Most people's power animals are wolves...or owls...

...or stags. Swift, or noble, or wise creatures. What is mine? The desert dwarf mongoose.



And while they say the numerology stuff is bulloney, this is actually a decent description:

Your 'Numerology' number is 3. If it wasn't bulls**t, it would mean that you are enthusiastic, creative, optimistic, and fun-loving. You seek self-expression through words or the arts, and enjoy learning through life experiences.

Watching the Hawks. So far, they're losing to the Blues 0-1. 2nd period just ended.

Tomorrow, the furnace guy is coming over to do the annual PM on, you guessed it, the furnace. Here's hoping for no nasty surprises.

Most people's power animals are wolves...or owls...

...or stags. Swift, or noble, or wise creatures. What is mine? The desert dwarf mongoose.



And while they say the numerology stuff is bulloney, this is actually a decent description:

Your 'Numerology' number is 3. If it wasn't bulls**t, it would mean that you are enthusiastic, creative, optimistic, and fun-loving. You seek self-expression through words or the arts, and enjoy learning through life experiences.

Watching the Hawks. So far, they're losing to the Blues 0-1. 2nd period just ended.

Tomorrow, the furnace guy is coming over to do the annual PM on, you guessed it, the furnace. Here's hoping for no nasty surprises.

Playing possum

Last night, a little before 10, I let the pups outside to do what pups do. I wanted them to hurry up so I could settle in and watch Dr Who, but when I went to let them in, I found them sniffing around the side fence along the driveway. I called. They ignored me. I called again. This time, King ran to me, but Gaby stayed by the fence. Swearing softly, I grabbed the flashlight and hiked out into the evening chill.

I shone the light in the place where Gaby sniffed. Didn't see anything at first. Then I saw the bundle of fur, and thought it was some toy that they were trying to pull through the fence. Then I saw the head, and the mouth hanging open...

Yup, it was another possum, a small one that had got its head stuck in the chain link. It didn't move as Gaby and King bobbed and darted around it. Its mouth hung open, as if it had choked itself. Neither dog would listen to me, so I went in and got the leash. Managed to loop it around Gaby's neck and drag her-literally, yes, drag her--inside. King proved the greater challenge given that he had decided that 10pm on a Sunday night was a great time to play tag. I finally got hold of him, then checked the possum again. It still hadn't moved.

After I got both dogs in the house, I called the police non-emergency number. No, the animal control warden was not on duty, and besides AC only dealt with dogs and cats. I was advised to wait until morning, and call back if the possum was still stuck.

I confess that I was upset. I am sick and tired of the blasted things coming around, but that didn't mean I wanted to see one strangle itself in my fencing or sit stuck for the entire night. I sat through Dr Who, which had pretty much turned into an afterthought by that point, to give the critter time to extract itself if it indeed had been playing dead and was not in reality an ex-possum. Managed to get outside without the dogs squirting past me, and checked.

Much relief in Mudville. Possum had freed itself and trundled off.

Let the pups out, and they made a beeline for the spot. So disappointed. Gaby ran around to the back of the garage on the off chance that the apple tree possum had made a return visit, but I am happy to announce that she met with disappointment there as well. She barked anyway, but I could tell these were pro forma barks only.

No more critters. It hasn't even snowed yet, and I'm tired of them. I've already seen more possums in the last few weeks than I had in the previous ten years. They don't improve upon acquaintance.

Playing possum

Last night, a little before 10, I let the pups outside to do what pups do. I wanted them to hurry up so I could settle in and watch Dr Who, but when I went to let them in, I found them sniffing around the side fence along the driveway. I called. They ignored me. I called again. This time, King ran to me, but Gaby stayed by the fence. Swearing softly, I grabbed the flashlight and hiked out into the evening chill.

I shone the light in the place where Gaby sniffed. Didn't see anything at first. Then I saw the bundle of fur, and thought it was some toy that they were trying to pull through the fence. Then I saw the head, and the mouth hanging open...

Yup, it was another possum, a small one that had got its head stuck in the chain link. It didn't move as Gaby and King bobbed and darted around it. Its mouth hung open, as if it had choked itself. Neither dog would listen to me, so I went in and got the leash. Managed to loop it around Gaby's neck and drag her-literally, yes, drag her--inside. King proved the greater challenge given that he had decided that 10pm on a Sunday night was a great time to play tag. I finally got hold of him, then checked the possum again. It still hadn't moved.

After I got both dogs in the house, I called the police non-emergency number. No, the animal control warden was not on duty, and besides AC only dealt with dogs and cats. I was advised to wait until morning, and call back if the possum was still stuck.

I confess that I was upset. I am sick and tired of the blasted things coming around, but that didn't mean I wanted to see one strangle itself in my fencing or sit stuck for the entire night. I sat through Dr Who, which had pretty much turned into an afterthought by that point, to give the critter time to extract itself if it indeed had been playing dead and was not in reality an ex-possum. Managed to get outside without the dogs squirting past me, and checked.

Much relief in Mudville. Possum had freed itself and trundled off.

Let the pups out, and they made a beeline for the spot. So disappointed. Gaby ran around to the back of the garage on the off chance that the apple tree possum had made a return visit, but I am happy to announce that she met with disappointment there as well. She barked anyway, but I could tell these were pro forma barks only.

No more critters. It hasn't even snowed yet, and I'm tired of them. I've already seen more possums in the last few weeks than I had in the previous ten years. They don't improve upon acquaintance.