I hope that all goes well for DB during the endoscopy.

:hug:

We're home. As we all know, post anaesthesia anything the doctor says to you goes in one ear and out the next rarely to be recalled. I missed the doctor by minutes having nodded off in the waiting room.... We do know they've done a biopsy and will get results within the next week. As for the ten plus stomach holes of 2 years ago, apparently they have healed very well.

Thanks for the updates Pam. At least the holes have healed; that's good to know. Pray the biopsy results are okay.


Gerry

We haven't had a letter or phone call from the surgery to attend, so it looks to be all is good with DB gut. Anxiety is causing him extreme pain, any subject which triggers strong emotions causes his gut to roil and the stomach acid then burns. Like me needing this upcoming surgery & the surgeons expressing they need to talk with us both before committing to the procedure - scary stuff. I tell DB we've been down this path before, it's ok. Or talk about his dad and how unwell he is. Anything stressful really sets his stomach off and I can visibly see the pain it causes him.

We went to the football yesterday I bought tickets and this time we were both able to go, the last 2 times we've had to give my ticket to one of his friends as I was in hospital. It was touch n go Thursday night with me in severe pain but I persevered with the new pain med regime and was able to walk. The distance from the rail station to the stadium is about 400 metres I selected venue pick up for the tickets, normally I would print at work. We were stood in the queue & DB made a comment he thought was funny, it cut me deeply. Something along the lines these people looking will be thinking what a good son I am taking my mother to the football. I just dead panned him and used my mantra worry less about what people think if you knew how little they think.

Excellent seats with great vision & we were in good company - surrounded by former players, parents of current players, current injured players along with presidents, CEO's, COO's and high profile people of both our team and the opposition. DB sat alongside the opposition President. We won but it was a game where the opposition came from behind kicking 6 goals straight to take the lead at 3/4 time. 4th quarter we came back and got a much needed win by 17 points. Whew, given the seats we had the close proximity to the sections own bar if he was going to drink, there would have been ample opportunity. He handled it well, took 1 Valium once he realised where we were seated. While I could smell nothing he says he could smell the alcohol. I suppose he can, I don't know.

What I do know today is it is exactly 2 years ago yesterday since his last falling down drunk end of a 4 day bender; which started in a football stadium on the east coast in seats and environment exactly as yesterday replicated. I had no idea when I got the tickets on line we would be in the exclusive zone. I've never seen tickets for that block available previously and had no clue in the stadium the proximity to the bar or the company we would be in. All I thought of was it's the closest entry gate to the walk from the station, it offers lift access from ground to 3rd floor, it's under cover (very wet cold and rainy weather predicted) and so I clicked yes purchase. I would again as well & DB also says yes if they ever come up again, because next time he will be better mentally prepared, it was good fun and I enjoyed myself immensely. Yes I was reminded of the days when we mixed freely with the "powers that be" the "movers and the shakers" & yes I held my own in conversation with the people seated around us. It felt good & I pushed myself to make an effort to immerse in the environment, engage and socialise because at the bottom of my stomach sat the cold lining of "I'm out with my mother". I have given up much in my life to support DB in his quest for sobriety, I don't socialise anymore, truth be told I don't miss it. But yesterday after that comment & then learning where we were seated I made sure to enjoy myself.

Did I drink, no way; I can say truthfully I have stayed the path, on the odd occasion I think it would be nice to have a drink, but yesterday it didn't cross my mind, not once.

And nor did DB drink, he did enjoy the game, he struggled to talk or engage with the people around him until the very end after JK kicked a cracker of a goal and he leapt to his feet & celebrated with double fist punches. His celebration was such that the president & a former WCE player tapped me on the arm, laughingly they said does DB know he's seated next to the Carlton president. I told DB and we both had a good laugh, DB said I didn't do anything wrong, I agreed, I said you showed passion for your team. At the sounding of the siren DB shook Carlton president hand & said I bet you wish you didn't make that trade 10 years ago. Our JK is now on top of the leader board for the Coleman medal again & he's missed 5 games this season through injury. If he wins again this year he will join an elite crowd, only 2 others have ever won the Coleman medal 3 years in the trot, last time was some 20 years ago. In today's game it's hard work, we're proud of our team, super proud of JK and delighted to say we know him and he's a true gentleman on and off the field. Anyway, I'm rambling to make a point. DB withstood the urge he drew on Wide0 the lizard brain and he made it. This was the first real true test for DB, yes he was tense, yes he was conscious of all that surrounded him and yes he was snippity on the way home and at home. But he did it. He's gone to work today with less than 5 hrs sleep, he was so wound up with the excitement of the win & the Homer Simpson thoughts but he survived it.

The next few days willl be testing. I will be my usual self, but mindful of triggers. I'm sure he can do it, he is stronger than he believes. 23 months, 29 days. I do believe in him, I do know how stressed and frightened he is of the coming weeks, previously he's had his good buddy booze to help him through the tough times when Pam's sick, like really at deaths door sick. It will be another first for him, but I believe in him, his strength & his commitment. I believe he can do this. After seeing him yesterday, I know without a doubt he can do this. It brings me comfort. This impending operation of mine allegedly September 2nd is going to be trying for us all. In days 729 since drunk, 591 since liquor passed his lips. I have to believe him and I do. Yesterday gave me faith in my belief.

Pamela, I am glad that you both enjoyed the game. I have a confession to make - I am a Swans supporter ;).

Seriously, I think that you both have an immense amount to feel proud about - DB for his determination and you for your unconditional love and support for him.

:hug:

Sydney Swans my 2nd team, I lived in NSW from 84 to 86 and used to go to the fortnightly games, love that you support them, celebrated their win even when it was a loss to us (Grand final 05). Have celebrated many times along their way. I think they are in with a good chance this season, way better than mine who can only seem to play out 3 quarters and not the required 4. Chuffed you know what I'm talking about when I talk football 😘

We're on the plane. Early start to the day with everyone saying they had to get up early. Gosh it's an 8.15 departure. We were up at our normal time and got to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Good thing we did, self check in this week gone totally self service so no assistance for the disabled. DB with 2 suitcases and dyslexia, me struggling to juggle walking stick handbag and tickets to navigate the self service check. Not easy as the ticketing machine not functioning, hundreds of people complaining, bag drop not working and staffed with 2 staff who had no idea of how to assist the 200 or so people trying to navigate computers which are clearly having a "I don't want to work moment" and the 2 staff on not able to process passengers manually because they DONT KNOW HOW! .....

We finally got upstairs, no wheelchair so I'm struggling and then the palava with the going through the machine which of course I can't because of my SCS. Rather a stressful and hysterical start to a holiday break. DB very agitated, but handled himself admirably.

Pamela, that airport experience sounds very ordinary to me :( .

I hope that you both enjoy your holiday break :hug:

Pamela,
I hope that even though it was a rough start, you and DB can enjoy your holiday. I'm sure most of the troubles are behind you. Have a wonderful trip and anniversary!

Post check in everything has been wonderful including the delightful woman who had to do a pat search on me as I can't go thru the electronic scanner. There was no privacy screen so she made sure she turned me on an angle that no one could witness what she was doing while I was stood, then got a chair for me to sit to remove my boots & take to the scanner, she returned and having witnessed the struggle I had to bend and take them off she got down on her hands and knees and put them on. The gate staff were very helpful and the stewardesses on the plane exceptional. Driver who collected us at the airport helpful & hotel check in was smooth. We had to wait a short time for the room to be ready with room check in 3pm but we arrived at noon & our room was ready by 1pm. While waiting the staff bought us drinks to cool down, its 30 plus up here and we've come from cold winter. The drinks were a mix of ginger, mango, orange, lemon and some other fruit I can't quite pick. The hotel is a 5*resort.

We have a 1brm villa suite with our own private courtyard and plunge pool. The main heated pool is about 100 metres away and the dining deck overlooks the pool. Dinner last night was excellent with DB polishing off what I couldn't eat. I've lost my appetite significantly having lost 3kg since going to hospital early July. We're in Broome and it was the race cup final day, so there was an array of people dressed in their finery, some wonderful colour mixes with glorious dresses and hats. I had booked a table for dinner during the week as I knew it was the final day of the cup, lucky I thought ahead. Even though the resort is full it's very quiet and relaxing.

That all sounds really excellent :D!

We're having the most wonderful time. Every day, I'm posting photos of the seeing on my FB page, it's full of family and friends we haven't seen for years and as things do one formed knows another, they tag them and relationships are being renewed. I'm amazed at how young we both look, despite me being 30 & DB 28 we look like we're in our early 20's.

There have been a few white knuckle days here for DB but in the main he is doing well. A Valium now and then has helped considerably.

We now wish we could extend the holiday, had I known it was going to be this relaxing and wonderful I would have booked for at least 4 extra nights.

Our own private courtyard plunge pool, sunset across the road over the famous Cable Beach & one of the pools by overlooked by one of the restaurants

Pamela. that is just awesome for you both :).

This was what greeted us as we were welcomed to our suite. I can't fault the resort, and they have been fabulous in offering support to me and DB, a bottle of champagne was given as a welcome gift & I had to ask them could we swap it for something non alcoholic. I can't thank them enough for their patience & compassion.

DB first day back to work today post holiday, unlike me, I had to return last week. So today DB is feeling the nerves your get when you've been gone for a few weeks.

He has been really good. Lots of drama going on with his family, he's been speaking with SIL G every other night, trying to encourage her to do what's right by herself. SIL K causing no end of grief just because we celebrated our 25th. One niece particularly distraught, tried to take her life & since been prescribed Valium. I have my reservations over the prescriptions, I think she needs more than that, but being over here I can do nothing other than be supportive and maintain contact. Learned yesterday she's chucked her job in due to a warning she says over something happened outside of work. I've had to explain to her a business has the right to caution you if you are bringing their name into disrepute, even when you are not in work. It's the worst thing to have happened for her, to quit her job only days after an attempt on her life. DB wants to know nothing of it, I think it brings memories of his attempt to the fore of his mind. Drink wise, he has not mentioned alcohol at all and even with everything going on, seems to be more positive than he's been in some time.

We've taken in a lodger, she calls us Uncle & Aunty... she looked after the pets and the house while we were away, her circumstances changed last Monday & with me due to go into hospital, having someone here to do the pets takes some of the pressure off of DB. She is doing an apprenticeship (painter & decorator). Lovely girl, very good manners, our animals adore her, including the neurotic one. It may be temporary, it may be long term, don't know with young kids. But she is a good one & although she has the back wing of the house to herself, she prefers to come & sit out with us. She owes her mum $900 so the deal DB put to her is she pays us $100, we put $50 of that into an account each week so she can pay her mum back & she vacuums, dusts the house & cleans her bathroom. I do ours, but she will do ours once I have the op. She was paying $225 a week where she was previously. She knows I don't expect a full spring clean every week, just vacuum and dust as I used to do. So in all despite the stress, change etc DB is doing well.

That is excellent about DB, though I am sorry to read about everything that is going on with his family.

Your lodger sounds really good to me. I think that the idea of putting $50 per week into an account so she can replay her Mum is very thoughtful.

I hope that all goes well with the op.

:hug:

All sounds good. (well, not you going into hospital, but you know what I mean. ;) ) Having someone to stand watch must be a huge relief.

Hospital not going so well today us night 7
 

Apologies, too tired to type a new convo - I've copied from another thread of mine; today, one of my nurses totally cracked it, DB getting crankier by the day as I'm getting worse before his eyes, today one of my nurses who has been going home worrying over me paged the General Surgeon's no.2. 2 answered the page & my nurse said I've got this patient of yours in combination with a Neurosurgeon - she is spiking temps in excess of 40 every day, her haemoglobin is 76, she is having rigours, she is very unwell, she has resorted to attempting to explain her pain in as descriptive a manner as she can - she describes her pain as reactive arthritis (she suffered this in 1987). She is doing her utmost to comply with all our directions and all the while paint a clear picture here for us of just how unwell she is. We've been waiting on you for 5 days, 5 days. 2 nights ago she was carted off in the middle of the night for all sorts of tests & activity & still I have nothing. I can see her getting worse in front of my eyes... Her temp right now is 40, she is in the midst of another rigour, what are you going to do. ....
No 2 turns up & says has H been in here, uhm no? Voila like a magician he appears. He stands and says to me & my dear DB, I've looked at your scans, bloods etc, I'm sorry my dear but you have an infection, you have a haemotoma & you need urgent blood transfusions - now. We're sending you down to radiology now for a picc line to be inserted. The haemotoma will be lanced & drained tomorrow, the most important thing is to get some blood in you, get your temp under control along with your pain (btw I notice you've halved your pain meds, I said yes) so I'm increasing your pain meds back up for 3 days.

DB left as I was going down, he looks extremely stressed, I said it's ok, it's not history repeating itself, we'll be ok xxx sigh, I hope so, this explains why I'm so dog tired, dehydrated and in so much pain.... I wonder if the rhetoric rain will stop soon lol

My nurse ROCKS. If not for her I think I would have been discharged....

She may very well have saved your life. I can not understand this is still happening. <shake head smiley>

My BIL died in 2002 from a bleeding ulcer. He went to the ER with stomach pains. They didn't properly check him, they cut some corners, and only noticed when he had already bled to death.

Internal bleedings are so dangerous, and so well known. :mad:

Hope you'll start to feel a bit better when they "top you up". You can't fight an infection when you have not enough blood in you. I'll refrain from cursing, but that is just... grrr.

Any progress today?

No progess, had infectious diseases man in, we both met him last time in July, top chap. Talk of another blood transfusion, I don't care, just want the pain to stop & feel like a human 👀

Still feel no better this morning myself, but DB is doing well.

DB has always thrived on helping others, being the person to turn to for advice & our young lodger seems to be helping him considerably with rebuilding of his confidence and finding the will to do things around the home which have sat there unattended to for eons. He doesn't sugar coat his history, he tells about the stupid things he's done, the anger, the obliteration. Yesterday they got stuck into prepping & oiling the deck. She said the day before she would help him, they both woke early & as is DB want, he'll talk about it for an hour, have a cuppa, fall asleep and the day will pass him bye. Yesterday he was aware by 9am she was hanging around ready to get going so he changed up a gear, got his tush outside and they started the work. He said what motivated him was he could see she was really wanting to get the jobs done so when I come home from hospital there will be little for me to worry over. She even said I have to clean the house and he said, no it's ok you did it on Sunday, her answer was yes but AP will be home hopefully by Friday and I want everything clean for her.

Lodgers mum thanked DB for the positive influence she can see he is having on her daughter. She says she has had more real & meaningful conversations with her daughter since August 28th than she has had in years (28th day she moved in) & she can see how her daughter has grown within herself, the ability to handle conflict, the positive choices she seems to be making in life, seemingly more confident & not 2nd guessing everything she does. DB just said to her it's early days, so long as you know she's safe, not out on the street, won't go hungry or be taken advantage of & we will do our best to keep her emotionally stable.

The ex el creepo boss rang her last week and asked if she will do 2-3 days a week. Work is very hard to find atm, particularly for a young non apprenticed painter & decorator so she took him up on it but with some proper parameters in place. Ie starts at 7.30 works to 3.30 if he doesn't get there until 11 she is still paid from 7.30. Not to have her to use her phone and credit to contact his clients & then tell her off for using her phone. Not to go off at her because she doesn't feel like eating lunch, not to treat her like one of the boys and discuss things with her that would make a lady or lad of the night blush. DB said to lodgers mum, don't worry, he knows what I do for a job & now he knows she's living under our roof in her own wing he's not likely to try anything further with her.
One day at a time...

I have seen Harsha's no.2 his RMO. I am am off for yet another CT scan. They took more bloods this morning, my haemoglobin has gone up and the infection numbers have gone down. All good news. Now they just have to find out what this thing is that's seems to be growing the size of a food table. RMO thinks it's another haematoma- quite likely the one I mentioned yesterday, sealed itself off and growing away quite merrrily in its own and without the infected blood supply. She said it is very hard and may require lancing as did the other one, but not today, not today!!!.

I know I've said this before but she has to be the most beautiful femaile doctor I have ever laid eyes on. And yet her boss gives her so much grief, he treats her like Shiite. I wonder maybe because she is so beautiful she was expected to be the good girl married off into a wealthy family (arranged marriage) and do nothing other than have babies and entertain. This child due in 6 or so weeks will be her 3rd and she will have then 3 babies all under the age of three. She is very determined, very knowledgeable. She keeps thanking me because I keep saying you should be doing this that and the other, to accomodate for your pregnancy and you most definitely should not be down on your hands and knees taking blood from my ankles.... and while she does this no one steps forward to help her up. I know she is foreign and this is a catholic hospital but gosh, I'm C of E, it shouldn't make any difference....

I'm sure it's needless to say, but I hope DB keeps a good eye on the girl's boss. He sounds like the absolute worst. Maybe he should drop her off at her job one day, so things are clear with Mr. Creep?

Also, recognizable on how some of us are much better (and feel better) when we can help others, even though we're not always good at helping ourselves.

The lancing stuff (that gave me wobbly legs) does not sound like fun at all, but infection down is good news any way you look at it. Oh, and the racism they show towards the doc... it's ugly, very ugly.

It sounds to me that DB and your lodger have a great relationship. Not only are they, in different ways, working together to support you but they can have honest discussions with each other. I hope that DB can keep an eye on Mr Creepy - Wide-O's suggestion of him driving her to her work is a good one.

The is excellent that your haemoglobin and infection are improving :). That is awful about how the female RMO is being treated - sadly, male medicos still have a lot to learn.

:hug:

Haha, DB turned up to pick A up from work, he got there at 3.45, she was quietly packing up. The boss kicking out back with a beer with the client. It's a very clear agreement A works from 7.30 to 15.30 & is paid the correct wage, as she is not indentured (el creepo) didn't register her with the governing body paperwork in the first place 6 months ago but she only found out August 28th he cannot pay legally her the apprentice wage $14.10 an hour, so he weezled his way round it by saying to her oh you are a casual worker & instead only entitled to a casual hourly wage. So unbeknown to him & her today I did some research & she is entitled to approx $19 p/hr.

DB arrived with Bono, the long retired dog, but who soothes lodgers soul & she him. At 4pm El creepo sauntered round out front beer in hand demanding to know what A thought she was doing packing up. DB stepped round with the dog who snarled loudly, DB said, well Mick I'm here to take her home & to visit Pam in hospital, Pam wants her to sign some FWA papers & something about MPA - not sure what. DB laughed quietly to himself as el creepo backtracked & said oh sure now then is the previous bank account still correct, I think I pay you $18.10 per hour, maybe Pam could check it for you. DB said oh don't you worry she already has, it's $19.10 per hour for hours worked & you've agreed in writing (Pam has the text) 3 days per week 07.30-15.30, you will pick her up, but if you want you change that established practice you'll give a minimum of 10 days notice & you will no longer have A use her phone or credit your conduct your business. I've picked her up today to make sure she felt safe, your hands on her knee in the truck this morning made her feel uncomfortable. But if you're ok with it due can bring zbono to work with her. (Won't happen but he don't know that) DB reckons he saw a trace of urine lol, particularly when El creepo crapped himself when he found out even though I'm in hospital I'd been in contact with FWA (fair work australia) MPA (Master Painters Association).

I think she'll be ok for a bit, all she needs is 3 months to get her through until Feb 1 when she returns to TAFE. & her old lecturer rang her this afternoon & said if you can keep weed free I'll give you a job FIFO & apprenticeship. She's quite excited, I think if she can get through these months she'll survive without pot.

Given the job DB does, El creepo spitefully said to DB you should know she smokes pot every day. DB said I know, she keeps away from the active dog & only goes near him once does showered, washed her hair and then wears AP old clothes. DB said I have no reason to distrust her, my dogs are good judges of character. Bono who is terrified of people & will attack if pushed in a corner idolises her, but he doesn't like you Mick, don't like you....

I've been laughing ever since he told me. My old Job and knowledge comes in handy every now & then... I think DB and the dog was the icing though - she may not have a long term job, but it's enough to have some cash coming through until Xmas & she can regain some independence. Im proud of her & oh DB

"don't like you Mick, don't like you..." BWAHAHAHAH! :D

Excellent. Dissing out justice even from a hospital bed, good on you both. ;)

Heh, I never thought about the pot & active dog. Probably still could notice even after showers etc.

Our doggies are poor judges of character (I think) because they love all humans that come here. Or other dogs. Or cats. Friends in Paris have a Labrador as well, same age as our oldest. Just got word he passed away. 13.5 years is a nice age for a Lab. Patsy is nearing the end too, in 2 months she'll be 14, maybe she'll make it.

This is her last week. The nicest dog you could ever meet. :hug:

Attachment 10057

My what a Beauty she would have been in her prime. We're lucky, we haven't told A, dddog#1 is play reward trained to actively sit on product not odour. And the new ones coming in A January will also be trained on product only, not odour. Our older dogs, they were food reward trained and trained on odour. So for example, say you went to visit a facility by the public bus provided and 3 days before you a sweaty person sat on that chair and had just had a spliff, the dogs would indicate on that, while it was a neat parlour trick it would get frustrating for the boys. Quite often while they'd indicate on odour the next but 1 person would carry product & they'd get it through that way while the dog & handler caught up in paperwork. So as long as she thinks she can't go near the dogs if she's been smoking, she is smoking less and less. We also have the issue of me, I never carry my " pill purse" anywhere near dd#1. We are extremely conscious of it and all it entails so do our utmost to ensure he has no cross contamination. Bono was very good with his nose, but his fear of people after his beating ruined him as a DD. Bronson despite suffering a broken leg & then attacked a broke base of his tail has a good nose and will never let anything get between him and his food. Bono on the other hand would starve. But what they don't know won't hurt. Of course if she is still smoking by January DB will have to put his foot down. Roof over your head, clean & safe, money in your pocket & a good job. But the dogs are his livliehood and these are 2 new ones to be trained, he will not want the slightest possibility of muddy water.

Gotcha, a good incentive, no need to tell her. ;) And he would be right to put his foot down.

In her prime, she looked like this... all muscle and zero fat, despite eating like a small army.

Attachment 10058

Thank you for sharing, what a beauty she was, and even though considerably older, still is. They are our babies aren't they.

They sure are. Just to distract you, here she is with one of our cats. At one point, we had 2 dogs, 6 cats, a turtle outside in a pond, and a bunch of fish in a bigger pond.

We now only have 1 cat left next to the dogs/turtle/fish, but... we have a parrot since 3 years. And as amazing as dogs are - and I am truly fascinated by their behaviour, intelligence, kindness - a parrot takes it up a nudge. And animal that says "See you later" when you put on your shoes, or "Goodnight" when it wants to go to sleep, or "Tasty, huh?" when you are eating... it's weird. :D He knows about 60 words & sounds that make sense, he can laugh, cough (parrots do not cough...), order the dogs around.

He naturally became the boss of everyone in the house (and I often think, that includes us), he's extremely funny, mischievous, and... loves petting more than any other critter we have (and I can even pet the fish).

Animals are awesome.

Attachment 10059

I feel so heart warmed when someone tells me the number of animals they have, we have 4 cats, 3 soon to be 5 dogs & about 30 fish. We looked at Parrots, often wish I'd followed through.

It's a commitment. I know dogs are too, but parrots really need lots of attention. They expect to be constant part of the goings on, and will often choose one human as their "mate". They notice everything that is going on - if I'm making a sandwich in the kitchen where he can't really see, he goes "Tasty eh?". :D

We went for a species that is relatively quiet - some parrots are deafening. The first 2 years he only made his usual sounds. Then one night, as he was out of the cage, he flew towards my wife, and I heard her laughing. "Strange" I thought, why does she laugh? Took us both 3 seconds to realize it was him doing a *perfect* imitation of her laugh. Once the lid was off, he started talking more and more. The names of the dogs, the cat, laughs, coughs, giggles, kisses, "I'm a bit angry", the list goes on. We always talk to him in short sentences, and that's what he uses: not just words, but sentences, in context, with inflection (he knows or seems to know the difference between a statement, a request, and a question).

Sometimes, mostly late at night, you can hear him whispering. When you listen very carefully, he is 'rehearsing' every word and sound he knows.

But we also do call & response games with "his" sounds. I learned his language too, and he loves that. And like cats purr, he grinds his beak very quietly when he's happy & feels safe.

All that said, you have to learn how to "read" them. They can change very quickly, and when angry or startled they will bite, and you will bleed. After all, it's not a domesticated pet, it's a tamed-from-birth one. But in a way that makes them special.

(I'll stop babbling about our zoo after this one ;))

Attachment 10060

You just made my day :hug:

My two cats are camera-shy at the moment.

My land is visited by about 10 different kinds of parrots (not all at once).

Here are a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets. They came round to take advantage of the food hand-outs that I provide for the birds.

I've managed to attached some of the menagerie correctly & even captured a fish in the background. This was at Xmas when DB was away, I took photos of the animals, do you think I could get them to look happy ..... the oldest dog at the back nicknamed smiler always happy to smile, the other 2 sulking because daddy is away. The cats, well we all know cats.... although all our animals are pedigrees, all were rescued. Will be a bit strange when the Springers arrive, first time ever purpose bred & bought DDD. But the one they've just finished training has turned out a pearler. Meanwhile I'm still thinking of how to create a new, safe and secure dog run, springers are full of energy, very slim and can escape easily. Think we will have to enclose the right side of the house as we have done the left for the cats

Those lorikeets are beautiful. We are lucky to live in parkland area and have birds a plenty. With it being magpie season & a fairly viscous one in WA this year with 3 children already attacked & one lost his eye we are quite lucky we have 2 crows who were born on our property 10 years ago, each year they come back and keep the magpies from the park over the road exactly there in the park, they don't dare cross crow territorial pathways. Quite amazing to watch. But I'm told magpies have long memories and if you give them a gift they will remember you, I gave gifts to our crows, hair for nesting (tons and tons of dog hair) and something shiny if you can. A golden piece of cellophane paper... never had any problems with them ever. The parrots come to the park across the road, never cease to amaze me how they all seem to come at different times.

Those are lovely pictures Pamela :).

Douglas doing his jolly good batman impersonation when the sun has gone down & the neighbors back light throws it yo lol

I like Douglas :).

I found a picture of my two, snuggled up in their nestbox. The black one in Blackberry and the other is Waiwaiā (Maori for "beautiful").

Great animals, all of them. Nothing can look lazy like a Lab eh? :D Love the lorries too, as well as the kitties. Oh, and cats and cardboard boxes eh... ;)

One other reason we chose the Senegal is that they are actually considered a pest in many African countries - they completely destroy crops in a minimum of time. And when I see how he attacks stuff, and with how much force, it doesn't surprise me at all. Put a couple of hundred together... eek. But at least that means they are not endangered or even "valuable".

One last anecdote: when we were going to get the bird I completely renovated the space he would live in, and opened up walls/the staircase/build an upstairs so that he would have a huge space and could fly 7m upwards. Took me weeks.

Turns out they don't really enjoy flying all that much. Sure, he will do a few rounds, but he much *much* prefers to crawl around/walk. When he wants to be on the other side of me when I'm sitting he climbs one leg, back down, up the other leg, and down again. Takes him 20 seconds. He could fly it in 0.5 secs, but he can't be bothered. :D

Oh, and he never goes upstairs unless we take him sitting on our shoulder. :rolleyes: