Trauma Ward

The Island is almost full. There are very few empty summer houses and the rental cabins/motels appear to be at capacity. Apart from the downpour on Saturday visitors and residents had nice weather for the compound long weekend. Having both Canada Day and July 4 makes for a healthy tourist period.

It also means that there is a lot of celebrating. Particularly on the 4th on the American side of the Bay. The fireworks were extra long and extra loud this year. The nice part is that, if you like that sort of thing, you can stand or sit on my side of the Island and watch them. Lots of people do.

They do cause a problem for those dogs and cats of a sensitive nature. Fish had a rough night. The two older cats hid under boxes upstairs, but the kitten just watched the show.

Now, I try to be a good pet owner. Last year after the lightening strike I bought the dog a ThunderShirt. Unfortunately for him I am totally bewildered by the excessive amount of velcro patches and have yet to figure out how to get it on him.

Once again, as he did after the house was hit in the storm last year, he tried to hide under the washing machine. There is still no clearance. He’s a little subdued this morning but seems to have recovered.

I mentioned last time that there are a lot of young hummingbirds at my feeders. They are still making me fill them daily but the good news is that they’re growing and appear healthy. With one exception.

I’ve noticed a tiny little bird with a split or damaged beak. There is a thin piece which has separated from the rest and curls up the full length of the bill. It looks like a splinter on a piece of wood. S/he’s still eating, and isn’t underweight, so I guess s/he will be fine. I do worry though.

If you live with animals you get to understand what they want and when. Well, at least, that’s the theory. Mine demand something but rarely get specific so I wind up running through options until I hit on the right one.

Ciaran has been insisting I solve a problem for him for a couple of days and I haven’t been able to figure out what it is. I know it’s not food because he’s ALWAYS hungry but feeding him doesn’t make the brat less demanding.

This morning I noticed Prince, the large doofus yellow lab next door, chewing on a small toy. It’s the kitten’s. The dog obviously grabbed it the last time he was in the house and I’m going to have to explain this to the little one. He’s sulking right now – that will only get worse. I wonder if catnip helps with depression.