I am Bat-man

As if having to deal with skunks most of the winter and then more recently a pair of ducks using my swimming pool for two+ weeks, today we were awakened at 5 a.m. by a bat flying around our bedroom.

Thankfully, the poor little thing flew perfect circles and I was able to catch him the first try (using a housecoat) and took him outside and released him. But man-o-man the sounds he was making while in the housecoat!

I really like living in this smaller city, but I'm thinking I'd rather put up with smog, congestion, transit wildcat strikes and masses of people, than start my day to the stench of skunk or catching bats.

[dman]

You are like the damn Animal whisperer.

[mailman]

I hope he didn't bite you Count Chocula And another thing, if you are the bat-man, the only ride you get in the car is in the passenger seat

[Gedanken]

Yeah, Paul's in charge of that department:



Sounds like you gotta get that animal magnetism under control there, John!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Yeah, Paul's in charge of that department:



Sounds like you gotta get that animal magnetism under control there, John!

The face is a little slimmer now James. I've lost 30lbs in the last nine weeks.

Originally Posted by Atomic

As if having to deal with skunks most of the winter and then more recently a pair of ducks using my swimming pool for two+ weeks, today we were awakened at 5 a.m. by a bat flying around our bedroom.

Thankfully, the poor little thing flew perfect circles and I was able to catch him the first try (using a housecoat) and took him outside and released him. But man-o-man the sounds he was making while in the housecoat!

I really like living in this smaller city, but I'm thinking I'd rather put up with smog, congestion, transit wildcat strikes and masses of people, than start my day to the stench of skunk or catching bats.

John - I don't want to be alarmist, but bats are known carriers of rabies in Ontario. Sorry I didn't see this thread sooner, but I think you need to contact your family doctor or local health unit for advice.

This is the MNR site on rabies, and it has information specifically on bats.

http://rabies.mnr.gov.on.ca/

Here is their statement on bats and rabies (under "Fact Sheets" and then "Bat Ecoclogy"):

"In North America, bats are carriers of rabies. People should avoid bats seen flying during the day or crawling on the ground. They are most likely sick or injured. As with any animal, if you must handle it, always wear gloves and if possible use forceps or tongs to pick it up. Place it in a sealed container with air holes. If it has come into contact with humans or pets, contact your local health unit for advice if it's alive, or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency if it is dead. Bat bites are not always noticeable. If a bat is found in a bedroom where a person has been sleeping, safely attempt to capture the animal and contact your local health unit immediately for advice."

It's probably nothing, but in one section they say this:

"Although the percentage of rabid bats is low, any bat encountered should be considered rabid unless captured and proven otherwise. Bats have small, needle-like teeth and claws. Bites or scratches from a bat can easily go undetected."

Are you sure it was only in your bedroom?

Al thanks for the heads-up. I didn't get bitten (or I would have slept with cloves of garlic around my neck last night). Also, while riding in to work yesterday it dawned on me that maybe there's more than one. I did a thorough walk-though the house last night and didn't find any and none today. I think it was an anomaly.

But as skunks are also known carriers of rabies, and given the luck I had with the province on that one... I'm sure I'd have just as much luck with them on bats.

BTW James, HILARIOUS batman... looks almost too good. Also Paulie, nice job on the weight drop!

I can just imagine Paulie walking around talking like Adam West (like in the Family Guy).

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by mailman

The face is a little slimmer now James. I've lost 30lbs in the last nine weeks.

Gawd damn - you been holidaying in Ethiopia or sumthin'?

Seriously, what have you been doing? I need to take a few pounds off myself, and the quicker, the better!

[Gedanken]

Originally Posted by Atomic

BTW James, HILARIOUS batman... looks almost too good. Also Paulie, nice job on the weight drop!

I can just imagine Paulie walking around talking like Adam West (like in the Family Guy).

MAILMAN! Dadadadadadadada, MAILMAN!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

Gawd damn - you been holidaying in Ethiopia or sumthin'?

Seriously, what have you been doing? I need to take a few pounds off myself, and the quicker, the better!

Weight watchers. It works for me. I did Atkins about four years ago and put it all back on in four years. This is a good program. You can eat different things, not just red meat like on Atkins. I get full real fast now and have cut my portions way down. See, I love to eat good food. I just can't get enough of it. So this helps me eat and keeps things in control. The last two weeks I've been at a standstill, due to a few parties we had to go to, but at least I didn't gain any back. I haven't reached my goal yet, but I'm determined to.

You don't want to take it off fast because if you do, it'll come back fast also.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Gedanken

MAILMAN! Dadadadadadadada, MAILMAN!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by mailman

Weight watchers. It works for me. I did Atkins about four years ago and put it all back on in four years. This is a good program. You can eat different things, not just red meat like on Atkins. I get full real fast now and have cut my portions way down. See, I love to eat good food. I just can't get enough of it. So this helps me eat and keeps things in control. The last two weeks I've been at a standstill, due to a few parties we had to go to, but at least I didn't gain any back. I haven't reached my goal yet, but I'm determined to.

You don't want to take it off fast because if you do, it'll come back fast also.

BTW, my cholesterol went from 258 to 130 in three months also. I take a pill for it also, but the Doc told it wasn't just the pills that dropped it this fast, but a combo of both.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by mailman

Weight watchers. It works for me. I did Atkins about four years ago and put it all back on in four years. This is a good program. You can eat different things, not just red meat like on Atkins. I get full real fast now and have cut my portions way down. See, I love to eat good food. I just can't get enough of it. So this helps me eat and keeps things in control. The last two weeks I've been at a standstill, due to a few parties we had to go to, but at least I didn't gain any back. I haven't reached my goal yet, but I'm determined to.

You don't want to take it off fast because if you do, it'll come back fast also.

Right on, Paulie. Weight Watchers is fantastic. I lost 20 pounds in one year!!

[Gedanken]

Hmm. Gonna have to take a look at WW, methinks.