Karen's Blog: Another Rescue

Friday, September 22, 2006

Another Rescue

Well it was another call to WIRES last night. Late yesterday afternoon I walked out the back just in time to see the horrid cat from across the road sneaking up on an injured baby King Parrot in our backyard. (Buster, my beagle, was asleep in his kennel. What a great watchdog. LOL) I chased the cat out of our yard and put the little bird into a cardboard box. I thought maybe her wing was hurt but I think she was more frightened and concussed. I am guessing she fell out of the tree perhaps. I phoned WIRES who are the Australian wild animal rescue service and they came and picked her up. They said they would look after her and when she is better will let her out close to our house where she is familiar with everything. Poor little thing. I see so many native birds ripped to pieces by cats around here. It makes me so angry. Recently I was standing on our back deck looking at all the beautifil birds on one of our feeders in the back yard, when I saw the same cat from across the road peering out from a bush/shrub at the fence behind our feeder. It was just waiting to pounce on the feeder. I saw it in enought time to make a loud noise and scare the birds away just as the cat jumped on the feeder. Luckily the birds got away. I don't want to think of the mess I would have found in the backyard had I not have been there:( I got Bren to cut back the bush so the birds could see the cat if it tried it again. The trouble is that when you say something to the neighbour they just look at you, almost amused, and tell you there is nothing they can do. So frustrating. I don't mean to offend all the cat lovers out there, but I really think that the same rule that applies to dogs not being allowed to roam out of their own yard should also apply to cats as well. A friend of mine owns 3 Siamese cats and she would be one of the most responsible cat owners, along with Carol S, that I know. Her husband built a long cat enclosure right down the side of their house so when the cats are not inside, they are in this huge cat run. Anyway, off my sop box. I was just so upset last night at what almost happened. Oh, and in case anyone is wondering how I know the King Parrot was a girl. The girls are all green, while the boys are a beautiful bright red and green:)

BTW, thanks to Anne for letting me know what I missed by not staying for the credits at Pirates Of The Carribean 2. I hadn't heard Anne, so thanks for that:)

On the stitching front, I haven't been doing much lately but I did get some out last night. I have started Villages Of Hawk Run Hollow that Carol sent me the gorgeous fabric for. When I have done more I will post a photo.

And last but not least, on the Weight Watchers front. I have now lost 11kgs (25lbs) and reached the Weight Watchers goal weight. My personal goal weight is still anouther 6kgs (12lbs) away, but I am so happy there is now more behind than in front. I really feel I am now eating a more healthy, well balanced diet. And I get to keep my carbs in it as well. LOL. As many of you probably know, I am a carb junkie!! Bren and I bought some exercise equipment for home and that is making a lot of difference too. Now that Spring is here and it is almost time for Daylight Savings, we will start our afternoon walks again soon as well. I am hoping to be at my goal weight by Christmas as Bren and I are going up to his parents' place at Tea Gardens for Christmas and they live right on the beach so I want to buy a nice new swimming costume before we go:)

posted by Karen's Blog @ 12:11 pm

10 Comments:

At 2:09 pm, Carol said…

Cats are hunters. Sad, but true. I don't let mine out for two reasons - I don't want them hurt, and I don't want them killing animals! They did kill a small flying squirrel that came in through the chimney last year - it was terrible. I doubt you have offended anyone! What a sweet photo of the bird. I am sure WIRES will take wonderful care of it - and you did your usual outstanding rescue work too!

I am excited that you started VOHRH - can't wait to see it!!
At 9:30 pm, Unknown said…

I have 3 cats and they roam - I'd have serious injuries if they stayed in, they wind themselves around my legs.

Cheeky stays either in my garden or next doors garden, hmm actually Rascal (Cheeky's son) likes to be in there too because he gets fed pork pies!!!

Sandy, the one I rescued, is a wanderer, but I think they all love to be under the decking in the garden to see what mice and things they can catch. They're not really bird catchers, but they all wear collars with very loud bells and I think that helps.

I do find sparrows and blackbirds in my garden from time to time (usually when I'm mowing the lawn), but I know the evil viscious black one from down the road loves to catch birds and leave them in my garden - I've seen it do it.

People with siamese cats and cats like Carol's, tend to keep them as indoor cats as they're special prescious ones.

The bird is beautiful.

How's the stitching coming along?
At 10:05 pm, Karen said…

Fortunately, where I live, we don't have too many cats roaming. I think people around here tend to keep them as indoor pets cause they don't want to see them splattered on the road. But I do agree with you, cats should have to follow the same rules as dogs. I would hate to walk outside and see a pretty Cardinal or Mourning Dove ripped to bits. We have a whole bunch of feeders around our lot.
At 11:23 pm, Unknown said…

Congratulations on your weight loss! 25lbs is AMAZING!
At 11:29 pm, Wendy said…

Wow, Karen ~ Congratulations on reaching your WW goal weight! That's tremendous!!!

I'm so glad to hear you were able to rescue that beautiful little bird! What a shame to hear that so many of these lovely creatures are taken down all the time.

Its a bylaw here that cats are not allowed to roam free, the same as with dogs. Any cats that are out and about, are picked up by Animal Control.
At 7:56 am, Kim said…

Good for you! I have a cat and I don't let her roam free outside. I hate people that just turn their cats out and let them run loose as they can be a menace. Such a pretty bird too, lucky you to have such beautiful birds to watch. :D
At 9:44 am, Von said…

Hearty Congratulations on achieving your goal weight, at least your initial goal! :D I'm sure with better weather ahead, you'll drop the additional pounds easily.

I'm so glad your parrot story has a happy ending. :D
At 11:54 am, Barb said…

Good for you for saving the bird. I don't care for birds but like watching them and don't want them injured. I love hearing them chirp in the mornings.I love cats but do not believe they should be outside. Unfortunately cats are hunters by nature a good reason to keep them inside! Around here cats are not allowed to roam. Mine is an indoor only cat.
At 2:57 am, Shelleen said…

I know that cats are hunters and it is sad to see them go after our birds. I have 4 cats, 2 are indoors and 2 go out and I do chase mine when I see them go after the birds. I have vowed that i will never have another outdoor cat again. Because of them getting into things outside and getting hit by cars. I have tried making one of the outdoor cats an indoor cat but he gets mad when you don't let him out and sprays all over, even though he is fixed. I like the idea of the outdoor enclosure. Sounds like a nice idea.
At 7:43 pm, mainely stitching said…

I'm a cat owner and cat lover and I'm not offended. Our cat does attack the occassional bird and it really upsets me. Unfortunately a cat run really isn't possible, but I think I'll put a bell on him next spring to give the birds advance warning.

Good luck saving this little birdie. He looks a bit like my Gilbert, a ring-necked parakeet.