It was a baby I found (luckily) hidden by its mother under some long grass when I was mowing a paddock.
I took it in the house till I had finished then put it back, hoping the mother would come back for it, but she never did.
So I adopted it. For a while it lived in a parrot cage but eventually it was allowed to run round the house.
When I made a thumping noise on the floor, it would come running back and sit between my legs.
It got to be toilet trained - literally - it would run into the toilet and do it behind the toilet pan.

When it was big enough I decided to gradually reintroduce it to the wild. So I let it loose near a creek and some cover. It would scout around and come back to me.
But one day I went to call it back and it never came back.
It was sad but I hoped it survived and found a mate.

The moral of the story? Animals aren't toys.

There's no moral. I avoided killing it and in the end I did my best to give it a chance.
You can't help getting attached to little critters. . .unless you're subhuman.

bogarde73 wrote on Mar 26^th, 2014 at 2:56pm:

There's no moral. I avoided killing it and in the end I did my best to give it a chance. You can't help getting attached to little critters. . .unless you're subhuman.

As long as there aren't too many predators, rabbits, whether domestic or wild have a good chance of survival in a natural environment.

It's cruel to keep them caged up in a tiny enclosure so even if it met a sad fate, it was lucky to have the care and freedom that you gave it.

Rabbits usually die very quickly of shock - so they don't suffer for long thankfully. On the other hand - it might have produced a million or so descendants by now.

bogarde73 wrote on Mar 26^th, 2014 at 1:02pm:

I took it in the house

Would that make it an ingrown hare?

Rabbits usually die very quickly of shock - so they don't suffer for long thankfully. On the other hand - it might have produced a million or so descendants by now.

Hares are different to rabbits. They frequently end up on Mr Sly Fox's dinner table.
They don't die quickly. You hear them screaming in the night when they've been found. They don't burrow, they just camp. And they don't breed like rabbits (lol), they might only produce one or two offspring a year.

bogarde73 wrote on Mar 27^th, 2014 at 9:52am:

Hares are different to rabbits. They frequently end up on Mr Sly Fox's dinner table. They don't die quickly. You hear them screaming in the night when they've been found. They don't burrow, they just camp. And they don't breed like rabbits (lol), they might only produce one or two offspring a year.

You would think that breeding so sparsely they would have become extinct by now. I just looked them up and apparently they're sleepers. They seem to disappear for a few years, then suddenly they'll appear in abundance.

Perhaps they take so much longer to die than your garden variety rabbit is because they're so strong. When they're used for experiments they have to be put in round cages because they end up breaking all their bones trying to escape in square cages.

I've heard rabbits giving their death squeal. It's not something you want to hear too often.

bogarde73 wrote on Mar 26^th, 2014 at 1:02pm:

But one day I went to call it back and it never came back. It was sad but I hoped it survived and found a mate.

But your fear is it probably got ripped apart by dogs.

Tua culpa, tua culpa, tua massima culpa!

Speaking of hares ~ I had always thought they were cute bunny-type creatures that were nice, harmless, backyard pets for children.

Until I met a whole cage full of Harezillas in a small village in south of France where I was visiting my French cousins and aunt.

I was walking alone in one of the little lanes around the village when I spotted a cage full of 'bunny wabbits' ... and smiled in anticipation of some pleasant stroking and cuddling of these furry critters.

As I approached the cage they collected against the back wall ~ about 5 of them. And then I reached out towards the steel meshing at the front of the cage ~ and got the shock of my life.

All 5 of them threw themselves at me with terrifying speed and ferocity ~ hurling themselves against the wire mesh with a great crash of vicious teeth and claws.

With heart pounding, I must have leapt back a full meter in shock-and-awe.

Lord Herbert wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:08am:

Speaking of hares ~ I had always thought they were cute bunny-type creatures that were nice, harmless, backyard pets for children. Until I met a whole cage full of Harezillas in a small village in south of France where I was visiting my French cousins and aunt. I was walking alone in one of the little lanes around the village when I spotted a cage full of 'bunny wabbits' ... and smiled in anticipation of some pleasant stroking and cuddling of these furry critters. As I approached the cage they collected against the back wall ~ about 5 of them. And then I reached out towards the steel meshing at the front of the cage ~ and got the shock of my life. All 5 of them threw themselves at me with terrifying speed and ferocity ~ hurling themselves against the wire mesh with a great crash of vicious teeth and claws. With heart pounding, I must have leapt back a full meter in shock-and-awe.

;D

Now that was funny - although probably unnerving at the time. Just the appearance of a hare is enough to put you off stroking it. Even ordinary house rabbits can be vicious because of their large teeth and sharp claws. I've had a couple of them in past years and they ended up escaping. Never let them out of the cage even for a short graze because sometimes they don't come back. They're always after greener pastures.

Occasionally I see someone's pet rabbit hopping in and out of my front garden. A few years ago I would have chased and trapped it, put up a notice in the local shops then held the animal until someone claimed it. Now I try to ignore these creatures and hope that someone else takes pity and if not, that their death is quick. They are prey if they wander into the wrong garden.

Speaking of hopping creatures, at Sanctuary Point on the NSW south coast I saw kangaroos hopping up the road almost every morning from my brother's kitchen.  :)

I once had a pet hare

and then fell out too and now I'm bald.  ;D ;D ;D

Lord Herbert wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:08am:

Speaking of hares ~ I had always thought they were cute bunny-type creatures that were nice, harmless, backyard pets for children. Until I met a whole cage full of Harezillas in a small village in south of France where I was visiting my French cousins and aunt. I was walking alone in one of the little lanes around the village when I spotted a cage full of 'bunny wabbits' ... and smiled in anticipation of some pleasant stroking and cuddling of these furry critters. As I approached the cage they collected against the back wall ~ about 5 of them. And then I reached out towards the steel meshing at the front of the cage ~ and got the shock of my life. All 5 of them threw themselves at me with terrifying speed and ferocity ~ hurling themselves against the wire mesh with a great crash of vicious teeth and claws. With heart pounding, I must have leapt back a full meter in shock-and-awe.

throw the cage in a river

I once had a couple of ferrets - hardly pets but cute l'il buggers if you handled them every day.

Used to run them down rabbit warrens.

I had to tie fishing line to the back leg of one of them - if he caught a rabbit down the burrow, he'd only re-surface when he'd had his fill.

Br'er rabbit would almost explode into the nets over the burrows when the ferrets went a'hunting.

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 8:51pm:

once had a couple of ferrets

they wouldhave to be the most vile smelly things I've ever had the displeasure of coming across ... mens toilets at nightclubs smell better than anything within 100 m of a ferrets hutch.

Ever owned one and looked after it?

Some people shouldn't have pets.

Some people shouldn't have children.

When dealing with animals that have a bad reputation, it's best to know what you're about.

Possums also make good pet - if pet is the word to be applied to such a relationship.

If human relationships were given the care often delivered to pets, maybe humanity would be the better for it.

A smelly ferret is a good indicator that the owner should never own a Rottwieler.

8-)

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:10pm:

Ever owned one and looked after it? Some people shouldn't have pets. Some people shouldn't have children. When dealing with animals that have a bad reputation, it's best to know what you're about. Possums also make good pet - if pet is the word to be applied to such a relationship. If human relationships were given the care often delivered to pets, maybe humanity would be the better for it. A smelly ferret is a good indicator that the owner should never own a Rottwieler. 8-)

No, I've never owned one . Although I've known many that have

perhaps there is something to what you are saying, or alternatively, I've always found that owners of pets never notice how much their pets smell

I have a tenant who has 2 cats, she treats them like they are her babies .. but buggered if she's figured out that her house stinks of cat. (not cat pee, just cat). I have to rush through my property inspections when I go there because I can't put up with the smell for longer than 5 minutes .. 

both she and her son are oblivious to it.

A ferret would be on par with a rat in the list of disgusting pets.

I'd prefer to handle a snake than a ferret.

mantra wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:16pm:

A ferret would be on par with a rat in the list of disgusting pets. I'd prefer to handle a snake than a ferret.

my wife said the same thing once, but then while bushwalking she saw a tree snake and screamed for her life ..

go figure

;D ;D ;D

mantra wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:16pm:

A ferret would be on par with a rat in the list of disgusting pets. I'd prefer to handle a snake than a ferret.

Ever owned a snake?

When I used to feed the little carpets, the strike was so quick it almost couldn't be seen with the naked eye.

And snake is more likely to crap on you than a ferret.   :)

Though probably less likely to bite - unless the ferret is handled every day. Remember that?

A snake can sleep for a week after a feed.

A mouse bat can live in your shirt pocket - though they have tendency to pee in the lounge room.  :)

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:43pm:

mantra wrote on Apr 11th, 2014 at 9:16pm: A ferret would be on par with a rat in the list of disgusting pets. I'd prefer to handle a snake than a ferret. Ever owned a snake? When I used to feed the little carpets, the strike was so quick it almost couldn't be seen with the naked eye. And snake is more likely to crap on you than a ferret.   :) Though probably less likely to bite - unless the ferret is handled every day. Remember that? A snake can sleep for a week after a feed. A mouse bat can live in your shirt pocket - though they have tendency to pee in the lounge room.  :)

you ever thought of trying a dog? or cat?

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 8:51pm:

I once had a couple of ferrets - hardly pets but cute l'il buggers if you handled them every day. Used to run them down rabbit warrens. I had to tie fishing line to the back leg of one of them - if he caught a rabbit down the burrow, he'd only re-surface when he'd had his fill. Br'er rabbit would almost explode into the nets over the burrows when the ferrets went a'hunting.

And now for a short intermission ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1SX8r5y1qw

John Smith wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:15pm:

I've always found that owners of pets never notice how much their pets smell ... when I go there because I can't put up with the smell for longer than 5 minutes ..  .... both she and her son are oblivious to it.

It was the same when I was a smoker. It gave me more elbow room when I sat in a train or bus or in a cafe, etc. Silver linings.  :P

Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:43pm:

Ever owned a snake?

The first and only time I held a snake it wrapped its body around my lower arm and looked at me so I flipped it off onto the ground very quickly. The owner told me off and said I could have broken its back.


Quote:

I've always found that owners of pets never notice how much their pets smell

My sense of smell is very keen. I didn't mind the animal smell when I had dogs - but after a couple of years break and then having cats, sometimes the smell of them is sickening so I don't let them near my face.

The smell of other people's animals is even worse.

mantra wrote on Apr 12^th, 2014 at 3:30pm:

My sense of smell is very keen. I didn't mind the animal smell when I had dogs - but after a couple of years break and then having cats, sometimes the smell of them is sickening so I don't let them near my face.

My three cats actually smell nice. There's not the slightest hint of a pong. It might be because they get top grade food.

But also they sleep on towels that I launder with slightly scented washing soap (Cusson's 'Radiant' liquid laundry soap) ~ which transfers a pleasant smell to their fur.

I never have them sleeping at night on something that can't be put into the washing machine at least once a week.

Wherever they chose to sleep in the house, I put a couple of fresh towels there. Except for Asylum-seeker 'Sooty' who always sleeps besides me in bed. He's the one who still suffers post-traumatic stress disorder from a previous owner.

Lord Herbert wrote on Apr 12^th, 2014 at 4:16pm:

There's not the slightest hint of a pong

bullsh1t


John Smith wrote on Apr 11^th, 2014 at 9:15pm:

I've always found that owners of pets never notice how much their pets smell

Lord Herbert wrote on Apr 12^th, 2014 at 4:16pm:

My three cats actually smell nice. There's not the slightest hint of a pong. It might be because they get top grade food.

I feed the cats top grade food as well, but Ruffy has bad breath and even though he's desexed sometimes a testosterone smell wafts off him which is unpleasant. You can buy animal talc from the pet shop and it might have to go on the shopping list.


Quote:

But also they sleep on towels that I launder with slightly scented washing soap (Cusson's 'Radiant' liquid laundry soap) ~ which transfers a pleasant smell to their fur.

Years ago I used to let the dogs sleep on my bed - but the  cats aren't allowed to sleep in my room. They sleep in strange places - on the top of a cupboard or on a newspaper on a chair - the more uncomfortable the spot the better they sleep. They've got luxurious cat beds but won't go near them.


Quote:

I never have them sleeping at night on something that can't be put into the washing machine at least once a week. Wherever they chose to sleep in the house, I put a couple of fresh towels there. Except for Asylum-seeker 'Sooty' who always sleeps besides me in bed. He's the one who still suffers post-traumatic stress disorder from a previous owner.

You're a good father. Poor little Sooty with his depression must need the human warmth. Has he improved since he was "off colour" the other day?

mantra wrote on Apr 12^th, 2014 at 5:12pm:

You're a good father. Poor little Sooty with his depression must need the human warmth. Has he improved since he was "off colour" the other day?

I think so. It's a bit hard to tell with Sooty. I think it must have been something he ate, or a touch of the flu.

He's one of the most remarkable cats I've ever had. He's outside most of the day, but I trick him to come in when it's bedtime for us all. It's not for nothing that his breed of cat is sometimes mentioned as the 'dogs' of the cat family. Very vocal ... 'talks' to me, and lies beside me like a loyal dog at night.

Once, just once, right at the beginning of our acquaintance, my neighbour's cat Oscar came over to see me in the backyard ... and Sooty did something I've never seen a cat do in real life or on a documentary.

Have you ever heard a male crocodile do a 'bull's roar'? The whole crocodile vibrates so rapidly that the water around it starts to bubble and boil.

That's what Sooty did. A bull's roar of extraordinary intensity and primordial aggression as I've never seen except in the movie An American Werewolf in Paris.

My pet parrot Pattie
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_gIj2L4f4o/U0cN7cfMoTI/AAAAAAACk9Q/UDYgLxM9MdE/s1600/image001a.JPG

Soren wrote on Apr 12^th, 2014 at 6:06pm:

My pet parrot Pattie http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_gIj2L4f4o/U0cN7cfMoTI/AAAAAAACk9Q/UDYgLxM9MdE/s1600/image001a.JPG

The poor sad looking thing. It needs more food.  ;D

I'm thinking of buying a pet pig for company. It gets lonely here in the winter months.  8-)

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e150/ruffdiamond/January%202013/pig2_zps104c3bed.png