Six years ago, if anyone had told me I would’ve spent eleven days watching the cloaca of a toad (that’s the toads’ equivalent to the human anus), for ANY sign of movement, I would have said, “No friend, not me.” Six years ago if anyone had told me I would’ve spent last eleven days massaging the belly of a toad, and its’ CLOACA, I would have said, “No, I don’t think so.” Six years ago if anyone had told me I would’ve given up several nights sleep because a toad wouldn’t do her business, one of which was spent on the phone desperately trying to find an animal hospital with a Herpetologist (Amphibian doctor) on duty at two, three and four a.m., two more nights wide awake because I was worried sick, I would have denied the possibility. If someone had told me I’d spend a large chunk of cash on a doctor visit for a toad, or the next eight days pulling the legs off crickets and dripping them with mineral oil, I would have said, “OHHHHH NO! That’s NOT ME! I do not pull the legs off bugs!! Unh-uh, NOO FREAKIN WAY!! (I am permanently traumatized)” And yet, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing.
On the other hand if it had been suggested I could fall in love with a unique and special little being, no bigger than the palm of my hand, cried when she was in pain and when I felt helpless, had my soul wracked with the fear of losing her, I would’ve said, “yes, that is me.” If it had been suggested I would have spent hours on the internet researching toad anatomy, hours at the side of the tub doing warm baths, hours on the bed prompting exercise and praying with all my heart all day long that my little friend would live, I would have agreed wholeheartedly. For that is exactly what has happened.
I found a small being, fell in love with her and assumed full responsibility for her health, care and upkeep. My deep affection transcends her lumpy skin, the many sacrifices I make and even her diet of worms and crickets (if you knew how I’ve felt about worms my whole life, you know that says a LOT).
In case you haven’t figured it out, Buntah has had some serious “plumbing” issues. And I have added to my library of knowledge and experience out of desperation. (I need to update our toad info. page and add what I’ve learned about toads and constipation.) As of tonight, she is making progress but we are not back to 100% of her normal functioning. No matter what happens, I know, and she knows she has touched my heart deeply and we’ve been having one hell of an awesome ride since she joined us. Who knew a toad could have such personality?! Who knew I could find such joy in a creature that I feared most of my life? I didn’t, but now I do. And I’m glad she’s here.
PS - AND A BIG SHOUT OUT TO MY GRAND DAUGHTER WHO IS FOUR YEARS OLD TODAY!!! I LOVE YOU!! Grammy.
PS, PS - Where have I been? Well the new post explains where I've been for the last eleven days. Prior to, I have been working like crazy to get a project ready for publication. Is it ready yet? Not yet, still working on it.
On the other hand if it had been suggested I could fall in love with a unique and special little being, no bigger than the palm of my hand, cried when she was in pain and when I felt helpless, had my soul wracked with the fear of losing her, I would’ve said, “yes, that is me.” If it had been suggested I would have spent hours on the internet researching toad anatomy, hours at the side of the tub doing warm baths, hours on the bed prompting exercise and praying with all my heart all day long that my little friend would live, I would have agreed wholeheartedly. For that is exactly what has happened.
I found a small being, fell in love with her and assumed full responsibility for her health, care and upkeep. My deep affection transcends her lumpy skin, the many sacrifices I make and even her diet of worms and crickets (if you knew how I’ve felt about worms my whole life, you know that says a LOT).
In case you haven’t figured it out, Buntah has had some serious “plumbing” issues. And I have added to my library of knowledge and experience out of desperation. (I need to update our toad info. page and add what I’ve learned about toads and constipation.) As of tonight, she is making progress but we are not back to 100% of her normal functioning. No matter what happens, I know, and she knows she has touched my heart deeply and we’ve been having one hell of an awesome ride since she joined us. Who knew a toad could have such personality?! Who knew I could find such joy in a creature that I feared most of my life? I didn’t, but now I do. And I’m glad she’s here.
PS - AND A BIG SHOUT OUT TO MY GRAND DAUGHTER WHO IS FOUR YEARS OLD TODAY!!! I LOVE YOU!! Grammy.
PS, PS - Where have I been? Well the new post explains where I've been for the last eleven days. Prior to, I have been working like crazy to get a project ready for publication. Is it ready yet? Not yet, still working on it.