled one is a shubunkin goldfish. The hawks or herons, or maybe both, have obviously been fishing in the pond. We’re down quite a few fish from what we started with. But we’re looking to add a few more koi soon. This is the first time they've been swimming around much since winter and it's nice to see them looking so good! I'm looking forward to the pond plants blooming!
Petunia's new Perch
John and I merged households last October, not only did he gain a family but he gained two more pets. Between the two of us we have three kitties Iakki, Honey and Petunia.
Iakki and Honey have complete rein of the upstairs portion of the house. They get to hang out with the kiddos, though every time we go upstairs, they are more than eager to get our attention. At a little over a year old, these two are very rambunctious and can never get enough attention.
Sugar Glider Photos!
Yesterday Brittany brought three of her four Sugar Gliders over to our house so we could see them. What cute little critters they are! We got to hear some of their vocal sounds while they were here as well - very interesting little creatures! Brittany has discussed on her member blog all about keeping sugar gliders as pets, and I just wanted to add in some of the photos I got of them while they were here. Enjoy!
Feline Diabetes Update #1
A few weeks ago I posted an article about my long time friend and companion, Petunia, being diagnosed with feline diabetes. She also had a urinary tract infection and a tooth that needed to be pulled.
Children and Pets
Several months ago my nine year old daughter was given two mice to raise as her own. She had been asking for a pocket pet of her own for a year. I thought she was ready to have her own pet and be responsible for them, so was very excited for her when she received them.
We went over extensively the daily routine of checking food and water and every two weeks cleaning their cage. All seemed well and she was even gaining their trust to allow her to pet them. I would check on them every few days and make sure she was taking good care of them and they seemed quite well.