Flying solo

Brightspark87

Dear Robin so glad CD seems on better form and long may it continue!! xx

*Robin*

Dear Diary and MSE Friends, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, Satchmo and Sparky. :T

satchmo1 wrote: »

DH and I said this morning, we were glad m'brother didn't have to drive his caravan home yesterday (he heads home today), then realised we were also glad we weren't camping in a tent.

Indeedy! Hope your brother got home safely, Satchmo.

Brightspark87 wrote:

so glad CD seems on better form and long may it continue!

Seconded!
Yesterday Plumber turned up. We were both amazed to see the rapturous welcome CD gave him; bouncing, tail-wagging, "huffing" (= "Hello friend!"). So different from the dog who lay stretched out quite insensible to her surroundings, the last time he called round.
Needless to say, am continuing the experiment - nothing else has changed in CD's treatment, so it seems a reasonable hypothesis that this supplement is beneficial. Although the speed of the improvement in CD's condition has been far more impressive than I'd dared hope for.

Unfortunately could not discuss it with DV, because both she and our friend Nurse were operating on a road accident victim when I arrived at the clinic; it sounded very touch-and-go, so just bought more gloop from the receptionist and decided to carry on following instinct re CD's supplemental treatment.

Spends: CD's gloop - £15 (a month's supply). Plumber (wearing his Mechanic's cap) - £50**

Divo Two is much better, hopefully will be out of hospital this week.
He's planning to pick up his car and then collect DGD for their summer holiday together. Knowing Dear Son, decided to ask Plumber to check over the car beforehand; ensure everything works, the tyres are legal and properly pumped up, etc.
DS2 certainly isn't thick, but his brain works on another [he would say 'higher', lol] plane, so it simply wouldn't occur to him to check oil level or tyre pressures before driving away - even though his car has been standing for weeks, plus been driven by DS3 since it's owner has seen it.
** An advance so that Plumber can buy any service parts / oil if needed.

Meanwhile the temperature here has rocketed. No idea how hot it is outside because the patio thermometer has been bleating "Error! Error!" for days. Inside the Nest it reached 31'C a couple of times - pretty extreme by local standards. CD is wearing her fake-chamois-leather damp jacket, curled up[**] in front of a fan with a bottle of ice behind it (cooling the air-intake ) - which is as close to 'air conditioning' as we get at the Nest! :rotfl:
[** One noticeable way of telling that CD is feeling better; she has started choosing different positions again, rather than just lying flat out on one flank ].

Last night the heat eased off at Moonrise, which was still an impressive sight although clearly past 'full'. It gave CD and self plenty of illumination as we took our constitutional. On the way home, CD bounded up the steps ahead of me, while I marvelled; such an improvement in her energy!
At the top CD froze, staring at my collection of plant pots in their waterproof container. Heart sinking, I hurried to join her, directing torch-beam at the spot CD was indicating..

Yup. Curses. Yelled:
"No! Leave it!" Grabbed her harness and locked CD inside the Nest, then examined this latest problem which had literally arrived on our door-step.
Am 99% certain it was the same recently evicted toad; unusually large, same bump pattern (compared 'photos taken last time).
Damn - the bluddy thing can climb a near-vertical, ten-metre-high shale cliff.
<sigh>
It was sitting in a puddle of water between the pots, glaring malevolently at the torch-beam.

What to do? Apparently toads scent water. Why couldn't the wretched creature have focussed on the closest source - the river - which would have been a much easier journey for it from Nasty N's abandoned field, than the steep ascent back up to the Nest.
Nevertheless, to the Nest it had returned. It's stubborn expression clearly gave the impression that it felt at home - and considered the torch an intruder.
:think: Nice clean shaded 'pool' to sit in, or having to dig into rapidly drying mud and endure until the rains arrive? Instinct I know, but but but - if only it were not so poisonous!

My choice was either: A) never to let CD go outside by herself, or remove the danger once and for all.

B obviously preferable to A. But how?

Despite possessing over half a century of varied life experience, found m'self ill-prepared for this dilemma:
Kill it? Hammer or long-handled loppers? (Nooooo! ).
Catch it and take it somewhere else (- without it squirting poison everywhere?! :cool:)?

Mr G00gle to the rescue. Found a 'humane solution' on an Aussie site about venomous creatures; catch it, put it - inside a plastic bag - into the fridge overnight to send it into hibernation. Thereafter two choices; transport and release, or transfer to freezer for at least a week!

A certain ingenuity was required to adapt the tools available into a toad-catching kit, and a recycled two-litre ice-cream tub was substituted for the plastic bag.
Protective clothing advisable: Long sleeves and trousers, marigolds, safety goggles, head-torch and walking boots - just as well no-one was around at midnight to see this performance! :rotfl:

Wielding an empty silicone 'gun' in one hand - which has the benefits of a 40cms long handle plus a flat circular ring on the bottom, and in the other hand m' largest pair of pliers with strips of mop wound around the jaws [so they would grip but not chomp], I warily approached our unwelcome wannabe resident..

Aussie method worked a treat: The gun's ring pressed across it's shoulders held Toad in place while I got a good hold on a back leg, then quickly flipped it into the tub. Secured it again under the ring while I slapped the lid on the tub. Phew. :T

Know you'll all go "Ewww :eek:" at this, but I did it; put the tub in the fridge overnight.
This morning Toad was fast asleep (moved a bit when prodded, so not defunct). Dropped it off ten miles away, near a disgusting but permanent pool where a village sewerage system drains into the riverbed. It should be happy enough, and hopefully not a danger to any other dogs (the place stinks - so not on any dog-walking or tourist routes :cool:).
With any luck it won't bother to crawl back to the Nest from there!

A surprising thing was the sheer volume of poison that Toad squirted out, from the moment it was pinioned. Must have been at least a mug-full of liquid - took an hour to clean up afterwards. By the time the job was done to my satisfaction, I'd just about stopped shaking.

..Aye, life certainly is an education. :rotfl:

Knit_Witch

Erk and *shudder* re Mr Toad!

maddiemay

Great news about CD, and :T:T:T:T:T to your toad catching and rehoming skills, I cannot imagine having to do that, but I like to think that if I and Miss MM were in that position I would had a good attempt at dealing with it somehow, our fur babies are so important to us all.

Miss MM is catching up on her rest, we have had a Westie lodger for just over a week, my bestie and her hubby have a reciprocal arrangement with OH and I, we do dog B&B for each other's precious ones, they get on really well, but neither get much rest when together.

missrlr

Oh my life Robin, the toad experience sounds one for confines of history (hopefully) rather than to be reenacted one - here's hoping you don't have to go through that again! Well done you for so expertly and safely getting rid of it. Poor CD for that close encounter and your nerves!

Glad other matters seem to be improving
Ear tickles and belly rubs for CD

Brightspark87

Robin that toad run in literally made me cover my eyes with my hands and read through my fingers!! Wow, you are brave!! a mug of that horrid stuff thank goodness CD didnt get near to him, could have be a nasty meeting.

I am glad to hear your stories though, I love it when you visit.

xx

*Robin*

Hello Diary and fellow bufonophobes, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, Knit Witch, Maddiemay, Missrlr and Sparky. :T

Knit_Witch wrote:

Erk and *shudder* re Mr Toad!

Yes, that's the natural reaction, isn't it? ..Bet you felt grateful you live in town after reading my last post, lol.

maddiemay wrote: »

Great news about CD, and :T:T:T:T:T to your toad catching and rehoming skills, I cannot imagine having to do that, but I like to think that if I and Miss MM were in that position I would had a good attempt at dealing with it somehow, our fur babies are so important to us all.

Of course you would have dealt with anything that threatens Miss Maddiemay - you're a woman; women cope!

maddiemay wrote: »

Miss MM is catching up on her rest, we have had a Westie lodger for just over a week, my bestie and her hubby have a reciprocal arrangement with OH and I, we do dog B&B for each other's precious ones, they get on really well, but neither get much rest when together.

..Hope Miss MM isn't missing her friend.
I love Westies! DH and I always planned that when we reached our dotage - therefore not fit enough to own a dog like CD - we'd share our last days with a Westie or two (easier to keep up with their little legs, lol!).
Wonder whether that will still happen (obviously without DH )?
Both DS3 and DS4 have been trying to prepare me for the inevitable time when CD must depart for Rainbow Bridge, bless 'em; didn't realise I'd been projecting my fears so transparently in RL.

missrlr wrote:

Oh my life Robin, the toad experience sounds one for confines of history (hopefully) rather than to be re-enacted one - here's hoping you don't have to go through that again! Well done you for so expertly and safely getting rid of it.

Hmm, well given that toads do scent water - which is replenished twice daily at the Nest thanks to the irrigation pipes - it's not beyond the bounds of possibility that more toads might turn up. Especially given their apparent ability to climb cliffs.
Let's just say that my improvised toad catching-kit is still to hand, just in case..
Mental note to self: Buy another huge tub of ice-cream!
An aside: It would have been much more difficult to avoid getting covered in venom while putting Toad into a plastic bag, as per Aussie instructions (maybe they assume a bag-holding helper would be standing by?).
Toad was definitely much easier to deal with once it was in hibernation-mode - that's a brilliant tip (well worth having to wash a fridge shelf afterwards! :rotfl:).

missrlr wrote:

Poor CD for that close encounter and your nerves!

Clever Dog wasn't upset (except at being dragged inside the Nest, lol). 'Cautiously interested' would describe her attitude. Although if another toad appears, hopefully I can intervene before CD's mental processes move on to 'investigate closely' - that's when she would be in greatest danger.
My nerves have recovered, thanks. Like most things, having done it once, do now feel more confident should another eviction be required.

missrlr wrote:

Glad other matters seem to be improving.
Ear tickles and belly rubs for CD

CD says thanks for extra cuddles - she appreciates 'em again now.
Health improvement is continuing; last night I actually had to run after CD, because she set off for our 'walk' at a gallop!
She's really found her voice again too, which is lovely - gives me so much pleasure when she makes her opinions known.

Brightspark87 wrote:

Robin that toad run in literally made me cover my eyes with my hands and read through my fingers!! Wow, you are brave!! a mug of that horrid stuff thank goodness CD didnt get near to him, could have be a nasty meeting.

Goodness me, Sparky! Bet you're glad you live in the city, far from such encounters, eh?
Tbh I would be just as horrified by the type of event which you might have to deal with any day!

Brightspark87 wrote:

I am glad to hear your stories though, I love it when you visit.

Aww, thank you. :blushing:

Knit_Witch

*Robin* wrote: »

Hello Diary and fellow bufonophobes, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, Knit Witch, Maddiemay, Missrlr and Sparky. :T



Yes, that's the natural reaction, isn't it? ..Bet you felt grateful you live in town after reading my last post, lol.

Ah but we live in a rural village! and the Cairns LUUUURVE playing with hedgehogs (I will say that the Tiggywinkles are not so keen!)

*Robin*

Hello Diary and MSE Friends, :hello:

Thanks for popping in, Knit Witch. :T

Knit_Witch wrote: »

Ah but we live in a rural village! and the Cairns LUUUURVE playing with hedgehogs (I will say that the Tiggywinkles are not so keen!)

Gosh - well I got that wrong, lol! ..No idea why, but had convinced m'self you live in that rather fine cul-de-sac of Victorian houses half way down V. Rd - it was a house on the main road that DS4 wanted to buy (not happening since he's going to the US with Erasmus - too risky [for me] leaving house-mates to get on with it during his absence!).

Hedgepigs are lovely, once you get past the fleas, lol. Good to hear they're still around in decent numbers - must be, or your Cairn boys wouldn't find any!


DS2 is back in the world, sounds very upbeat which is great; he's been given a new medication to control his health issue. Says he likes it much better than the old one (- that did have some rather unpleasant side-effects).
Divo Two is coming to visit next week, on his way to collecting DGD.**

Three 'phoned as well, and Four tried (didn't let it ring long enough - but spirit was willing, so obligation fulfilled ). Divo One called a couple of days ago from somewhere in France (don't expect to hear from him today because there is no signal at the place where he's staying).
Was surprised to hear from Ex - but he was just returning a missed call from yesterday (thought he might like a lift to go shopping). Unlike the boys, Ex had forgotten it's my birthday (that's ok; he's an ex ). I don't mind, we'll do a celebration family meal next week when One, Two and DGC are here.

It's a blowy, cloudy day today, so not dangerous to take CD in the van, thank goodness. Clever Dog and I are heading out shortly, to visit a woodland where DH and I used to enjoy walking together with all the dogs, then we'll stop for dinner at a local restaurant on the way home.

**Plumber said DS2's car has so many faults that it would be a lot cheaper to get a hire-car when needed.
Good advice which Two has decided to follow.

please-let-me-be-lucky

Happy birthday Robin!! Hope your day is as lovely as you are Xx