I was going to buy a second-hand one because they're so much cheaper, but trying to organise a time with people is difficult. I will be near a pet store tomorrow so might have a look at what they've got and take his current carrier along as a size comparison. I bought Bandit a brand new carrier yesterday specifically for outings like this and it's worlds better than his small little carry cage, which is fine for vet trips, but for longer than that is pretty unreasonable. I got a great deal on it too because it was on sale for $39, down from $69 and measures 69L x 45W x 36H cm. There's a little removable hay rack in it, but it's perfect for keeping his hay together at the end and he still has room to stretch out fully when sprawling out (which he did). The door is on the top and is the perfect size for getting him in/out! The whole car ride he was trying to dig and rearrange (I had a fleece blanket and some litter in there) and he just shuffled it around the whole time. We also had a good cuddle at the meeting, practiced syringing food (did not go well) and talked about the myxo outbreak among other things. He was much happier in this larger cage though than just his carrier and at the end of the meeting he was even so chilled as to groom me So although I didn't really have the time to be going (because I have a million things to organise for a camping trip) it was a good time and it was nice to get some time in with Bandit because I've been neglecting him a little bit lately, the poor guy.
Felix and Clem were lucky - we were on the remnants of their bag of hay, and my partner came home with a big bag of new fresh hay for them. So excited!! If only I wasn't working this weekend I might actually have time to get out and use it I only can't believe he bought it for me, since he's never really given me anything big like this before and I've never had anything expensive like that bought for me, had to pay for my own first car and Uni fees etc etc. So this is just crazy to me! Can't wait though
Not quite as fancy...
It brings me up to 254 life birds (australia only) and 149 year birds (chasing 202 from last year). Quail are notoriously difficult to see, and even if you do see them, it's usually a blue flying into the undergrowth, so was pretty pleased with the sighting. I do have a couple of photos I'll post from the day, but they're on my other computer so won't post them now. A little more than what I paid last time, but still worlds cheaper than buying bags of hay. We had a nice moment today, I sat down in the laundry with him and had some pellets, for which he was literally clambering all over me in a desperate attempt to get them from me because apparently I starve him After he'd stolen the last of them he was on my lap and I was just petting his head, then after he'd finished eating, he actually stayed sitting on my lap and snuggled in against me and tooth purred while I was petting him. He tooth purrs often and loves being petted, but he never voluntarily stays on my lap, let alone snuggles into my lap. He loves the love, but prefers to be next to me. So it was a really sweet few minutes. He then licked my hand to death before biting my finger (I guess it stilled smelled like pellets), lol.
The weather was absolutely perfect today for birds and photography, but I had promised myself (after going out with my camera yesterday) that today was my housework day, so I had to suck it up and deal with it. I did get to be out in the sun raking the leaves off the lawn though, lol. So that's a huge relief, I've been watching him like a hawk. In another few days I'll feel certain that I've avoided it so I'm looking forward to that.
ray: Waiting is the hardest part! I remember going through that anxious paranoid wait whenever one of the bunnies ate something potentially gut-blocking. But I'm sure Bandit's healthy as a horse. It is a sad picture, but definitely good to know what to look for. When I go in there tomorrow morning without pellets, I just know I'm going to get it. He's a cute little monster though 
