Laughing at Dr. Dolittle

For the past three months my hunting starved husband has been trying to capture a dove in our backyard, because that is fun...for Axel. Every time I cleared the table and threw out the leftovers I was quickly chastised for throwing away perfectly good rice when, um, don't I know, it is the best dove bait.

Every single day Axel had a new and cunning plan for capturing the highly coveted dove. The obsession was rather strange to me because when we were first married Axel bought me two doves to represent our union. It only took us a few days to figure out that they hated each other entirely. And when I say hate, I mean despise completely. The male would constantly peck her and slap her with his wing. Finally, she didn't stand for it any longer and in return, she did the same to him. We had no TV at the time so the dysfunctional lovers quarrel would keep us thoroughly entertained evening after evening. We eventually locked them in the bathroom because the fights would get so loud and dirty. They worst pets we ever owned, which are powerful words spoken by the wife of Axel Bromley. They were aptly named Tina and Ike.

And yet, my husband had to cage a dove. For what satisfaction I am not sure. I think I have too much estrogen to ever figure it out.

Day after day I would witness a roadrunner/coyote interplay between Axel and the many doves that visited our backyard. Axel was convinced that Qatari doves were several IQ points above the average doves he had encountered in his lifetime. He was genuinely offended when sparrows would wander into his cage, it was a mockery in his eyes. I literally heard him say, 'those doves are laughing at me right now.' As he hung his head in shame.

The cat and mouse routine ended the day Axel finally go his African Grey, Horus. The cage was turned back up, string back around the spool and curtains were fully drawn. Axel claimed defeat. The pesky doves won the battle.

And then...

today Asa yelled at me while I was upstairs claiming that the bird was playing the piano. It wasn't that unusual since he has been enamored by Horus ever since the day we bought him. I didn't think too much of it until the sound of his voice claimed urgency, and when I looked at Asa he was pointing to the curtain rod. Sure enough there sat a dove, comfortable and complacent. It would have been wonderful if Axel was present, but he just happened to be in Kuwait today and he missed the whole thing.

I could have been a great wife and trapped the bird for Axel's satisfaction. I suppose Axel could have observed the bird for a few days and then set it free, but I figured I already had 2 Gouldian Finches, a canary and a parrot. I think I fulfilled my fowl requirements already. Plus, if my maid saw the additional bird in our home she just might have walked out never to be seen again. How much bird poop does one woman have to clean? It wasn't a risk I was willing to take.

Because of the timing, the bird flew to freedom. Did he know how close he came to capture? I am not sure but the last noise I thought heard from his tired little body was 'suck-er'.

Forgiveness

Heavah's pet was found in an undesirable position this past week. Ants were fed, tears were shed and letters were written:

Lucas the Tortoise may have a few things to say to her when he meets her on the other side, but these letters of deep regret describes her remorse and lessons learned.

Note to self: never leave a tiny tortoise in a plastic bin in the 125 degree weather.

Doha Zoo

Me, disobeying the one Cardinal Rule of all Zoos

Qatar doesn't have much to offer as far as entertainment for kids. It is not Dubai--no fake ski hills, no shark tank waterslide, and no venetian canals. Doha has other things to offer (or so I am told), but a plethra of activities for children is not one of them.

However, we were able to find one thing that could fill a Saturday morning--The Zoo. The weather has been unbearable up to this point so we have avoided this activity thus far. But the minute there was a breeze, we took our kids and two neighbor kids to check it out. It is a far cry from San Diego, but it does have its charms. For instance:

1. Grass. This is worth the trip alone. It feels like a tropical paradise compared to what is outside the gates. Look, when you struggle to keep your 2 by 2 foot patch of grass in your front yard alive, this much greenery seems like the Garden of Eden.

2. Birds. I realized how I have never heard a bird sing since we left Nepal. No trees=No happy chirping. After living at our Nepali aviary, my heart missed waking to the song of birds. It was a painful reminder of how few birds can actually endure the blasted heat of Qatar.

3. Oryx. The one wild animal in all of Qatar can ben seen here. Otherwise, you don't stand a chance of seeing any wild animals in this sandpit. It is too bad they have been hunted to almost extinction because they are beautiful animals.

4. Relaxed Atmosphere. The only other option to fill your weekend is to visit a mall. The malls are crowed and loud. This is the one place that you don't have to see stinky money everywhere. It also takes me away from all those insane Land Cruiser drivers. We loved the solidarity and peaceful atmosphere. It is hard to find in these parts.

Ever since we discovered the zoo, I have been back 3 times. It also has a fantastic playground that rarely requires sharing. I love not sharing.

I am ready to camp out there for the week, or month, or at least until I can no longer sleep outside because of the heat. The heat is going to creep up on me quickly and when it does, I will end up spending time at the stinky mall with the stinky money. I would much rather be with the stinky animals.

Bunny Love

I really don't have anything to say, I just needed to put something else on my blog instead of Ross Noble's gigantic melon. No so flattering.

Lately, the kids have spent a lot of time outside with the animals. It isn't such a bad pastime, but policing my children around these animals can be tiring. I am not so worried about the chickens cause if we lost one along the way--voila, dinner! Our goat seems to hold his own pretty well and the pheasants are caged like the Alcatraz prisoners for fear that they would ever escape. Axel is a wee bit protective of his prized birds.

When Sarita (our maid) brought over two bunnies Axel and I were both apprehensive. A bunny, really? My only recollection of owning a bunny when I was a child was getting bit and scratched, and feeling ever so guilting for making it climb walls. It never ended well, every time.

I knew with this bunny not only would it involve all of the above, but maybe even worse as the bunny gods are ready and willing to make me pay. Our first attempt with a bunny didn't end well, just as I expected. I thought my bunny days were finally over. Then, only days after, Sarita brought a replacement-not one, but two-and so it began again.

The ever-so-strong baby monster

This time, the bunnies became 7. It happened quickly and I am assuming this happened so fast just because they realized their gene pool would be soon coming to an end. Not so. In fact, we now have over 12 bunnies and we are all smitten. In fact, we have one bunny that slightly resembles a Capybara and its cuteness is so strong that there is no way of leaving it alone. One must kiss it and blow warm air on its furry little body. There seems to be no choice. He is favored like a child at our home.

Our bunnies have now multiplied every month regardless of the grossness of incestual relations. We have reached our max. I am pawning some of these guys off to any takers. I am sure people will be apprehensive, but I must say, bunny love is grand.

Shylock staring down his competition

Bangkok Aquarium

The Bangkok Aquarium is really worth noting. They have a fantastic display of so many water creatures and the kids had a blast.

All I could think of was how those legs would taste with melted butter...

The glass bottom boat

The cute boy in the glass bottom boat.

There is a gleam in that boy's eyes. Could he take after his father?

This reminded me of the Dubai Mall dome. This one is better.

Please don't look at the bad hair in this photo. It should be about the turtle.

This was a very impressive shark tank that could have easily been used for naughty kids; and consequently, would have given a good show. Good thing mine were on their best behaviour.

Birds & Lizards

Again, it is me Axel.

Bali knows how to do zoos too. Yeah, on top of it all, they make zoos that are perfect for the kids. Our first visit was to the bird sanctuary.

Yup, that is a TAME hornbill! I about died when I saw one in a jungle in Nepal. Here, they are tame for you and your family to hold and take pictures of!

One of my favorite parrots, the hawk headed. Awesome birds!

Male and female Eclectus parrots. Originally it was thought they were different species.

Dona is thinking, "Hey,'I know what that bill is for..."

You are cool, but keep those biting things far away!"

"I got my eye on you..."

"I think you're great, but I'll whack ya if you try something..."

Only God and George Lucas could think this guy up.

Just a random stork hanging out on the sidewalk.

Letting Xay know he knows what to do with kids.

This is one of the most beautiful hornbills I have seen.

These guys are pigeons. Yeah, I know, EVEN THEIR PIGEONS ARE COOL! Ugh it sucks to know this place exists and I am not there!

Another pigeon. The world's largest and coolest.

Hawk owl.

Parrot and raptor show. With a paddy field as a back drop.

Two different kinds of Birds of Paradise. An aptly named breed.

A Galah. I want to own one of these when we get to Australia. Heavah took this picture!

Terah and my favorite parrot of all, the Palm Cockatoo. One day somehow I am going to own one of these! Great shot of the most beautiful woman in the world too BTW.

Just a random Komodo dragon in the middle of the park. Fenced in thank goodness.

Then we went across the street to the reptile park. What to do birds AND reptiles!! I was in heaven!

Dona liking the iguana

Yet again, reason 4500 why we loved Bali.