Saving a guinea hen and Solomon's new fish

It's always something with animals around here!  Last week, the day after Dixie was killed, Tabby came into the house with one of our gray colored guinea hens, that was dripping blood all over the place.  She said the guinea was just lying on the ground, bleeding and she was afraid it was freezing to death.  (The temperature outside was in the low teens.)

We wrapped the guinea in a towel, and after awhile, were able to determine that the bird was missing most of a toenail, on her crippled foot..  (If you've ever trimmed your pets nails, and cut too close to the quick, you know it will bleed like crazy.)

We decided to keep it inside.  Hunter offered to let us use his little dog cage.  (He actually bought a real dog cage, with his own money, for his stuffed dog Sam.)   We put the bird inside the cage with a towel, and put it near the warm fire.

Tabby said the guinea needed a name so she called her "Chloe."  (After a character named Chloe in some book.)

Chloe was pretty cramped in the little cage, but that was probably a good thing as it kept her still.  We had to put in fresh towels a few times and then her bleeding finally stopped.

Later that afternoon, when we were at the store, I decided to buy a bigger dog cage.  I figure we're going to have more incidents like this over the years if we keep animals, so we may as well be prepared with a good place to put them. 

 Chloe seemed happier when we moved her to her larger hospital room: 

We ended up keeping her inside until Saturday morning.  She got out twice, when I was changing the newspapers on the bottom of the cage, much to the delight of the boys.  She went running around the house and flying up to the ceiling to try and roost on something.

Saturday morning I took her back outside to join her other guinea friends.  It was interesting watching them.  Chloe started making her talking noise and all the 4 guineas came running to her and gathered around.  They rubbed their heads on her and answered back.  Ahhh ... a happy ending.  At least for now.

In other animal news, Solomon got his own pet.  A fish.  Named Nemo.  I read recently that fish care was suggested as a Montessori activity for 2 year olds.  Though Solomon helps with the other animals, I did think it was a good idea, for him to have his very own pet to take care of and be responsible for.  Of course we will help as needed.

When I talked to Solomon about this idea, he was excited.  He ran to my desk and climbed up into the chair and picked up a pen and said he needed to make a list.  (We are all list makers in this family so it was a thrilling moment for me when my 2-year old wanted to make his first list!  Ha ha - dorky I know.)  Solomon carefully "wrote" and said "Nemo" and then "fish bowl."

So, with Solomon's Christmas money and a gift card he received, we bought a little aquarium and some food for a Beta fish.  Tabby is walking Beta fish encyclopedia, having owned several in the past and reading every book she could find on them.  I assigned her the job of helping Solomon set up the tank.  He was SOOOOO excited.  Then yesterday afternoon, he picked out his Beta fish at the pet store.  He knew going into the store that he wanted a blue fish.  So that's what he got!

I just pray this fish lives for awhile.