Poor Bailey has a bit of a compromised immune system from being shuffled around from home to shelter to new home, and has had a bit of a skin infection for the past few weeks.  His owners asked if I could give him his medicated bath twice a week since their groomer was ill.  I agreed of course (because I just love all of them) and it has been an adventure.  The first day I had to give the bath in the tub since it was too cold to do it outside.  I started out dry and on the floor and ended up just getting in there with him because I had no other way to get his whole body.  We were both soaked head to toe, the bathroom was covered in dog hair (as was I), but Bailey was a great sport.

Now that it is warmer, Terry and I have been bathing him out back with the hose.  This has been MUCH easier, however the point of the bath is to keep the medicated shampoo on for 15 min.  Although Bailey is quite cooperative, he now tried to avoid the bath at all costs.  Today he jumped up on the table like a billy goat.  Silly boy!

Trying to avoid us

Letting the shampoo soak in... while jumping to higher ground

His "Oh man, another bath??!!" face

Just another album of awesome views from different client windows.  I become mesmerized with these picturesque views of the city!

Hello City Hall

Trying to get the word out about this cat.  He showed up on my clients front step about 2 months ago. He was a sweetie pie and jumped right in her lap.  He hadn't returned until last week.  He was dirty and skinny, so she took him in.  Obviously he was a house cat that someone decided they didn't want anymore.  He now needs a home.  She has named him Grayson and he is a super laid back cat.  He had his vaccines this week, he is felv/fiv negative, and he will be neutered on Saturday.  He loves human company and head pets, but is a bit wary of too much handling.  (He must have a had a rough time on the street and in his previous home)  He will immediately sit on your lap and purr, this is just what he wants.  He is a great eater, about  a year old, and just needs some TLC.  The new owner must be patient with him, as he does not like to be picked up.  He doesn't hiss or growl or scratch, he just whips his head around quickly to make sure you let go.  I"m sure once he is in a stable home he will learn to trust again.  For now, he is treating his foster home like a spa.  He lounges on a chaise, gets good meals, and enjoys plenty of head scratches.  Can anyone give him a home??

This is about 2 weeks late, but I didn't want to write until I had all of the information.

Terry and I were in Washington Square Park one morning walking Bean

We were passing by a tree when Terry said, "Hey! Look at that squirrel."  I slowly went over to it and saw that it was bleeding. Figures.  I hand over Bean to Terry and go investigate the squirrel.  She seemed in shock and was pretty docile, so I figured I'd get a box for her and put her in my yard to see if she improved throughout the day.  First I gave her a peanut butter cracker (because that is what I do with docile squirrels).

 This is her holding the peanut butter cracker, seeming relieved.  And my , "Look how cute she is" face.

The next feat was to find a box.  I thought I'd check Hopkinson House since I know the front desk guys well.  The first one at the door looks at me and yells, "That's a damn squirrel in your hand!!!"  They didn't have a box, but suggested the convenient store to the left.  Terry popped her head in to ask for a box, and they gave us a pop tart box (which by the way is a flimsy piece of crap).  I put her in there, then went to look for a better box.  We stopped by the pharmacy across the street and I talked them into a sturdier cardboard box.  We took the little injured kid back to my house and checked in on her hourly. Since she seemed to be improving, we decided to take her out to Schuylkill Valley Wildlife Rehab.  

After our 13 visits, the 2 of us armed with google maps directions (yet little sense of direction) piled in the car with a bleeding squirrel and headed out to the woods.  We miraculously found our way (with a little help from a mail woman) and pulled up to the Rehab Center.  The first thing we see is a goat!!! I loved the place immediately.  They have chickens, ducks, roosters, and a goat who hangs out in the parking lot eating greenery.  We took the squirrel in to get admitted, made a small donation, and headed out.  There was then goat bonding time.  I pulled out another peanut butter cracker for him, which he devoured, and then my "to do" list for the day dropped in the ground.  He went right for it and started eating it.  I tried to get it out of his mouth, but he put his head down and gave me the horns.  Sigh... What a cutie though!

My list in his mouth

I called to check on the squirrel 24 hrs later.  They said that she was still hanging in, but still bleeding a bit.  I then called a week later and they told me that she is doing great!  It was a superficial would (not internal bleeding like we thought) and she is in their outdoor cage hanging out getting ready to be released!  What a happy ending to this crazy day we had!!

Yup... that's my list

A few weeks ago Terry, Kate and I went to the super adoption day at Penns Landing.  All of the shelters were there, tons of adoptable dogs and cats were there to meet, and there were piglets!!!!  I do love me a farm animal, especially a baby farm animal!

I have been walking Rex for almost 2 weeks.  Every time I see him and say his name, I just think of Empire Records.   Not that I find the dog sexy (let me be clear and say that I do not!)  I have just watched this movie hundreds of times and when I hear the name Rex, I think of Rex Manning.

       

I have a new client with birds.  I am going over about once a week to hang out with the birds and get them used to me.  Of course I want them to immediately love me and fly onto my shoulder, but that takes time.  I went to visit with them a few days ago and was waiting for the elevator.  The front desk guy that I have blogged about before (who instilled the kiss hello out of nowhere 2 years ago) was hurrying out of the elevator as I was getting in.  He said, "Hey Deb!  How are you?" and kissed me hello.  Upon entering the elevator, I see 2 little girls and a baby sitter.  The younger girl (maybe 7 yrs old?) immediately says, "Ew!  He's old!  Is he your boyfriend? Because you just kissed him."  I said, "No, we are just friends." She replied, "But then why did you two kiss??"  I told her what I have told everyone else and treated her like an adult.  I said, "Ya know, I really don't know.  He instilled this a long time ago, and I just went with it.  I honestly don't have a good reason why."  Her reply to that was, "You're freaky."  I smiled and said thank you (as I got a kick out of it) and when they exited the elevator the baby sitter turns to me and apologizes.  She said, "I don't know where they come up with this stuff, I'm just the baby sitter.  I'm so sorry." She was mortified for the both of us.  It was a pleasant change.  The elevators used to be filled with elderly Jews bickering (which was also amusing as it reminds me of my childhood), but now younger families are moving into that building.  Delightful.

This is not THE bird, but A bird

Ah the Story of a puppy...   A nervous puppy who has brave days, and not so brave days.  He seems to be growing by the hour.  We rounded a corner and ran into a lady, literally.  She was startled, Sammy was startled, and it resulted in a very trepidatious walk around the neighborhood that ended with me just picking him up and hugging him because he seemed to need it.  Although he is still a puppy, he has grown quite a bit since I first met him.