Issue 13 December 07/January 08

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 Issue 13 December 07-January 08

Graphic Design & Story Inquiries

Bob Fielder
publisher@creaturesall.com
Account Information
Linda Fielder
In This Issue
editor@creaturesall.com
Subscription Info
Lost Without Winky – many ask why he was not
www.creaturesall.com put to sleep 8
So Far I’ve seen... – how much better can a
volunteer or summer job be 16
Printing Butterfly Garden Adventure – they appear to be
The Prolific Group
Mailing address:
dancing about in indistinguishable directions 18
creaturesall
P.O. Box 126, A Visit From Gertie – hey lady, come over here 24
Langdon, AB T0J 1X0
403-512-9544 The Exact Right Cat – it plays the fiddle 29
creaturesall is published 6 times per year (February,
April, June, August, October and December) by 1160613
ALBERTA LTD. and distributed freely in Alberta the first
week of the publication month. Advertisers and contrib-
Columns
utors assume responsibility and liability for the accuracy
of their claims and statements. The opinions and views Youth Said It – Christmas creatures 10
expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect those of
the Publisher or advertisers. creaturesall reserves the
right to refuse any advertising. Written submissions Wagging Tales – Dr R Weger - Calgary North Vet Hospital 11
become the property of creaturesall on publication. By
proferring your photographs or written submission you
grant us permission to reproduce it in creaturesall,
Creature Feature – the Calgary Zoo 13
other printed media, on our web site or as a component
of an online download. All submissions will receive a Taking Down the Fences – A.I.W.C. 15
reply if email address is provided.
Writers & Cover Artists may make submissions
by email to: publisher@creaturesall.com
Spaces and Species – the Nature Conservancy of Canada 21
Copyright 2005 by 1160613 ALBERTA LTD.
Cross Paths – the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area 23
Cover Artist
Diane Anderson
Born in Alberta, and
The Gardening Bug – the Calgary Horticultural Society 27
proud of it, I have
always surrounded Obsolete – cari-creatures by Sean Skerry 28
myself with animals. As
a result, they are a
constant inspiration for The Final Word – the littlest rescuer 30
many of my sculptures.
Of particular interest to
me is the way in which
animals interact with
one another.
Departments
I like to show a relationship story in my
bronzes. Animals are always open and honest,
Publisher’s Note 5
with no hidden agendas. The example they set
for we humans makes our lives a constant Letters 7
challenge to prove ourselves worthy.
Please visit: www.dianeandersontymarc.com
to view more of my sculptures. In Passing – celebrating the lives of animal friends 26

page3
 memories made timeless
We welcome you to visit
the studio on our farm
near Cremona. Just a
short, beautiful drive
Upcoming 2008 Exhibitions:
north of Calgary.
Calgary Stampede
Spruce Meadows Masters

Diane M. Anderson
www.dianeandersontymarc.com
tymarc@xplornet.com
403-637-2274 403-803-8039

Heaven Can Wait

Animal Rescue Foundation

(403) 601-2520
www.heavencanwait.ca

page4

The issue of creaturesall you are
now holding marks the beginning of
our third year of publication;
assuming of course you’re holding this
issue and not an older one. While we
heartily encourage the reading of our
older issues, I’d urge you, for the
moment at least, to put that one
down and to pick this one up.
The past two years have not
been uneventful. On more than one
occasion, events were such that we
had given up all hope of being able to
continue.
I distinctly remember visiting
with one of our very talented cover
artists and discussing, what I
perceived to be, our dire financial
straits. She gave me some encourag-
ing advice which I’ll never forget.
“Whenever you read a book
depicting the story behind any
worthwhile endeavor, there is always
one chapter, somewhere around the
middle of the book, which outlines
circumstances exactly like what
you’re going through right now.
Whatever you do, don’t quit!”
With that option snatched from
me, I still knew that we couldn’t
continue losing money with every
issue printed. We would have to find
a way to alter the balance sheet.
Gifts of $10 on up, (way up)
from many, many folks over the past
two years have made it possible for
us to continue to provide this FREE
magazine.
But, of course, there is absolutely
nothing free about a free magazine.
So with my newly discovered
business acumen; that being, ‘it is
not a good thing to lose money’,
we began to offer subscriptions
to creaturesall exactly one year ago
this month.
Advertiser and Story Submission Deadline
for Next Issue – January 4th/08
PUBLISHER’S
NOTE
encouraging you to read, then write
Bob & Linda Fielder
While we are not yet where we
need to be, we are well on our way.
Beyond subscriptions, we have taken
other poractive measures. We have
just launched www.creaturesall.com
and, if you look carefully, you’ll find an
ad in this issue seeking an Advertising
Sales Rep for creaturesall.
If you love creaturesall and would
like to help support what it is we are
trying to do, there are a few options
I’d like to encourage you to consider.
1) if you’ve subscribed to
creaturesall in the past, consider
renewing your subscription in the
future.
2) if you’ve shared creaturesall
through passing on your copy to
others, consider supporting us
through obtaining a gift subscription
in someone else’s name.
3) if you regularly pick up your
creaturesall for free at one of our
province-wide locations, consider
acquiring a subscription for yourself
or someone close.
4) this Christmas, consider giving
creaturesall to family, friends or
someone else close to you. Your
choice to subscribe will go a long way
towards seeing we will be here next
year to badger you all over again.
Taking advantage of that forced
segue, I am reminded of our
pastures here (the segue being we
have several badger holes dotting the
meadow landscape). As we have
three horses boarded with us, I am
often concerned about their ability
to avoid such things as badger holes,
what with their being dumb animals
and all. Not to be derogatory; as
animals go, I’m aware horses can be
pretty clever.
page5
What led me to this focus on horse
sense, so to speak, was an instance
recently while I was rushing about trying
to complete my new goat shed, the back
of which borders the horses’ pasture.
Cognizant that inclement weather may
only be a day or two away, I wanted to
ensure the goats had a cozy refuge from
nature’s nastiest.
As I was crouched low to the
ground, attaching one end of a wind
deflecting wall to the existing fence line,
I hit my funnybone in perhaps the most
extremely painful way I had ever done
so. Wow... did that hurt! The only upside
was that I didn’t experience any of that
residual numbness that usually follows
such contact.
Stoically, I continued to work and,
WHAM... I hit it again. Jeepers! That
stings! I wasn’t even sure what I’d hit it
on, but Boy!... was I sure I hit it.
Resuming the task at hand, I
became extremely sensitive to my each
and every move. I changed my position
and hammered carefully, taking nothing
for granted. With things progressing
well, I soon had the job near completion
and crouched to put in the final nail.
OUCH! It happened again! Tears
colored my eyes, complementing a newly
created blueness to the air. Dropping my
hammer and holding my elbow, I gyrated
about like an early Mambo drop-out on
Dancing With the Stars. How could that
have happened!? Again?!
And then it struck me... as if by
lightening. Looking up, I noticed the
electric fence surrounding the horse
enclosure had come in contact with the
mesh fencing surrounding the goat’s
pasture and I, in turn, had come in con-
tact with that, not once but three times.
The really sad thing here, as I am
forced to publically contemplate who put
the ‘dumb’ in animal kingdom, is that I
had helped to install that electric fence
just a few days earlier. Never having
worked with electric fencing, I
remember asking Sarah, the horses’
owner, how long it takes the critters to
twig to the fact it’s not a good idea to rub
up against the charged wire.
“Horses,” she replied, “are pretty
sharp. It usually just takes one zap and
they get the message.” ca
Limited Edition Giclée Canvas Art prints available at these Fine Art Galleries:
Avenida Art Gallery Prestige Fine Art & Framing Upcoming Exhibition:
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Art Show and Sale - Jan 25 & 26/08
(403) 278-3074/286-9557 (403) 938-2755 The Crowchild Inn, Calgary
www.avenidagalleries.com www.prestigefineartframing.com www.rosehipgallery.com

Wendy Palmer artist

For information on upcoming exhibitions:
visit my new web site: www.wendypalmer-artist.com

When nature speaks...

take a moment to listen.
“Pssst! Check out the brand new
creaturesall web site! It’s way cool”

“Dude, What do you think

I’ve been doin’ all morning?
Did you see that picture of
Uncle Larry?”

www.creaturesall.com
answering nature’s call

page6

paw prints and pen scratches
Just wanted to let you know how
powerful the poem "Discarded" was
to all of us at ‘Heaven Can Wait’.
How eloquently and poignantly sad it
was to read of what we all know
exists. We wept for the many forgot-
ten ones no one reaches in time.
Kim Hessel
I will definitely consider a
subscription to the magazine. It
makes me laugh, and the poem in
the most recent edition made me
cry.
Thanks and have a fabulous day
May Yeung
I just got the new issue at
Safeway. Thank you for the way you
presented my poem. It looks won-
derful. That is the perfect picture.
Susan Sweetman
I am so impressed with the
Oct/Nov issue! Great job on the
overall look, flow and content! I
received a copy compliments of my
sister, Diane Anderson, and I have
to say bravo about that marketing
effort as well! I can really see the
growth of your publication. I know
only too well how much work is
represented here. Keep up the
excellent work, I am sure it will pay
off in countless ways.
Cheryl Beck
I just wanted to call and let you
know how much I enjoy your creat-
uesall magazine. I just discovered it
last issue and I just picked up the
new issue last week at the library. It
is a delightful little magazine,
absolutely lovely to read. Thank you
very much.
Name witheld
LETTERS
take a moment to share your thoughts
On behalf of the Board, staff,
volunteers and all of the families
that we serve, I would like to
express our appreciation to Sarah
Taylor for the very generous Gift in
Kind donation of 4 subscriptions to
creaturesall in support of Ronald
McDonald House Southern
Alberta.
We are so grateful for your
recognition of the vital role that
Ronald McDonald House Southern
Alberta plays in the community.
Your kindness will enable us to con-
tinue to provide a home away from
home to families when they need it
most.
Your support of Ronald
McDonald House Southern Alberta
means so much to us and especially
to the families that use the House.
Thank you again for helping us
give sick children what they need
most…their families.
Larry Mathieson, Executive Director
Marla Cohen, Director of Development
Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta
I am very impressed with the
professionalism of your publication.
I have skimmed through them and
noticed the great variety of sub-
jects. When the snow flies I'll be
able to concentrate more intently
on each article - Congratulations!
You have more than likely
heard about the Medicine River
Wildlife Centre near Spruce View,
Alberta. They produce a newsletter
which contains some interesting
articles on the rescue and rehabili-
tation of wildlife. Some of their
articles might be a good fit for your
magazine. Again, congrats on your
dedication to the wonderful world
of “creatures”. I'd like to be put on
your subscriber’s list.
Clarence ‘Clancy’ Patton
page7
LOST
inky is a Catahoula Leopard dog that
W came to me last fall as a temporary
foster for a rescue group call Furever
After in Calgary. Winky was taken from an
abusive situation, post hurricane Katrina, and
brought to Calgary for potential adoption. I was
to have Winky for ‘a few days’.
Winky's disabilities were not completely
known until he arrived here. Subsequent
investigation showed he has a condition called
Microphthalmia; essentially his eyes are too
small. His right eye is about the size of a pea and
it appears as if there is no eye there at all. His
left eye has a malformed retina leaving him with
about 20% vision. He is also deaf in his right ear
and has some missing teeth. Winky has severe
trust issues, and although potential adopters
were wonderful, in the end they each inevitably
decided Winky was not for them.
page8
without Winky
by Jennifer Brophy
However, Winky found an angel in our
home who remained at his side from the begin-
ning. Her name is Bella, a Catahoula/Beagle
cross whose mission became to save Winky's
life. She did not leave his side. She taught him
the routine of the house and introduced him to
all that he needed to know about how a dog is to
be a dog. She assisted Winky with play therapy,
she would go get him at the dog park when he
was disoriented and most importantly, to her,
she would finish his meals. I am convinced her
mission was to make him well and if Bella had
not been there, Winky would not be here today.
I realized how attached I had become to
Winky when he backed out of his collar while
staying at a friend’s place and went off on a
‘vision quest’ of his own. I cried for 10 days
straight. There was a colossal effort put forward
by Furever After, and Charlee Morgan of Lite
96FM in Calgary. Charlee did a “Where
is Winky” segment every morning.
Donations for a reward totalled some
$2500.00.
Efforts to get Winky back
included: Animal Communicator
Calloway M’Cloud in PEI, the Calgary
SUN, volunteers from On The Trail dog
trackers from Canmore, a segment on
TV as well as 800 posters and all the
other usual things you do when your
dog goes missing. Word of Winky’s
plight had spread and I received e-mails
daily from as far away as Mexico
wanting updates and sending good
wishes. Winky even had his own
hotmail account! With much anxiety I
called the dead-dog line at the City of
Calgary twice a day, every day. Sadly
every day someone’s dog had been
killed, but luckily, none of the dogs ever
matched Winky's description.
Winky and I reunited 2 weeks and
1 day after he left. He had finished his
soul searching and turned himself in.
The temperatures had been in the
minus 30s at night, with lots of snow. A
kind man sighted him and recognized
him from Charlee’s “Where is Winky”
segment and called him in to Furever
After. My husband and I had been just
1 block away from where Winky was
found an hour earlier.
I will never forget going out on
Lake Bonavista with Bella to get Winky.
It was very cold. He was running
around and as soon as I called him he
started coming. Bella went out to greet
him and he came right to me. He
literally got up on his hind legs and
turned in circles singing, as if to say, “ I
am so happy to see you. It’s been
horrible out here.” He had lost 12 lbs
and was filthy. After a snack and a
bath, he curled up in front of the sofa
with all 4 feet in the air. He was happy
to be home. It seems life was not so bad
at our house, after all.
After a few public appearances to
thank everyone involved, Winky and
the rest of our family moved. The
publicity was just too much. The lights,
the cameras, the phone calls, the
e-mails, the interviews and public
appearances. As fate would have it,
after all that publicity, not one person
came forward to say “I am interested in
adopting Winky.” I guess no one wanted
a disabled, fearful, troublemaking,
misbehaved 50lb runaway. I was given
Winky by the rescue group.
Since moving to our new acreage
Winky has flourished. Bella continues
her work with her sight/hearing
challenged companion, especially the
finishing meals part. Winky manages
on the property well and lifts my heart
when I see him leap though the hay
fields. His happiness is contagious.
There have definitely been a few
challenges, including an encounter with
a certain porcupine, another with a cat,
as well as a skunk that I will leave to
your imagination! When visitors come
it is obvious that Winky is trying hard
to get over his fears. In time I hope he
will heal.
There are times when Winky and I
have these very intimate moments. He
may come and just put his head on my
lap, or do his happy dance when I come
page9
home, or lay his head on my knee after
a bad day as if to say, “I am here for
you.” Endearing habits include striking
a strange pose while sleeping, nibbling
on Bella’s ears, or fleeing to the
basement with a treat as he knows
Bella will inhale hers and be hot on his
trail to get his! He is also most insistent
that our cars are parked in the same
spot, and prefers to eat a late supper.
Peoples’ reactions are mixed when
they learn of Winky’s disabilities. Many
ask why he was not put to sleep and do
not understand the value of such an
animal. Others say, “You are so good to
keep a dog like that.” I have gained
much insight into people through their
opinion of disabled animals like Winky
and realize, after looking back, just
how incredible it is that so many
complete strangers came together for
Winky's cause. Through this one dog, I
met some very kind people I would
otherwise never have met, and am very
thankful for that.
Through this whole experience I
have also learned much about myself
through my relationship with Winky. I
am more patient, more tolerant and
more forgiving as my appreciation for
the lessons Winky is teaching me con-
tinues to grow. I spend more time relax-
ing and enjoying the outdoors and try
to be less “serious” about the small
things. They say “You can’t change the
world by saving one animal, but you
can change the world for that animal.”—
author unknown.
I know I have changed Winky's
world, and he is changing mine, just a
little bit, everyday. ca
 YOUTH SAID IT
Christmas creatures
by Lisa Washburn-7 yrs

creaturesall always encourages input from young people and will “Youth Said It”, in the subject line. Address your submission to
enthusiastically consider for publication any works dealing with publisher@creaturesall.com The author should also attach a head
all things fur, feathers, fins, skins and scales. Persons 18 years of and shoulders photo of themselves as a 300 dpi tif or jpg.
age and under should submit their work attached to an email, with

page10
 WAGGING TALES
stories from a veterinarian’s clinic
by Dr. Richard Weger, B.Sc., DVM

ow weird it was to be going After having taken care of the torn nail crisis, I

H to work when it was this

dark. This was not only my
first overnight night shift at
grabbed my next patient file. Briefly scanning it I found
only two pieces of pertinent information; the pet’s name
was ‘Big Ed’ and it had presented for abdominal pain.
Calgary North but my first shift ever at this facility. My However, there was no mention as to what species Big Ed
stomach was tied in knots, getting ever tighter as I was. I confidently made my way into the patient hallway
approached the clinic. To say that I was nervous would be and looked for an animal that would be labeled as Big Ed.
an understatement. I had only been out of veterinary Seeing only rabbits, cats, and small dogs I then began to
school for one year and I had recently taken a position at consider that the Big Ed nomenclature may be an ironic
Calgary North as a vacation coverage doctor. Tonight was one. After several Big Ed call outs with no response, I
my trial by fire or, as my veterinary school mentor would approached Teresea and queried as to his
say, “Time to show whether you’re a hero or a goat!” whereabouts.
Finally I entered the parking lot and unknowingly “Oh yes Dr.Weger, they are waiting for
placed my vehicle as far from the entrance as you outside in the parking lot.” Puzzled I
was humanly possible. If Freud had been walked through the double doors and into the
accompanying me he would parking lot. Suddenly my eyes opened wide and
have suggested that this I abruptly stopped in my tracks. There in front of
was an unconscious deci- the clinic was a pickup truck with an attached
sion to delay the trailer and in that trailer was…a horse! The
inevitable. Summoning trailer rocked and banged as the fuming equine
my ‘chi’ I made my way kicked and stamped his feet. The blood drained
through the double from my face. In vet school I had purposely
doored entrance and steered away from large animals as much as I
began the first day of could. Now, on my first night in small animal
the rest of my life. emergency practice, I had a horse emergency!
I was immediately After a minute of silent contemplation I walked
greeted with a smile by up to the driver of the truck and prepared to face the
the night receptionist, music. “Evening Dr.Weger! Sam Winston here. This here
Teresea. “You must be Dr. is Big Ed. I have a pretty sick boy here. Where can we
Weger. You can put your unload?”
stuff in the doctor’s office at Attempting to choose my words very
the end of the hall. By the carefully I politely explained this was a
way you also have some SMALL animal emergency clinic and that
appointments waiting. Good we did not have the appropriate facilities
luck.” Looking down the for horses. Unfortunately, this news was
hallway I could see a stack of not taken well and after a few colorful
files stuffed into the appoint- metaphors aimed in my direction, Big Ed departed, leaving
ment bin. The words of me standing alone in a darkened parking lot.
Dante popped into my head; Shaking off the shock of the horse, I told myself in a
“abandon all hope ye who silent little prayer that the worst was now behind me.
enter here.” Little did I know what was waiting for me inside… ca
After a few minutes of getting myself physically and
mentally prepared, I stood in front of the appointment bin Dr. Richard Weger is a graduate of the Western College of
and began to sort through the ‘pile o’ files’. I started to cat- Veterinary Medicine. He has committed the majority of his
egorize them in my head; vomiting and diarrhea in a Pug, continuing education to the development of his skills in the
torn nail in a Golden Retriever, red eye in a Persian cat, field of exotic veterinary medicine. He is currently owned by
etc. There appeared to be nothing unusual in the bunch his Senegal parrot, Tiko and his cat, Mendel.
and my uneasiness started to recede. As I made my way
through the various cases my confidence level increased. Exotic Veterinary Care and Referral Service
That is until the proverbial ‘fly in the ointment’ occurred. Calgary North Veterinary Hospital (403)277-0135

page11
 vb
Virginia Boulay
fine artist and illustrator

(403) 242-4628
www.vboulayart.com

Winter Shadows

page12

photo courtesy: Kathleen Hewitt
n September 2006, two members
I of the world’s largest bird species
arrived at the Calgary Zoo.
Related to vultures, these beautiful
black and white Andean Condors
reside in the South American building,
formerly the Primate building.
These two impressive birds were
hatched in San Diego in 1985 making
them 22 years old this year. Andean
Condors have a long lifespan, often
living up to 50 years in the wild and
as long as 75 years in captivity. Adult
condors weigh up to 33 lbs. (15 kilo-
grams), stand up to four feet high
(1.2 metres) and have an impressive
wing span of 10 feet (three meters).
One of the most interesting things
about condors is that they have no
voice box so are not able to vocalize
like most other birds.
Although the plumage is the
same for both males and females -
black with white flight feathers on the
wings and a soft white ruff that goes
almost all the way around their necks
- it’s still very easy to tell Lorenzo
from Shirley. Lorenzo, the male, has
brown or golden eyes and a fleshy
crest on top of his head. The female,
Shirley, has garnet red eyes and no
crest. Neither of these beautiful birds
has feathers on their head. As with
most scavenger birds that feed on
CREATURE FEATURE
carrion (dead animals),
it is very difficult to keep head
feathers clean. The way that most
scavenger birds keep their head clean
is by rubbing it on the ground or in
sand.
In Peru, where the majority of
Andean Condors now live, these birds
will soar on air thermals (warm air
currents) keeping a sharp look-out for
carrion with their excellent vision.
They sometimes fly and soar more
than a hundred miles in one day
looking for their next meal. Condors
are able to go several days without
food and then, when the opportunity
arises, may eat several pounds of meat,
often until they are too heavy to fly.
The condors at the Calgary Zoo
have no problem adjusting to our cold
winters since they are able to reduce
their body temperature by several
degrees during the night to conserve
energy (thermoregulation). In the
morning, and throughout the day,
condors spread their wings allowing
them to raise their body temperature
and also to straighten their feathers.
When you are up close, it’s an
impressive sight to watch them with
their wings spread, sitting on the
branch of a tree - they look huge.
Condors only breed once every
other year and usually only hatch one
page13
Lorenzo and Shirley
by Kathleen Hewitt
chick. Both parents are responsible
for incubating and rearing the chick,
which will stay with its parents until
the age of two years. The young birds
often do not become skilled at flying
until they are seven or eight months
of age.
For hundreds of years, condors
have battled for survival. They are
threatened by hunting, deforestation,
pollution, lead poisoning and pesticides
that have been carried through the
food chain. The species is also
shrouded by a number of myths. Many
such myths state that their bones, flesh
and skin offer medicinal properties.
In 1973, Andean Condors were
placed on the Endangered Species
list. During the years since,
approximately 65 Andean Condors,
reared in North American zoos, have
been released back into the wild,
each one tagged with a micro
transmitter. As Andean Condors
mate for life it is good news from the
field that some of the released birds
are now breeding.
So, the next time you are at the
Calgary Zoo, take a look at these
majestic, large birds. Lorenzo and
Shirley are quiet, but inquisitive, and
well worth the visit. ca
 www.cindyrevell.com
Cindy Revell illustrator & fine artist ph:780-662-3088 cindy@cindyrevell.com

2-creaturesall-ad-twitter.indd 1 10/31/07 9:46:39 AM

You can make a difference

abuse
t
neglec
abandonm
e nt
Before After

Volunteers & donations of any kind mean the continued success of Oops-a-Dazy
and expansion of our programs.
Ph: 1-888-734-1013 • Fx: 1-403-734-1014 • oopsadazyrescue@yahoo.ca • oopsadazy.com

page14
 TAKING DOWN THE FENCES
getting to know your weapons of mass destruction, Pt 2
by Janna Mariano-Groza, B.Sc. (Zool), M.E.Des. (EnvSci) (c)

B
ugs. It’s easy to say that they are amazing creatures
when they are minding their own business.
However, when the swarms rise up from the depths
and fan out across the nations in a full-out onslaught, is
this not an act of war? To arm ourselves, we can use
chemicals, but why risk cancer and environmental
damage with second-rate synthetics when Nature itself
has perfected its own armory of assault weapons? Let
this 2nd of two parts be your introductory guide to
Alberta’s stockpile of weapons of mass (bug) destruction.

AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES consists of invertebrates such as digging claws, a sharp bite, a

Viable on land and water weevils, sawflies, spiders, lice, and voracious appetite and a tenacious
Frogs and Toads: Sleek frogs and any eggs, larvae or pupae. attitude, nothing
gallant toads control creepy-crawlies Wrens: The tiny wren can flit into stops a skunk.
indiscriminately. However, despite places where others dare not tread, Grasshoppers,
being masters of their territory, they destroying any snails, millipedes, ants, crickets,
are sensitive to human impacts, such grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants and cutworms, wasps,
as pollution, predation from beetles that cross its path. bees, and even
introduced species, wetlands Garter Snakes: Versatile and Black Widow
destruction and climate change. adaptable, Garter Snakes are innocu- Spiders and scor-
Remember, it is up to us all to look ous to humans and ever-so-harmful pions are con-
after these powerful anti-bug weapons. to mice, leeches, snails and slugs. sumed. Since over
Salamanders: Smiling salamanders, Slither on, soldiers! 70% of a skunk’s
eating insects, Woodpeckers and Nuthatches: diet consists of
arachnids, Machine-guns blazing, no insect adult and larval
worms and can hide from a full-on wood- insects, skunks are
mollusks, pecker and nuthatch assault. ‘The #1 Weapon’ against (bug)
make civilians Grubs and larvae despair! invaders.
ever ywhere Caterpillars, mayflies and moths So, next time you are plagued by
happy! tremble! And as for you, wood- bugs, do not simply reach for the
Harlequin boring and bark beetles, you who chemicals. Armed with what you have
D u c k s : are the most destructive forces learned here, think long-term, be
Maneuvering swift waters, these against our forests and orchards, patriotic and support local efforts that
colourful ducks walk against the surrender now as no hope remains. promote Canada’s native species.
current sweeping streambeds for the Foxes and Coyotes: Farmers in the May these weapons of mass
larvae of blackflies, caddisflies, know keep these destruction forever
midges and other ‘nasties’. It is canids about since flourish in our back-
therefore in our best interests to keep they are one of the yards! ca
the waters in Harlequin habitat best weapons
flowing freely, and to keep their against vast num- For Immediate
coastal wintering areas free from oils bers of crop destroy- Disclosure: Whenever
and other pollutants. ers such as mice, they are in need of assis-
hares, squirrels, tance, the Alberta
TANKS voles, and other Institute for Wildlife
Engage enemy ground targets head-on; insects. Conservation rescues, rehabilitates and
cause high degree of mortality; can cover releases any brave animal soldier who
rough terrain at high velocities NUCLEAR BOMBS keeps the Canadian food chain in
Chickadees: The unmistakable song Small weapons capable of eradicating balance, such as the ones listed above.
of the chickadee is music to our ears, cities For more information, or to support our
and a death knell to any creature with Skunks: Merciless and effective, efforts, visit our website at
more than four legs. 80-90% of their skunks are the mother of all anti- http://www.aiwc.ca or phone the
diet during the breeding season everything weapons. Armed with wildlife center at (403) 946-2361

page15
So far I’ve seen American
Goldfinches, a Spotted
Sandpiper and a
Great
Grey
Owl
by Kara Tersen
ee Moltzahn was one of thirteen
L Summer Conservation Interns with
the Nature Conservancy of Canada
(NCC) in Alberta this summer. These
university and college students and
graduates spent 16 weeks outdoors this
summer monitoring properties conserved
by NCC.
Governments, through the creation
of national, provincial and city parks and
protected areas, have provided a level of
protection for our natural world.
However, many areas of the country that
serve an important purpose for native
plants and wildlife are still at risk due to
urban growth and commercial and indus-
trial development. This is where non-prof-
it organizations like NCC come in.
page16
photo courtesy: Lee Moltzahn
NCC protects and preserves plants,
animals and natural communities by
securing the land and waters they need to
survive. NCC works with private
individuals, companies and partner
organizations towards conservation of
privately-owned lands. Landowners and
ranchers can place conservation
easements on their land or sell or donate
their property to conservation
organizations to ensure that the lands
and waters needed to help our plants,
animals and natural communities are
maintained.
Josephine and Jonathan Hutchinson
decided to become involved by placing a
conservation easement on 800 acres of
their land, located just 30 kilometres
northwest of Calgary. “Every day completely different environments, Another intern, Tara Bernat,
we’re reminded how rapidly the city is like mountainous terrain near related one of her favorite moments
growing,” said Mr. Hutchinson. “We’ve Canmore and prairie landscapes near from her summer experience. “We
made our living on the land. We want Okotoks. Horseshoe Canyon was a were walking through a mature aspen
to preserve the land and our way of particular delight for me. The forest, searching for a picture from the
life. Our agreement with NCC allows vegetation and land forms were so previous year that needed to be repro-
us to do that.” dreamlike; there were moments I felt duced. Under the canopy of the forest,
Alberta is a vast, beautiful close to tears.” we noted our GPS was not working
province blessed with a wealth of Some of their moments on the job properly. My eyes were glued to the
natural resources. However, many of were not just breathtaking, but malfunctioning GPS as I walked almost
Alberta’s most ecologically significant startling, like when partridges hiding blindly through the forest in an
lands at risk, which provide clean air in the grasses and shrubs flew out attempt to follow its constantly
and clean water changing arrow.
to local communi- Suddenly, I saw
ties and habitat “You have to see native prairie for yourself, whether it be on the Milk something brown
for Alberta’s River Ridge or around Manyberries to truly appreciate the diversity of in the corner of my
many species, are species present in a natural ecosystem,” says Lee Moltzahn. “There is a stark eye. I was immedi-
located in the contrast between native and tame grassland that I never knew existed. ately startled as my
same areas where Native prairie abounds with life, while tame pastures harbor no more than concentration
the majority of the most adaptable species, native or introduced.”— NCC Summer Intern, Lee Moltzahn broke. I jumped
our population is back, but was sur-
concentrated. prised to see an elk
Alberta’s landscapes are part of right in front of them where they were calf resting on the ground in front of
our identity. Conserved lands are a walking. Interns experience nature me where I was just about to take my
real, tangible and lasting expression of ‘up-close and personal’. next step. It didn’t move, just stared at
Alberta’s commitment to ensuring this “I was trudging ahead of my me with its big eyes and stayed lying
legacy for current and future co-workers to find the GPS location for down. I whispered to my co-worker to
generations. Ensuring that the best of a photo reference point and I almost come over quietly. As he came over, the
these lands are conserved in stepped on a porcupine that was calf stood up slowly, and I could see
perpetuity is critical. hiding in the snowberry patch I was that it was just over 3 feet tall to the top
After just one month on the job, walking through. I jumped back in of its head. The calf allowed us to quick-
intern Andrea Jackson said, “I can’t disbelief, alarmed at what could have ly take a few close up pictures before
believe how much I’ve already seen happened. The porcupine sat up and common sense prevailed, and I realized
and learned. The importance of looked at me unafraid, but really if you that its mother may be close by. We
knowing your birdcalls became are a porcupine, what do you have to attempted to leave, but it followed us!
immediately obvious, as some of our be scared of?” laughed Lee. This happened a few more times but
more visually elusive species are very In addition to the Summer eventually we were able to quickly walk
vocal! Catching a glimpse of many Conservation Intern program, NCC away, leaving the calf just a couple of
species I had never seen except in has a volunteer program which feet from where we found it.”
books has been such a highlight. So far attracts people from all walks of life Across the country and across
I’ve seen American Goldfinches, a who are interested in hands-on Alberta, NCC and other non-profit
Spotted Sandpiper, and a Great Grey conservation efforts. One NCC conservation organizations are
Owl, among many others. My Conservation Volunteer, Marjorie carrying out work that ensures that
vegetation identification skills have Cameron, participated in an event just moments like this continue to inspire
improved drastically, and I’m really outside Waterton Lakes National Park. people to volunteer or participate in
enjoying seeing the different flowers “I’ve been donating money for several on-the-ground conservation. How
go in and out of bloom as the seasons years but this volunteer event really much better can a volunteer or
change. I’m going to work hard to fur- made me feel part of NCC. We spent summer job be than one that brings
ther all of my identification skills as the day on two beautiful NCC proper- you that close to nature? ca
the summer continues!” ties, saw many wildflowers and
Morgan Travers was very excited learned something of the ecology of The Nature Conservancy of Canada,
about her summer job. “In the short the area. We had the satisfaction of (NCC) is dedicated to conserving habitat
time I have worked for NCC, we have filling at least 20 garbage bags with the for wildlife species like these for future
seen some marvelous and diverse weeds we pulled. They had to make us generations. For more information about
ecosystems here in Southern Alberta! quit at the end of the afternoon! I’ll NCC call 1-877-262-1253 or via
In the same week, we can experience definitely be volunteering again.” email: alberta@natureconservancy.ca

page17
Butterfly garden adventure
o trip to Costa Rica would be complete without a
N butterfly garden adventure. The creation of a natu-
ral tropical setting in a protected environment com-
plete with lush vegetation, flowering plants and beautifully
colored butterflies, allows visitors to get close to some of
Costa Rica’s more delicate wildlife species.
After all, Costa Rica has approximately
eighteen percent of the world’s twenty
thousand butterfly species. The expla-
nation for such an abundance of
butterflies in this small Central
American country is that the
great diversity of tropical
habitats is reflected in a wide
variety and number of wildlife
species, including butterflies.
From coastal beaches to forest
covered mountains, butterflies
can be seen regularly in the
wild.
However, visiting a butterfly
garden in Costa Rica provides the
opportunity for guests to learn more
about these amazing winged creatures and
to view many of the species up close. The netted
enclosure allows the butterflies to fly freely and rest peace-
fully while the visitors walk amidst the natural habitats of
these precious insects. As well, these closely monitored
mesh structures prevent outside intruders and predators
like birds, lizards, snakes and spiders from preying on the
butterflies during all the stages of their development.
The tropical vegetation planted in the gardens deter-
mines which butterfly species a visitor will be able to
observe, for each specific plant species attracts its own spe-
cific butterfly species. This creates a unique experience in
each butterfly garden a person visits.
Females return to the same host plants where they
were themselves hatched to lay eggs of their own. These
host plants become the specific food source for the caterpil-
lars of that particular species. The caterpillars are eating
machines, devouring tremendous amounts of vegetation as
quickly as possible. By gorging themselves, the caterpillars
grow quickly until they enter their pupa (chrysalis) stage of
metamorphosis, before finally emerging as a beautiful
winged creature.
Most butterfly gardens throughout Costa Rica have live
display areas, letting visitors witness the transformation
from tiny white eggs to fuzzy caterpillars to hanging pupa to
page18
by Cyril Brass
colourful butterflies.
Also within the mesh covered gardens are colourful
flowering plants. These plants provide sweet nectar; nour-
ishment for the adult butterflies to feast on. Fully developed
butterflies do not eat the vegetation around them. They
can’t. They have nothing to chew the plant material
with. Instead their mouth consists of a straw-like
tube (Proboscis) which is used to suck up
the liquid nectar from the flowers.
Ripened fruits like bananas and
oranges are sometimes placed on
small feeders throughout the garden
to provide additional food supply
for the adult butterflies.
Within the confines of the
enclosed garden, butterfly activity
is frantic and non-stop. When it
rains, the butterflies quickly head
for cover; but on bright sunny hot
days, watch the butterflies in their
carefree travel around their protected
environment. Swallowtails floating
through intertwined branches and vines,
landing softly on flower petals. Black Winged
Heliconius splashed with red and yellow, stopping
briefly on a broad leaf before heading off once more.
Orange Striped Paracaidas hovering over a sweet smelling
flower.
With their unorthodox movements of swirling, dipping,
gliding, drifting, they appear to be dancing about in
indistinguishable directions.
Notice the detailed intricate designs and patterns on
the wings of the Owl Butterfly, as they rest, fanning them-
selves, slowly opening and closing their wings. Identify the
striking Blue Morpho with its brilliant metallic blue tones
against a backdrop of rainforest greenery. Look high and
low on branches, under hanging leaves and on the ground.
They are everywhere.
Wander slowly and quietly along the groomed path-
ways. Enjoy the interaction with the butterflies as they fly
towards you, above you, around you, maybe even land on
you. On several visits to the butterfly gardens in Costa
Rica, several butterflies have briefly landed on my arm,
foot and top of my head.
Depending on the time of the year the number of but-
terflies varies. The best time, between June and November,
coincides with the rainy season. But in a more controlled
environment like the mesh covered butterf ly gardens
 e seen
cies can b
many spe ear.
e of the y
at any tim C o st a Rica,
While in looking
you are
whether covery
arding dis
for a rew opter-
teur lepid
as an ama lover,
a nature
ist or as relax-
peaceful
seeking a tropi-
ence in a
ing experi com-
I highly re
cal oasis, arden
utterfly g
mend a b
. ca
adventure
Wildlife
ss is a
Cyril Bra rapher
ts Photog
and Spor
algar y.
living in C
lbrass.com com
www.cyri hy.
photograp
cyril@brass
908
403-999-1

page19
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the missing link? Paintbrush Garden Design
and Consulting
YOUR
Elaine Rude
MASTER GARDENER
PICTURE
HERE

403.241.3688 www.Luv2Garden.ca elaine@Luv2Garden.ca

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page20

he scientific name of the order
T of frogs and toads is Anura,
which means ‘without a tail’.
Today, frogs and toads are found on all
continents except Antarctica. There
are almost 3,500 different species,
most of which are found in warm,
moist tropical regions. Frogs and
toads also inhabit many other
habitats, such as mountains, deserts
and boreal forests.
Toads are often confused with
frogs. Toads usually have dry, bumpy
skin - not warts as folklore would have
it. It is a great myth that if a person
touches a toad, he/she will get warts.
This is not true!
The toad’s bumpy skin helps to
camouflage them in their natural
habitat. Using their hind legs for hop-
ping, they live as adults on land in
damp, shady places, returning to the
water only when they breed. Frogs
usually have smooth skin and longer
hind legs than toads that they use for
leaping. They live most of their lives in
lakes, ponds and water-filled ditches.
As its name suggests, the
Canadian Toad (Bufo hemiophrys) is
found mainly in Canada in the regions
of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
and the Northwest Territories. The
Canadian Toad ranges in length from 3
cm to 7.5 cm, making it Alberta’s
smallest toad. It is usually brown or
grey-green in colour with lots of
darker and lighter bumps patches on
its back.
DID YOU KNOW?
• Some people have
Bufonophobia; a fear of toads.
• The toad’s call is a harsh,
raspy, continuous high pitched
trill lasting about 1-5 seconds.
• The toad can be found in
Alberta from April until
September.
SPACES and SPECIES
by Juanna Thompson, Conservation Coordinator, NCC
The Canadian Toad has a long,
sticky tongue which seldom misses its
target of slugs, beetles, grasshoppers,
flies, moths, sow bugs, centipedes,
millipedes, crickets and ants and can
eat three times its weight in tiny, tasty
critters every day! An interesting fact
about the toad is that when it is
threatened or attacked by
a predator, venom is
produced from
the glands and
bumps. This
venom can
c a u s e
nausea,
irregular
heart
beat,
a n d
inf lam-
mation
of the
mouth
and throat.
T h e
Canadian
Toad likes to
hang out near
ponds, lakes and
wetlands throughout the
prairie, aspen parkland, and
boreal forest ecoregions. It may be
active during the day or night, depend-
ing on the temperature, and will bur-
row underground to avoid extreme
heat and hibernate to avoid extreme
cold. However, the Canadian Toad is
not freeze-resistant and its cold weath-
er survival relies on burrowing below
the frost line during the winter
months.
The toad has two prominent
tubercles, like little shovels, on its hind
feet to help it dig. However, even with
these tubercles, Canadian Toads are
relatively poor burrowers. Their
hibernation sites are usually restricted
to upland areas with sandy soils.
page21
the canadian toad
Toads are in trouble in Alberta,
with populations declining since the
mid-1980s. Canadian Toad populations
face a number of threats including
disturbance of hibernacula (over-win-
tering sites), forest harvest, loss of
wetlands, disease and climate change.
Under Alberta’s
Wildlife Act, the
Canadian
Toad is
desig-
nated a
“non-game
animal”. This
means that it
cannot be killed for any
reason, cannot be bought or sold, and
a permit is required to hold this
species for educational or scientific
purposes. This will ensure continued
general protection for the Canadian
Toad in our province while better data
are collected. ca
Nature Conservancy of Canada is dedi-
cated to conserving habitat for wildlife
species like the Canadian Toad for future
generations. It is our hope, perhaps one
day, this amazing creature will no longer
be declining in our province. Please
contact us at 1-877-262-1253 or
alberta@natureconservancy.ca for more
information.
 GRAPHIC DESIGN SERVICES
COMMISSIONED ARTWORK
PRINTS & CALENDARS
MandaLeaf
D E S I G N
(403) 245-4386 • www.mandaleaf.com

Some of the sculptures I have

completed include pheasants, frogs,
dogs, cats, historic buildings, roses,
sunflowers, mushrooms and cat-tails.

All of my pieces are created from the

recycled hoods of cars and trucks. I
rework the heavy gauge metal using an
assortment of tools and techniques
which owe much to the now bygone
age when blacksmithing and hand-
craftsmanship were the only options
available. I do take orders for gift-giving
and keep an inventory of a variety of
sculptures on hand.
COUNTRY CREATIONS
Metal Sculptures
hnhdougan@nucleus.com

Harvey Dougan 403-934-3640

page22

woke up the other day to quite a
I surprise. The grass, shrubs and
trees outside my window had been
generously dusted overnight with the
first snowfall of winter. My heart sank
a little, knowing that summer and even
fall had fluttered by again. No more
barbecues, flip flops, or long days in
the sun; at least not for another 6
months. I wished I could curl up and go
to sleep until spring. Or maybe I could
just hitch the next plane to Mexico!
I began thinking about all the
changes and preparations I would have
to make to ready myself for what, I
have to admit, is my least favourite
season. My big comfy sweaters would
have to be unearthed from the depths
of my closet, I would need to stock up
on oatmeal and soup (true winter
staples), and the filter in my furnace
would need to be replaced!
Disgruntled by this unwelcome list of
chores, I left for work.
As I drove up the gravel road to
the Cross Conservation Area, I
spotted a family of Mule Deer nibbling
grass tops that poked out from the
blanket of snow. Then it hit me. The
changes I would have to make for the
onset of winter are nothing compared
to what the wildlife here have to
deal with.
Still, we do have a lot in common.
Both humans and wildlife need to stay
warm and take refuge from the cold,
not to mention the ongoing plight
to find a variety of good local food to
stay healthy.
Like many people during the
winter months, some wildlife say, “To
heck with this, I’m out of here!” For
those with the ability to travel great
distances every year to a place with
warmer weather and good food,
migration is a great option. Red-tailed
Hawks and Mountain Bluebirds are
two locals that depart for an extended
holiday. I suppose the difference
between us and them is wildlife don’t
by
require a passport and a healthy bank
account to navigate the skies!
But even for wingless, less
graceful wildlife like Bighorn Sheep,
migration is still the best bet.
However, instead of a north/south
movement, the Bighorn Sheep travel
in altitude from higher locations in
summer to the valley in winter, where
food is in greater supply. Curiously,
this pattern of movement is reversed
for bears.
During the warm summer
months, bears follow their stomachs in
search of enough food and stored
energy to keep their bodies going
through the win-
ter. In fall,
an aver-
a g e
size
Black
B e a r
can eat
as many as
200,000 buffalo berries a day —
definitely on par with my habit of
polishing off a whole container of Ben
and Jerry’s ice cream in one sitting!
Once they are as fat as possible, bears
will then make the trip back into the
mountains to sleep the winter away. Not
only do bears fall asleep pregnant, they
wake up briefly to give birth, and then
fall asleep again until spring. Talk about
a well planned pregnancy!
Other hibernators include the
Richardson Ground Squirrels, who
take refuge in their nesting chambers
lined with grass and seed hulls. Their
extra seed storage rooms are filled
and ready for the unpredictable few
weeks of spring when snow will come
and go. Insects and carrion, including
its own dead act as a back up
plan until seeds become available. I
prefer oatmeal.
page23
CROSS PATHS
waking up to winter
Catriona Laird/photo courtesy: Rachel Pennel
Wood Frogs make even more
dramatic changes during hibernation
to deal with the winter. They take
cover in leaf litter under the insulating
layer of snow; cover their head with
their front legs and go to sleep. Their
bodies then freeze solid like an ice
cube. They have no heartbeat, no
respiration and no detectible brain
activity. Unfortunately, on a bad day I
can definitely relate to no brain activi-
ty. In the spring, it is then just a mat-
ter of thawing out and hopping away.
Wood Frogs are onto something here.
And then of course, there are the
brave few species of wildlife that stick it
out and try to survive winter. Small,
musical Black-capped Chickadees take
up shop in Spruce trees, excavating
branches for insects, larvae and seeds.
Bushy tailed fox use their keen sense of
smell and hearing to hunt camouflaged
Snowshoe Hare, active mice and voles
that live under the insulating blanket of
snow. Deer and other ungulates grow a
thicker coat and browse on whatever
plant matter they can find. This
becomes a challenge as dead grass and
leaves are less nutritious than their live
counterparts and other species and
organisms compete for the same food
source. By spring many wildlife will be
on the verge of starvation. I now resign
my right to complain about winter.
Wildlife and people are not that
different in the long run. We all need
to stay warm. Maybe it’s accomplished
by putting on a sweater or growing a
thicker fur coat. Some of us fly south
or just hibernate in our comfortable
homes. We eat what food is available
and take comfort in knowing that
spring will be just around the corner.
I do have something to admit
though. I really like the crunching noise
that comes with each step in the snow.
Since we have so much in common
with the wildlife, I wonder if they too
appreciate this simple winter pleasure.
Crunch, crunch, crunch! ca

“ lean me, clean me,” shrieked the house while the
C teenagers playfully wrote messages on dust covered
furniture, and the mammoth sized laundry pile
snickered as each new piece landed haphazardly on its
crest. But the cherry on the cake was the full carton of eggs
that landed mockingly on my newly lacquered, cherry red,
toe nails as I opened the refrigerator door.
Of course all twelve broke; when you are out of sync
with the universe – eggs break easily and laundry can make
hideous faces at you.
Hold on — let’s stop for a second. I want to be sure you
have a clear and accurate picture of how this day was
unfolding. Imagine if you will, an angry mixture of rolled
oats spitting and sputtering rapidly in a hot pot. With each
bursting bubble, little clumps of this sticky substance land
unceremoniously on your shiny—clean, stovetop; egging you
on with a vengeance you simply can’t comprehend.
Reality sets in, and you concede that if no release valve
is found, there will be hell to pay.
page24
by Lori Balch
Unexpectedly you hear a voice from somewhere
deep within as it bellows, “Take the girls for a walk,
before you do some serious damage!”
I was desperate, I would try anything.
The girls are a pair of sweet, fluffy, black, Poodle
Shih Tzus, affectionately named Moli and Magi.
Watching their excitement as I ready their walking gear,
is like dipping your toe in ice cold water on a hot August
day. Absolutely and ultimately refreshing and
guaranteed to soothe the soul.
Today, walking the girls was a selfish attempt at
survival. Little did I know that amidst my struggles, the
universe was about to deliver a beautiful message.
“Hey lady, come over here,” hollered the gruff voice
as its owner sat comfortably stuffed in a patio chair,
outside the neighborhood coffee shop.
Pretty demanding I thought. But curious, I decided
to engage him in conversation and replied, “Is that an
order?”
 He smirked, as thin lips curled
knowingly across his full, graying
mustache.
“No, but I have something here I
know you will want to see.”
Suddenly the girls yanked firmly
on their adjoined leash and demanded
that we head over. Picking up the
scent of something sweet and enticing,
they were on a mission to discover its
origin. Curious, I followed.
I smiled, as I watched them
intently vacuuming the pavement,
snorting and sniffing with purpose as
they labored to locate the source of
this distraction.
Dragging me around the parked
vehicles lining the patio sitting area, I
quickly noticed the reason for the
diversion. Sitting timidly on the
cement, next to the man with the gruff
voice, was a shy, miniature, gray and
white Poodle.
Immediately I tightened the leash,
knowing from endless encounters with
other dogs, that my tough, ten pound,
Moli, would bare her little teeth, growl
and try to attack. But not today.
Today, she wasn’t even interested. No
teeth, no growl, no attack. This was
odd – very odd.
The girls approached the fluffy
little animal, sniffed delicately and
continued over to the man sipping his
coffee. I wrinkled my brows in wonder
as I was led away from this gentle dog.
I was miffed, as I watched the
older man sitting arrogantly in his
comfortable chair. I began to suspect
that this scheme was his customary
way of luring suckers into his net. Like
a naïve fish, I’d been caught – hook,
line, and sinker.
Frustrated, I wondered what the
heck I was doing here. I should be
home battling the mountain of
laundry.
Suddenly a warm smile slid across
his craggy face as he shifted his large
frame and reached for something
beneath the coffee shop table, grunt-
ing and cooing all the while, as he bus-
ied himself with the task at hand.
I was captivated. What was he
doing, I wondered? I sure as heck
wasn’t going to give him any satisfaction
by showing interest, but I noticed that
as he settled back into the chair, his
smile had changed. It now appeared
calm and wistful.
“Your dogs,” he paused, as he
took a deep breath, “intuitively they
know never to disturb a Mother with
pups.”
His soft, kind eyes locked on
mine. Captivated, I followed his down-
ward gaze.
“Look what I have,” he said
humbly.
Like a butterfly readying for
flight, he gingerly opened his large
callused hands. Nestled inside was the
soft, wriggling body of a baby pup.
My eyes grew wide as I beheld
this little miracle. Suddenly all the
pieces fit. I peeked under the table
and my world stopped. I was mesmer-
ized, as I watched three mischievous
pups wrestle together in an old wicker
basket, stepping recklessly over each
other’s heads, nibbling on ears and
paws, and playing vigorously with each
other.
“Thank you,” I said, as I blinked
back big girl tears. “You were right.
You knew there was something here I
would want to see.”
I rubbed my hands together
nervously as I hopped from one foot to
another. My fingers were on fire in
anticipation of holding this precious
little soul.
“Can I hold her, pleassssse?” I
begged.
“Of course, everyone can use a
hug from Gertie every now and then,”
he said with delight.
“Gertie, is that the pup’s name?”
“No, I will let the new owners
choose the name. I think that’s part of
the excitement don’t you?” he
questioned, not expecting an answer.
“Gertie was my wife’s name. It’s
been two years now since she passed.
She was really sick, but you don’t want
to hear about that.” He brushed the
memories away like flies on a hot day.
She loved animals that girl. You know
what her last words to me were?”
I shook my head as I watched
small tears form in the corner of his
quiet brown eyes.
page25
“She said, ‘George, the creator is
in everything, but in the eyes of
an animal, big or small; he is the
easiest to see. Unlike most humans,
they aren’t afraid to show their love
colors. No judgment, no criticism,
no complaining – just unconditional
love for everything and everyone.
I will always be with you George.
Look for me in the eyes of every
animal you see and I will be there,
holding the creator’s hand. That’s
a promise.’”
“So, I got myself this little girl,
and low and behold she ended up
having this beautiful batch of pups. In
a strange way, it helps me feel like I
am with Gertie everyday,” he said, as
a tender smile stretched easily across
his face.
I had never thought of it that
way. All I knew for certain was that
when I held the soft, little body, of a
newborn puppy or kitten, a feeling
welled up inside that was warmer
than any kiss I remembered as a
teenager. Time simply stood still and
I felt calm and loved.
Like an offering of grace, George
gently placed the tiny bundle in my
cupped hands. I savored the moment
like coconut ice cream melting in my
mouth. Tenderly I brushed her silky
fur along my cheek. I pulled her
away, and looked deep into her
blueberry colored eyes and said “Hi
Gertie, nice to meet you.”
For a second, I could have sworn
I saw her smile as she sighed
and snuggled her sleepy body into
the palms of my hands. Her warmth
instantly calmed the raging bubbles
gurgling restlessly in my soul and
one by one they simply popped
and vanished, taking with them
the truth that dust covered furniture,
layers of laundry, and egg on toe
nails are only an illusion in this life.
This tiny, sleeping morsel was a
beautiful reminder of what was good
and pure.
Somewhere in the distance of my
thoughts, I could see the softly
simmering rolled oats returning to
a quiet place on the back burner
of life. ca

Flekka
My little Flekka, how wonderful to
have you in my life. You have been the
best little bunny I could ever ask for.
After the first six years went by, I
started to prepare myself, thinking that
you were getting up there in bunny
years. Who could have ever guessed
that there were six more yet to come?
You moved with me all over the province, only staying
mad for a day, and then so cute when you weren’t sure
where you were in your new surroundings. The past year
and a half have been the best; you were my constant
friend, always there wanting out and wanting treats and
begrudgingly, a cuddle or two. You changed more than one
person’s mind about rabbits as pets, no biting, scratching
or struggling from you. You were a great little bunny
ambassador. I like to think that I had something to do with
it, being your mom for all these years.
My favorite memory of you, of course, has to do with
food, always your weak spot. I remember a few years ago
when I tried a new treat, a puffed corn niblet that came in
three flavours. One day out on your own, you found the
box and started helping yourself. I watched as you stuffed
your head far into the box to grab a treat and bring it out,
only to find that it wasn’t the flavour you liked best! In you
went again, until there were more treats out of the box
than in!
I had a lot of fun being your mom, and I know that we
had a very special bond between us, but the greatest gift I
had to give was to help you on your journey, when you
showed me it was time. The gift you gave me was your love
and friendship. For 12 years, I was truly lucky to have you,
my Flekka.
Passed away 08/10/07
Roger
A fuzzy little ball of fur came into our
lives three years ago as an early
Christmas gift from my children’s
grandfather. He was a cute gray and
white Golden Angora Hamster whom
the kids named Roger.
He was a wonderful addition to the
family and I must admit, I grew
attached to him too. When he was
young he used to fall asleep in the front pocket of my jean
overalls as I sat at my desk. Anyone who says that rodents
page26
IN PASSING
celebrating the lives of animal friends
are not smart has never met a hamster. Roger knew his
name and understood the word ‘no’ (with a little bit of
training). And when he found it hard to run in his wheel,
we used to make a treadmill for him out of a propped up
gift bag that he loved to run in. Sometimes we had to coax
him out of it with treats.
He only escaped twice, but was found very quickly, the
first time rustling in papers under my desk, the second in
a bag of Halloween candy left under a bed.
He had become such a member of the family that two
years ago, when we moved from BC to Alberta, on the
Greyhound, we knew we couldn’t give him up. We put him
in his ball and stowed him aboard in a duffel bag taking
him to the washroom every few hours to check on him.
Suffice it to say, after fifteen hours on a bus, stuck in his
ball, he didn’t want to run around in the thing for months
afterward.
A couple of months ago, Roger suffered a stroke and
we thought he would not live much longer. Unable to afford
to euthanize him, we decided to let him pass away on his
own. Yet despite his new disability, he still had the will and
determination to live.
It was six human days after his third birthday that
Roger peacefully passed away in his sleep. For a hamster,
he lived a long full life. His hamster age was 75 years, four
months and eight days.
He will be deeply missed and we wish him a happy
eternity in the meadow of afterlife. Rest in peace Roger.
Passed Away on: 10/06/07
Grendyl
You came to us as a foster pup only
3 short years ago. We let you go to a
fellow who then brought you back. So,
pleased to have you, we named you
Grendyl because there was something
magic about you. Always playful,
chewing on cuffs or biting shoes. We'll
never forget how you used to whimper
for food or hugs. Our lives were devas-
tated when we pulled into our street and found you’d been
hit by a car. You had no chance, such a short life. Grendyl,
there will always be a special place in our hearts for you.
Passed Away on: 06/08/07
Send your tribute to publisher@creaturesall.com All material
subject to editing for space. Include ‘Passed Away on: date’
and a 300 dpi photo in jpg or tif.

“ ousie. Mousie. In the
M housie....” is the delightful
opening line to a children’s
song. Come winter, it becomes a
mousies’ mantra. We get our fair
share of mice trying to upgrade their
winter living accommodations.
Attractive features in our garage
include: insulated walls, cozy truck
engine, nicely folded row cover,
multiple hiding spots and, bonus, lots
of pet food. I can hear their comments
now: “Awesome! Not bad. Delicious!
Ooo, so warm and soft.”
As children we are inundated
with mouse
characters in
stories and
movies. I assume a more
mean who
doesn’t love
M i c k e y
Mouse or
Stuart Little?
Or who hasn’t
rooted for Jerry
in the Tom and
Jerry cartoons (am
I dating myself here)?
To a child, mice look cute and cuddly,
with big dark eyes and soft furry
bodies. Children love them and often
ask to keep them as pets. I once worked
for a doctor whose children begged him
to allow them to turn his white lab mice
into pets. We shuddered; the kids
squealed with delight!
However, upon moving into
adulthood, children’s views soon
change. Adults realize the problems
associated with having wild mice living
in close proximity to them. Occupying
the lowest rung on the food chain, a
mouse’s sole purpose is to procreate,
which it does vigorously, with legions
of mice soon being created if left
unchecked. And with those legions of
mice can come health risks, such as
Hantavirus, a zoonotic (transferable
to humans) disease that is particularly
THE GARDENING BUG
virulent, and potentially deadly.
Unless a number of outdoor cats live
nearby, the average residential neigh-
borhood tends to be short on mouse
predators. Hence, ‘Mousie. Mousie. In
your housie!’
In my more imaginative (some
call them delusional) moments, I
picture mouse realtors scouting out
potential sites for their clients:
“Hmmm, yes this house has a bird
feeder, and, oh yes, this house has pet
food outside. And look, multiple
entrances. Wonderful!”
We were overrun one summer by
hundreds of mice.
They came in from the local green
space and decided that yes, our site
offered plenty of potential: rock
retaining walls, bird feeders and yum,
yum, yum, dog food! It wasn’t until I
happened to see convoys of mice
trucking to and from the dog’s dish
one evening that we were aware we
had a problem. And what a problem!
I spent the summer flushing them out
of rock walls and catching them in
humane traps from inside the
greenhouse. I was not amused when
all the ripe tomatoes in the
greenhouse had been hollowed out
by said mice! Shortly before we
moved, a neighbor, her cat and myself
spent a fruitless afternoon chasing
a mouse around the house. We
never did catch it. Seems like it just
disappeared!
page27
mouse in the house
by Elaine Rude
When winter approaches, the
rodent realtors’ search kicks into high
gear seeking out warmer abodes for
their scurrying clients. Put in their
place I would eagerly pursue warmer
surrounds too, though somewhere
tropical with a beach would be my
choice. Unlike mice though, I am
incapable of squeezing myself through
a hole the size of a nickel. That’s not a
very big hole so there’s plenty of
opportunity to infiltrate homes and
garages. It’s almost impossible to
close every nook and cranny in places
like sheds and garages. Cats are
usually the best deter-
rent. However, our cat
Waldo seems to
benevolent attitude
towards mice
come winter. In
fact, he leaves his
heated basket, in
the heated
garage, only to eat
and do his business.
Consequently, we get
mice. On more than one
occasion, my day has started with a
shriek when the scoop of dog food I’m
lifting comes up from the bag with a lit-
tle hitchhiker perched jauntily on top.
Buildings are not the only spot
mice seek out when the temperatures
drop. Come spring, I often find
reminders as to why I should do a
better garden cleanup in the fall. This
spring a whole roll of row cover was
turned into a cozy nest. When
unrolled, multiple holes appear every
100 centimeters or so. I betcha this site
was snatched off the market quickly.
So with winter on our doorstep
do your best to pack up the blankets
and cushions, lock up the bird
seed and pet food, and seal all those
holes. With luck you will be able
to sing “Mousie. Mousie. Not in my
housie!” ca
 Proud to support
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in sharing enriching
stories with
Alberta readers,
young and old!
Mr. Len Webber , MLA Proudly representing the Calgary communities of:
Member of the Legislative Assembly Citadel • Edgemont • Hamptons
Calgary-Foothills Constituency Hidden Valley • Kincora • Sherwood
403•288•4453
s
in the Alberta Legislature

ll for a r tist
a
C and writers
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page28
 The
Exact
Nathan J Gumm has it vacuums and dusts
an exact right cat it scrubs out his loo

Right
it washes his windows spritzes air freshener
in 10 minutes flat hence no more air pew

Cat
his exact right cat this exact right cat

©
meets all his wishes polishes his boots
it unsullys his floor it irons his shirts
and undirtys his dishes and dry cleans his suits
it keeps his feet warm and to top it off
all through the night this exact right cat
at the foot of his bed does tricks like a dog
so the dog won’t bite stay, go, come and sat
though it sheds its fur
with no seeming guilt
it gathers it up
and knits him a quilt
and a toque and mitts
and a scarf to boot
and a tiny nose warmer this exact right cat
that’s ever so cute loves Nathan to bits
and Nathan himself
it tunes up his auto
is a friend of its
makes toast in the morn
it plays the fiddle there’s just one problem
and the flügelhorn the gist of which that’s
poor Nathan J Gumm
it stores hair dye
is allergic to cats
in a convenient pouch
so it can change color
to match his couch
at noon on most days
it prepares his tea
in just the exact
way it should be
it’s never too hot
edleif

nor too weak or strong

whether earl grey
rR
o
eb

or chinese oohlong
Tr

by

page29

first heard of Josilynn from
I a lady with whom I work.
Deb told me about her
amazing little granddaughter,
Josilynn who, at five years old,
has already witnessed a lifetime
of miraculous rescues. Josilynn
was born and raised on Deb's
rescue and sanctuary for dogs,
cats, pot bellied pigs, horses and
many other animals.
Josilynn, as part of this
family of rescuers, has been
raised a witness to the miracles
of rescued animals. Along with
feeding, cleaning, healing and
general care for these animals,
there are those times when life’s
final stages must be attended to
with the utmost compassion.
Because Deb and her family
are dealing with rescued
animals, many come to them too
late to recover from diseases like
Parvo or Fading Kitten
Syndrome, to mention but two
of the multitude of afflictions
many of these animals bring
with them. In her short time
there, Deb’s granddaughter
Josilynn has taken on herself the
role of keeper of their Rainbow
Bridge. Grandma Deb has
taught Josilynn the story of the
Rainbow Bridge.
Josilynn seems to instinc-
tively know when an animal is
struggling to leave. Like humans,
their struggle may also include
fear. For many, the only love
they have known has come in
the arms of this small five year
old girl. She will stroke them to
calmness, speak to still them
and help them on their journey.
In the process she cuddles and
kisses and tells them that all is
well. They seem to feel her
comfort, hope and faith and
leave this world better for it.
THE FINAL WORD
the littlest rescuer
by Trish Billings
Josilynn was three and a half when a call came
into Deb pleading for their help to rescue some
puppies trapped in a culvert in the middle of a
farmer's field. Josilynn was brought along only to be
with her mom and Grandma.
As it turned out, the culvert was too small for any
adult and Josilynn insisted that it would be she who
would go in and rescue these puppies as they were
just barely beyond arm’s reach. With a flashlight in
one hand and a rope tied around her waist, in she
went. Grandma Deb's heart was filled with a succes-
sion of emotions as she oh so very carefully over-saw
her granddaughter's progress. Josilynn was able to
reach the puppies and one by one bring them out.
Her knees hurt, her hands hurt, but her heart
was full. All of those puppies were fed, loved,
continued to grow and were eventually adopted out.
On another occasion it was Fading Kitten
Syndrome that brought five tiny kittens to the rescue
and sanctuary. Kittens who do not get the needed
maternal attention and accompanying nutrition in
their first few weeks are referred to as ‘faders’.
Between 20 and 40 percent of all kittens born will
not survive past 12 weeks of age.
Josilynn sensed these were creatures in need and
held each one as they perished. She told them that
their journey over the Rainbow Bridge would be scary
all alone, but she was there to pray.
Just before Josilynn turned five, a female dog
was brought in with ten puppies. The mother was
malnourished and neglected and now had a brood of
malnourished puppies. As good a mother as she was
she could not save her babies. Josilynn held, stroked
and consoled each puppy as they passed on to what
Josilynn says was a better place.
Josilynn is the Littlest Rescuer because she cares.
As a child she sees love as an ordinary miracle and
sharing it comes naturally to her. Grandma Deb asked
her what she wanted to be when she got older and her
response was, to be a veterinarian. I am very sure
until then she will be a wonderful animal caregiver
and the best keeper of the Rainbow Bridge. ca
Oopsadazy Rescue and Sanctuary Society is an all animal
rescue group located an hour east of Calgary. They show
some of their dogs and cats at the NW or South PetSmart
in Calgary on the weekends.
Phone:1-888-734-1013
email:oopsadazyrescue@yahoo.ca
www.oopsadazy.com
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