3/16/26 – Reflections… December came with a vet inspection of my facility on the 12th and everything looked well and the animals were all healthy. However, on the 17th, Poppy began breathing labored when I arrived home from work. She was fine that morning and although eager to greet me had not eaten her banana treat. I watched her that evening and decided that if she wasn’t any better in the morning, I’d call her vet. She wasn’t and the office didn’t open until 9am. So, I called my cat vet who also cares for Max and the other exotics. I was able to get in. We thought the white fur was a bit grey around her mouth and her breathing was still labored. I agreed to an x-ray. They didn’t even get to the room when she started crashing and immediately brought her back to me. We didn’t want her to suffer and they gave her an injection. My precious little bun was gone, so still in my arms. Yes, she was a spicy girl who didn’t want to be held most times except when she wasn’t feeling good. For answers, we had an x-ray performed afterwards and the vet said she had a very large mass in her chest. The odd thing is that she had an annual exam in September at her vet’s office and her weight was up and they said she looked good. Although her legs were a mess from all the licking and I now believe that she was in pain, and was trying to lick the pain away. She had been on pain meds for much of her life due to her chewing and licking. I believe we all thought this was behavioral and not physical. At any rate, she didn’t suffer and was vibrant up to her last day. Poppy was a Netherland Dwarf born February 10, 2014, weaned on 4/7/14 and acquired by me on April 14th. How very blessed I was! Rest in peace dear little bun.
Thankfully, the rest of December into January and February have been uneventful with the exception of the weather. Oh, the weather. It has taken a toll on this old body with wicked cold temps and snow. My heating fuel budget has skyrocketed and even though it’s March, we are still getting cold weather and it looks like I’ll be getting another tank fill. 😢
Already scheduled for this summer will be a 10-week program at The Lodges at Cresthaven in Lake George starting in June. Lake George has a lot to offer vacationers. So, if you’re in the area, we’d love to see you on Mondays beginning June 22.
Max and I were invited to a high school agricultural class to present a program. He was nervous because I didn’t give him any calming medication but still did fine. He showed the kids exactly why lynxes are not pets when we demonstrated that you cannot approach even a human-raised lynx as he growled and hissed. We stressed the importance of preserving our environment and protecting our wildlife.
Lil Bun Holland Lop turned 4 years old on February 14th! He is the sweetest bun. He enjoys sitting in kids lap and being held but not so much being brushed. He really missed Poppy the first several weeks. I expanded his floor cage to include hers and left her nesting box in there for him. He has adapted and loves the extra space now for his zoomies.
Well, it’s now mid-March and my left shoulder is giving me grief. I don’t have constant pain but with certain movements there is a popping with pain. I think it’s tendonitis or a slipped tendon. I don’t know but now that I’m on Medicare, I can’t afford surgery. My insurance prior was extraordinary but now…not so much even though I have an advantage plan. I tell you it is not so great getting older. Anyways, the pain is manageable and I plan on pulling out some of my old PT exercises and bands. Fingers crossed that I can strengthen the area without further harm. Enough with that…
Videos since my last post:
Here are a few photos of Max and he’s doing well. Although, he did have a small blockage a week ago and was only eating 8oz of meat daily, but with cod liver oil and laxative in his water, he passed it. Now he’s back on track! ❤️
Wildlife Education by Bernie 
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