I had a serious post worked out in my head, but once again I decided to have a little fun. Those of you that follow me on Twitter are aware of the Tater Tot escapade this week, but I will recap for the rest of you. Last Friday a stray puppy showed up at my office. He was very adorable and I just couldn't imagine leaving him in an industrial area for the weekend so I brought him home with me for the weekend (read: the rest of his life). While my other 3 (yes, 3) dogs are not happy about this I think it is just what I needed. I have not had a puppy around for many years (my youngest dog is 11) and I had forgotten how much fun & frustrating a puppy can be. It is my belief that he is 5 to 6 months old and some kind of a Terrier mix, if you think a different breed please let me know in the comments as I am not very familiar with the small dog breeds. So, I am very pleased to announce the new addition to my "indoor herd"......Tater Tot!!
(Click on photos to enlarge)
No Mom, I wasn't chewing on the rug or trying to drag it somewhere else!
Hey, can you wash dishes in the sink from now on? I kinda like this for my napping area!
What?
Aw Mom! Please don't wash all this bedding, I like it on the floor just as it is...pleeeeaaasssseee
In addition to Tater I have new hatchlings! The eggs from last week's post have finally hatched. Some people inquired as to the kind of bird so here is information and a photo that I obtained from http://www.azgfd.gov/.
Mourning dove
Mourning doves occur from the lowest elevations along the Colorado River upward through forests of ponderosa pines to 8,500 feet. Their staple foods throughout the year are primarily small seeds and cultivated grains. Although some doves can be found nesting on the ground in open prairies, the best nesting habitats are brushlands and woodlands within the Sonoran Desert. Here, the woeful call of breeding males can be heard as early as February, and pairs have been known to attempt as many as seven nestings in a single season. Productivity may therefore be high even though the usual clutch size is only two eggs. Incubation takes only about 15 days, and is accomplished by both parents, as is the brooding and feeding of the nearly naked squabs. The young doves are fed regurgitated "pigeon milk" by both parents, and they grow and develop rapidly. Fledglings leave the nest only 12 to 14 days after hatching. Even in southern Arizona, nesting is essentially over by mid-August, and some of the early-hatched juveniles have already migrated by late July. By the first week of September, the migration of most nesting populations is usually underway, the juveniles typically leaving before the adults.
Mourning doves occur from the lowest elevations along the Colorado River upward through forests of ponderosa pines to 8,500 feet. Their staple foods throughout the year are primarily small seeds and cultivated grains. Although some doves can be found nesting on the ground in open prairies, the best nesting habitats are brushlands and woodlands within the Sonoran Desert. Here, the woeful call of breeding males can be heard as early as February, and pairs have been known to attempt as many as seven nestings in a single season. Productivity may therefore be high even though the usual clutch size is only two eggs. Incubation takes only about 15 days, and is accomplished by both parents, as is the brooding and feeding of the nearly naked squabs. The young doves are fed regurgitated "pigeon milk" by both parents, and they grow and develop rapidly. Fledglings leave the nest only 12 to 14 days after hatching. Even in southern Arizona, nesting is essentially over by mid-August, and some of the early-hatched juveniles have already migrated by late July. By the first week of September, the migration of most nesting populations is usually underway, the juveniles typically leaving before the adults.
Now that you are educated here are pictures of the little ones:
It is still getting chilly here at night, but Momma is keeping them warm
I will post more as they mature. This nest is right outside my front door so I get to check on them before I leave for work and every evening when I get home. Momma only goes a short distance away as she is used to me looking at her babies.
Hi Sandy. First of all, the puppy...Awwwwww. I want him. And 2nd, birdies. Double Awwwww. So sweet. You're just a critter-whisperer, aren't you? I gotta get over there and check out your menagerie. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new fur baby. He is a cutie and I think you are right - looks like a terrier mix to me. Have lots of fun with him. He is going to keep you busy - especially if he has any Jack Russell in him which it kind of looks like.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute puppy!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like such a little character of a dog, Sandy. I bet he is going to be great fun and company for you. And the little birds - too cute!!
ReplyDelete