steel, he has been patient. I was really surprised. The first hour when I locked him out of the enclosure I was working in he was kind of pissed, but he just sat there this whole week and has watched me dig. hasn't been upset since that first day. I think because he's used to tthe routine now. I dig, and then when I'm all done I lift the gate so he can come over and check it all out. so he knows he will be coming over to see it.
All the digging is now done. I need to take pics. and I'll do that in the morning. I finished up with the shallow end now. and then today started building the forms that will have to be on two sides of the pond because two sides are about 6 inches lower than the other sides of the pond. so this way the concrete will be level all the way around and the water level will be even. Talked to the contractor today and he is coming next week. he didn't know what day, but he will get ahold of me.
That is going to be a long day, but I'm glad I hired him because he knows what he is doing. we will basically order the concrete dry. with little water so it is very thick becuase we have to "stack" the sides because they are almost vertical and there are no forms around the sides. This guy has done alot of vertical pours like this without using forms so that's why I went with him out of the three estimates that I had gotten. I just felt comfortable with him from the start because he knew exactly what he was talking about. I've done a lot of concrete work, but I've never done a vertical pour without using forms. so this will be new to me. but I'm basically going to be the helper. and run the wheel barrow back and forth from the cement truck since the trough won't reach far enough to the pond. So, my ass is going to be tired for sure. so next week will be the big day, then let it cure for a week or so then fill it up. I will probably use the marine grade paint to paint the concrete then before I fill it up for benji.
It seems this project has taken forever, it was a long road, and the fundraiser went great, but was stressful and with a few bumps along the way but nothing major. and thankfully all the money was raised. So I just want to thank everyone for helping out. I couldn't have done it without all the donations. You guys are great. I poured all the money I possibly could afford into it myself, and sold some watches also to make this happen, but it was all worth it. I'll start saving up for some new watches again here after this is done.
I love that picture dave. He does that a lot. just being a bobcat he loves to stalk. and he stalks everything including me. I will see him in another room in that pose, and when I walk in he will just pounce on me. never hurts anybody, but it's like he's just surprising us. I love it when he does that. I'm glad he does because it means he's still playful and he's happy. Was just talking to another bobcat owner last night and theirs is only 2 years old and is meaner than hell and they are afraid of him. I feel bad for them, but they didn't know what they were getting themselves into when they bought him, nor how to raise them. I've had many years of experience. People think that they are nothing more than just a large housecat, which is the farthest thing from the truth. benji is the way he is because of how he was raised. They are a wild animal, and those instincts will never leave benji. but he's been raised properly and I work with him to this day, every day because you have to.
One reason you don't see bobcats as house pets is because people get them, and most of the time within the first week or two realize that it isn't a cake walk after they have been bitten and been to the hospital because a bobcat bite is not a domestic cat bite. they shred, and break bones. It's happened to me. 2 broken bones in my hand because I was careless with the first bobcat I raised and took my eye off of him for one second. but 90% of people that get one for a pet return them very quickly or turn them over to a sancturary.
