I found a baby toad today on the side walk. He was so cute and little. I couldn't resist picking him up for a moment.
I also found a very large pretty frog the other day while taking a walk. He jumped away into the mud before I could catch him though.
I don't know why I'm telling you all this. Guess I'm just so happy it is finally spring and warm for good And I love animals!
Posted by TnFlowerChild (Member # 24717) on :
I'm a "rescue-er" - I love life - animals, people, plants... whatever is living!
I've heard some frogs, but I haven't seen any yet... I'm waiting to see my turtles!! I rescue them from the roads - people think I'm crazy... so be it!!!
I'm sooooooo glad it's SPRING!
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Same here. It makes me cry when I see an animal dead on the side of the road. I have rescued injured turtles, birds, squirrels, etc.
The squirrel broke my heart. I was driving to work and I saw it laying in the grass on the side of the road. It turned it's head and looked me in the eye.
I was running late for work so I called my mom and told her to hurry and help the squirrel. My mom was the one that taught me to love animals. So of course she helped.
It seemed stunned at first. We couldn't get it to eat or drink or move around. I gave it drops of pedialyte (flavor and dye free) from a syringe. It slept on a heating pad in a pet carrier overnight. The next day it was acting more energetic. I didn't try to touch it again. We were able to take it to a lady that rehabilitates injured wild animals.
Turns out it probably had some sort of concussion and a broken leg. The rehab lady called us and told us when she released him.
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
I have a pond in my backyard and for the last couple weeks they bout drove me nuts.
matting i'm sure. very noisy.
I also have pretty tree frogs. I do wig out... can't touch them... I scream like a girl. (I am a woman). I loved them as a child. Funny how one changes when they get old.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
MDW005, it's good that you have alot of frogs. They eat bugs like mosquitoes.
Do you have many spiders where you live? That's what makes me scream. We have brown recluses, black widows, funnel weavers, and big wolf spiders. The wolf spiders can be as big as the palm of my hand. (my hand is small but still, that is a very large spider!)
Even thinking about spiders gives me the creeps. Too bad my 3 cats think that it is fun to play with spiders rather than kill them.
Posted by MDW005 (Member # 22706) on :
Sammy... We are the state that has the most varieties of spiders in the US!!
Hate them ... don't get me started. Biggest fear I have. I cant even watch them on tv. And if one is in the car with me...Oh big mess. I have almost wrecked the car because of a little ugly spider.
I have even jumped in my sweethearts lap. I can laugh now, but if I see one, well, you can bet this lymy butt can move!!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Most of us had very rough winters... so yes, you're telling us this because you are so joyful it is spring!!
The dogwoods are blooming here... redbuds are finishing up. Tulips and daffodils are doing well... though the daffs are lasting longer than the tulips!
Spring!!!!
Posted by Tgym (Member # 23638) on :
When you mentioned toad my first thought was "squash it". Here in Florida we have these nasty bufo toads that came here from somewhere in Asia. They are all over. When you pick one up they secrete poison all over your hand. It's harmless but the problem is dogs love to chase them and put them in their mouths. The toads secrete the poison into your dogs mouth and if you're lucky you have a half hour to get your dog to a vet before it dies. Last year my dog got it good and he was unconcious and in full seizures before we got him to the vet. 1 day and $1200 dollars later my dog was doing well. He was one of the lucky ones. Now I keep a shovel in the front and the back of the house for when I see them. During the summer I will kill at least 1 a night and a good night is 4 or 5. I love animals and at first I felt bad but after you squish a couple the serial killer comes out in you and I actually enjoy smashing their evil little brains out now.
Posted by Topaz (Member # 20216) on :
Wow, this thread has suddenly taken a turn. Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Oh, it sounds like you are dealing with Cane toads. I know that they are a big problem in Austraila but never knew that they were here too.
These toads were introduced to help control pests. It is sad that they also harm native animals and pets.
Thankfully, the only toads we have around here are completely harmless.
Posted by Tgym (Member # 23638) on :
They are awful. There is not one neighborhood around where someone has not had a pet die from one. Big dogs sometimes have a chance but little dogs usually don't. I rushed my neighbors Yorkie to the vet but the poor little thing was dead within 20 minutes. My daschund somehow lasted about 40 minutes until we got him to the vet where they saved him. He's a hound and he's stubborn so I think that helped him out.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
That's horrible!
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
Just so you let all those toads/frogs know...that was a one time thing with the kissing....
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Kam, I would so kiss a frog if that would bring me my prince Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Here is the poisonous Florida frog, evidently the same as the cane toad in Australia, non-native in both places:
I was cleaning out the pool last night and you would not beleive how many tadpoles were in the pool.
I couldn't save them all.... must have been thousands, but I did get a couple buckets full and I threw them in the pond.
Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tgym: When you mentioned toad my first thought was "squash it". Here in Florida we have these nasty bufo toads that came here from somewhere in Asia. They are all over. When you pick one up they secrete poison...[snip]...Now I keep a shovel in the front and the back of the house for when I see them. During the summer I will kill at least 1 a night and a good night is 4 or 5. I love animals and at first I felt bad but after you squish a couple the serial killer comes out in you and I actually enjoy smashing their evil little brains out now.
LOL! Alert the media! New Headline: Florida Lyme Patient finds Useful Outlet for Lyme Rage
We need to link up ILADS with the Invasive Species Control Councils who are just yearning for more volunteers. Need a moderator to move this to Activism!
Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
Dear sammy, Diane, Tutu, et al. I'm a protector of wildlife and work to rescue herps. So glad most here are rejoicing in the little insect-eating wonders!
sammy, be careful not to pick up frogs, toads, and salmanders without pouring water on your hands first or rinsing in a pond/stream. Our hands often have chemicals on them that harm amphibians. Anything from hand lotion, sunscreen, bug spray, garden fertilizer, antibacterial crud, etc. can be absorbed by their sensitive skin. We need to protect these cool little creatures.
Where I live, the frogs have quieted down since mating, but I've been thrilled by a Barred Owl calling in my trees.
Peace, Smile
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
What an awesome job you have Smile!
I will remember your advice about the hand washing next time I get the urge to pick up a little creature. I usually only do that if I feel like they are in danger.
My last rescue was an adorable baby robin that decided to sit in the middle of the road. It didn't attempt to hop away even though my car was slowly approaching. So I parked my car in the road (in my neighborhood) and walked up to the little bird. It just looked up at me and squeaked, still didn't try to run or fly away. So I scooped it up, carried it into the yard, placed it under the tree where it's mother was perched and yelling at me.
It was so cute with it's little spotted chest! Brand new, still had white tufts on top of it's head. I think that it must have fallen out of it's nest too early. It did not seem ready to fly.
I'm glad that I was able to help it. People are careless and drive too fast through the neighborhood. There was a poor dead squirrel on that same road where I found the robin.
Posted by TnFlowerChild (Member # 24717) on :
sammy, You have such a kind heart and sweet spirit!
I rescued a "water" turtle the other day - with our recent floods, many critters have been "misplaced."
This poor "gal" was on a roadside farther away from the river than it needed to be to be able to feed itself properly - so I took her to where she could get back to the river.
I think she was glad to be back by the water, 'cause I'll swear she winked at me as she darted into the creek!
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And I love animals!
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