Home-to-Home Adoption Program: Brody and Sugar Rae

Brody and Sugar Rae have been best buddies since they were puppies and are in search of a family that has room in their home for two lovable pooches.

Sugar Rae is a big sweetheart who will quickly become your shadow, following you everywhere you go. She is the perfect mix of sweet and sassy who isn't afraid to voice her opinions. If you let her in on the conversation, she'll happily talk your ear off! This affectionate girl also loves to play fetch with tennis balls and adores a nice long walk.

Brody is the gentler of the two. This sweet boy is a big baby who couldn't be friendlier! He loves kids and would love to have children to keep him busy with plenty of playtime. Much like his sister, Brody could spend hours playing ball outside and going for walks.

If you think this dynamic duo would be a good fit for your home, contact Michelle at 412.722.7370 or mtndspr3@verizon.net.

A Steam Train Journey

I've been wanting to do this for sometime and this steam-train experience

was finally organized!

Here is a photo of our steam train waiting for us to climb aboard

in London's Victoria Station.

Look at the comfortable plush armchairs and the white cloth and napkins

on the table ready for us to have breakfast!

Each carriage had a name painted on the side

the one I was in was called 'Amethyst'.

Here's the locomotive. Isn't she grand?

Look at all that steam.

This was at a station during one of our numerous stops.

Steam trains need a lot of pampering

including long stopovers for water, oiling various parts

and screws tightening up and the metal wheels checking over.

Here's the engine driver in the cabin of lovely burgundy coloured locomotive.

The name of our train is Princess Elizabeth

This is a plaque to give a little royal information.

Look at some of the workings of this marvellous machine

Puff, puff, puff

Here she comes after a rather long overhaul.

Champagne before the meal!

We were travelling from London down to Cornwall

on the west coast of England.

I took this from the train as we neared Devon

This is the Brunel Bridge which spans the River Tamar

from Devon into Cornwall

Here's a view down on the river from the train which

is going across that bridge.

Now we're travelling alongside the sea.

It feels quite exciting.

We arrived quite late at night after dinner on the train.

Here is our hotel on the outskirts of Newquay.

We stayed here for three nights.

We were so lucky to have a sea view

and excellent weather.

There were different outings organized each day

if we wanted to do them.

I chose to visit two gardens,

one of which is called The Lost Gardens of Heligan

a most wonderful place to visit.

As a parting photo, here is a pink sunset taken from my hotel room.

***

Here is a short video of the very train I was on

during the 17-20 September period

Steam train video

Fall Colours

Fall Colours At Their Peak

Panorama of NB Fall Colours

Our autumn colours are now at their peak.  Just stepping out the door gives one a fabulous view.  How magnificent the colours look on a sunny day!  Although it is difficult (and impossible in my view) to capture that beauty on camera, I am showing some of my photos to try to show off some of our splendour.

School Road, Scotch Lake

The colours are best in hardwood or predominantly hardwood habitats.  The sugar maples turn red and orange; the red maples are red or yellow; the oaks and beeches are brown, the birches and poplars are yellow.  Add to that the many shades of each of these colours and mix them with a multitude of shades of green from the yellow greens of deciduous leaves just beginning to turn to the dark cool greens of softwood trees and you have a bonanza of colour.  Nature has a way of doing it best!

Red Maple and Birch Leaves Against Spruce

Coverall Road

Trail to Howland Falls

Nature is putting on a magnificent show before it drops its leaves and goes dormant for the winter months.  Now is the time to get out and enjoy it.  And while you are at it, you just might catch one of our spectacular sunsets, like the one shown below seen recently.

 

Sunset Taken in Fredericton, 2016

It's Hip to Be Tipped

In honor of National Feral Cat Day Animal Friends will be hosting It's Hip to Be Tipped, an educational event for colony caregivers and those who want to learn more about community cats.

Animal Friends' Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Department is working to help the community manage community cat populations (can include feral, stray and barn cats) by practicing Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return (TNVR).

We know we can peacefully coexist with community cats so we wanted to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about them.

Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return FAQs

What is an ear tip?

Ear tips are a means for identifying spayed/neutered community cat from a distance. During surgery, the top o one ear is tipped (commonly the left ear, but sometimes the right instead).

What is the difference between feral and stray cats?

Feral cats are the same species as your average house cat, but they have been raised without human contact. These cats still rely on human caretakers to offer proper food and shelter, but do not want to interact with people. Feral cats cannot be made into house cats and are happiest outside. Stray cats are typically cats that belonged to someone, but were either lost or abandoned. These cats may be very friendly or warm up to people slowly, and in some cases can be brought into the home as a pet.
 

What is TNVR?

TNVR stands for Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return. It is a means of humanely controlling cat populations. Community cats are trapped using humane box traps, spayed/neutered and ear-tipped by a vet, then returned to where they were caught for continued care by a colony caretaker.
 

Why TNVR?

Trap Neuter Vaccinate Return is the most humane way to deal with the problem of cat overpopulation. Euthanizing feral cat populations is not only inhumane but also ineffective.

Come to It's Hip to Be Tipped on Fri., Oct. 14 to learn how to make a feral cat house, speak with an expert, learn about Animal Friends’ services for community cats and have the first opportunity to make an appointment for our free spay/neuter clinic! You’ll also meet some adoptable kitties that were once part of a community cat colony. And, you won’t want to miss the launch of a new program for colony caregivers. A limited supply of free cat food and straw will be available.
 
Please RSVP to MLippert@ThinkingOutsideTheCage.org.

Top 10 Reasons to Do the Muttster Mash!

At Animal Friends, we're so excited to be counting down to the spookiest day of the year. To help you get into the spirit we're throwing a Howl-o-ween celebration you and your pup will be sure to enjoy ... the Muttster Mash! In case you're not sure if it's right for you, here are the top 10 reasons to lace up your sneakers, find the perfect costume for your furry buddy and meet us on Oct. 16 in South Park for the Muttster Mash!

10. Pack Leaders

This year we have not one, not two, but three incredible pack leaders! Ashley Dougherty from WTAE will be starting off the 5k while her colleague Ray Petelin joins WISH 99.7 FM's Cris Winter to lead the way for the Hike for Hounds.

9. Tricks and Treats

We're going to rely on you and your pooch for the tricks, but we'll have lots of hauntingly good treats to offer in our vendor village and food truck alley.

8. Fall is Here!

The crisp autumn air is just around the corner and there's no better way to enjoy the last few warm days of the season than to spend some time outside with your best buddy.

7. Meet Adoptable Pets

Thinking about adding a new member to your family? We'll be joined at the event by some of our very own adoptable pets who would love to meet you.

6. Too Cute to Spook Costume Contest

Now is your chance to show off your pup's style! Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes including the most hair-raising, funniest and best owner/dog combo just to name a few!

5. 5k Run

The Muttster Mash will feature a 5k for the fitness nut in you. We ask that dogs sit out the run, but bringing a friend and your pooch to root you on from the sidelines is strongly encouraged. Who couldn't use their very own pep squad?!

4. Hike for Hounds

If a 5k isn't quite your pace, the one-mile Hike for Hounds is the perfect alternative. Enjoy a leisurely walk with your pup and plenty of other dog lovers and their four-legged friends.

3. Bobbing for ... Hot Dogs?

While this might not sound like the most appetizing activity for people, you can be sure that it will be a big crowd-pleaser with the dogs! Your pooch will also have a chance to unstuff a scarecrow and participate in the pumpkin roll.

2. Halloween Comes Early

Just because Halloween hasn't officially arrived yet, doesn't mean you can't get in on the fun a little early with the Muttster Mash – we know it'll be a boneyard smash!

1. Support Animal Friends

With all the fun and festivities going on, you might forget that every dollar raised at the Muttster Mash benefits the dogs, cats and rabbits at Animal Friends! Don't just register yourself, ask your friends and family to support the cause ... every dollar counts!

Let the Sun Shine in.

For as long as I remember,

I've loved windows and sheers

and how the sunshine illuminates the patterns and creates

folds and curves.

Open windows have a special charm

and they allow the sheers to move in the breeze

and we get a glimpse of greenery outside

transporting us to another outside world

There's a dreamy, romantic feeling to watching these lightweight

transparent curtains move back and forth

I could watch them forever

observing the play of sunlight outside which changes constantly

Who would have thought that open windows

and the breeze blowing curtains could hold such fascination?

The sunlight shines its filtered yellow magic

as if there is a hidden source of light within the trees outside

When the sun lowers in the sky

it leaves behind it a memory of luminous moments

of stillness and peace.

Looking at these window captures

reminds me how 

 peaceful observation

becomes a joyful meditation.

Fall Bluebirds

The Bluebirds Are Still Here 

Eastern Bluebird - Male

Fall might be upon us but the Eastern Bluebirds are still here.  That is good news.  These beautiful small, colourful thrushes are still flitting around orchards and meadows looking for food and training their young, getting ready for migration.  We were lucky to find a small flock of these neat birds near Fredericton yesterday.  It was a warm  sunny day and the bluebirds were making the most of the many insects flying around.  They were moving actively between an orchard and the hydro poles and wires.  They treated us with their presence.

Eastern Bluebirds, like most birds at this time of year, are in their basic (alternate) plumage.  The bright feathers of the breeding plumage are mostly gone.  That makes it difficult to see the brilliant blue of this species.  They are still beautiful, however, with the deep orange breasts and muted gray blue on their heads and backs.

The male and female bluebirds differ slightly.  The female is duller and shows white on the throat and a more pronounced eyering.  Shown above is the male in basic plumage.  Note the solid orange on the throat and the gray-blue on the head.  The brilliant blue head of spring's breeding plumage is now gone.

Eastern Bluebird - Male

Shown above is also a male.  Note the solid orange throat and the bright blue on the wing feathers.  If this were spring, the entire head and back would be brilliant iridescent blue.

Eastern Bluebird - Female

Shown above is the female in basic plumage.  Note the more pronounced eyering and the whitish throat.  The orange breast and gray on the head and back are also duller than in the male.

An interesting fact about Eastern Bluebirds is that if a predator or other danger appears and no male is around, the female will sing a specific song in order to alert the male and have him return to protect her.  

The bluebirds will soon be leaving.  October is the time for them to migrate south.  Our birds will spend the winter in the eastern US south of Vermont or Massachusetts.