Over in Parkersburg, West Virginia firefighters were once again called out on their eternal mission, saving small kittens.  This particular kitten did not manage to get himself up a tree.  No he managed to get into a storm drain and wouldn't come out again!  The gray tabby was a stray and hence he didn't quite have a fondness for humans.  So when five firefighters tried to coax him out from the storm sewer with food and soft words the little kitty wasn't buying it!

They also tried to scare the little kitty into running out of the storm drain by banging pipes and flashing lights on one end of the tiny tunnel, but he apparently also knew that this was a cunning human trick designed to lure him out into human care.   

What else could five firemen and a handful of animal rescuers do?  It looked as if they would need to wait out the little kitten's patience.  Or did they?

Clever firemen they were, for they decided to use the tools they knew best in removing the kitten from its hiding place.  They took a hose down and flushed out the storm pipe out with 250 gallons of water.  I'm sure all of you are now envisioning a small gray kitten being flushed from the storm drain under tidal waves of force. 

However, the pipe wasn't quite that small and it was long enough that the large amount of water was only enough to get the kitten's paws wet.  So, defeated by the firemen's handy tool, water, the kitten ran mewling into the nearest human hands it could find.  Talk about a cat not liking water!

I'm happy to state that the kitten was fine, warmed up to humans during a very brief stay at the Humane Society of Parkersburg and was quickly adopted. 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I was recently reading about laboratory mice that have been purposely bred to develop OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) like symptoms. 

The scientists found that all of the mice in this new little race of anxiety ridden creatures lacked a certain gene called, SAPAP3.  They claim that it could be very useful in the treatment of OCD in humans. However the researchers also stated that these were mice and they might not really have the same OCD that humans have. 

After all, a large part of OCD symptoms are unwanted, recurrent thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors.  As yet, science has not found a way to sit down with a mouse and inquire about his or her personal thoughts, fears and anxieties. 

So they don't really know what it is that causes the Obsessive Compulsive self-cleaning behaviors in the mice.  These poor little guys sometimes clean themselves to the point of self-injury, too. So, is it really helping humanity to breed animals with mental disorders like OCD and depression if all the researchers can do is observe the animal’s behaviors? 

Of course, these little lab mice are getting some help for their conditions.  The researchers have been treating some with a component of Prozac and giving the others a DNA injection containing the SAPAP3 gene. Beneficial results, i.e. the lessening of their obsessive compulsive behaviors were noted.

People have protested the use of laboratory animals before and probably will again, especially since a lot worse things than breeding for specific traits have occurred in some labs. 

Do you think this kind of study in particular is helpful?  It could give a major lead to scientists and researchers about the cause and treatment of OCD in humans.  Or it could turn out to be a dead end.  I look forward to hearing you sound off.   

 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

You may have heard recently that Leona Helmsely died.  She was the widow of a luxery hotel owner and real estate billionaire, whom got into the business herself when her husband showed signs of illness and later died.  She was also nicknamed the 'Queen of Mean' by the press during a fiasco when she was convicted of tax evasion in 1988 and a former employee claimed to have heard her state, 'only the little people pay taxes.'

What does this have to do with pet news?  Well, her dog 'Trouble' is now one very rich pup.  The cute white Maltese received a $12 million dollar trust fund in Helmsley's will on Tuesday.  In addition, Alvin Rosenthal, Helmsely's brother, received millions of dollars of his own and was named to care for the little pooch.  Of her four grandchildren, only two were given an inheritance of $5 million each, while the other got nothing.  Her chauffeur received $100,000.  This was out of billions of dollars in her estate.  The rest of it is to be donated to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. 

So the little dog named, Trouble made out better than any of them.  I guess it really pays to look cute.  Imagine how that pup is going to live with $12 million dollars set aside to take care of him.  He'll probably have his own massage therapist, gourmet chef, and heck, why not a sky diving instructor, too?  Puppy Power!

I've nothing against trust funds for animals.  In fact they are a great idea for those pets you care for, but don't to become a burden for someone else when you die.  Some types of parrots live for decades and can outlive their human owners, so it's important to make sure that someone will be able to take care of your animals.  However, there's something wrong when you set aside more money for the care of your pet pooch (who would really just be happy with a soft bed, walks and good food) than you do for the grandkids.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

There could be potential problems with the practice of microchipping your pets, folks.  Microchipping involves the insertion of a small microchip imprinted with your personal name and address beneath the skin on the back of your cat or dog’s neck.  It’s an extremely popular idea, because animal control officers need only scan for a chip on a stray to find out if he or she belongs to someone.   However, it turns out that sometimes these chips don’t always scan and so the information can’t be read.  Uh oh, looks like Rover may not get to go home after all.
 It seems that chips are all made by different manufacturers, who all choose to set those chips for different radio frequencies.  One chip might be coded for 125 kilohertz and another set for 134.2 kilohertz.  A scanning wand could be able to read the former chip just fine and provide the proper code to let animal shelter workers return said missing pet to his or her owner.  The same scanning wand could read a chip at 134.2 kilohertz but it isn’t able to provide the code that leads to the owners.   
In such cases, the dogs and cats usually end up being adopted out to a new owner or euthanized even though the shelter is aware that the animal has a microchip implanted.  They just can’t read the information.  As you can imagine, such cases are extremely frustrating.   
The answer is an easy one; standardize the frequencies used on all implanted microchips.  Congress is trying to make this happen by asking the USDA to create a regulation to make microchips readable under all circumstances.  However, the USDA can only regulate places like breeders and animal research facilities.  If you want your local vet to implant a standardized chip you may wish to ask your vet about the options available or even start petitioning the manufacturers to regulate themselves.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

Oscar the Cat has made headlines in the news and has even garnered a mention by Jay Leno on the Tonight Show for his unique talents. He's a furry little death predictor.

Now this seems extremely gruesome on first mention and even I, a faithful and devoted pet lover, wondered if maybe Oscar's behavior wasn't on the up and up. After all, there is that old wives' tale about cat's stealing your breath when you sleep at night. Predicting over 25 deaths at the same retirement home does leave one to wonder...but nurses and doctors at the retirement home started watching Oscar like a hawk after they noticed his peculiar abilities and he just seems to be your every day average cat who happens to be drawn like a fly to the dying.

Many have said that his abilities give them a strange sort of comfort, since nurses are so reliant on his death predicting superpowers that they will call up the family of the soon to be departed so they'll have a chance to be there at the last moments.

How does he do it? The doctors aren't certain. They think that maybe his stronger sensory perceptions have led him to make the connection between a change in a patient's body chemistry, appearance, smell or any number of other variables and imminent death. Or that he's so attuned to the behaviors and body language of those who raised him at the home that he's just able to tell when they are expecting someone to pass soon.

Whatever the case I'm still a little divided on the concept. On the one hand its nice that nurses have enough warning to call the family and prepare them. On the other hand I'd be more than worried if Oscar just dropped in to pay me a visit. Maybe he's become such a symbol of oncoming death that when he visits patients they think they're about to die and they just let go?

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I'm constantly amazed at the ingenuity of humanity when we put our minds to taking care of our fellow creatures.  Winter is a dolphin amputee.  She's the only known dolphin to survive having her tail fins amputated.  Naturally, we didn't do this on purpose, but the loss of her tail was unfortunately the result of human actions.  Winter was found caught up in the buoy line of a crab cage at 3 months of age.  The line cut of the blood flow to her tail for a long enough period of time that the skin and muscles just died off and the rest of her tail had to be removed. 

Winter managed to recover and even learned a new way to swim in her tank using her flippers to get her moving along.  However those working with her on a daily basis saw that this new mode of motion was messing up her back and decided to find someone to create a prosthetic tail for Winter.  This is not as easy as it seems.  Many people when approached to create the tail for Winter, said that they couldn't come up with an idea.  Eventually the handlers found a prosthetic specialist named Kevin Carroll who said that he could come up with an idea. 

The major problem in developing a prosthetic tail for Winter resulted from the need to have a device that could remain attached to her stump under the pressure and forces that would develop from normal swimming in the water.  They thought up a lot of idea but eventually developed something like a latex glove that would hold tightly to her wet skin while also holding the prosthetic tail in place. 

Winter is using her new tail on a limited basis as they have to work with her to help her learn how to swim like the other dolphins.  New problems and bugs also pop up as the specialists and handlers work with Winter, because it’s a learning process for both sides.  Hopefully, Winter will eventually swim as fast as the other two dolphins in a nearby tank.  

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I don’t usually pay much attention to random headlines on the news pages, but this one really caught my eyes!  Snake on a Plane in real life.  Yep, a pilot discovered soon after take off that he had a special co-pilot in the form of a grey rat snake.  That’s one snake too many on the plane he was piloting and in fact I’m amazed that he didn’t crash the plane when he discovered that stowaway.

The pilot was Dr. Ed Carruth and he was flying a one-seater across Mississippi when the discovery occurred.  He noticed that someone or perhaps, something was licking his arm as he flew.  Looking down the pilot saw that it was a snake.  He said that he very nearly did cause himself physical harm on learning who was on his passenger list.  Luckily he kept his head and the snake kept fairly calm.  

To save himself from potential harm the good doctor did some aerial acrobatics get the snake out of sorts.  In a lickety split of whirly-gigs and possible summer saults the snake quickly grew airsick and retired to the back of the plane.  Carruth made a landing at the Brookhaven Municipal Airport.  Once there officials called in an expert to remove the unwanted passenger.  The officials stated that it’s not uncommon for snakes to live in airplane hangars.  I guess that they like being in there because it’s usually dark and the snakes like tasty rats which also like to live inside the hangars.  

If you ever see a snake on a plane its highly important that you remain calm.  Do  not jump out of the plane, do not run screaming up and down the aisles.  Quietly point it out to the stewardess that there is a snake on the plane.  Then sit in your seat with your legs pulled up to your chest praying that its not venomous and won’t bite you if it is.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

A little while ago I wrote about Michael Vick and his involvement in the dog fighting ring operated by Bad Newz Kennels.  Today I'll speak about the dogs that were seized when the police raided the dog fighting ring.  These animals, totaling some 53 pit bulls, aren't likely to get a reprieve from their scheduled death date.  All of the pit bulls are being held in various animal shelters around Virginia while the Michael Vick case is still in the courts, but as soon they'll probably be euthanized. 

 

Unfortunately this is common for dogs that have been trained for and used in dog fighting.  They are left so scarred and violent that it's not often safe to try and rehabilitate the dogs for placement in homes.  The end result, euthanasia.  The shelters and the government do understand the possibility that many dogs have been kidnapped for use in the ring.  So there were notices placed in the local newspapers asking people to come forward and claim their dogs.  Notices which lasted for 30 days and expired on the end of the day Thursday.    

 

On the other hand, many of these pit bulls were owned and being held for use in the ring, by gamblers so in many cases no one will come forward to claim a dog seized as being used in dog fighting.  Claiming the dog becomes tantamount to admitting you are involved in dog fighting and not many gamblers are willing to provide the legal system with extra evidence to use against them. 

 

It's very sad that these dogs and thousands of others around the country have to lose their lives because they are raised for violence by people.  Even the breeds of pit bulls, Dobermans, and rottwiellers have a terrible reputation for upredictablable violence, some of which has been earned, and why, just because people bred them for those extreme tendencies.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

Lately, Walmart's has been pulling a bunch of its pet related items from the shelves, without at least immediately telling people that they are recalling the items.  One has to wonder what's going on…Okay, I know what it is.  They're watching the bottom line and it's putting people's pets at risk!  I don't even want to think whether Walmart's would tell anyone about potentially dangerous items or food used by people. 

In July, Walmart's started pulling Chicken Jerky and Chicken Jerky Strips treats for dogs from its shelves, quietly, without putting out a public announcement that the dog treats could harm your pets.  So, if you happen to have the dog treats don't give them to your pets!  And I know that plenty of people pick up things like doggy treats in bulk, so they may not even realize that they've just given their pet something Walmart's or another store decided to quietly pull from their shelves a month ago! 

The store waited almost a month before letting on that they had received complaints about the potential hazard.  Believe me; it takes a lot of complaints before a store will pull something from their shelves, so I don't believe that just a few people called in to say, 'I think my dog died from your pet treats.'

Walmart's naturally began testing the doggy treats after they pulled them from the shelves and say that 17 tests showed traces of melamine, which is a by-product of pesticides, in the doggy treats.  That's the same stuff in the pet food that was widely recalled for killing dogs and cats last march.  These treats also happened to come from China and a lot of stuff from China has been on the recall list lately.  So much so that it looks like products from there are starting to develop a stigma.  It's not just cheap, it could kill you.

 

 

 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

Growing up I heard plenty of stories about my mom's life and my grandparent's very rural life in Kentucky.  You can easily bet that chickens were a part of several stories, as food.  Why, I remember this one story about my grandparents picking up 100 chicks and raising them for food.  The day those chicks were mature enough to make into fried chicken was a memorable comedy of errors. Now a days, it looks like chickens are becoming the next big pet craze.  Cock-a-doodle-doo!

 

Many urban and even suburban families are starting to keep pet chickens around the yard.  They may not be furry and cute like a baby kitten, but they definitely have something going for them.  Chickens such as the petite Bantam hen are indeed cuddly.  If you get them young and hand raise them they'll gladly sit in your lap and get a petting like any other family pet.  Some would even say that the soft clucking noises created by the hens is very soothing. 

 

Hens can lay an egg each day, so they also make for a nearly endless supply of protein.  The organic food movement is probably responsible for the recent increase in pet chickens amongst homeowners.  It just makes sense to want to know exactly where your eggs come from, right?  On the other hand, while you are eating your eggs each morning, don't think about were the egg came from….

 

If you do want to get yourself a couple of chickens to keep around the homestead be sure to take a look at the local municipal codes.  Birds can carry some diseases, fungus and bacteria, (just like any animal) that make it more difficult to treat them, but also they have a reputation for being loud and smelly.  Your city may not allow pet chickens, but that doesn't mean you can petition them!

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

Those of you that have been paying any attention to the news will have certainly heard something about the Michael Vick Dog fighting case.  It seems that Bad Newz Kennels really was bad news, for Vick anyway.  Of course the article I've linked to is an old one that still holds back in saying out right that 'he did it!'  I really just posted the link to it because there's some really great quotes from Senator Byrd on what should be done with those who mistreat animals.  As his name implies Byrd is a great animal lover.

By now we've all heard that he's accepted the plea deal offered by the prosecution.  Everyone's just waiting to find out what kind of time he'll serve for the horrific crime.

According to what his co-defendants are saying Vick's money almost entirely funded the dog fighting ring, which operated under the guise of a dog kennel.  Since Vick was a star quarterback, I emphasize the word 'was' here, his $108 million contract obviously funded a lot of dog fighting.  I don't know what pisses me off more, the fact that the NFL's money helped fund this kind of cruel torture or that he operated as a dog kennel and I don't even want to think about what happened to any poor puppies that may have gotten placed there.   

I’m not in charge of the NFL or a Judge, but if I were I’d say that he should get kicked out of the NFL and serve some time for this.  It was not a little problem, which would be despicable even if it were, this was a large and well-funded dog fighting ring with a home base on property that Michael Vick owned.  Dog fighting leaves dogs emotionally and physically scarred.  Many of them cannot be placed in a loving home after their experiences so they either face death in the ring, a painful death from their handler or death from euthanasia in an animal shelter.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I was reading about army dogs today and really got inspired. This is a real example of the devotion, strength and faithfulness of man's best friend.

I mean if dogs really didn't want to help us look for bombs, check for drugs and take down dangerous criminals no amount of training, treats or in the case of bad handlers 'discipline' would convince them to actively help us. In fact I'm certain more than one dog would think to himself 'hey, I smell drugs in that bag, but I think I'll let it pass this time!' I mean we are really relying on these pups to tell us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth when we train them for this type of work.

It is really inspiring that dogs so consistently point their humans in the right direction and save numerous lives with their efforts. All they really seem to expect in return are good food and treats, play time and the companionship of their fellows. When I think of all the stuff we expect from people in return for our own individual efforts I'm really amazed. I think if I were a dog I'd milk my special talents for some real fame and fortune. Actually if I were a dog I'd be famous anyway because I'd be able to read and write. : )

These Army dogs being used in Iraq are really treated well, too. I saw that they estimate it takes about $25,000 to buy, feed, train and care for one dog to be used in any number of special capacities that rely on their unwavering devotion, sharp teeth and sensitive noses. Plus, these dogs are starting to get good retirements too and can be adopted by their handlers or willing families at the end of their military time. If you are interested in adopting an Army dog call Lackland Air Force Base at 1-800-531-1066.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

It could be that animals in cages are still being affected by natural selection because they seem to be evolving into smarter and craftier creatures.  Yesterday I wrote about the parakeet that managed to escape from the inside of his family's home, today I write about the monkey that got away. 

Oliver is a Capuchin monkey with a taste for wild freedom and the brains to get there apparently!  His home is the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo where he has managed to escape from his cage three times!  That little monkey is really smart.  He tried his best to stay free, but those zoo keepers chased him back down again. 

He's also managed to stay free for good lengths of time.  Oliver first escaped his cage about 6 years ago.  Then he mastered the locks on his cage again on July 31st of this year and eluded his keepers until August 6th.  His most recent attempt was carried out on Monday the 13th a most auspicious date for an escape attempt.  He was found the next day about 4 miles away.  Keepers and police aren't sure where he was trying to go.  The Capuchin's home is in Central and South America so maybe he was trying to get his directions sorted out. 

Oliver didn't go without a fight.  He was surrounded and jumped on, but he bit a man so he got one in on them too.  Unfortunately, the keepers have gotten fed up so they've changed his locks to a set of three chains and locks.  One on the top of his cage door, the middle and on the bottom.  So if he wants to get out he'll have to spend all night at the attempt!  I suppose this may be a case of 'forcible restraint' and we should just let Oliver go back to his native country?

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

If you see a small bird with bright green plumage and a black feathered head in Easton, Connecticut, be sure to contact the Henry family.  Their pet parrot, a Black-Headed Caique, named Wiffle went missing last Monday and he hasn't come home since.  The poor little guy must be so scared and cold up in northern Connecticut.  It's starting to get cold now and will only get colder as the season moves on.  He isn't a nest builder either, but he could do like the morning doves around here do and nest in the nooks and crannies of buildings.

The Henry family has no idea how the Parakeet could have gotten out of their home.  They have a cat door, but its magnetic so it would be hard for a little bird to push it open.  I wouldn't be too worried yet as the little birdy hasn't been gone for long.  Plus these kinds of birds are fairly smart.  Why they can learn to repeat phrases, play games and they develop bonds with their human counterparts.  So just keep a weather eye out and Wiffle just might show up on the doorstep when he's gotten tired of his explorations of the big wide world. 

Wiffle may even still be in the house somewhere.  Perhaps he's playing an elaborate prank on his humans, silently laughing to his little birdy self.  I would recommend that the Henry's interrogate their other birds for knowledge on the whereabouts of Wiffle.  It's possible they just may be in on the prank.  Or they may have kidnapped him and stuffed him in the basement somewhere.  Birds are capable of very involved plans…why I was the victim of a divebombing seagull once looking for revenge for lack of bread crumbs.  Keep on the lookout though and if you happen to see a bird matching Wiffle's description drop a line. 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I love this story.  According to the Weird News at About.com a woman tooling around on the interstate near Vancouver, Washington saw a live pig fall off a truck and pulled over to make sure it was okay and hang out with it until help arrived.   Talk about your good Samaritan.  Now, most people would be a little afraid to hang out with a full grown hog that's just fallen off a moving truck.  It might be a little angry, a little upset.  They can really give you a heck of a bite too, but this lady, Christine Gamache, must have said to herself, 'I'm going to pull over and see if that pig is okay'.

The more I think about this the more fun and interesting it sounds.  The pig by the way only had a hurt leg and survived the fall without any problems.  Not sure how much longer he lived after the fall, he may have been heading for processing into bacon.  Maybe not though, I suppose farmers have to transport their animals from time to time and he may have just been heading to the fair.  If this pig was heading to be made into bacon, maybe the farmer had a change of heart and brought him back to the farm.  After all, its already been quite the day for that hog.  He's gotten into a traffic accident, had a major fall, and met some new people.  He was probably really tired already. 

It must have been a little awkward waiting on the side of the road with an injured pig.  I wonder if people driving by honked their horns at the unusual pair.  I'd have stared myself.  So, lets give Christine Gamache a big animal friendly hand and mosey on down the road in search of new weird animal events.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I’ve been reading about a new no-kill animal shelter opening up in San Antonio and wondered what people thought about these ‘animal friendly’ shelters.  I know a lot of the people on here are breeders who raise up purebred and special mix breeds (like the Puggle), but unfortunately breeders may not have any influence over what happens to a puppy after it goes off with a family.  One day, said puppy may end up in a shelter.  So, how do you feel about no-kill shelters?

These shelters are just like they sound.  If an animal is found to be healthy and safe to be with people it will be kept in the shelter until its adopted and taken home.  Whereas in other shelters, an animal is kept a certain amount of time before it’s gulp…taken for a long walk with a short leash.  

On first glance no kill shelters seem like a really humane idea, however some places tend to warehouse animals and warehouse animals until they just can’t move around in their cages anymore.  So there are lots of animals piling up and hardly anyone to give them the walks and attention they need on a daily basis.

The no-kill animal facility planned for San Antonio is to be completely phased in by 2012.  So this is going to take a long time before its in effect, however there are plenty of other no-kill shelters around the country.  Has anyone had an experience with one?  I suppose most of them are successful since this is still a popular idea.  Though, I think the best way to go is as Bob Barker always says on the Price is Right.  Have your (family) Pets Spayed or Neutered.    

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

Recently, I wrote a blog post about people treating their pets like family and others treating their pets like humans and how this can get out of hand.   Well, here's another unusual example: PET WIGS.  Yes, wigs for you dog are now on the market. If you want to learn more about this bald spot cover up for Fido then read on at Stylist Dolls up Hair of the Dog. 

Now that's just not natural.  It was one thing when people were copying the stars treatments of their pets by putting them in bathing suits, thongs, bikinis for pups and other 'cute' accoutrements.  However, I really don't think the wig idea will work out very well.  The stylist says that she created the wigs so that they would fit comfortably on the head of the pooch and allow the ears to show through.  However, I'm not certain how these wigs are supposed to stay on their heads.  What if Fido decides to run and play with the other puppies?  It will be awfully embarrassing for his or her wig to fall off during a romping game of Frisbee.

How do wigs stay on humans?  Now that I think about it, it seems like some wigs you just pull on and others, like toupees you have adhesive for.  Then there's the weave, ouch, I don't think you'll get Fido to stand still for that hair treatment unless he or she is extremely patient.  However, a weave would guarantee that the faux hair stays in place on his or her little doggy head.   

I suppose the doggy wig could come in handy at a dog show.  It would need to look like real doggy hair and not a human hairstyle on the dog though, as these wigs that I read about were for.  You might make it work with a poodle's hairstyle or a big shaggy sheep dog.  They tend to have a lot of hair anyway so some extra stylistic features won't seem so out of place.

 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

For a long time scientists and dolphin lovers everywhere have held the suspicion that sonar from navy ships in the ocean actually hurts their aquatic pals, sending them to beach themselves.  We all know how bad it is when a few hundred pounds of dolphin beaches itself on the coast.  There's the drying out, the risk of being crushed under its own weight.  However, with dolphins this risk isn't so bad, but with the larger whales it's pretty likely that they'll die if not gotten back into the water very quickly.  And whales weigh up into the tons!  They are hard to move.

Anyway, there has been a recent sonar study on Trout that seems to show that sonar doesn't harm them or their hearing or even frightens them to such an extent that they could jump out of the water to get away.  They did seem to respond to the sound with a short burst of swimming at the onset of the sonar sounds.  However, this was very short lived and the fish didn't seem agitated. 

Of course, the researchers at the University of Maryland say that it's hard to apply these findings to the possible reactions of larger fish or mammals because of differences in ear structure and sensitivity to sounds.  Plus there's the fact that those are fish and these are mammals.  The researchers do plan on continuing the study with other species so the Navy can more thoroughly understand how and if sonar affects different species of underwater life so they can be more careful about it's use in certain areas.

I've heard that there is another study that looked at the number of dolphin and whale beachings compared to the times and places sonar was used by the Navy and found that overall beachings did increase when sonar was being used in the area.  However, I can't quite remember the name of the researcher or the study.  Does anyone know of it?

 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

Da-na, Da-na, Da-na, DA-NAH! A different kind of aquatic life is threatening those denizens living near or in coastal areas these days!  It's name isn't Jaws either, no it's called, Killer Algae!  A rather nice name I think, in fact they should make a movie called, "Attack of the Killer Algae!"  It will be a 'B' rated flick somewhat ripping off the "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" and "Killer Clowns from Outer Space" movies that I love and treasure, if not anyone else. Too bad the Killer Algae isn't red to go along with it's deadly name, but is instead an attractive bright green.

This Algae is also known as Caulerpa taxifolia, and its known as a tropical plant that is popular as decoration in aquariums.  It grows incredibly fast, spreading as much as an inch each day, which is really speedy for a plant.  It used to be confined to tropical environments, but the plants that were originally harvested for use in aquariums a loong time ago mutated and can now be found in much colder waters where there are no natural predators.  It can also grow in deep ocean water and shallow coastal areas so this stuff has the potential to literally take over the world's oceans, choking out all benefical and harmful life as we know it. Buh-bye Jaws!  Hello Green Stuff.  Actually I wouldn't recommend trying to swim with this stuff as you could easily get tangled up in its long vines and become yet another victim of the deep.

What's the big deal you say?  We are after all land mammals.  Well, beyond the moral responsibility we have for creating this mutated monster, ahem...did anyone say Killer Bees...our fishing industry could be seriously harmed, as in no more seafood to eat.  Instead old Captain D's will be serving up a special platter of the green stuff.  I don't believe it's actually edible though.  I remember hearing something about noxious poisons...If you want to do something about this major ocean threat read more at http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb4/html/water_qty/killer_algae_article.html
    
 
 
   

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I been following a bit of a pet war going on over at Fur Flies in Debate over Whether Pets are Family and am really amazed at the number of responses people are taking the time to send in.  There are proponents for both sides.  Some people were ahem, really getting their fur up over this seemingly simple question. 

It would seem to me that once you make the choice to take in a pet like a dog or a cat they become a part of the family.  Hence, you pay for their vet bills, feed them, water them and so on.  A few people from that argument sent in responses like,

What a crock. Dogs are not people! Sooo sick of hearing how folks spend more money taking care of them. More than a human being. We need to get our priorities straightened out. Dogs are animals.
— Anonymous

I understand that in some cases people spend an absurd amount of money and time on their pets.  It be both extremely comical and sad to see someone expending so much time and energy on one kind of relationship, even using the pets to fill in as surrogates.  However, even if these people who go to such extremes as ignoring their other family members in favor of the family pet didn't have that pet, I think they'd find some other way to go overboard. 

Treating dogs as humans can get way out of hand, and it doesn't really make the dog all that much happier because hey...they're dogs.  My pooch loved getting up on the couch, crawling into bed with me and chewing on leftovers from Easter dinner.  She did not love baths, clothing, and puppy pedicures and I certainly respected that, except for the occasional bath.  Just because i didn't dress her up in clothing and didn't set a plate up at the dinner table for her doesn't mean she wasn't a cherished member of the family and doesn't mean I didn't jump to save her whenever she got into a little trouble.  

There are too many people from both extremes responding to this debate.  It's possible to treat your pet like a dog or a cat and still feel like they are a member of the family. 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

Another amazing animal tale to relate.  A calico cat survived nearly three weeks inside a shipping container without food or water.  The kitty cat was accidentally packed by her owner in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii when she was filling up a shipping container with household goods and she 'lost sight' of the cat.  Appearently, the kitty slipped inside the container while she wasn't looking.

The pet owner didn't realize what had happened to the cat and searched for the kitty right up until their flight to California before giving up and telling neighbors that if they saw the kitty cat to call them in the states. 

Spice, the calico cat was shipped on June 15th to Southern California by shipping freight and spent a harrowing 18 days on the ocean without any food or water as far as they can tell.  I guess she may have been able to catch and eat any little mice that crawled into the container and licked condensation that collected on the inside for some moisture.  However, much longer trapped in that container and I'm not certain how long kitty would have survived.  It's truly amazing she survived as long as she did.

The owner said that when the container arrived and they started removing goods, pieces of cat fur were found floating around in there.  It was enough to tip them off and the owner crawled up inside to see if she could find that missing cat.  She was expecting the calico to be dead, but suddenly Spice stuck her head out from behind some old bicycles.  The owner started screaming of course.  I imagine she thought that it was zombie kitty come back to haunt her for her mistakes.

Spice immediately went to the veterinarian where she was found to have shrunken kidneys and backed up bowels, but was still able to force down some food and water.  What an amazingly strong cat.

 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I just read about a in Maryland that gave it's owner the heimlich manuever to say her life whilst choking on a piece of fruit.  First, I'd like to know just how this worked?  Apparently the dog saw her trying to heimlich herself and made her lie on her back to 'bounce' up and down on her chest, dislodging said offending fruit.  I love animals and I loved my dog, but if I were in the middle of choking on something I would be very scared if the dog tried jumping up and down on me.  I wouldn't sit there for the event.  Plus this dog apparently bounced on her pretty hard because the woman had little doggie pawprints all over her chest.  You can read about it in 'Dog Performs Heimlich Manuever on Owner'.  On the one hand the doggy did dislodge the apple and saved her life, especially since there weren't any other humans around at the time.  On the other hand we don't know for certain that he was trying to save her life.  Maybe he thought she was playing?  If he were still a puppy this would seem likely.  How did the dog pick up on the knowledge of the Heimlich maneuver so quickly?  He just noticed her hitting her chest and seemed to know what to do.  I suppose he could have been one smart puppy.  The dog was a Golden Retriever.  I've never owned one.  Do any breeders know if the Golden Retriever has a propensity for performing the Heimlich maneuver? Ahem, this could actually turn out to be a bad thing.  The dog may have developed a taste for this maneuver and start randomly performing it on people who don't need any help.  Then you've just got a big doggy bouncing on your chest. 

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

Cat Litter blues? Has your cat decided that he or she no longer prefers the privacy and sanctity of it's favorite litter box? No, don't assume that the little kitty has finally lost its mind. You just may have a mix up in communications with the cat. I had a friend who had a friend who once tried to toilet train her cat. It is possible to train a cat to go to the toilet and flush said toilet and it is the wierdest feeling in the world to walk in on your cat while it's busy in the bathroom.

Here's a link to a video on how to toilet train your cat. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I79-BnwbE_g

Anyway, things didn't go as well for the friend in her cat's toilet training efforts. She found that the cat got either extremely confused or angry and would get on the toilet but stand the wrong direction so the end result didn't land in the toilet bowl, but in the floor. She was never able to fix that cat's point of view.

If you aren't toilet training the cat and its just having problems using its own litter box there may be a few reasons for it. Cats tend to be sticklers for keeping things the same. If you've gone to a different kind of kitty litter the cat may be going outside the box because she doesn't like it. This may also occur when you get a new cat and it prefers something different about its kitty litter or its box and you just don't know it yet. The only thing you can do is try to wait out the cat's issues with the new box or cycle through a series of different kitty litters until the cat acquiesces to use the box.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I've been reading about the Animal Planet Expo, which by the way I try to catch the animal planet channel any chance I get, and didn't know that they had this whole traveling fair deal where people can go to learn about their pets and all kinds of fun stuff.

This August it's being held in Hibernia County Park, 1 Park Road, Coatesville, Pennsylvania from 10 AM to 4 PM. Go on, it's free. Pet owners can take their pets and have the pet misters spray your pups to keep them cool. Fun. The Expo also has an animal house with live animals and their handlers, a kids zone, bug house, connection zone with games and a Heroes of Animal Precinct area where people can make personalized pet tags for their pets.

They're also having a Theater Dome with a showing of the program Planet Earth. I've always loved being able to go to the observatory and theater when I was a kid. My favs were the stargazing ones where they put the night sky up on the inside of the dome, but I'm getting off topic.

Even more interesting, this year they are hosting R.O.A.R. which is Animal Planet's non-profit advocacy group. Their motto is Reach Out, Act, Respond to help make the world a better place for animals. So if you are looking to volunteer with a less 'aggressive' group than P.E.T.A. you might try checking out the R.O.A.R. area at the Expo.

This is primarily an event for kids and their pets. I can't imagine an adult really attempting the climbing wall and fairing well with it. Nor do I imagine a pet owner jumping down with his best pal to enjoy the pet misting. However, it's a great way to get out of the house with your pet to be active together. Who knows? There might even be food.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry

I just read about another one of those squalid pet condition cases in Jacksonville, Florida.  There was a case similar to this one on the news in Ohio a few weeks ago and I’m always amazed and appalled when I hear about it.  I know collecting pets is a kind of mental condition and these people can’t seem to help themselves from doing it, but how can they honestly convince themselves that the pets are living well?  Especially when they’ve got dozens crammed into one house, not taking them for walks, not cleaning them or cleaning up after them.  

It must be that at first they’re taking in a couple of strays, and then they take in a few more.  After a while they’ve got so many pets that it’s hard to walk them all on a daily basis and forget about seeing the veterinarian.  

So the collectors start resorting to alternative coping mechanisms like putting them all in cages and cleaning the cages on different days of the week as one woman I’ve heard about claimed she did.  Or in this particular case, the owners just left all the pets locked in the house and came back from time to time to water and feed them.  Eventually things get so bad they know that the pets need medical attention but maybe they’re just afraid that if they drop the pets off at the humane society by that point they’ll be arrested.  Maybe the really are just so attached to all those animals that they can’t let go of them?  

It can be extremely hard to let go of a loved friend and companion.  I know I had a hard time with my own dog’s death, but if the only way to save her would have been to give her up to someone else who could take care of her better that’s what I would have done.  This is why it just confuses me so much that there are so many people out there collecting dozens of animals, in one extreme case as many as 70 cats were pulled from an old woman’s home, and refusing to give them up when they know they can’t take care of those animals.

Leave Comments On This Blog Entry