(1) My Thoughts (2) My ducklings

Hello everyone, I have just adopted two really cute little ducklings named "Squirt" and "Bubbles", and was hoping that someone may have some tips for me on caring for them. At the moment I am feeding them pellets as that is what I have been told to feed them. What else can I feed them? Is there anything else that I should know?

I would really appreciate your help as I would hate to do wrong by them.

After reading some of your postings I feel that those of you on Pet Talk seem like lovely, genuine people, who not only care for your animals and their well being but also care for each other. I think this is wonderful and very rare. In these times of extreme uncertainty and sadness it is a comfort to know that there are people in this world like you all. Here in Australia although the atrocity occurred in the US it has deeply and forever affected us. There is so much sadness for what has been lost to each and every one of us. My heart goes out to families and friends directly affected, and to those wonderful men and women in the Military, their families and all involved. They are all true hero's.

I was for many years involved in a very violent relationship wherein I never felt safe. I have been lucky enough to be able to start a new life with a wonderful and loving partner and our precious new 13 week old son who is a miracle in himself. The most wonderful feeling was that I finally felt safe and secure in my life and my home. But on the 11th of September 2001 this changed and ever increasing so I have become afraid again and do not find santury even in my own home. I fear every day for those I love and wonder what my precious sons' future will hold. I love him so much, the thought of anything happening to him, my partner whom I adore and in so many ways owe my sanity to, tears at my heart. I can only imagine what those of you closer to the atrocity are going through. To you all, I offer my admiration, support and prayers!

Enough sadness!!!!

I hope that I may hear from you and become a friend to "Pet Talk"

Kerri :)

Welcome Kerri to the Pet Talk. You will love it here, we're all terrific here :D

Congrats for your new baby, and for finding the love of your life!

Hi Kerri! Welcome to PetTalk. I love to see the names of people from all different parts of the world. Congratulations on your ducks and on your new life, especially your new son!

I don't know anything about ducks, except they go in the bathtub if they are made out of plastic. I'm sure someone will have some hints or references for you. Hearing about the love and fun that so many different kinds of creatures can give always makes my day brighter!

Best wishes from me and my two cats (I didn't mention the ducks to them, just in case! ;) )

Welcome Kerri, I wish I knew a little more about ducklings, but unfortunately I have only had dogs, but good luck with the sweet
little babies.
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes I believe all of our lives have changed since this tragedy and we must all be alert to what is going on in our surroundings. I am so glad that you have a wonderful new life with a great partner and a new baby to share it with. We must not let these monsters ruin our lives, we must go about as we always have and not give them the satisfaction of thinking they have us on the run. Be brave, we will prevail in the end.
Again welcome to PetTalk and I will be looking forward to hearing from you and your thoughts and about your new ducklings, if you can send us a photo we love to see those pictures.
Jackie

Hi Kerri:
Welcome to Pet Talk and congratulations on your new baby and your new life!
I don't know a thing about ducklings, but if you go to: http://www.ask.com, that is the site for "Ask Jeeves," you'll be able to find some information.
You could also try the directory at: http://Google.com It's the best search engine.
Good luck.

[ October 14, 2001: Message edited by: Albea ]

I don't really know much about ducks.... but maybe you should try to keep them warm or something. Don't handle them too roughly either since i think their bones are still very weak and not well formed yet. try search engines or asking a local veterinarian (did I spell that right?) for help on caring for them. I hope the ducks are alright and thriving!

Thank you so much for your posting. I was delighted when when checking my e mails to see that so many of you took the time to respond.

Thank you also for your kind words. I must say I do love the pitures of your beautiful Casper and Kitty. Could you tell me what the breeds are as your silver/grey cat (Casper? or Kitty? He? She?)very much like a cat who once owned me and was very much loved.

I have just put my little one to bed (it is 12.15am) and I can hear him on the monitor making a lot of gurgling sounds. I hope he does not wake up his dad!

I look forward to talking to you soon, thank you again for responding. We have only just installed our computer so this is new to me and I delight in the thought of making some new friends!

Casper is solid black male, and Kitty is a grey-silver-black tabby girl.
Here they are:
http://home.pi.be/paddy/kittiecats/pictures/.jpg

Go and have a peek at their website too!

Hi Kerri - welcome to pet talk. Always nice to talk to an Aussi. I had a pet duck a few years ago although it was a wild one that I rescued after he apparently got separated from his mother. I just fed him some wild bird seed and let him swim in the bath tub until he got so big that he was making big big messes. They do have a tendency to poop a lot :D Anyway when he was big enough I released him to the pond and I guess he migrated when all the others did. :)

Thank you Jackie for your kind words and until I had my birds I to did not know much about them as I had only ever really had cats and dogs. They seem to be happy and growing, so I must be doing something right! I would just be great to find out what else I could feed them other than dull (I certainly could not imagine just having a diet of pellets! :D ). But I am sure someone will come to my rescue!

I would love to hear more about two adorable Schnauzas' and how you came to make them part of your family. Have you always had Schnauzas? I notice in your photograph you are encircled in snow. Do you get a lot of snow where you live. It reminded me so much of home, it brought a smile to my face to see it. I remember some wonderful times growing up mucking around with my family when it snowed. We used to wait in baited breath during the night to see if the roads would be blocked in the morning so you could to attend your school or work. It's seems strange that the time I miss my home the most is in the winter time. By the way I am orginally from New Zealand. Here in Melbourne, Australia you do not get snow right in the cities, but mostly up in the mountains. I used to go skiing when ever I had the opportunity or could have time off work. Unfortunately I have not been for some time now. Hopefully when my little one is a little older we will take him to the snow and he will enjoy it as much as I!

Again thank you for your kind words and you are right we must not give them the satisfaction of letting them think they have us on the run. It is nice to know that there is support in this world even from people have never meet but who are joined together in this time of great sadness. It shows how united a world can become.

As soon as I have worked out how to use our computer properly, I will send you some pitures!

I look forward to hearing from you soon! Take Care.

Kerri, welcome to Pet Talk. You have instantly made a lot of friends who are very caring and helpful.

I have never been to Australia, however, I have some dear friends who just returned and they could only rave about your country and especially how they were treated after 9/11.

We hear about many additions to our families, but usually they are four legged. It sure is fun to hear about a brand new two legger. Hmmm, just started to think about how many legs your ducklings have, because I was referring to your son.

I don't know a thing about ducklings, however, the advice to try Google is excellent. I always can find answers for just about everything there.

Again, welcome and thank you for your kind words. Our countries are huge, but the recent events have brought us together in a common cause for good and peace.

Gini

Hi TheAntiPam, thank you for your response to my posting. It has been wonderful hearing from you. I think it will become the highlight of my day (after I have put my son to bed just after 12.00 am that is)logging into pet talk and hearing from you all. We have only just installed our computer, so I am still finding my way around. So if you find I could be doing things a little differently, or have some hints please do not hold back. All help would be appreciated :) .

My wee ducklings are doing fine and growing rapidly by the day. Though they had me on the run yesterday when trying to pick them up (and I mean on the run! lol). My partner just stood there laughing. But then it was my turn to laugh at him as he chased around the backyard after them! What a sight we must have made! I hate to think what it will be like when they reach adult hood. I am a firm believer that our pets own us heart and sole! Well mine certainly do! I have only found out today that my Cockatoo (a gift from my partner earlier this year)may have an incurable virus that has been with him since he was born, and ultimately causes the breakdown of his immune system. We will find out for sure today when we take him the vet. I do hope he will be okay, because the thought that he may be or is suffering breaks my heart. We became concerned for him when his beak begain to grow out of shape and he started losing feathers. We call him "Max", he is the most loving little character you could ever imagine meeting in a bird. At first when we got him home, he would not have a bar of either of us! I took both of us to feed and change his water - one of us would destract him while the other (in an extreme rush) would feed and water him. The fear was that he would take of all our fingers, if he could get a hold of them! And boy did he try!!!!!!!! The all of a sudden he became so friendly to the point he would cry to be close to us and want to be cuddled like a child. If he got down on the floor he will find where ever you may be in the house and follow you until you pick him up and give him a cuddle. He is just wonderful. So keep your fingers crossed that we have good news today and it not be the virus they suspect it to be!

Thank you again for your reply and I look forward to hearing from you soon about yourself and your cats.

Take Care.

Hi Kerri,

I am so sorry about your baby Max. I hope that the vet can do something so at least he wont be in pain. Poor thing...I have grown up with cockatiels since I was small and love them so much, I have always wanted a cockatoo and plan on getting one after I graduate college. They are such wonderful creatures...one of God's better creations! :) I will say a prayer for your Max that he wont be in pain and that there is some way to help him, hopefully it's good news. Poor thing. :)

On a lighter note, your ducklings sound so very cute! We used to have a duck that we called "Mallard" (I know, original! :rolleyes: ) that was such a joy! He had his own pen away from the chickens as well as his own pond. I can only remember feeding him "duck feed", but I was young then. I remember going out to see him and finding sparrows in his pond that (maybe he did it) had drowned. It was so sad... :( But, he was a happy little duck, a total joy to be around!

Congratulations on your little one as well! I bet he is just adorable! Our good friends just had a baby girl on Wednesday, she is such a miracle. While holding her, I got teary just realizing that this little angel is a human being. Her little lips, chin and fingers will grow up to be like her mommy and daddy's and she will be apart of our world. It really is so amazing! I wish you love, guidance and strength with your little one.

It was great meeting you and getting to know you! I look forward to hearing what happened with Max and all about your little one...

God Bless!

Hi Kerri, i am so sorry to hear about Max. I hope it's not the virus... and that bit about him following you everywhere is so sweet! You've got a real unique bird and looks like he owns you heart and soul!

Welcome, Kerri. I am glad you joined us here, it's such a fun and friendly site. I don't know what I would do without it! Unfortunately I know nothing about duckies, other then they are cute and fuzzy, but I think you must be doing the right things for them if they are growing fast! Congrats on your new little human baby. What a miracle that is. I have never been a mother yet, but at some point I will be ready to take that plunge into parenthood. For now all I have is a mixed breed dog, and he's my baby :)

Good luck with your cockatoo :( Is the disease that you are concerned about called Psittacine "beak & feather" disease? Cockatoos are more prone to getting that disease more then other species. I wish you the best of luck with that. I hope it's not Psittacine beak & feather disease :( I once had a goffins cockatoo whom terrified me when she lost feathers. I ended up taking her to get tested but she was negitive, I was just paranoid about that disease and so I freaked out when she dropped a feather. Turned out she was just having her first major molt. I hope that is the case with Max. What kind of cockatoo is he?

Again, welcome and best of luck with Max.

Hi Kerri,

I just wanted to say welcome as well! Congratulations on the new baby :) What a joy that must be....

It sounds like your little ducklings are in wonderful and capable hands. Google is the best search engine out there so I'm sure you will find advice there - if not, do it the old fashioned way and go to the library or book store and look for some books :D!

Thank you for all that you have said. You have stated exactly how pet talk is. A wonderful cyber-family where everyone cares for each other and their pets. That is the type of community that all of these wonderful people have created and I am so glad to be a part of it. It is a daily ritual for me to come visit this site. I'm sure it has already become one for you too. Good luck with the ducks and your new baby and I really hope everything turns out well for Max. He sounds like an amazing friend.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by doggiemom:
[QB]Hi Kerri,

Hi everyone,

I am sorry that I have not been able to speak to you this last week. Everything has been very hectic. It is just after 1.30 am here and I am well and truly ready for a good sleep (not easy with a 14 week old baby, but never mind!) I Will pop in to Pet Talk on Monday and have a longer chat with you, but for now I just want to say thank you for all your wonderful and kind messages. It is so comforting to know there are still kind and thoughtful people in this world.

Unfortunately the last two days have been rather hard, especially today. We took Max (or my partner did, as one of us needed to stay home with our son. By the way his name is Lachlan!) to a specialist on Friday and confirmed that my Max did have Beak and Feather disease. I am crying now as I type this because today we had him put to sleep. As they gave him the injection I held my Max in my hands, and as I did so he calmly looked back at me so trustingly as he peacefully went to sleep never to awake. I know in my heart I did the right thing, I could not stand the thought of him living in pain and being unable to enjoy his life. I keep telling myself it was the kindest thing to do, but I can not stop crying, and my heart is so full of saddness it feels like it will break in two. I keep looking up expecting to see him. I just wish I could give him another cuddle. The night we found out there was nothing we could do for him my partner and I let him play to his hearts content with us, he chewed the plants, ate his favourite biscuits (shortbread)all the things we would normally say "no" to, we let him do. I spent most of the night giving him many hugs and tried to show him how much I loved him. He was so very loving and special to me, it hurts so very much. We laid Max to rest under a Weeping Cherry tree in the front garden. I will never forget his eyes as I said goodbye and he peacefully went to sleep.

Max was a Sulpur Crested White Cockatoo and he was my loving, cheeky friend!

I am sorry again at not being able to respond to all of your messages yet, but I will as soon as I can.

Take care everyone!

Hello Kerri!

We're sorry for your loss :( but that was the right thing to do.

Take care ok?

The humans behind Casper and Kitty

I am so so sorry to hear about Max. You did the right thing as watching him suffer would have been much harder than losing him now.

The day I had to lose my beloved black cat, Magic, I did much the same. I spent every minute with him until I went to the vets.
Milk was strictly forbidden and he loved it so much and would beg for it. He had a huge bowl of milk that day. However, now, that memory warms me just as giving Max his bisquits will warm you.

Give your sweet son a snuggle. XXOO

Kerri,

I am so very sorry about Max. Although I am sure it was one of the most painful and saddest things you have had to do, it was the right decision. Your actions show that you care and love him so much that you would give up time you want for him to be at peace.

I hope the pain will go away and you will be only left with the good memories.

God Bless.

Dear Karri,

I am very saddened to hear the news about Max. I feel horrible for you. I am afraid if he was showing signs of that dreaded disease at this point, putting him to sleep, although incredibly painful, was the most humane thing to do. I am terribly sorry. That was a very brave thing you did for him and he is grateful at your unselfish act of letting him peacefully drift into heaven. Max sounded lovely. It sounded like he had a good time here on earth, and it sounds like he had a wonderful final day. You were kind to let him do the naughty things that they so much enjoy doing. You not only gave him a good life but you gave him a special ending too...plus you held him when the vet gave the injection. That is so brave, I respect you for doing that and I am certain Max thanks you. Just remember the good times that you had together and it will eventually get easier.

Please know that I give you my deepest sympothy for your loss.

-Leslie

Kerri
Please know that what you did is the kindest, most loving thing anyone can do for their suffering beloved. Take comfort in knowing that this unselfish final decision made by you in the most loving way was the right thing to do. God Bless.

Oh Kerri, it made me cry to read your post, it reminded me of Kona who we had to put to sleep last October. I am so sorry this had to happen to Max, I can tell how much you loved him, I'm sure he crossed over the Rainbow bridge with all our other beloved friends before him and they are all very happy and playing together.
Jackie

Kerri I am so sorry about Max. How heartbreaking. Your post had me crying. I hope that you feel better soon :(