MOTW - Aug 25 - Sep 3 2013 - Gail (Kueluck)

[kueluck]

Sad to say it's not ours, we visited some old USN buddies in IA this past June and went to the JD plant for a tour. Not a farmer by profession, but it is in my bloodline. And I can honestly say I enjoy the smell of cow manure. Yup, I like cow poo and I'm not ashamed to say so. As for my favorite amphibian that I keep, it would have to be Rufus, my Fowlers toad; he is my tried and true, never fails me. (now watch me get home and find him dead in the tank). But my all time fav amphibian would have to be the Japanese toad (Bufo japonicus), just have to figure out how to get some here.

Good morning, Gail . It's so nice to finally hear more about you.

I remember the days we raised our toad tads together awhile back . Yours look great! We released our babies when big enough to fend for themselves. So much fun raising them .

Great photos and tanks! Your amphibian and snake kids all look so happy . I loved the video of your living room.

My husband said he loves your tractor, ha ha! He was telling me which model it is, lol! He asked if you have a farm?

Which are your favorite frogs/toads if you had to choose?

Heath

[Heatheranne]

Lol! No worries, so does my hubby (pinching my nose, lol!) . He grew up doing a bit of farming on the side.

The toads definitely have personality, don't they? We loved our big old fella we had years ago. He used to sit in his food bowl waiting for dinner . Funny!

I've never seen a Japanese toad, but not you've sparked my interest so I'll have to check it out.

[kueluck]

Huge toad I found in bushes - YouTube they are amazing creatures.

Lol! No worries, so does my hubby (pinching my nose, lol!) . He grew up doing a bit of farming on the side.

The toads definitely have personality, don't they? We loved our big old fella we had years ago. He used to sit in his good bowl waiting for dinner . Funny!

I've never seen a Japanese toad, but not you've sparked my interest so I'll have to check it out.

[Heatheranne]

Very cool!

[Mentat]

The Japanese Giant Toad are quite a sight !

[kueluck]

This is my "dream" toad, just gotta figure out how to get some to the states. Any ideas how??

The Japanese Giant Toad are quite a sight !

[Mentat]

This is my "dream" toad, just gotta figure out how to get some to the states. Any ideas how??

Well, I've never imported a toad from overseas; but have been involved is several fish importations from Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Simplest thing is to get one from distributor here... but guess there is none.

Second easiest IMO would be to have someone you know is visiting Japan bring you one back. If legal to collect in there; a single pet can be flied in as long as airline OKs before hand and the animal is not in CITES (it's not).

The third is a bit complicate and would require a "group buy" of sorts. Importing an animal requires expensive permits and paper work, a transhipment licence, air freight, etc. Obviously will need a frog knowing contact to handle collection, US customs paperwork, and shipment in Japan. It's not a simple thing; but can and has been done before. Only way to do so is to get a large number of them (3-4 dozen at least), so that all those extra costs are then divided among all buyers and brought down to a reasonable level. Still, that could easily become the $100 toad... or more !

Hum... forgot about Samurai Japan. Currently frog breeders and distributors are importing Pacmans from them... maybe one could bring us some toadlets as part of their shipment. Sorry I'm not the bringer of good news, personally would like one too !

[kueluck]

I acutally have a very dear close friend from Japan who now lives in the States and she was talking about going back to visit next spring. She already said she would bring some back for me.

Well, I've never imported a toad from overseas; but have been involved is several fish importations from Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Simplest thing is to get one from distributor here... but guess there is none.

Second easiest IMO would be to have someone you know is visiting Japan bring you one back. If legal to collect in there; a single pet can be flied in as long as airline OKs before hand and the animal is not in CITES (it's not).

The third is a bit complicate and would require a "group buy" of sorts. Importing an animal requires expensive permits and paper work, a transhipment licence, air freight, etc. Obviously will need a frog knowing contact to handle collection, US customs paperwork, and shipment in Japan. It's not a simple thing; but can and has been done before. Only way to do so is to get a large number of them (3-4 dozen at least), so that all those extra costs are then divided among all buyers and brought down to a reasonable level. Still, that could easily become the $100 toad... or more !

Hum... forgot about Samurai Japan. Currently frog breeders and distributors are importing Pacmans from them... maybe one could bring us some toadlets as part of their shipment. Sorry I'm not the bringer of good news, personally would like one too !

[flybyferns]

"Life accomplishments? Noble Peace-prize. NOT. Published writings. NOPE. Recorded music or video. Does YouTube count? But, I have served my country and stand behind all the rights of the Constitution, I support Christian organizations, have not received a parking ticket, moving violation or been in jail, I get along with family and in-laws, and love myself so others can also. "

Wow ... Why am I not surprised !
Gail, Very enjoyable thread ! It's so nice to get to know you .... more
Best , Lynn

[kueluck]

Thanks Lynn, it's been kinda fun to do this.

[Mentat]

I acutally have a very dear close friend from Japan who now lives in the States and she was talking about going back to visit next spring. She already said she would bring some back for me.

Thanks Lynn, it's been kinda fun to do this.

Good Gail, if she brings more than you are willing to keep I got first dibs ! Will continue checking on possible sources; I find them so regal and dignified ! Agree with you, doing the MOTW stuff is fun !

[kueluck]

Carlos, you'll have to be second on the list. There's another member that I've talked to about getting these. She is also looking for resources for getting them state side.

[Hypnotic]

Congratulations! Was an intresting read!

[Mentat]

Yes we still have the 1979 CJ-5, but don't take it out as much as we would like to. She'll be getting a new paint job hopefully in the next few weeks, now if only the gas prices would go down.

What mileage you guys get? I'm getting 21 in highway and around 19 in town; but have a Heart attack every time I refill it from 1/4-1/5 empty tank and the pump hits over $50.00 !

[kueluck]

Thanks.

Congratulations! Was an intresting read!

[kueluck]

Overall is 12-15 mpg, there's no way to put an overdrive transmission in the CJ. And we have a 21 gallon tank, so you're talking over $70 to fill her up. Yup, she's a pig but we love her. She's getting a new paint job next summer, Durabak OD green on the outside. We wanted to do it this summer, but just haven't found a place to do it in.

What mileage you guys get? I'm getting 21 in highway and around 19 in town; but have a Heart attack every time I refill it from 1/4-1/5 empty tank and the pump hits over $50.00 !

[Sasha]

Congrats on MOTW, It was great to get to know you better! I finally got to view all your pictures and LOVED the video of your front room. You're tanks all look beautiful, thanks for sharing with us.

[yoshimi]

I had to delete my post nominating Gail again cuz I've been otherwise engaged and didn't realize, or think to look 1st. SO GLAD to get to know her better, and none of it is a surprise.

Except that there was a bucket on the deck at work last summer or the one before and it had things swimming in it. I thought it was mosquitoes and we had a mosquito-borne illness outbreak in MA at the time. The cook dumped them out into road and now I wish I'd looked closer. Don't think it was mosquito larvae. So there's a lesson and something I'd never let happen again. Helping even in MOTW thread! Imagine that. And taking in teeny toads to keep them safe while they grow is such a wonderful idea. That your husband is cool with it is awesome.

And you guys look so happy. <3

All the help and reassurance with Banjo was priceless. Thank you.

[kueluck]

Gee thanks Crystal for the kind words. I just do what I gotta do to help those who choose to tend to the needs of the toads; they are my favorite non-fuzzy critter. And TJ, my husband so cool about all my critters. He’ll fix dinner while I get bugs ready for the toads, WTF’s, AGTF’s and snakes (if it’s their day). He also watches out for them and looks in the viv’s once in awhile, but weapons are more his thing.

[Hypnotic]

Haha, it's the other way around here, I'm the pet lover and my girlfriend is the weapons freak. Also, I'm not sure if your submitting your pictures to picture of the week, but you should!
This one is my favourite by far!