Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Furry Critters

Bristol zoo is home to many cute, fluffy and furry beasties, including the Prairie Dogs which many people in North America may be familiar with and the meerkats. Both communities had young pups when I visited who looked like little half sized versions of the adults scampering around. One of the prairie dog young is in the photo below.

The zoo had once more done wonders in re-creating the animals habitats. both had natural compounds with extensive tunnels and burrows and it was nice that the animals were relaxed enough around people to ignore them and get on with their everyday business. In the wild, the prairie dog is prey to many animals so they are constantly on the look out for danger with the adults taking turn as look-outs and as you can see from the photo's they are very well camouflaged too!

There was also a Pudu in the prairie dog pen. The pudu is considered the smallest of the deer family and is naturally found in Chile and Argentina, so in a way the photo above is quite amazing as these two species would not meet in the wild! It was quite amusing as the pudu and prairie dogs are obviously used to each other, but this very young prairie dog obviously needed a closer look. When the pudu passed close by it stood it's ground and the two animals came nose to nose. The pudu eventually wandered off and the little pup looked so pleased with itself as it has stood up to this 'giant' animal!

Next, we saw the meerkats who are native to many parts of Africa. Like the prairie dogs they are sociable animals that live in colonies in burrows. They are well know as being alert and inquisitive with at least one meerkat on alert looking for potential threats. In the zoo, this was no exception and one had taken up sentry duty atop a tree stump while the others played, foraged and sunbathed. As you can see in the photo above, the meerkats had young too, who were intent on getting lunch while we were there.

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Update on mum

Thank you for your well wishes for my mother. I'm afraid the news is not great. Earlier this week she was diagnosed with kidney failure. It appears that everything has been too much strain on her body so she was taken off the IV antibiotics to give her kidney's a rest. The good news is that the failure is not dire, it's just that they are not working properly and after a couple of days they recovered a little.

However, since going into hospital her leg infection seems to have worsened and today she is having an x-ray as the doctor thinks it has spread into her ankle joints too. She is having to go on the IV antibiotics again and this time they will be stronger which will put a strain on her kidneys again. The doctors say that her kidneys will recover afterwards though, but I cant help thinking there are no guarantees. My poor mother is feeling very down though and has been told she is liable to be in hospital for another 2 weeks. I talk to my dad every night and I can tell he is concerned but the positive thing is that this team of doctors are some of the best at the hospital and we have been told that they are determined to sort my mother out this time. Fingers crossed.

25 comments:

kenju said...

I know how concerned you are about your parents (this is hard on your dad too) and it is a good thing that the doctors seem dedicated to sorting it out. I'll hope for the best.

I have never seen a prairie dog in their natural habitat; they are cute animals - as are meerkats - who are so fun to watch!

craziequeen said...

Hey babes - I know we talk most days, but I still like to come here and share your lovely pictures....

I adore meerkats - especially when they are on lookout duty - they are SO cute :-)

Your mum is definitely going through the wringer lately, and the family coming along with her.
She really is in the best place at the moment. I know hospitals are horrid - I've spent some time in some really dire ones....but there they can balance her meds against her condition and she'll improve with the rest too.

[BIG HUGS] from the next building [chuckle]

cq

Ramona said...

Oh Bobkat...I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I haven't been doing much blog visiting lately so I've missed this. I am very glad to hear that another consultant has taken over to help manage your mom. It does sound like her diabetes has been out of control and unfortunately caused what sounds like cellulitis of her legs. Antibiotics can be brutal on people with fragile kidneys, and they should be very careful with the dosages. VERY CAREFUL.
***
Love your pictures at the zoo. Funny, I've been meaning to post some pics of when Greg and I were at the Berlin zoo. Our best pics were of a penguin and a hippo!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I'm so sorry your Mom is struggling with all this---I can certainly understand her being depressed---there is a lot to be "down" about....But it certainly sounds like this group of doctors is tryimg hard to helkp her and that they see what the problems are...I know this has to be very hard on your Dad and you---it is always difficult to see and know that a dear loved one---especially a parent, and in your Dads case, his wife, is struggling with serious health problems---My prayers are with you and your Dad and especially your Mom...

That Bristol Zoo is really an extrordinary place, isn't it? I love these pictures of the not-so- well-known animals....that they dedicate so much care to all the animals there, says a lot about that wonderful Zoo...I have only seen pictures of these two dear creatures...they are so very sweet.

Thanks for your visit and your comments, B-K. I feel that nature is the purest thing that exists and right now, in this crazy world which leaves one wondering what is to become of us, I find the birds and bees and flowers heartening in their purity....

Little Miss Muffet said...

i had no idea prairie dogs looked so unlike dogs! nice pics..and fingers crossed for ur mom..

Anonymous said...

Continued well-wishes for your mother.

I love prairie dogs. In the wild, you can see them sitting on top of their burrows. When one spies a human it begins barking until all of them join in. Then, as you approach, they dive into their borrows like a wave, only to reappear and bark again when you've passed.

We once walked through a prairie dog town which was a quarter mile in diameter in Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.

Very cool.

Cheers.

Beckie said...

BobKat - so sorry about what all your Mom is going through. I know it has to be hard for everyone in the family.

Your pictures are great - the Mom and baby was a great capture. I would have waited days and never been able to get it!

Anonymous said...

BK it sounds like you're mother is at the right place....it's tough right now but at least she is located where she can get the attention she needs. I'll continue to pray for her, you and your dad.

Your pictures own me in this post. The prairie pup smelling the deer is cracking me up! I'm going to have to call my wife down here to the office to see this one.

Thanks for sharing these photos!

Melody said...

Oh no B-K. It is good you talk to your dad each night. I am sure he appreciates it and can help off-load some of the burden.

Your photos are wonderful. Again.

srp said...

I know how difficult diabetes is to control. My mom also has diabetes and I was amazed when I first moved here, how little she knew about the disease and that she didn't seem to comprehend how important it was to control the glucose levels. Her kidney's are damaged and we have to be careful with the medicines she takes. She is now almost two weeks out from her knee replacement and still a bit weepy over the pain and therapy but she is doing at least as well with this one as the other knee.

I am sending well wishes and prayers for your mom and hope that this infection can be controlled and eradicated.

As for the prairie dogs... we had a big colony of them in Oklahoma where they were protected. It was fun to watch them in their native habitat... little heads popping up out of the mounds! Oh, and I love those penguin shots!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Hi Bob-Kat...Michele sent me tonight....I hope there is a bit of better news about your Mum...And I hope you are doing as good as you can, my dear. I send you hugs!

MaR said...

Lovely pics! I specially enjoyed them since I have never seen a prairie dog nor a meerkat...should head out to the zoo one of these days but I don't think we have any of these animals...

I have been following Knut's news: the polar bear at the Berlin zoo. He was adorable in March at age 3 months. He isn't as cute nowadays, lol!

Keeping my fingers crossed for your mother...

kenju said...

Michele sent me back to see the adorable prairie dog again!

Panthergirl said...

Oh, I hope your mother is ok... and your dad as well.

I just love meerkats! Thanks for sharing the photos of the furry creatures. And I love the comment you left on my blog! :D

Megan said...

Sorry about your mom. I'll send extra prayers to her tonight.

Michele sent me today...

Preeti Shenoy said...

Sorry about your mom.Being so stoic and cheerful in these cicumstances really takes herculean effort--and you are really courageuos I must say, Bon-kat.You must be a pillar of strength for your dad--i'm sure.

I'm against zoos in general prefer sanctuaries instead), but Bristol zoo sounds exactly the kind of place I'd like to take my kid too.

Michael K. Althouse said...

Cute little guys!

I hope your mother recovers quickly. I know how hard extended stays in the hospital can be - both on the patient and the family. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Michele sent me, (but she didn't need to, I was on my way anyway),

Mike

utenzi said...

Michele sent me over, Bob-Kat. She knew I was neglecting you.

Kidney failure is a very bad sign so it's great that the doctors are sure it's only temporary. I hope she surprises everyone with a quick return to health.

I love the pictures of the critters, B-K. I wonder of the prairie dogs associate the Pudu with Mule Deer. I think here in the Western US those two species cohabitate. Regardless, the young prairie dog is as cute as can be. And what amazingly long toes!

Shephard said...

Crossing fingers for your mom.
Loved your photos as usual.
~S

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

HUGE hugs to your family, Bob-Kat. I wish you didn't have to deal with this.

On a happy note, the zoo pictures and commentary are fabulous! You're making me itchy to take my own kids back to our local zoo. Hmmm....

diyadear said...

hey cute pics.. n fingers crossed for ur mom dear..

Anonymous said...

Just checking in for Mum reports. I trust and pray all is well.

Cheers.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Just checking in to see how you are doing, my dear...And wondering how your Mom is doing at this point.
I dearly hope there is some improvememt....

asha said...

Hope your mom gets well soon, will pray for her. Take care.

JAM said...

I'm sorry about your mom. It always seems worse when one problem seems to just lead to another one.

I love the animal photos the one with the pudu and prairie dog is amazing. I like the way meerkats look. I'm not sure what their personalities are like, but they look mischievous.