Thursday, November 28, 2013

HELPING HOBBITSTEE

A tired, but happy group at the end of the day.
Last Saturday, Rob and I spent the day at Wild Birds Unlimited. Now, it's nothing new for Rob and I to loiter around our friends, Jim and Lynda's store, but this day, we were there for a good reason.

We were helping to raise money for Hobbitstee, a non for profit wildlife rehabilitation centre. Our goal for the day was to raise $1500, that's enough to build 2 songbird aviary's, one for smaller birds, and one for larger. These pre-release enclosures require special materials, as metal and other materials are very damaging to a birds feathers and can render them unable to fly.

Jim and Lynda donated lots of great raffle prizes from the store, and others donated prizes as well. There were snacks and coffee, and Hobbitstee brought a few of their educational animals to help educate the public about wildlife and why they belong in the wild.

 It was a busy, fun and educational day! We didn't quite reach our goal, raising $784 in the store. But, that is enough to build 1 much needed songbird aviary, and we were all thrilled. Chantal, the founder and licensed wildlife rehabilitator at Hobbittstee has been keeping me updated on donations that have been coming in via email donations specifically for the songbird aviary's since the event and at last count we are at $875!

Help us, help the birds!
Volunteer Chris, with Bilbo.
Bilbo is a groundhog, and will never be returned to the wild. He was stolen as a baby from his mother's den, after she was shot and killed, on purpose, so the the baby groundhogs could be taken because this person heard groundhogs made good pets. The Ministry of Natural Resources confiscated the groundhogs after learning of the incident. Only one groundhog had survived, and I had the privilege of naming him. It's a heartbreaking story and makes me angry, but also reinforces why the need for places such has Hobbitstee exist. Bilbo will spend the rest of his life as an educational animal, helping people to understand that wildlife belongs in the wild, and it is illegal to keep native wildlife has pets.

Educational display.
Lot's of great raffle prizes!
"Jim", the snapping turtle, looks up to see how we're doing.
Rob and I would like to personally thank everyone who came by the store that day and purchased raffle tickets, brought items off the wish list or made a straight donation. It was nice to see so many of our friends come out and support Hobbitstee. If you'd like to help, you still can, just email a money transfer to chantal@hobbitstee.com with "Songbird Aviary" in the subject line. 

Help us, help them!

Monday, November 18, 2013

WILDLIFE RESCUE WEEK

A budgie trying to survive outside.
If this past week had a theme at our house, it would of been "Wildlife Rescue Week".
Rob got wind of an escaped budgie early in the week in the east end of the city and intervened quickly.

The older gentleman was just going to let nature take it's course. He had been watching this pretty blue budgie fly around his yard for over 2 months, and never once made an attempt to catch it. We think he enjoyed having the bird live in his yard, but with the colder weather coming, it would not have survivied, and he allowed Rob to help. The home owner plucked it from the bush it was sleeping in Thursday night and put it in the cage Rob and leant them and it spent the night in the home owner's garage.

Rob went to pick it up on Friday. Budgie is a girl, and the little blue budgie came to our house for a night. Rob had already put the word out on Facebook and other social media that we needed a home for another escaped budgie, as we are at our limit with two, both backyard rescues. I need to blog about my thoughts all these escaped non-native birds.

Anyway, I am thrilled to say that before we went to bed Friday night, we had a home for the little blue budgie, and not just a home, a fantastic home!! With someone who had other birds, and has had birds for years, and was thrilled to have her. What a relief! We delivered her on Saturday afternoon and finally met someone we had been wanting to meet in person for a couple years! It's a good feeling when you can find an escaped or unwanted animal a home, but when you KNOW without a doubt that the animal is going to a great home, it's a great feeling!  "Belle", as she has been named is settling in wonderfully in her new home and no longer has to worry about the cold weather or fighting the House Sparrows for food.

Hanging with the Sparrows.
 Next up we have "Sideways Sam", a grey Squirrel that calls our yard home, and I hope he gets to again. Rob noticed him a couple weeks ago, because one of his eyes was partially shut, and his balance wasn't great. At first we just monitored him to see if he was getting better or worse.

He started to get worse, and the decision was made to try to capture him. His balance was getting worse and watching him fall off the deck was only comical once, as it was truly heartbreaking to watch him try to survive. He was only half the size of the other squirrels. No matter how many peanuts Rob fed him, he wasn't putting on any winter weight.

Sunday morning, a very hungry Sam was captured in the live trap Rob had borrowed from Toronto Wildlife Centre. I stood in the kitchen window and cried like a baby when I saw him in the trap. I was crying because of how sick and scared he was, and also because I don't know if we will see him again. As Rob left with him for the centre, I was still crying. We don't know what is wrong with him, or if he can be cured. But, I do know, that whatever they decide at the TWC, it will be for the best, because Sam was suffering terribly, so I will be ok with whatever happens. To read more about Sam, check out Rob's latest blog here.

"Sideways Sam", we hope to see you again.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

HAVE YOU BEEN BITSTRIPED?!

The first comic I made of us.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed some of my Facebook friends had cartoons of themselves. I thought it was cute and I was curious about it. I found out it was it was an app called Bitstrips, where you can make an avatar of yourself, and make cartoons of yourself with other friends who have avatars.

Last night, after a long and stressful week at work, I "bitstriped" myself, it was fun a way to blow off  some steam, but after learning I could make an avatar of Rob, it was even more fun!!

Sometimes you just need to be silly. To learn more about Bitstrips, click here.

Aw, what a sweetie!
Like that would ever happen!