Rimrock Valerian Rocker (Rocky) 10 Apr 2001 to 19 May 2014

It is a sad day today as we said goodbye to Rocky.  The poor boy has been deteriorating steadily but over the past 2 to 3 weeks it has been more rapid.  It went from struggling but managing to get upstairs to last night when he collapsed in a heap walking across the kitchen floor.  It was one of the hardest decisions I have made as he was so good in himself.  His eyes were still bright and he was eating well.  He started drinking lots over the past 2 weeks and over the past week I had been getting up once or twice a night to let him out to the toilet.  He was amazing in that he would try to stand and most times managed but on occasions I had to help him.  He was finding it harder to squat.  He was still looking after himself and the front end was still looking really good.

Last night I decided to stay home from work and take him to the Vet.  I felt bad as he ate his tux biscuit with his usual gusto and his piece of toast.  He stayed on his bed for much longer than normal and then made it outside and lay in the sun.

We came home from the Vet's and let all the other dogs and cats say goodbye.  Shilo stayed in the back of the car with Rocky until I was ready to move him to his grave.  She has been really devoted to him and will miss him.  Casey and Rocky have always been good friends.  Casey seems sad too but with not hearing I think some of it is passing her by.  Rocky is now laid to rest beside Bruno with some of his favourite things.  I put the leftover of his favourite squeaky toy, a ball and an old bone in with him.  I planted a camellia on him and the alstoemeria back.

We Have A Secret

We have a secret, you and I

that no one else shall know,

for who but I can see you lie

each night in fire glow?

And who but I can reach my hand

before we go to bed

and feel the living warmth of you

and touch your silken head?

And only I walk woodland paths

and see ahead of me,

your small form racing with the wind

so young again, and free.

And only I can see you swim

in every brook I pass

and when I call, no one but I

can see the bending grass.

Author Unknown

From <http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/asecret.htm>

RIP in my sweet gentle Rocky boy.

Creatures in the Night

Early hours of the morning I could hear something going on downstairs.

On descending the stairs at 5.15am, I was shocked to find this laid

out on the floor under the table.

I assume Arnie was the the hunter as Jake was on the bed with me at the time.

My first thought was, are the chicks OK.

Yes both alive and well.

A few days later DH phones me to say Jake has come home with a stoat.

Jake proudly displaying his catch.

Go the cat patrol you have both earned your board and lodgings

this week.

Sad and Happy Day

On Monday the 4th Nov 2013 we had to farewell our Peter rabbit.

6 Jan 2008 to 4 Nov 2013

 For the past month or so we had been letting Peter out to free roam in

the garden.  Here he surrounded by the cats.

 Hanging out with Poppy.

On the night we farewelled Peter, I discovered the 2 eggs had

hatched that Snowtop had been sitting on.  We turned the rabbit hutch into a

chicken nursery and here she is with her two little chicks.

Spring is coming

Hard to believe it is August already.  

The sun has been shining today and all the animals have been enjoying it.

Chloe and Poppy

 Poppy and Arnie kissing

Signs of spring in the garden

Arnie and Casey

and a rare night when Chloe ventured upstairs to share the

heater with Arnie and Poppy.

Update 2013

It has been months since I last updated this blog.

Casey turned 14 on the 10th March and is looking fit and well for her age.

 Here she is on her birthday.  

Both her brother Joe and sister Elle are still good as well.

 Chloe on the door frame for the chicken run.

Arnie, Casey and Chloe

The dogs enjoying a walk and swim at Bethells beach.

Spring

Spring has arrived at Fantail Ridge with the arrival

of 2 little fluff balls.

 Mother hen is very protective so it has been 

really hard to get photos.

On a very windy day I took the dogs to Fisherman's Rock

Whangaparoa. 2 Sep 2012

 Here they are nicely posing.

An earlier attempt which turned out to be a very good photo.

Winter

A beautiful weekend in Fantail Ridge

 Not a cloud in the sky

 Poppy enjoying the sun.

 Poppy and Casey

 Poppy and Shilo at the letterbox

 

Miss Shilo by the rabbit hutch.