tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029159028015312900.post1799944041488650711..comments2024-03-27T17:44:45.197-08:00Comments on Gullible's Travels: The Smaller PictureGulliblehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01757448241656853571noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029159028015312900.post-84346888130093218772010-05-21T13:00:16.473-08:002010-05-21T13:00:16.473-08:00Shaddy: Contrary to common belief, porcupines do ...Shaddy: Contrary to common belief, porcupines do not throw their quills. When they raise them, much like a dog raises its hackles, I suspect there is a loosening of whatever it is that holds the shaft of the quill in place, otherwise the willows and alders would resemble pin cushions just from the porcupines walking through them. And, I did not get so close--I stood still and they came to me.<br /><br />I once pulled more than 600 quills from a dog. They were literally in every part of his body, stem to stern, topside to keel, and way down his throat. To make things worse, each quill has hundreds of tiny barbs that makes the de-quilling very painful. The quills range in size from a quarter-inch to four or five inches long. I am an experienced, accomplished quill puller, much to my dismay.Gulliblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01757448241656853571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5029159028015312900.post-91587435754832648242010-05-21T12:14:55.147-08:002010-05-21T12:14:55.147-08:00Weren't you afraid of being torpedoed with por...Weren't you afraid of being torpedoed with porcupine quills? Especially when Bacall turned her backside to you?<br /><br />Yikes!<br /><br />It's quite amazing that you were able to get so close. I suspect your love of and familiarity with nature and all of her creatures emanates from you and makes them comfortable in your presence.<br /><br />There's never a dull moment in your life and I'm lucky to get to read all about your adventures from the safety and comfort of my home.Cheryl Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09064303602761860569noreply@blogger.com