It is time we had a conversation with that parrot...
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Breed Profile: Weimaraner
The Weimaraner Vorsetehund is a handsome fearless hunting dog who loves to be with his family. This is not a dog you keep in a kennel and let out for a day of shooting. This dog needs to live with his people and prefers to be close to them. Some have described the Weimaraner's affection as needy. Others call it: in your face.
In the 1800's, the German Court of Weimar sought to develop an all around hunting dog that could hunt game of all types and sizes from birds to bears. Numerous breeds were used to create the Weimar Pointer, as it was originally known, including Bloodhound, Red Schweisshund, assorted pointers including the German Short haired Pointer, and probably other breeds as well. Where exactly the unique gray color originated is not known.
In 1929 the Weimaraner came to the US. Impressive in obedience competitions, the breed drew interest. Once the breed's versatile hunting talents were discovered, Weimaraner popularity increased still more.
About that unusual coat- it is short and easy to care for. Most people do little more than polish it with a grooming mitt. The coat color ranges from silver gray to mousy gray.
Some Weimaraner Facts
- life span: 10-13 years
- height at shoulder: 23-27 inches
- weight: 50-90 pounds
- eyes: amber, blue, blue-gray
- nose: gray
- tail is docked to 6 inches
Weimaraner Manifesto
- I sometimes get rambunctious, small persons take heed for I may accidentally knock you down
- No, I am not stubborn nor headstrong. I learn quickly, so don't bore me with pointless repetition
- I need to exercise everyday or I get a little antsy
See some nice pictures
Next Breed Profile: French Bulldog!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
More on Goldfish
As we discussed previously, Goldfish can live in the wilds of one's backyard. Now let's go indoors and talk about tame Goldfish keeping.
Goldfish can be kept in an aquarium equipped with a filter, light, heater, aeration, plants and decorative castle. Check the water's ph level and add chemicals to keep it optimal. Figure one and a half inches of fish per gallon. Trouble is, fish grow. Like all rules of thumb, there is that pesky reality whereby reality thumbs its nose at you.
Aquarium husbandry has it's own challenges and advantages. For those who are looking for low tech, I give you the fishbowl.
It is possible to keep Goldfish in a bowl with no fancy equipment whatsoever. The fish above have lived in this bowl for several years (which is why the fellow on the right is so big!). You see, it can be done. Here's how:
Never remove/replace more than 1/3 of the water volume at one time.
Don't change the water too often.
Feed the fish sparingly.
Now and then dump all the water and the fish in a bucket. Wipe down the sides of the bowl with a paper towel. That greenish brown coating comes off easily. Rinse the bowl out a few times to remove the floating greenish brown stuff that used to coat the sides. By now, the water in the bucket has settled so that most of the fish poop has sunk to the bottom. Dump 2/3 of the bucket water back in the bowl along with the fish. (If you like, use that remaining water containing nutrient rich poop to water your houseplants).
Add some tap water that feels the same temperature as the bowl water but only about half of the 1/3 needed to fully fill the bowl. The next day add more water. This way the fish don't have to adjust to new strange water all at once. It is diluted sufficiently so they are stressed as little as possible.
Goldfish can be kept in an aquarium equipped with a filter, light, heater, aeration, plants and decorative castle. Check the water's ph level and add chemicals to keep it optimal. Figure one and a half inches of fish per gallon. Trouble is, fish grow. Like all rules of thumb, there is that pesky reality whereby reality thumbs its nose at you.
Aquarium husbandry has it's own challenges and advantages. For those who are looking for low tech, I give you the fishbowl.
It is possible to keep Goldfish in a bowl with no fancy equipment whatsoever. The fish above have lived in this bowl for several years (which is why the fellow on the right is so big!). You see, it can be done. Here's how:
Never remove/replace more than 1/3 of the water volume at one time.
Don't change the water too often.
Feed the fish sparingly.
Now and then dump all the water and the fish in a bucket. Wipe down the sides of the bowl with a paper towel. That greenish brown coating comes off easily. Rinse the bowl out a few times to remove the floating greenish brown stuff that used to coat the sides. By now, the water in the bucket has settled so that most of the fish poop has sunk to the bottom. Dump 2/3 of the bucket water back in the bowl along with the fish. (If you like, use that remaining water containing nutrient rich poop to water your houseplants).
Add some tap water that feels the same temperature as the bowl water but only about half of the 1/3 needed to fully fill the bowl. The next day add more water. This way the fish don't have to adjust to new strange water all at once. It is diluted sufficiently so they are stressed as little as possible.
Sure, living in captivity wasn't my first choice but at least I am safe from hungry Herons.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Goldfish
Goldfish are a fresh water fish related to the carp and minnow. There are some 300 species of goldfish. The most common goldfish is the Comet. This fish is domesticated and used primarily as a feeder fish. Many Comets end up being eaten by pet fish such as Oscars and Piranhas.
The humble Comet is kept as a pet too. Some are living the wild life in backyard ponds.
Some people feed their pond fish commercial fish food. Some let the fish fend for themselves. I've tried both methods separately and in combination. The fish thrive regardless, or in spite of, my efforts. The weather has proven to have more of an effect on the fish than anything else. This year, for example, we had a mild winter. A greater number of fish survived. A heater is installed to keep a hole in the ice for oxygen to come in, and gases that form from plant decay out. Still, some of the fish don't make it through the winter.
(Wild living is rugged).
A warm spring helped hatch more fish eggs (frog eggs too, but that's a whole other post!). The fish population in the pond is up this summer. Alas, as fall approaches, so increases the visitation from Herons. In both spring and fall, Night Herons and Blue Herons appear regularly to hunt in my pond The fish have hiding places to increase their odds of not being eaten . Many people put long tubes underwater for pond fish to hide. My pond offers a sunken milk crate.
Another risk pond fish face is dragonfly larvae. These nymphs lie in wait, hidden behind a plant stem. They leap onto an unsuspecting fish, pierce his skin with sharp hollow pincers, then suck out his blood.
(Wild living has assorted methods of population control).
Pond fish eat mosquito larvae, little creatures that live in algae and assorted other bugs and plants. They also eat small baby fish.
(Wild living involves cannibalization).
Then there are goldfish who enjoy the indoor lifestyle.
Next time, we'll talk about tame goldfish.
The humble Comet is kept as a pet too. Some are living the wild life in backyard ponds.
Some people feed their pond fish commercial fish food. Some let the fish fend for themselves. I've tried both methods separately and in combination. The fish thrive regardless, or in spite of, my efforts. The weather has proven to have more of an effect on the fish than anything else. This year, for example, we had a mild winter. A greater number of fish survived. A heater is installed to keep a hole in the ice for oxygen to come in, and gases that form from plant decay out. Still, some of the fish don't make it through the winter.
(Wild living is rugged).
A warm spring helped hatch more fish eggs (frog eggs too, but that's a whole other post!). The fish population in the pond is up this summer. Alas, as fall approaches, so increases the visitation from Herons. In both spring and fall, Night Herons and Blue Herons appear regularly to hunt in my pond The fish have hiding places to increase their odds of not being eaten . Many people put long tubes underwater for pond fish to hide. My pond offers a sunken milk crate.
Another risk pond fish face is dragonfly larvae. These nymphs lie in wait, hidden behind a plant stem. They leap onto an unsuspecting fish, pierce his skin with sharp hollow pincers, then suck out his blood.
(Wild living has assorted methods of population control).
Pond fish eat mosquito larvae, little creatures that live in algae and assorted other bugs and plants. They also eat small baby fish.
(Wild living involves cannibalization).
Then there are goldfish who enjoy the indoor lifestyle.
Next time, we'll talk about tame goldfish.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
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