Changes...Changes..Changes

I haven't been blogging much lately for several reasons.  One being that I've been busy doing other things.  Since I got a new puppy in June, I've been spending a lot of time with him and not taking very many pictures.  We hike trails and play in the back yard.  When we hike, I'm busy working with Finn.  He still wants to jump on people and kiss them.  He's just a little guy, 9 lbs or so, so he won't hurt anyone, but he still has to learn his manners.  A camera hanging around my neck just gets in the way when I'm tending to Finn.

One of our cats is not doing very well either.  Magnum has lost the use of his back legs.  He doesn't seem to be in any pain, but we do keep an extra eye for him.  Finn likes to jump on the cats and give them "kisses" too, and poor Magnum has no way to escape quickly.  We move Magnum to higher ground (the sofa) when Finn is out tearing around the house.  Magnum is having some litter box issues too.  His back legs usually don't make it into the litter box (he thinks they're in, but because he doesn't have any feeling in them, he doesn't realize they aren't in).  We have a pretty good system set up so the mess stays in a big tray, but it does take extra time and effort to clean up after him.

 These are a couple of shots of Magnum's spot when he wants to sit with us in the family room

Magnum in his safe spot on the sofa when Finn is running wild.

Magnum's other safe spot in the "cat room" only the cats are allowed in this room.  Litter boxes, food and water and of course, Magnum's special resting spot.  Magnum spends a lot of time in here away from crazy Finn, but he can come out whenever he wants. 








I don't get a lot of comments on my blog, and that's OK.  I know some people read my blog, but don't leave comments...I'm OK with that.  I read a few blogs and don't leave comments either.  I do appreciate anyone who stops by to read my blog leaving comments or not.

So, I've decided just to blog when I have something that I'd like to share with others or just for my own enjoyment.  I hope you'll tag along with me whether I blog once a week, once a month...or who knows, once a year!

Today, I've decided to share a video of horse I used to ride at Winton Woods Riding Center when I took lessons a few years ago.  His name is Sultan and has always been one of my favorites.  This video was taken by a lady who works at the Riding Center and was kind enough to share it with me.  This video shows off how beautiful Sultan is...such a handsome boy!  Horses are such magnificent animals! This is my first attempt to post a video, hope it works!  Enjoy!

Long Necked Beauties

More pictures from the Cincinnati Zoo.

Flamingos

Gotcha!  Thought it was going to be another bird...didn't ya?

Creepy Critters and a Surprise at the "End"

Was too tired to hike last night and after a hectic day at work today I was all set for a good hike to work off the stress.  Boom!  Heavy rains just after I got home from work.  So, that gives me a little time to blog.

More pictures from the Zoo.

I can't recall what this animal is, but I love his skin pattern and he was a big boy!

A komodo dragon.

BATS!!!!

This is what I call "The End"...a rhino's butt!

Exotic Zoo Birds

Definitely not your backyard birds.  Thought I'd share some of the lovely and exotic birds from our Cincinnati Zoo.

BIG Feline Friday 5/17/13

Fridays are days that I sometimes post pictures of the shelter cats I see every Friday when I volunteer.  Today, I thought I'd post some feline pictures from my recent trip to the Cincinnati Zoo.  Such gorgeous animals!

White Tiger...I love his markings.

Snow Leopard.  There were several running and chasing each other.  It was difficult to get good shots of them with the movement and the glare of the sun.

Such a pretty tail!

I like how he's framed between the tree trunks.

Sorry for the bit of reflection on the plexiglass.

Babies on Mother's Day

Cincinnati has a wonderful zoo!  I spent Mother's Day at the Zoo with my daughter, Emily her twin brother, Paul (who was visiting from Miami, Florida) and Emily's daughter Emmi.  I hadn't been to the Zoo in about 12 years and was on my list of things to do this summer.  When Emily popped in on Sunday and invited me to go with her, well, I couldn't pass it up!  I know we walked nearly 6 miles...my knees told me so!  It was such a fun time, I want to go back again before the summer is over.  Here are a few shots of our day.

Here is Baby Lulu.  She was born 10/12/12,

 Isn't Baby Gladys the cutest little girl?  She was born 1/29/13.  Her mama doesn't seem to be taking very good care of her, so zoo employees fill in for mama.  How sweet!  I would love that job!

These aren't babies, but elephants are amazing animals nonetheless.  I could stand there and watch them all day, even with bad knees. 

Mothers Day at the American Robin's House

The American Robin is a pretty common bird, but today it's the topic of my blog. 

A fine young couple sits atop the wires.

Happy Mother's Day!  A sweet little robin's nest resting securely on our mailbox.  It's a vacant home that we own, so the only one who may have a problem with it is the mailman.  All he brings is junk mail anyway, so who cares?