Puppy Pile

Puppy Pile

Image by queenofthelibrary
I found these little guys in my hay barn on 2-8. After a merry chase, I caught them and gave them a bath. They are much cuter now than in these pictures. They were pretty scared and wet after the capture and bath. But, after I sat with them and doled out a chicken and rice mix, we were the best of friends.

I took them to the vet on 2-9 and he said that they are in really good shape, and about 8 weeks old. He also thinks that since they weren't afraid of us, they had been left in the barn rather than being born there. They have been wormed and have had their first set of shots.

They get along great with my kids and my 10 year old lab mix. The lab has had to put them in their places a few times, but everyone gets along just fine. So far, everyone snuggles when held.

I saw an adult dog around that looked a bit like a golden retriever, but I do not know if that is the mom, and I haven't seen her for a while.

We have a one dog at a time rule here, so they need to find new homes.

Gross Sea worm thing

Image by Alexandra Roberts

Christmas Presents on a Coral Reef

Image by Boogies with Fish
www.messersmith.name/wordpress/2009/12/25/christmas-prese...
Well, it's Christmas Day here. Most of the world will not catch up with us for a few hours. In the spirit of the season, I've prepared a modest, hastily constructed Christmas present for you. I honestly had something much more elaborate planned, but we all know how plans go this time of year. Just ask all of the people who are lined up for a plane or train. I'm quite happy to be "Home for Christmas" without moving a muscle.

So, to my readers, who have given me so much joy since I started Madang - Ples Bilong Mi  only a little more than two years ago, here is my humble gift to you:

You can no longer say that nobody has ever given you a Spirobranchus giganteus  for Christmas.

And, since I have exactly one Christmas Tree Worm image left, I am going to give it to you for Boxing Day: Now, let's get on with the party.

Here is a cute little "puppy dog" Blackspotted Puffer (Arothron nigropunctatus)  being desperately persued by a Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus)  looking for some fast food: The little cleaner wrasse is in its juvenile phase. It will be much less dramatic as an adult. They swim with a curious curling motion to advertise their services. It always reminds me of a fish dancing to Chubby Checkers singing "Come on Baby. Let's Do the Twist."

This Slender Grouper (Anyperodon leucogrammicus)   is a very handsome fish, indeed. They are easily spooked, so you have to sneak up on them while holding your breath: After a minute or so, just as you are dying for good, deep breath, you might get a chance for a shot. I only managed one exposure of this fish. Fortunately, everything worked perfectly. It's a good specimen shot.

Being right in the middle of nudibranch heaven, it's not surprising that I run across cute little eye candies such as this on a regular basis. It has the less-than-endearing name of Phyllidiella pustulosa.  Just play with that one for a while. You'll find it just as revolting as I do.

Finally, as I run out of words and images, I leave you with one of my trusted and favoured themes: Yes, that's right. Once again I give you Water Drops. I just can' t stop taking pictures of them.

I am so easily amused. It comes of having a simple mind.

Family portrait. (A rag tag bunch.)

Image by This Year's Love
This is the response salmon flavored Zukes gets. Even the cat ventures close and both dogs sit nicely in anticipation.
When Omaha was defending a piece Israel didn't take kindly to being bitch slapped and hissed at--he fought back. Omaha high-tailed it out of there and was acting like a crackhead after that.

My goal is to get a REAL portrait of all three of them for Easter. I'll definitely need many extra hands to contain the cat. But now I know that Zukes work!

The first picture of them all together without someone restraining the cat. Thank God I happened to have my cameras within arms reach and more treats in my pocket!
I didn't buy any of these guys, though Israel is my only "real" rescue.
For my birthday (June) I hope to add another dog to the pack, but that'll depend a lot on Israel and the other dog. The right one has to come along, you know?


OMG--EVERYONE is in the shot! Even the fish tank in the background! LUCKY!

Just a Quick Update

Image by Bad Apple Photography
Sorry the image sucks, but I really like Piper's eyes in this one so I uploaded it. And I really need to do a bit of venting on what is going on. Not that anything terribly bad has happened.

So, as of yesterday, Missy is gone. I'm not sure where she is exactly since I was at school when my dad took her where ever he did, but she is gone. Things seem to have gone back to normal and the puppy is doing well, but I'm a bit concerned. Under all that fluff I can clearly feel every bone she has and, since I can't see her body, it worries me. Maybe she has worms? Her stomach seems to be a bit big...

Anyway, things have gone back to normal with Piper. She's a bit calmer now, but she is still, most definitely, her neurotic self. Which I love about her. I'm going to be teaching her some new tricks soon, so hopefully I will be able to snap a picture of one or two of them for you guys. I haven't been walking her as much as I should be, but I am hoping to take her hiking soon. That's only if my parents will let me, though.

By the way, Jack absolutely LOVES the new puppy. I'm not sure about Piper yet since she doesn't quite know how to play with such a small thing yet, but I have high hopes that they will all get along in the future. Oh, one more thing about the puppy. I have discovered something new about her: she loves to HOWL. We've actually been debating whether to name her Lady A after the band Lady Antebellum. :P She is such a joy.