Rest In Peace - My pets

Since the last entry on my blog that is dated October 2012, two hens, a quail and a rabbit have been killed by some dogs that got into our backyard when we forgot to lock it.

We have no idea who those dogs belong to, and I broke my heart that their owners were so irresponsible to let their dogs loose in the neighborhood.

Allah SWT willing, I hope that my pets will forgive me for the negligence and that they are now at a better place.

R.I.P. Mr. Pumpkin

My heart is broken. Half an hour ago, I found out that our guinea pig has gone to heaven when I went to check on him.

I immediately called husband to let him know. Now I'll have to think of a way to break this sad news to DD1 who is taking a nap now.

May he rest in peace.

Fly, Birds, Fly

Husband just told me that the wild baby birds that were hatched in the blue backpack have flew away two weeks ago. They were all grown up in a matter of weeks, and left their nest with their parents.

I wish I had seen them before they took off. Allah SWT willing hopefully the parents will return next year to hatch another batch of eggs.

What happens to the backpack?

Apparently the chickens have decided that it is a good place to lay their eggs.

Wild Bird Babies

The pair of birds that is taking up residency in the backpack hanging in the backyard are now proud parents of baby birds.

I just checked the nest and saw tiny little babies. I couldn't count the babies because I didn't want to damage the nest. The parents were not happy to be disturbed and flew out of the backpack and I was taking a peek.

Allah SWT willing we will be hearing tweets from the backpack in another week or two.

Creative Nesting Place

Yesterday husband discovered that a pair of small birds have made a nest in this blue backpack that I hang on my bike outside the house. While tidying the compost area, he noticed daughter was throwing sand into the backpack and went to check it out. It was then when he saw the nest and hang it higer on the lamp post so that daughter will not be able to reach it.


In the backpack is a nest made out of dried grass and leave and lots of seeds from the bird feeder.

There are five brown speckled eggs in the nest and one of the birds was sitting on the eggs when I took the photo. It flew out when the camera flashlight went off, but I'm sure that it will go back to the nest later.

Allah SWT willing it will be so exciting when the eggs are hatched and little tweetings come out from the backpack. We are unofficially adopting this wildlife family and will continue to provide bird seeds and shelter for the parents.

Bye, Bye, Elmo Fish

Yesterday our 'Elmo Fish' died.

After waking up from an afternoon nap, I noticed that the dish turned belly up at the bottom of the fish tank. When I told husband about it, he said that while I was asleep, daughter had pour too much fish food in the tank and he didn't realize it until at a much later time. So I guess the fish died from overeating. Although we had the fish for about one year, daughter learned about how fish live in the water. She also learned that the fish cannot survive without water and it could not play with her toys the way like the rabbit does.

I asked husband to give the fish a proper burial. It's final resting place is in the Meyer's Improved Lemon tree's container pot.

With 4 hens, six quails and a rabbit to take care now, I guess we won't be getting another fish soon.

Fatal Attractions on Animal Planet

Last night husband and I watched the documentary 'Fatal Attractions' on Animal Planet. Its about people who were killed by animals that they kept as pets, such as chimpanzees, tigers, monitor lizards and poisonous snakes.

These people thought that since they raised their animals from young, they will not be in any danger as their animals grow bigger and stronger. But somehow the animals' basic instinct to hunt and kill just showed up one day and resulted in the owners' and/or innocent bystanders' horrific injuries, if not death.

I strongly believe that wild animals can never be tamed like a rabbit. It is understandable that their natural animal instinct will kick in one day, because that is how they are created. No matter how experienced an animal trainer is, he/she should not assume that the animals will submit to them completely. A number of psychiatrists who were interviewed on the documentary said that wild animal owners possess some sort of compulsive behavior disorder, so they can easily think that they have power over their animals. I hope that current wild animal owners put more priority on their own safety and the safety of their family and innocent people above their obsession with their pets.

Stop Animal Abuse

Recently I've been watching the program 'Animal Cop', about animal shelter workers who go around saving cats, dogs, horses and others who are living in terrible and unsanitary conditions.

It is really infuriating to see selfish people taking the lives of animals for granted, and it is sickening that they just use animals as a means to get money. There are also people who think that just hoarding stray cats and dogs in their homes, without providing adequate food, water and shelter, is considered doing a good deed. But most often these animals live in crowded and dirty conditions.

Here is a look at what goes on inside a puppy mill.

Videos about animal abuse can also be found on The Humane Society of the United States web site.

Watch this video on YouTube about a puppy mill raid in Tennessee.

Animals on the Farm

We are almost out of chicken food, so yesterday we went to the animal farm supplies store in Kennedale. By the time we got there around noon, they just sold the last two bags of chicken pallets to another customer. So we will have to go again next week, Allah SWT willing.

Anyway I took pictures of some farm animals. They look so cute!

Chickens, ducks and goats roaming in the farm. Love the red barn house!

Curious goat at the fence.

The animal farm supplies store is located just next to a busy street.

Donkeys on the animal farm.

If only we can keep a goat to get fresh goat milk...

Too Cute for Words

Getting to Know Niko

Yesterday I made some toys for Niko to play with, and also brought daughter to Goodwill to pick up some cheap trays for Niko. She loves to dig into the tray of shredded paper. I also cut out windows in a cardboard box for Niko to use as a playhouse. It's so cute to see her peep out of the window to investigate her surrounding.

Spill-free ducky container for Niko's food.

Niko's playground.

To encourage daughter to be gentle to Niko, I let her feed a carrot to the bunny. Daughter loves to see Niko eat from her hand. Since Niko is only 2 months old, I will not be giving her any more raw veggies until she is 6 months old as this may cause digestive problems in baby bunnies.

Voice command: 'Treats, Niko.'

Niko having fun pushing a ball.

Last night daughter and I managed to pet Niko for a while. She did not seemed to mind and in fact looked like she enjoys being petted.

I can't stop looking at this cute little bunny all the time!

A Pet's Ten Commandments

This touching list can be found here.

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Don't be frustrated and impatient.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand the tone of your voice when speaking to me.

6.. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old and weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old You too, will grow old and need love, care, comfort and attention.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

modified from the original poem by Stan Rawlinson Doglistener.co.uk

Niko - Our Mini Rex Rabbit

After a night of thinking about a name for the bunny, I finally decided one this morning.

Come to think of it, our bunny's fur color is almost the same as our neighbor's cat.

15 year old Lucy who originates from New Jersey,

The Japanese word for cat is 'Neko'. I quite like the sound of this word, so I am naming our bunny 'Niko'.

Yesterday the rabbit cage was placed in the kitchen. This morning I rearranged some furniture in the living room to make way for the cage. Now Niko can observe the action/drama in the living room with us.

According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA), the maximum weight for a Mini Rex is 4/5 pounds (about 2 kg).

See also the National Mini Rex Rabbit Club .

A Bunny for My Honey

Daughter has been interested in small animals such as hamsters and rabbits. Then it occur to me that now might be a good time to keep a small pet to teach daughter about kindness to animals. I will of course be to the bunny's primary trainer/housekeeper, since daughter is still too young to take on this responsibility. My mother used to keep small pets when we were growing up, so I am used to cleaning animal cages and keeping them clean.

Last week a lady advertised on Craigslist that she has four baby mini rex rabbits for sale, I have been looking around for a mini rex rabbit because of their small size. Rabbit breeders usually charge $50 to $80 for one, but this lady charges only $20 for a 2 month old mini rex. So I contacted her and we made arrangement for her to deliver one near my area.

Before we meet, I cleaned up the old guinea pig cage that I have for about four years. Our three beloved guinea pigs used to live in this cage, but they passed away three years ago. Husband wanted to keep the cage in case we keep small pets again, so it has been with us all this time.

All praise be to Allah SWT the bunny looks healthy and well.


The book that I read for taking care of rabbits is "Hop to it: a guide to training your pet rabbit' by Samantha Hunter. This is the most comprehensive and informative book that I find on keeping rabbits.

The bunny that I get has dark brown fur with orange spots. Her parents have four babies and the owner couldn't take care of all four, that's why she is selling them.

Closeup of the latest addition to the family.

I will leave the bunny alone for a few days before handling her. I will try to see if my dear sister can give a nice name to the bunny.

Daughter is already looking forward to hold and cuddle the bunny. Looks like it will take some effort for me to curb her enthusiasm or else the bunny may suffer lots of stress from daughter's attention.

'I want to hold fish!'

Daughter is so excited about the new betta fish that she keeps yelling 'I want to hold fish!' all day. I keep explaining to her that we should just enjoy watching the fish swimming in the water. Now she looks forward to feeding the fish one pallet per day and laugh herself silly when the fish actually ate the pallet.

All living creatures need space to roam freely. Same goes for the betta fish that husband got for daughter. So last week I bought a 2.5 gallon fish tank as a new home for the fish.

To make the new and bigger living quarter more interesting for the fish to explore, I also bought a pound of blue aquarium gravel and silk plant. The little bottles sitting in the gravel used to store maple syrup. I cleaned them well and filled them with filter water. They look so cute in the fish tank and the fish keeps swimming around them.

I've also got really good tips on keeping the fish healthy and happy from these web sites:

Betta Fish Care http://care.betta-fish.com.ar/

How to Care for Your Betta Fish http://www.aquariumguys.com/betta-fish-care-article.html

Elmo Fish

Daughter has been bugging husband to get a fish like the one she sees in Elmo's World from Sesame Street.

Last Saturday they got a red betta fish at a local pet store.

4 years ago when I worked at Texas Tech University Libraries, I had a colleage whose periwinkle betta fish lived for almost 2 years. His secret was to feed the fish every three days with three or four pellets. He also used only filter water for the fish tank. I am so glad that I remember this tip from him.

Daughter has been asking to hold the fish, and I have to keep telling her that it has to stay in the fish tank. To ensure the survival of the fish, I have to make sure daughter doesn't climb in a chair to reach for the fish tank.

Well, there goes my restful afternoon nap time....

Bye, Bye, Guinea Pig

My guinea pig died last night of food poisoning, I think from the wild plants in the front porch. It's so sad to watch a living thing die in such a painful way. So sad... sob sob sob...