Trapped in a Cage

Male Rufous-sided Towhee

The large metal bird cage, located adjacent to the house we are caring for, is approximately two metres by three metres and is covered with two layers of large and small wire to prevent wild animals from getting in and the two house parrots from getting out. 

These days, the parrots are captured indoors in a medium sized cage.

Today, a Rufous-sided Towhee became trapped in the outside cage and its reaction was horrible to witness. In a great panic, the male bird flapped around inside the coop. We don’t know how the Pipilo erythrophthalmus got into the pen, but we could tell it was feeling terror. His captivity tugged at our hearts. 

Trapped in the cage

Frank entered the cage and poured a cupful of birdseed, meant to satisfy the nibblers in the territory, into one of the feeders. The seven-inch finch with his black hood and wings made his way to the food after Frank left the cage.

Its black tail with white wing bars and spots flickered nervously as he perched on the feeding shelf. I was mesmerised by his red eyes. The little bird stayed in the same position until he had consumed the offering.

Somewhat satisfied he settled down and perched for a short while on one of the large branches strewn across the cage. 

Perched for a few seconds

Within a few seconds, he flapped and fluttered in an attempt to escape the confines. In the meantime, we searched for a practical solution to set him free. We chose a large cloth bag and tossed it over him. It worked!

 Frank carried it to the front door and set him free.

We have the great privilege of viewing the Rufous-sided Towhee in our midst because we are sitting a house surrounded by forest, thickets and woodlands. The adorable bird can be found from southern Canada to southern United States and northern Central America. The Rufous-sided Towhee is a Vancouver Islander because our winters are perfectly suited to their habitat.

More about the Rufous-sided Towhee

Two Dogs Walking

Susan walking the dogs

It has become abundantly clear to us that not every dog knows how to walk on a leash. We were warned by the dog owners at this house where we are currently managing, that neither dog is good on a leash.

“One of the dogs takes off running, choking the whole while it’s trying to pull you along. The other pulls you in all directions,” their owner said.

Gee, how bad could it be? I thought.

In the past, our experience with dog walking is that they do get excited at seeing the leash, but a simple sit command sets their mind on that task. We had learnt over the years not to use our ‘excited’ voice when clipping the lead to their collar, or any voice at all. Either Frank or I would just set up the event and go. Usually, a gentle tug on the tether brings the dog beside us and we walk together. The frenzied opposite looks and feels much different.

Imagine two small dogs jumping straight up into the air and pacing in quick circles when they land. Our sit command was ignored several times but finally, one sat while the other continued to jump and spin. I snapped the leash clip onto the first dog and set the leash down on the ground. The leashed dog took off running in large circles within their pen. I commanded the other to sit and she did. I repeated the clip action and secured the leash to the metal fence, short enough that she couldn’t jump.

In the meantime, Frank is chasing the other dog and finally manages to stop her by stomping on the lead. He brings the dog over to me. I take both leashes in one hand and a tennis racket in the other. We’ve decided to use the device as a barrier between us and these two dogs that habitually jump up on you. That ‘Dog Whisper’ technique worked.

Two dogs walking

Next, we open the gate and just like their owners said, they rush ahead in a panic and I’m flung forward by their combined strength. I felt like I was a participant in a dog-sled race. The owner’s warning came to mind as I listened to the harsh gasping sound being made by the first dog and watched helplessly as the second dog went every which way causing the leash to wrap around my ankles.

“Honey, the owner warned us. Do you still want to take them for a walk?” Frank said.

“I’m going to give it a try,” I said.

Frank walking the dogs

I shortened the leashes and commanded the pair of dogs to sit. Within a few seconds dog-one bolted forward coughing against the restraint, her body lifting up on her hind legs. Dog-two charged in the opposite direction using her Jack Russell strength against the secure leash. I repeated the sit command and they obeyed for a few seconds, and then repeated their familiar walking-on-a-leash habits. We made it no more than thirty metres down the gravel road when I decided that the hike would be too much for us with the dogs. Frank brought them to their outdoor pen, removed the ropes and secured the gate. 

We enjoyed a refreshing stroll to collect the mail.

Tips appreciated.

One Chore at a Time

Two Jack Russell dogs

House sitting is a service that brings great joy and comfort to Frank and me. Our new location is on a forty-acre parcel of land approximately three kilometres outside of Courtenay, British Columbia.

We are caring for five animals including two Jack Russell dogs, one Ragdoll cat, and two African Grey parrots all living in a well-kept two-bedroom ranch style home.

Today, we are spending the day with the homeowners to learn how to follow their routines with the animals, the treatment of the fireplace which is the main source of heat for the entire house, when to water the plants, where to leave food for the local wildlife, which cleaning products to use for what, when and where to pick up the mail and the name of the primary go-to person in case of an emergency.

One Ragdoll cat

Two African Grey parrots

What we’ve learnt so far is that the dogs are fed twice a day, at breakfast and supper; the cat also eats twice a day; the birds are fed once a day. There are outdoor and indoor plants and while the outdoor plants don’t require any special care, the indoor plants are watered about every week or so.  The homeowners are so dedicated to their indoor and outdoor environments that they have loads of wild-bird seed for the adorable daily visitors to their property. What a magnificent list of duties we have. We are ready, willing and able to handle one chore at a time.

~ Animal refuge managers ~

House Sitting Chores

Cat in a Bag

One of the pleasurable aspects of house and pet sitting is meeting with the homeowners to find out what they require of you. For example, the contractor we are dealing with now prepared a document that clearly states what she expects of us. After reviewing it with her, it became obvious that her pets were the priority and our kind treatment of them is critical. We are blessed to be caring for two cats, one quite friendly and the other very friendly. We are learning by their behaviour that they enjoy one another’s company and ours.

While creating adventures in the great outdoors, the brothers tend to stay in the yard but do travel occasionally to the neighbour’s property. To our great relief, they always make their way home after exploring their surroundings. 

Sauntering Home

Cat in a Box

Inside the house, the cats love to sit and sleep in boxes and we’ve taken to placing more of them along with paper bags in the living room for their entertainment. We admire their calm demeanor and take advantage of their appreciation of grooming with a strong comb.

By our nature, we are always seeking out ways to improve our house sitting experience. When it comes to chores we take great pride in helping the homeowner wherever we can. An example of this stems back to a conversation we had with the owner when we first met. She mentioned that her picnic table was unstable and expressed her keen interest in repairing it one day. Soon after she left us with her property, Frank took to fixing the table. Helping others gives you strength. 

It Starts With A Pig

Charlie the local pig

I can’t tell you where we are but I can share why we are here. Today, at our house sitting location it starts with a pig roaming around in the back yard. Frank was outside working on the Ural motorbike and I was removing the breakfast dishes from the homeowner’s very large dining table. It has become common for us to watch deer of various colours and sizes saunter through this property from the paved road to the treed landscape behind the ranch-style house. What a surprise to see a pig in the yard. I called Frank over and we both had a chance to pet her before she trotted away. We learnt later from a neighbour her name is ‘Charlie’. How cute.

Later that day, I took my camera and went for a walk in the neighbourhood. There are many fun things to photograph and each item has a story. For example, Chuck, the local lawnmower repairman has a funky bicycle in his front yard. I asked him what it represents and he told me it’s his Newfie lawn mower. He has a very infectious laugh. 

Chuck's Newfie lawn mower

Just around the corner I spotted a woman figure with an alien helmet sporting an iron dress. I stood staring at it for quite a while before I strolled down the hill. 

Alien lady figure

Stone wall

A fabulous stone wall caught my eye and I snapped a photo. Frank and I have become fascinated with rock walls mainly because his family home in Saskatchewan was made of stones.

Tree sculpture

Just beyond was a tree sculpture. It appears that a couple of trees locked their trunks in an embrace. I am impressed that the property owner has left the beautiful structure to be. 

The history of the area is fascinating as well. A few days before, while retrieving the home owner’s mail from the mail boxes, a friendly man told us that sitting just behind are three large boulders indicating the burial sites of three First Nations persons. A couple of cedar trees have been planted there to memorialize the site.

Three rocks two cedar trees

Police Check Results Negative

photo courtesy of acadiepedia

2015-07-07
Based on the Royal Canadian Mounted Police information check results, both Susan and Frank show negative. Upon using the investigative data bank, court and local police indices, the applicants show no record of outstanding criminal charges and warrants which the police agency is aware of or are indicated within the Investigation Data Bank.

Also, neither Susan nor Frank show records of conditional or absolute discharges.

For The Love of Cats

Ragdoll Cat

We don't own a cat but that doesn't prevent us from loving their characters. Recently, we met two handsome brothers at the home of our new house sitting contractor. Champaign and Caviar are ragdoll cats who languish on the beautiful property of the home owner. They saunter around the house like royalty and journey outside onto the neighbour's property with attitude.

On the day we were interviewed, the cats introduced themselves to us. One jumped onto the kitchen table while the other simply passed our way with his tail stuck high in the air. "Get a load of me," Caviar seemed to be saying.

We believe we are going to have a magnificent time with these two blue-eyed beauties with their colourpoint coats. They seemed quite proud of their large and muscular bodies, covered with a soft and silky coat. It was easy to see why their owner loves them. She reached for one of the cats and lifted him to her chest. He went limp and relaxed in her arms. A while later, outside, she took Champaign, lifted him to her and let him slide along her legs to the ground. He didn't struggle as Frank and I thought he might - he hung like a rag doll.

Ragdolls have a distinct look

We hope they will react that way with us.