Yes, I'm so Happy! 2012

[ronm]

Should I be happy?

I have 5 fox cubs living under my garden shed.  I have only seen 3, but my neighbour assures me there are 5.

I guess the question is, " If someone abandoned 7 dogs in your garden, would you be happy?" If yes, then of course you should be happy. They are smart, perfectly adapted animals. Next year you could have 15+.
If you're not happy, then the options open to you are limited and, in my view, not very good.

[Maggi Young]

Knowing Art I suspect he is quite delighted - but whether Gemma, his elderly cat, is quite so pleased is a moot point. 

[ronm]

They would be welcome with me too, but as you say Maggi, the cats and chickens may, I'm sure, have another view.
In this situation its important to monitor the animals health as numerous nasty diseases can soon set in, e.g. mange etc., which can spread quickly when the population becomes unusually large due to some artificial effects. Many people get pleasure from having the 'Urban Fox' living with them.
Good luck Gemma !!

[Maggi Young]

I quite often meet a lovely big dog fox in our garden. It is quite something that he makes so free with the facilities, since the place is secure enough to keep most dogs inside the perimeter!
I see a vixen in the street sometimes, or the dog fox trotting up the road.... relaxed, just like all the other local residents.  They have been known to take pet rabbits in insecure pens though... which is sad for the children but may serve to show them that not everything in the world is arranged for their convenience. 

 The Westies are not really bothered about the foxes. They hear the vixen but don't seem too interested.

 It's only about half a mile to open land here. There are occasional deer around too! 

 If one takes the train through Glasgow out to Milngavie (for the SRGC show, for instance) one is likely to see a large number of urban foxes.... they use the railway line and fenced edgeways as a thoroughfare and it seems very successfull for them... they can be spotted snoozing outside their dens, near enough to the houses to make raids on dustbins but safely behind the railway fencing for the most part to live their own lives. Fascinating!

[ronm]

A wonderful picture, beautifully painted Maggi.

[Maggi Young]

I've just arrived home as a retired person (early I hasten to add!). 

Merciful heavens, yesterday he retired, today is his birthday..... so many reasons for beer and cake in one week! If it were not for his Pudsey Pig training, Martin would  be hard pressed to cope with all this fun!

[ranunculus]

Happy Birthday, Martin ... it's enjoyment all the way now!!!

[Martinr]

Pudsey Pigging was actually the training for this week . Significant quantities of cake, beer, filled rolls and chips were consumed yesterday. I might take it a little easier today, getting to the Dolomites tomorrow involves a very early rise Mind you do I want to be sober when Cliff starts giving lectures

And Maggi, thank you for the Birthday Card.

[ranunculus]

Mind you do I want to be sober when Cliff starts giving lectures

Only two of my lectures to endure during your stay, Martin ... and you could always watch football instead?

[art600]

I guess the question is, " If someone abandoned 7 dogs in your garden, would you be happy?" If yes, then of course you should be happy. They are smart, perfectly adapted animals. Next year you could have 15+.
If you're not happy, then the options open to you are limited and, in my view, not very good.

Dogs no, foxes yes.

They live under my large green Shed.  I have plans to remove this and replace with another large greenhouse.  Will now wait until the summer arrives and the cubs have grown.

i live next to a protected wood so they have plenty of space to inhabit.

Gemma is fine

[angie]

Dogs no, foxes yes.

They live under my large green Shed.  I have plans to remove this and replace with another large greenhouse.  Will now wait until the summer arrives and the cubs have grown.

i live next to a protected wood so they have plent of space to inhabit.

Gemma is fine

I have outwith my garden two large foxes and have seen their den. This is the first year in the 18 years that I have been here I haven't seen a rabbit  normally I have to keep every gate closed. Long may they stay here. Also this is the first year that we haven't had someone shooting the foxes, normally there is someone taking out the foxes at night, just when I have just fallen asleep. Living in the countryside sometimes isn't as quiet as folks think.
Not seen any cubs yet but have two fawns in the field in front of the house, nice to watch but hope they don't grow up and think my garden is a supermarket.

Angie 

[Maggi Young]

Hurray! I'm more than happy..... see this post from Forumist Susan S.....
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=7878.msg249941#msg249941

Susan has passed her first year's course with distinction! Great news. You can read all about Susan's "new life" in that thread.... an inspirational tale, I think.

Well done, Susan! 

[art600]

Enjoy!

 
 What a crazy, delightful ever changing world! Who could have thought that in 2012 young people in
 Moscow would put on a "flash mob" happening, dancing to an *83 year old* *American song* written by a
 Russian born American-Jew (Irving Berlin) whose last name is the capital of Germany...
 
 
 

[Maggi Young]

Thanks, Art - such a great song - I'll remember this video for a long time.
 Previously one of my favourite versions of the song was this :
          

[Tim Ingram]

Brilliant Art! All's alive and well in Moscow.