The Boys.

Wake up boys....it's spring and it's warm!

Bama is still keeping his distance. It's not going to be fun trying to round him up for release!

One of Laurie's boys acts all tough and huffy when I go in there, but he's always following me around like a lost puppy until I finally reach up and scratch his chin! I think he's just putting on a show for the other boys trying to keep up the tough guy image.

 

Cooper is always happy to come out and say Hi.

Cute photo op....take my pic mom!

Bama did finally decide to come out, but he's still not coming anywhere near me!

Chester, happy as usual and always up for a visit.

Boston, just like Chicken, isn't about to show us more than this view.

When mom's around, food is around! Chester knows this better than any of them and begins looking for all the hiding places.

And speaking of boys......I had a late night visit that TOTALLY made my day after being pretty bummed about a squirrel death early in the day. (Long story short, one of my locals, a slightly neurologic girl that I've been keeping my eye on, made a leap from quite high up. She missed the tree she was aiming for and hit the top edge of one of the coon pens. I scooped her up but she passed shortly thereafter.)

Anyway, after getting home from work last night, it was so nice out and the sound of the peepers and the ducks and geese squawking on the pond was so relaxing, I decided to poke around out there and put out some cans of food for any of the gang if they were around. While finishing up at the main platform out back I was finally rewarded with a pair of eyes coming in for a visit. I fully expected to see River's dark face but was totally thrilled to discover it was Gibby! (I had seen him out there a week or so ago, but it was extremely windy and he was too skittish for more than a quick acknowledgement before he ran off into the brush.)

At first he just got up onto the platform to investigate what I was doing, then wandered back onto the ground. Next thing I know he's pawing at my leg. When I bent down to scratch him, he proceeded to wrap his arms around my neck and insist I pick him up and hold him like the old days! Thanks for the hug little buddy, I needed it!

I'm so happy to say he looks healthy and handsome as ever!

Mother's little helpers.

Ringer and Belle are pretty much around every night now. As soon as I go out to take care of the outside crew I am greeted by both.... who then immediately begin their quality control inspections of what I am feeding. Sometimes, if I'm really lucky, they help me "rearrange" the contents of the shed. Actually, Gibby and Scrappy are pretty regular visitors as well, and I may have Gibby to thank for the rearranging. Ringer and Belle just take the lids off the food bins, hop in, and help themselves!

I approve of this evenings meal! :)

I love hanging out with my girls! It's such a warm fuzzy feeling seeing how well they have done since their release in 2006.....and they still love Mom! Red had been showing up more often too, and it's great to see she's also done well!

River and the kids are awesome! She's such a good mom and she's teaching them well. She no longer tries to kill me now that the babies are older and she even tolerates me in the pen to clean and feed while they are out. They love the pool!

I am happy to report that Bama seems to be doing better. He is eating again and his neurological signs seem to be improving. He's still a little "uncoordinated" but not alarmingly so. Now, barring any setbacks, it's just a wait and see game to see how he is as he gets older and release time comes around.

Unfortunately the little starved boy didn't make it. He put up a good fight, but his poor little body just couldn't come back from the damage already done. Very sad.....