November 25, 2008
Doggy greetings
Sadie keeping my shoes nearby for comfort
Recently I was out of town for a couple of weeks. My husband stayed home and so the pets did not have to be boarded and were able to follow their usual daily routine while I was gone.
My 2 dogs, Minnie the collie and Tucker the keeshond, are predictable in the way they welcome me back after a trip. Larry and I walk up to the house. Larry opens the door, the dogs come rushing out thinking nothing is unusual. Then they see me. They stop, their noses go into action as they process my smells, then their bodies start to quiver with excitement and they run over to me joyfully for hugs and pets. They spin and twist and wrap themselves around my legs, both trying to get my attention. Aren’t doggy greetings wonderful!
I don’t get this much greeting excitement from them unless I’ve been gone for a couple of days or more. They understand routines, and are happy to see me when I come home from work, or from a trip to the store, but the quivering excitement level is reserved for greeting me only when I’ve been gone for days at a time.
Other dogs I’ve had in the past had different ways of showing their excitement. One dog, Raider (another keeshond), had to grab a toy whenever anyone came in the door. As I entered the house I’d see her run to her toy box, grab whatever soft furry toy she preferred that day, and then she’d come running to meet me with the toy hanging from her mouth and her entire body bouncing with excitement.
Another keeshond I had, Sadie (shown in picture above), had a fetish for my shoes. After I’d leave, she’d find a shoe or two and keep it near her while I was gone. I suppose the smell of my stinky feet was comforting to her. She did this even if my husband was home with her; it was me she was most attached to. Sometimes she’d grab my clunky winter snow boots and keep those nearby until I came home. That was quite a sight! Sadie really knew how to make me feel loved and missed.
What do your pets do to show you how much they miss you when you’re gone? I’d love to hear your stories!
October 28, 2008
Remember to look up
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- White-throated Sparrow
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- Dark-eyed Junco
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- Bald Eagle
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the cool weather and the colors of the leaves as they change. But mostly, I love to watch the bird migration taking place all around us.
I’ve been hearing the singing of White-throated Sparrows in my yard just after dawn each morning for the past few weeks. These little birds are common in Iowa during spring and fall migration. In spring they head north to breed and in the fall they move south for the winter. Their song is very distinctive. You can listen to it here: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/i5580id.html and click on the Song link on left side of page.
The “snowbirds” – the Dark-eyed Juncos – have arrived in Iowa to spend the winter. I can’t help but enjoy a bird that thinks Iowa is a great place to spend the winter. How bad does winter have to be where this bird came from!
My favorite bird of the autumn skies is the raptor. Raptors are on the move in the fall. Many of them, such as the Broad-winged Hawks, leave the U.S. to winter in Central and South America. Others, such as Rough-legged Hawks, may find Iowa is as far south as they need to go.
Have you ever noticed how many Bald Eagles you see along the open rivers in Iowa in the winter? Those eagles move north in the summer to raise their families (although a few do stay and breed here in Iowa), then move south again in the winter following the open water. Fish are a primary food source for the Bald Eagle.
So while you’re out enjoying the fall weather, listen for the chips and tweets of the small migrants as they pass through Iowa on their way south. Watch your trees and bushes for the frenetic movement of the tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglets, check under your feeders for the Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows scrounging seed off the ground, and most importantly, remember to look up and watch the skies for the magnificent raptors moving overhead.
Upcoming opportunities to learn about birds:
You’re also welcome to participate in the Iowa City Bird Club outing on Saturday 11-1-08. The website is http://icbirds.org/ — you can find more information here. Saturday’s outing begins at 7:30 a.m. Meet at the Dodge Street Hy-Vee in Iowa City, southwest corner of the parking lot near the recycling bins. You do not need to belong to the bird club to participate in the outing.
