Photos Of Rudy After He Died And Gigi-12-27-2010

December 27, 2010-Sad News-Rudy Died

This is poor Rudy holding his foot up under him after he hurt it.

My pet parakeet (Budgie), Rudy, died this morning. He had hurt his foot somehow yesterday and He was having a hard time climbing but could still get up on the perches and was very healthy except for that foot pain. I looked at it and it had a slight crack in the area where it folds on one of his claws. Sort of like it would be in between our fingers. I thought he'd heal up fine and be okay. The only trouble was the female kept picking on him and making him fall off his perch or get away from her. She would not leave him alone.
I uncovered them at 8:30 this morning and Rudy was lying in the back corner on the floor as if he had fallen off the perch. He was still quite warm so I think it had just happened not too long before that. I thought I heard a noise earlier but I was in the bathroom and didn't think about him. I thought it was the squirrels on the window. If I had looked earlier I might have been able to save him. He was just about nine years old and I've had him since he was a baby. Gigi is the same age and I presume she won't be living much longer. Now she will be very lonely. She will have no one to pick on any more. They did get along good though and Rudy would always preen Gigi and try to feed her. I will miss him. I didn't think he'd die before Gigi. And I didn't think they'd be dying before me. At least now I won't have to put him to sleep and if Gigi goes to it will be much easier on me than thinking about having them put to sleep when this cancer gets so bad that I can't take care of them any more. Rest in peace Rudy.

Ricky And I-December 18, 2010

Ricky always sits on my computer desk while I'm at the computer. He never wants me out of his sight. Guess he thinks I'll go away again..Ha! Someday I will. For good. But not for a while yet. I'm feeling great right now and will enjoy these last days while I can.

After I Got Out Of Hospital-Dec. 3, 2010

My Ricky, The Cockatiel-Nov. 6, 2010

He likes to be near me when I'm on the computer.

November 1, 2010

Ricky, My Cockatiel-July 10, 2010

Gigi Is Feeling Lots Better Now-July 6, 2010

I am so happy that Gigi got better. I thought she was egg bound and was ready to die. But now she's back to her old self.

Ricky Loves Ice Cream

Ricky loves to lick out my ice cream bowl after I'm done.

My Birds. Gigi Is Sick-June 27th -28th, 2010

My Parakeet, Gigi, looks like she might be egg bound. The poor little thing is having a hard time pushing anything out and the insides are sticking out of her. I got hold of her and washed her up behind there to see if I could feel an egg but I didn't. So maybe it's something else. She has been like this before but not with her insides sticking out. She always came out of it okay. So I'm hoping. She is nine years old though and is getting weaker. She's always been a little toughy. I remember when I first got her at 8 weeks old. She'd fall on the floor and climb right up the sides of the cage to get back in. Rudy, the male, never could do that. he'd wait for me to pick him up. I love my pet birds. They've given me much enjoyment and company over the last nine years.
The next day, which is today, the 28th, she seems to be a bit better and her insides are not sticking out any more. She flew around with Rudy a bit and is free to go wherever she wants but sticks to the cages mostly. She seemed to be spitting up her food though. I'm not sure if she can eat anything. I haven't seen her poop either. I'm keeping an eye on her. I was half expecting her to be lying on the bottom of the cage this morning but so happy she wasn't!

My Turtle Is A Female!!

After over fifteen years of having this turtle and calling him Jasper, I now find out He is a SHE!! I heard this real loud noise coming from him yesterday morning, like he was passing lots of gas. When I looked in the water there was this big oblong thing lying there. It was flattened a little but it was definitely an egg! Never in all these years has she ever laid an egg! Of course they aren't fertile but now I have to worry about her becoming egg bound. That egg was not liquid inside. it was a solid substance. I'm wondering how long it was inside her. I threw it away before thinking to take a picture of it. But this morning she had laid two more. They are odd looking. I'm letting her walk around the apartment today to get more exercise in case there are more in there. I looked it up online and they say to give them a nest with sand but I can't do that. I have no idea what triggered this egg-laying cycle. Can't find much about it. I'm adding some info on this kind of turtle for you all to read. Along with a picture I took of the eggs and "Jasmine". Ha!

With a naturally upturned "smile" and a pug nose, the African Side-necked Turtle has a great face!

The African Side-necked Turtles or African Mud Turtles have gained in popularity in recent years. There are 15 species in the Pelusios genus, along with a single member in the Pelomedusa genus, Pelomedusa subrufa, known as the African Helmeted Turtle. These active turtles are hardy and curious (and somewhat aggressive). They are also prolific breeders and live a long time. Shy at first, these turtles acclimate well and quickly exhibit their inquisitive nature.

Most African Side-necked Turtle species can be kept in relatively simple enclosures as they have fairly modest requirements. They like to have a place to swim and also love basking, especially in groups. When basking they are alert but very shy, plopping into the water at the approach of their keeper. They will soon become tame however, and though they dive off into the water of the enclosure, will quickly surface to see if any food has been offered.

Turtles don't instill the cautious concerns that some folks have when dealing with other types of reptiles. However adult females of most species of African Mud Turtles get larger than most first-time pet buyers realize, with adult females reaching 9-12" inches within five or six years. Also, when threatened these turtles can exude a horrible musk odor. This is most often exhibited by wild caught specimens. Fortunately after settling into captivity they rarely exhibit this behavior.

Distribution: This group of turtles are known as the African Side-necked Turtles or the East African Serrated Mud Turtles. They are classified in the genus Pelusios and Pelomedusa and belong to the family Pelomedusidae. There are fifteen species in the Pelusios genus found in Africa, the Seychelles, and Madagascar. Pelomedusa subrufa, the single species in this genus, is found throughout much of Africa and on Madagascar.

Status These turtles are not listed on the IUCN Red List.

Description: Some specimens are lighter in color, such as a dark brown and even tan, but generally the African Side-necked Turtles are gray to black overall with dark skin. They vary in size, P. castaneus adults grow up to 12" (30 cm) in length and P. sinuatus adults to 20" (50 cm). Pelomedusa subrufa remains small, reaching only 6" to 8" (15 cm to 20 cm) in length.

Care and Feeding: African Side-necked Turtles feed eagerly on commercial aquatic turtle food and will eat fish, crayfish, worms, and even crickets. They will also pick at aquatic plants and especially enjoy taking bite-sized pieces from the leaves of water hyacinth and water lettuce.
Related Video:

Environment:
In the wild, African Side-necked Turtles or African Mud Turtles are found in a variety of habitats from rivers and shallow pools to large lakes. In captivity most can be kept in relatively simple enclosures.
They are tolerant of a wide variety of water conditions but will do best in 8 -10" of clean, filtered water. They are avid group baskers and will plunge excitedly into the water when approached. They usually swim a short distance and then quickly surface in case the visitor has food to offer. The enclosure should feature a variety of decorations including piles of rocks and driftwood for basking. Decorations and aquatic plants add variety and provide hiding places for smaller turtles, subordinate males, and females uninterested in the courtship advances of aggressive males.

* Larger species: The larger turtles such as P. sinuatus and P. gabonensis can be set up in pairs or trios in large aquariums (75-gallon to 100-gallon) or larger tubs and stock tanks.
* Smaller species: The smaller turtles such as P. subniger, P. castanoides, and Pelomedusa can be set up in pairs or trios in 60-gallon aquariums or medium tubs and stock tanks.

Care must be taken that these, and any turtles, are not released into a wild habitat. The reasons are many. The introduction of non-native species can lead to the introduction of diseases and can lead to hybridization of introduced and native species. In addition, many turtles raised in captivity and released into wild situations are confused, unable to cope with extreme weather changes, and many surely fall prey quite quickly to the wary predators they may encounter.

Handling: Captive-hatched specimens, as always, are the best to keep as pets and most will become so docile that they can easily be fed by hand. These and all aquatic turtles should be considered wonderful display animals and not pets that are easily held.

Breeding: African Side-necked Turtles are prolific breeders and females can lay multiple clutches each year. While egg-laying, females bury themselves deeply, even up to the base of their front legs. The depth achieved could be a defensive strategy against monitors or other egg-eating predators or could be a safety measure to allow eggs to avoid the extreme heat and drying potential of the hot African sun close to the surface of the laying area.
Baby African Side-necked Turtles are hardy and grow quickly. Keep them in an aquarium with clean filtered water, warmth, UVB rays, and a few sturdy basking sites. They feed well on a variety of food. They relish small invertebrates, especially worms, and they quickly begin eating commercial aquatic turtle food. Keep aquatic plants such as Cabomba, Anacharis, or duckweed in their enclosure to satisfy their herbivorous needs.

Ailments / Health Problems: None if kept properly, these are tough turtles! Once their parasites have been removed they settle well into captivity.
Shell Damage: Typically, African Side-necked Turtles arrive with varying amounts of shell damage. Minor cases heal well if treated with a Betadine ® scrub and if the turtles are kept in a warm, sunny environment. More serious cases may require treatment with Silvadene ® cream. Access to direct sunlight helps immensely with treating most shell problems.
Parasitic worms: (nematodes) are often found in newly imported specimens and they should be deparasitized with Panacur ® within a short time after they have established and started feeding well.
Eye problems: Occasionally, imported African Side-necked Turtles exhibit a variety of eye problems. These are typically the result of dehydration and poor conditions during shipping and can range from a minor filmy covering to more severe swelling. Filminess will usually disappear within a few days of placing them into clean, filtered water. More severe problems may require the application of an ophthalmic antibiotic. A good basking spot and plenty of sunlight as well as good water quality will prevent most eye-related problems.
Respiratory problems: Though somewhat cold hardy, when exposed to cold weather for an extended period of time, these turtles are prone to respiratory problems.

Availability: African Side-necked Turtles or African Mud Turtles are commonly imported from Africa, but captive-hatched specimens are the best pets. These can be purchased from better pet stores, from breeders at the larger reptile shows across the country, and on-line.

May 1, 2010-My Budgies

Rudy and Gigi seem to be enjoying their conversation. Then they are eating Ricky's lettuce instead of their own.

My Birds-April 23, 2010

My two parakeets are getting up there in years now. They are both nine years old. Not sure how much longer they will live. The average is 8 to 12 years I think. My Cockatiel will be 8 years old in June.