fire belly toads dying

[Hoppity100]

Oh, that is so neat! I have 4 FB's and all get along. They're having a cricket fest tonight and I changed their water today. My tank is very similar to yours without moss. I have strands of real plants in their pond and driftwood, treehouse, rocks, fake plants, dry land area of eco earth. I have a small lamp next to my tank for evening since they are near a window they get natural light in the daytime. FB's are alot more fun than the RCC's I had, and I thought they were entertaining. I like hearing the chirping every night. Mine like either wax or mealworms, their favorite is crickets. I tried earthworms but that really failed: the worms were way too big. Even after cutting they did not wiggle long enough.

I surrounded myself in pets because its good for me, I will be facing empty nest syndrome within a year, so pets are going to be my company. I also have a dog and cat, fish, hermits. Its enough to keep me busy all the time. I check everyone every day. My cat is a young stray that was crying out at night in the cold. She is thin and is so happy inside the house! Tonight she is getting salmon with her canned food. I gave her boiled chicken the other nights with canned food. She also got to taste tuna. Today I made a scratch post myself and bought her toys. She is less than a year old. I can't imagine her story.

[jen63]

Wow, I've got 3 strays myself! They all turned up at different times & sort of get on with each other.
I have a tame wild toad, he's really big & lives in a plant pot in the garden, but he's hibernating for winter. He has the most beautiful golden eyes & eats worms out my hand.
My other half thinks I'm mental. Can't think why!

[Hoppity100]

I think many other halves do, mine does! You have 3 strays? kept indoors? Any tips for a new cat owner? I think I have enough supplies for my cat: scratch post, food, litter box, kitty harness and small leash (she is afraid to be outside again), toys, and all I need are treats. The post I made today looks pretty good. It was wood covered in navy denim with ribbons attached to the top and a small plush animal. I also strung a jingle bell from closet door for her to bat around. She has a new ball and catnip toy with a feather. I'm trying to occupy her when I'm not around. Tip: when my other half thinks I'm mental, he gets hamburger helper ( he hates that )! LOL

[kroberts009]

haha, i just laughed out oud, about when your half thinks your mental, you feed him hamburger helper! my family gets that when its beena long day and im being lazy

its always nice hearing what other people have and how they are going about doing it! sounds like you have one lucky little stray kitty! sounds like you have most of the basics and some extras covered. we always used to like playing with one of the cat toys thats a pole with a string hanging down and has some small item on the end. makes for some good memories, just watch your couch and other upholstered items! they work as good scratching posts too!

our household has, 2 birds (parakeet and cockatiel), a red eared slider, sucker fish for turtle tank, a common boa, the 2 firebellies, and 2 leopard geckos at the moment. fighting hard not to get anything else at least too quickly!

[Hoppity100]

Glad you liked my hamburger helper idea! I can always add brussels sprouts to it (laughing). You have other pets, too? Watch that sucker fish...we had one that outgrew a 20 gal tank and became 14" long, had to be donated to pet store with huge tank. The cat is one pet I never had due to allergies. Now, for some reason, no sneezing with this cat, she even slept on my bed all night and was in my face. A lovely cat to have, too. I have gotten all the necessaries for her, and she was a wish come true for me, found her a few days before my birthday. Older daughter gave away a cat I cared for some months ago when husband blamed sneezing on cat. Husband has been sneezing for 2 years! I told him that is why there is Claritin. He just didn't want me to have a cat! My son is allergic, so we keep his door closed. Cat is in another bedroom. Even the dog likes her!

Our shelters are always full and there are many ads for free cats. I worry about all of them going to the wrong home. Wish I could take more in, but with dog, fish, hermits, frogs, oh and husband (he's a pet, too) I am busy. He is what we call the "typical man", can't share territory with homeless animal. Well, he is now! I am holding my ground on this one! Frankly, he is jealous I spend so much time with my pets and I'd rather be with them, they aren't cranky. I'd rather sleep with them, too. Heck, I'd rather sleep with 29 possums than the husband (LOL). He's more cranky than 3 6 ft. sharks stuffed into an 8x8 ft. aquarium. I see more than hamburger helper in his future...maybe I could get a camel and he could sleep with it. I'll take my dog and cat and sleep with them! At least they don't snore...

[kroberts009]

yeah, im well aware of how big our sucker fish can get. apparently up to 2 feet. LOL... as long as he keeps doing his job. ill contine making upgrades for him. botht he turtle and the fish are under 2 inches at the moment. i think weve got some time

[Hoppity100]

You have him in 2" of water? How big is he now? Are your turtles small? I have my FB's pond 3" deep. The sucker fish grows slow enough that you do have time. I have rainbow sharks and I'm watching them, too. Had an albino rainbow that grew to 3.5" in about 2 mos so he was donated. He was in charge of the whole tank because he was the biggest fish and he kept bothering the tank mates. The remaining fish are so relieved they had to lay down in the plants LOL. Well, first they partied...

[jen63]

Sorry late in seeing your post! Your Kitty sounds like well loved. 2 of mine were ferals, so they had a problem coming in! Took some persuasion. The third little girl was dumped, pregnant, on the road & was hiding under a hedge. She's scared of loud noises, but all three are free to go out as I live in the country. Looking after strays / ferals is so rewarding, they really seem to appreciate their new comforts.

[FrogFriend]

I wish there was a dislike or sad face button for hearing bad/sad news. I don't like when people dump animals (in general) and especially don't like it if they dump pregnant animals. If you didn't want them to get pregnant then spay/neuter your pets!!! It's not that difficult people! And money isn't a good excuse because all over the country and Jen63 you can tell me this- but possibly the world they have discount or free spay/neuter clinics. Anyway...I am glad you took them in! I fostered orphaned kittens over the spring and summer and I also took on failure to thrive kittens. People would tell me that they never could do that because they couldn't send them back, my thought was always, how could I not? Yes, I lost some from illness taking them and it did hurt the heart. But at the same time, every kitten that didn't make it died being loved, in a warm home and held! I think that's how most of us would want to go! I don't regret it! I praise you and everyone else that opens their home and heart for a stray and especially for taking on an animal that many wouldn't give a chance. I had some semi-feral and definitely feral kittens. Most of them I was able to imprint and socialize. I pray that they find homes. Anywa, so glad for people like you Jen63!

[Hoppity100]

Yes, she is! You sound like me in that we have a genuine desire to help these animals. Yeah, the ferals are more of a challenge but when they learn you're safe they're thankful. I can see why cats are so cautious,...I would be, too! Do you have the third cat? If so, how is she? And you have her kittens, too? I feel caring for stray and feral cats is also rewarding. My cat thanked me every night since she has been indoors. They do have memory.

[jen63]

You know how, when you have cats it's so easy to keep going on about them to other people who have them? Well, we seem to have taken over a frog forum thread!
In answer to your question, I kept the dumped Kitty ( & named her Kitty) but she was too young to have the babies so unfortunately they had to be aborted at the vets. Being pregnant so young stunted her growth a little. She has very small, bandy legs but she's a happy little girl now.

[Hoppity100]

Oh I am glad and she is ok. My cat needs to be spayed, she is just less than a year old. I'm in no hurry except if its done then I'd like to do it before bad weather hits. Next week we are supposed to have rain/snow x 4 days. Cat is fine and is having a fish dinner tonight, chicken tomorrow night. I bought her a scratch post and she does not know what to do with it. I'll sprinkle catnip on it. Glad your cat is a happy girl, always nice to hear a good story!

[FrogFriend]

It's best that they aborted them. Babies born to babies have major deformities. Many of them don't survive. Never a happy task but at least it isn't all of them.