Today the Peterson Field Guides "Western Birding by Ear" arrived from Amazon.com. As I've had my eye on it since 1996 when I was volunteering for the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS). I am very pleased to finally have it. I'm listening to it as I play "Bejeweled" or "Dynomite." The last few days, my body has felt drained of energy, so mostly I just sit here at the computer dazed, playing the mindless games. I think the shorter daylight hours are starting to affect me more now. It sucks when it's already dark at 5pm. At least I'm getting some morning light because I'm driving Lyle to work. I rather enjoy and look forward to the drive because it helps me get out of bed in the morning, and I get to spend more time with Lyle, even if it is while we're stuck in traffic.

Two days ago, I had a rather eventful day (for me anyhow). I drove Lyle to work, stopped by Andronico's for groceries, the Charles Schwab office at Ranch 99 to ask what was going on with my account, then the ice cream/drink place for a taro milk tea with "pearls", and back to the apartment. Then I called up the House Rabbit Society to ask Susan if I could bring in Gaburi to see if Duchess and he can get along. Susan was off that day, so I talked to a volunteer and agreed to call the next day. I still haven't called back because later that day I called the VCA Bay Area Pet Hospital to talk to a veterinarian about Gaburi's e. cuniculii test results and found out that he had tested low-positive. That means that he either has it now and it could get worse, or he's been exposed to it in the past and it's lying dormant (and again could get worse). The disease can be contagious, so I cannot let Gaburi meet with Duchess just yet. Now poor Gaburi, the ever-unfortunate rabbit, is on Albendazol for 6 months. Luckily, the medicine is supposed to taste good, not that Gaburi would put up much of a resistance. The bad thing is, Fishbone may or may not be infected. They've been sharing space up in the loft for over a year. In one month's time, I'm suppose to take both of them to the vet's. Fishy will get tested for the disease and Gaburi will be checked to make sure he's not having any negative reactions to the medication. Should I get Fishbone spayed then? I wonder if the e. cunniculii thing is a one time thing? After the medication, will Gaburi be immune? What about Fishy? I think some of the rabbits we had at Mom's died from the disease.

New discovery about Fishbone: She prefers to be petted roughly, rather than gently. Oddly(?), she is much more friendly and affectionate when I muss up her fur and scratch her head with more pressure than I would think would be comfortable for a rabbit. I guess it fits her personality ;)

Gaburi is getting more exercise now. I put up the room divider in the middle of the loft with Fishbone's area connected to it and let Gaburi run around perimeter. Fishbone chases him on the inside, but cannot hurt him and Gaburi gets the interaction he needs to get him moving.

The air purifier Mom got for us from the Sharper Image is great. It is SO quiet. Lyle hasn't had problems with allergies lately, so I assume it's working well. Thank you mother!