Reindog Parade in Chicago

The Chicago Botanic Garden takes a bow (wow) for 2007 with the fifth annual Reindog Parade on Saturday, December 1. For four very special hours only, dogs are allowed in the Garden.

Cleverly costumed canines march the parade route—with Santa in the lead carrying a giant candy cane baton—to celebrate the holiday season.

Reindog festivities include judging by celebrities from noon to 1 p.m., the parade steps off at 1:15 p.m., and judges award prizes beginning at 2:15 p.m.

Other activities include a visit and photo opportunity with Santa, and demonstrations by dog experts.

Name the baby beluga

You are invited to vote on and submit name suggestions for the Shedd Aquarium's name-needing baby beluga.

Born on Aug. 16, 2007, the beluga calf is the fourth successful beluga birth at Shedd. The proud parents are the 24-year-old female beluga, Mauyak, and the 21-year-old male beluga whale, Naluark. The Shedd Aquarium is one of nine North American zoos and aquariums committed to public display and breeding of beluga whales.

Names can be submitted to and voted on at NBC5.com/babybeluga from Nov. 29 to Dec. 9. Then, the top five names will be determined, and viewers will be able to vote on the final name from Dec. 10 to Dec. 19. Click here for official rules.

Strange appetites

According to the Sun, this dog, Taffy, has eaten:

* 40 pairs of underpants

* 300 socks

* 15 pairs of shoes

* Mercedes key fob

Why don't they just get him a bone, for Pete's sake?

(via)

The pink dolphin of Calcasieu Lake


A unique bottlenose dolphin calf—an albino who experts say may be one-of-a-kind—has taken up residence off Louisiana shores in the Gulf of Mexico, where charter boats and locals alike have been prowling the waters in hopes of a glimpse.

He's not just pink—he’s shockingly pink, especially when photographed swimming alongside his gunmetal-gray mother and her pod. The pink dolphin of Calcasieu Lake was first spotted June 17 by Erik Rue, a charter boat captain who operates near Lake Charles, Louisiana.

(via)

Garter Snakes Can Be Very Dangerous

I don't know why it's on the Recipe Secrets website, but this story is hilarious.

Dogs & Children Activities

Here is some info from Yahoo's pet page about making sure your pet is involved with your life, especially for those with children.


As a member of the family, your dog is certainly loved - but perhaps there is room for improvement in the ways that commitment is expressed. Take some time to reexamine, with your child, the most important gifts that families and dogs can give one another. Here is a list of suggestions for activities:

1. Review with your child his or her dog-related responsibilities. It is understandable that busy schedules interfere with the best intentions, but it does help to make a list and accommodate the dog’s needs to everyone’s busy days. Depending upon age and ability, children can take responsibility for: letting the dog outside or in for bathroom needs; exercising; feeding or grooming. If any of these has presented a problem, now is the time to discuss solutions. Probably the most time-consuming chore is regularly exercising the dog, which can be limited to weekends if the child is interested.


2. Consider a new “extracurricular” dog activity for your child to participate in. This might include an evening or weekend class in obedience training, agility (great fun for children as well as dogs) or breed shows. Take your child to sit in on a local class during this week, or attend a local or regional dog show. Register together and make the commitment to try a new venture that both child and dog can enjoy.


3. Volunteer a few hours at a local animal shelter. Animal shelters provide a wonderful introduction to volunteerism for children, who can assist the staff, help with cleaning kennels or taking homeless dogs for walks.


4. Read a dog-related book or browse the internet together with your child. Learn together about dogs by surfing Purina.com . Tackle a topic that you and your child would like to know more about, such as the history, care or behavior of dogs.


5. Schedule your dog’s annual veterinary exam during this week. Your child can participate in important decisions (Will laboratory tests be needed? Should a heartworm test be performed? Is this a good time to schedule a dental cleaning?). If there is interest, a “behind the scenes” tour may be possible if arranged in advance.

6. Suggest a dog-related project for your child (or ask him or her to come up with some ideas). Some examples: repair or refurbish the dog’s accessories, such as the dog house or fencing; deal with a nagging behavior problem such as jumping up or running away. Challenge your child to come up with some creative solutions - and then help to apply them.
Of course, even a fraction of these activities would easily fill up one week of time, but the payoff - a re-energized bond between child and pet - will last much longer.

Dog survives after several days in the freezer

Animal control officer Jamie Glandon was completely shocked when she opened a freezer at the Rushville Animal Shelter in Indiana.

She found Gabby, a dog, alive in the freezer where the carcasses of euthanized animals are put until they are discarded. It is believed that Gabby was euthanized four days before and survived being in the freezer for all that time.

(via)

Madonna outrages animal activists

A photoshoot featuring Madonna and the sheep from her estate in Wiltshire dyed different colors has angered animal rights campaigners.

The star is pictured on the front of Vogue alongside a flock of sheep, colored blue, pink, yellow and green.

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) said: "Why is it necessary and what are they trying to prove? It is an irresponsible publicity stunt."

Madonna's people insist the dye is temporary and the sheep weren't harmed.

Chicago fish are a threat in Japan


In 1960, the mayor of Chicago, Richard J Daley, presented Emperor Akihito (then Crown Prince) with a fish. It was hoped that the Japanese would learn to love bluegill for dinner as much as Chicagoans do.

But, as the Guardian Unlimited reports, the bluegill fish is possibly the most reviled creature in Japan. The fish brought back by the emperor were donated to research centers, but many escaped to wipe out the royal bitterling and bring other native species to the brink of extinction. They have infested waterways across Japan, including the moat of the imperial palace in Tokyo.

Though considered a delicacy in Illinois and other parts of the US, the bluegill has struggled to find favor among Japanese diners. A multimillion-yen campaign to turn them into fertilizer and chicken feed has had limited success.

Photo credit

Chocolate Mice



The Williams-Sonoma internet catalog has these chocolate truffle mice listed for $15.00 for a set of four.
Made entirely by hand, they combine milk chocolate ganache centers with a coating of milk chocolate.








If you have a little time, you can make your own chocolate mice, like we did.

The nose is a Hershey's kiss. The body is a maraschino cherry. Stick them together, dip into white or dark melted chocolate, use almond slivers for ears.
Done.
Cute. Easy. Cheap.

Now I've seen everything

Java for dogs?

Creator Mari Justin says, "One morning, while I was having my morning coffee or tea with all my animals around me, as I usually did, I realized how great it would be to share this experience with my animals. I decided what if dogs could enjoy their daily coffee like all their pet owners could. How much fun would that be? To share that time with your best friend."

Ok, I'll be the first to say it. This woman is nuts! And I have a suggestion for a much cheaper way to share an experience with her animals. Gather around the toilet bowl & have a drink with them there. That's free and the dogs probably appreciate it much more.

Gourmet restaurant entrees

California Roll
Cowboy Cookout
Grammy's Pot Pie
Southern Delight
Surf & Turf
Thanksgiving Day Dinner
Turducken
New England Boil

Don't these sound yummy?


Actually, they're canned cat foods, by Merrick.

Ummmm ummmm good!

Are Pooper Scooper Laws Fair?

http://www.helium.com/tm/499019/asking-pooper-scooper-asking

On another site where I write, there is a continuing debate on whether or not pooper scooper laws are fair. My feeling is that if you are going to get a dog, then you need to expect that a dog will have to "dog his business" and that it is important to scoop it up, especially in public places. Here is the full article I wrote, and you can also click through and see the other sides of the debate if you're interested.

A boy and his friend

While many children might wish to curl up with a dog or cat, a young Cambodian boy prefers to spend his time with a 4.8-metre-long python.

In the village of Sit Tbow, 50 kilometres east of Phnom Penh, Sambath Uon, seven, reportedly refuses to go to sleep without the company of his pet, Chamreun, or Lucky, in Khmer.

The boy's father tried to return the snake to the forest three times, the Burmese python loyally returned to her young master and has earned the acceptance of villagers, who think she brings good fortune.

(via)

Little cat - big responsibility

Meet the tiger cub whose species depends on his survival.


He may be small but this little big cat has some huge hopes resting on him.

Conservationists believe the tiny South China Tiger cub could help to save his species from extinction.

He was born on Friday to a pair of zoo tigers from China which had been sent to Laohu Valley Reserve in South Africa to breed.

Baby, the bionic cat

A six-year-old cat, named Baby, has definitely used up at least two of her nine lives.

When Baby was a kitten, she fell from a third floor window at her owner's home in south London. That fall necessitated metal implants in both front legs.

Baby's latest escapade called for the insertion of metal plates in her two rear legs.

"Baby is extremely lucky to be alive," said Jess Gower, a veterinary surgeon, who carried out the latest operations.

"We think she fell from the third floor of a building. Contrary to popular belief, cats don't always land on their feet - Baby landed on her back.

Now that she has metal implants in all four legs, she is being called the 'bionic cat'.



(via)

Diabetes Rising in Pets Too

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21755451/
Good article about how the diabetes is rising in pets, just as it is in people. Diabetes now affects as many as one in 50 of the animals, some statistics show, especially pudgy pets.

Veterinarians say that while obesity clearly is linked to diabetes in pets, it appears to contribute to the disease differently in cats and dogs.
Fat cats are prone to diabetes because they develop insulin resistance, meaning their bodies don't effectively use insulin. As a result, the pancreas pumps out more insulin as well as another hormone called amylin.

With dogs, obesity is associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis — an inflammation of the pancreas — which can then lead to diabetes because the body doesn't make enough insulin.


Trackposted to Perri Nelson's Website, Rosemary's Thoughts, Adam's Blog, Right Truth, The World According to Carl, The Bullwinkle Blog, The Amboy Times, Chuck Adkins, and High Desert Wanderer, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Cats can fly!

38 photos of flying cats, like this one:



(via)

Help! thuck thung


Story

(via)

Dog Sniffs Out $110,000 Inside SUV

An Indiana State Police dog sniffed out nearly $110,000 during a routine traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road near Chesterton on Sunday.

Trooper Mike Jones stopped a Ford Explorer for following to close to other cars and unsafe lane changes. After Jones pulled over the vehicle, the occupants ''appeared very nervous and had conflicting statements as to where they were going,'' according to a state police news release.

The driver agreed to a search of the SUV, and the police dog, named Boss, nosed around and located a suitcase with $109,020 inside.

The Pet Allergy Curse

A friend of ours is highly allergic to pets. In fact, just having us near him sometimes enough to triger his allergies since the alergens are in our clothes. Unfortunately, having allergies to pets is a common problem.


Studies show that approximately 15 percent of the population is allergic to dogs or cats. An estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats (about two million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway. In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only one out of five did. What's more, 122 of them obtained another pet after a previous one had died.


It's clear the benefits of pet companionship outweigh the drawbacks of pet allergies for many owners. Living comfortably with a companion animal despite being allergic to him requires a good understanding of the allergic condition.


The main source of irritation for allergy sufferers are glands in the animal's skin which secrete allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens, that linger in the animal's fur but also float easily in the air. Allergens are present in the animal's saliva and urine, too, and may become airborne when saliva dries on the fur. The severity of reaction to these allergens varies from one person to the next, ranging from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening asthma, and can be complicated by simultaneous allergies to other irritants in the environment.


Since every person reacts differently to the allergens, there is no one thing that will help allergy sufferers. For some people, a simple allergy pill will help, while for others, having an air purifier to keep the home free is enough. A non-pet room in the house, usually a bed-room, could also help, but since the allergens tend to be in the air and can get in the air ducts, having an air purifier is this room will also be beneficial.


And of course, with any medical issues, seeking the care of a health care professional is a safe course of action. For people who don't have pets, it is beneficial to get an allergy test before getting attached to a furry new friend.

Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series on DVD


As of its release in early 2007, Planet Earth is quite simply the greatest nature/wildlife series ever produced. This astonishing 11-part BBC series is brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough and sensibly organized so that each 50-minute episode covers a specific geographical region and/or wildlife habitat (mountains, caves, deserts, shallow seas, seasonal forests, etc.) until the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you'll ever experience from the comforts of home.

Bad Cat Wall Calendar 2007


Demented. Wacked out. Borderline psychotic. And inexplicably, utterly irresistible. It’s a full-color year of cats unplugged, adapted from the off-the-charts #1 New York Times bestseller, Bad Cat.

Reindeer Jelly Bean Candy Poopers


# Santa`s reindeer dispenses dainty doo doo candy for the munching pleasure of your friends and loved ones.
# Reindeer Length : 4 Inches
# Push down on rear of reindeer to dispense yummy brown jelly beans.

Cute Baby Fruit Bats


Baby bats whose colony has been destroyed by poisonous ticks are being raised in a sanctuary in northern Queensland.

Flying monkey business

A man has been questioned by police at LaGuardia airport in New York after smuggling a monkey onto a flight from Florida by hiding it under his hat.

Passengers spotted the animal when it climbed out and perched on the man's ponytail.

Matted Fur Problems

A furry pet with a long coat should be brushed and combed several times a week. Doing so can prevent matting and debris buildup in the dog's coat.

If left unchecked, matting can become a serious condition for your pet. It is much more then purely a cosmetic issue. Mats are formed by intertwining hairs, dirt, grit, leaves, grass and other matter in the coat. Mats can grow large and heavy and eventually pull at a dog's skin. This may cause hot spots or wounds. In extreme cases, insect infestation or infection in the wounds may occur.


If your dog already has mats, you may need to take them to a groomer and have them shaved to remove the mats. The dog make look a bit strange to you, but it's better to have a strange looking pup then one that needs medical attention do to hot spots. Once the mats are gone, you can then brush the coat frequently to avoid the mats from popping up again.

Christmas Shopping Kick-off!

This really is the best way to shop!

Relax, in your pajamas, with a cup of tea or coffee. No driving around looking for a parking space, no fighting crowds, no searching through disorganized shelves and racks, no long check-out lines.

You'll be done in plenty of time to have a turkey sandwich from yesterday's leftovers.


i-pets.com has a wonderful selection of Christmas gifts for dogs and cats. Christmas stockings for dogs and cats, rawhide treats in holiday shapes, holiday buckets and holiday baskets filled with treats, holiday theme toys.

At i-pets.com, find perfect gifts for everyone on your list with pets: friends, neighbors, teachers, and family members. Find a perfect "thank you" gift for your clients if you're in a pet related business: dog walkers, pet groomers, dog breeders.

i-pets.com Christmas gifts - no crowds, no lines, great merchandise, great prices and a flat $6.00 shipping charge on all orders to the continental US, regardless of weight or size!

If you'd like to send a holiday gift to your favorite local animal welfare agency or pet rescue group, i-pets.com will deliver your package for free.

Turkey Cookies

Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

A 390 million-year-old fossilized claw of a sea scorpion has been reportedly found in a German quarry. The size of the creature’s claw estimates that it would have been at least 8 feet long. The size of the beast suggests that spiders, insects, crabs and similar creatures were much larger in the past than previously thought.

Pet Tips for Thanksgiving

As with any holiday, it's important to keep the pets in mind during this sometimes stressful time. The good people at the Petsitusa blog have posted some great tips that I'd like to share. Check it out http://petsitusa.com/blog/?p=767

The Doggie Cam

The people at photojojo.com have come up with a unique twist on people who want to know what their dog is thinking. Now, you can see life from a dog's perspective.






With their idea, you can put a camera on your dog and view life the way he does everyday.

What's the point of seeing life like a dog does? According to the people at photojojo, with the photo cam we can sympathize with what our dog has to view everyday. I guess if I consider what my dogs see everyday, there would be a lot of pictures of feet, rugs, and food on shelves that is too high to reach.
How does this invention work? Well, you have to buy a "gorillapod" which is sold on their site. This pod supposedly can wrap around your pet (just be careful not to get it too tight or you might cause injury) and then you attach your camera. I have yet to actually try this creation, but if you're interested, here is their site:


Also, a search on Youtube.com reveals other people who have tried using a doggie cam.

Southwest Wildlife Rehabilitation

Southwest Wildlife Rehabilitation and Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization that specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife native to Arizona, educating today's youth on the importance of native wildlife and the environment, and encouraging educational career opportunities in environmental science.

Since 1994, Southwest Wildlife has rehabilitated thousands of sick, injured, and abandoned wild animals on its 10 acre desert habitat facility, and has successfully released 70 percent of those wild animals back into the wild.

Cute Baby Giraffe


Photo: Steffen Schmidt / Keystone

Dog back home after adventure, neutering

Great story that is all over the AP News today!

DIAMOND, Mo. - The Bowman family has its pooch back. Their dog Happy is back after seven months of adventure, an operation, two intermediate homes and a new name.

Happy, also known as Radar, is the same dog who ran away from a different Joplin household last week to live at veterinarian Steve Walstad's Joplin office, where he was neutered last month.

Misty Bowman, mother of Codey, 14, and Chase, 9, saw Happy's picture Monday in the Joplin Globe with a story about Walstad deciding to keep the dog that he called Radar.
"I was yelling at my husband, saying, `Tell me I'm crazy, tell me that's not Happy,'" Misty said of her reaction reading the newspaper.

The Bowmans say they took the dog they called Happy home from a friend's house when he was 8 weeks old. He stood out to Misty because he was so friendly and not at all aggressive.
Misty's husband, Rob, was especially attached to the dog and named him Happy "because he always looks like he's smiling."

After 2 1/2 years as their family pet, Happy went missing from the Bowmans' 160-acre farm in Diamond seven months ago. Misty said the family drove all over the area, rode four-wheelers around the property, put up lost-dog ads, and went door-to-door asking for information on their pet.

"Eventually we came to the assumption that he was gone, we thought he got run over," Misty said.

But that was not the case. He had been taken in by a family that named Radar for his ability to find his way around.

That talent showed up earlier this month when he came back to Walstad's office, where he had been boarded for several weeks — and neutered — while his adoptive family was out of town.
The family was considering trying to find another home for him anyway, so Walstad decided to keep him as an office pet.

"He was gone for seven months and usually if you don't find the dog in a couple weeks, they're just gone," Misty Bowman said Monday. "What are the chances he'd turn up in the middle of Joplin, and in the newspaper?"

Bowman called Walstad's office Monday and explained the situation, insisting her children didn't know that Happy was still alive and that Walstad could keep him if he wanted. But Walstad said he couldn't be happier with the way things turned out and cheerfully turned over the dog to its rightful owners.

Happy went home Monday afternoon, and Misty Bowman said he started to get excited in the
car as they got close to the house.
"He knew where he was at," she said.

Art by Roi James



"The Blue Butterfly"

Kittens 'adopted' by pet rabbit

Arbroath has posted the cutest picture of Summer, a bunny in Scotland, who has adopted a litter of abandoned kittens.


All together now, "Awwwwww!"

Photography by Annette Pierce


Professional Photographers of Canada Commercial Photographer of the Year 2005

Grapefruit Seed Extract & Pets

File this in the holistic health category - Whether or not you believe the research, the article is interesting and presents its case well. Apparently the extract has many properties including destroying bacteria, fighting off viruses, acting as an antiparasitic, and a multitude of external benefits (rashes, healthy gums, and tick bites to name a few).



http://www.petspress.net/articles/2007/octnov2007/grapefruit.html



Check it out and let me know what you think!

Karnimata - Indian Rat Temple


According to folklore, the Goddess Shri Karni-Mata once restored the dead child of her devotee back to life. The Mata announced that no one from her tribe would fall into death's hand again. Instead, when they died, all of them would temporarily inhabit the body of a rat before being reborn into the tribe.

Karnimata is a temple in India devoted to rats.

happy cat bean bag

HappyCat is a children's beanbag with a new design expression. It can be used for sitting in, but is also designed for play and romping about. The Happy Cat beanbag is a combined furniture and toy.

The beanbag is designed for children, but at the same time functions as a fun and charming design in a grown-up environment.

Dog Quotes

"If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater. . . suggest that he wear a tail." - Fran Lebowitz


"You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'" - Dave Barry


"When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you've growled all day long." – Unknown

"I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren't certain we knew better." - George Bird Evans, "Troubles with Bird Dogs"

"If dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one." - Andy Rooney

"If a picture wasn't going very well I'd put a puppy dog in it, always a mongrel, you know, never one of the full bred puppies. And then I'd put a bandage on its foot... I liked it when I did it, but now I'm sick of it." - Norman Rockwell

Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant." - Unknown

Pod bed for kitty

The Pod offers the security of a mountaintop cave with way more style. It serves as your pet’s own personal sanctuary – a perfect place for curling up to snooze, hide, or reign supreme.

(via)

Reading Dogs

No, we're not talking about dogs who know how to read. This is about therapy dogs that help teach young children to read.

The dogs who do this job accompany their trained handlers to school and library programs that help children improve their reading skills. With the help of the dogs, reading programs of this kind can build children’s confidence in their own reading ability and help them learn to love reading.

How does it work? Because dogs do not use verbal language, they don’t criticize or ridicule a child’s efforts at reading. Instead, they are interested. They like being talked to and they like the quiet interaction with a seated person. Many dogs almost instinctively approach people who sit down, especially on the floor. It makes for a nurturing environment.

Children and dogs bond together over a shared story. The children's confidence and reading skills grow in a relaxing environment. It's that simple.

Rewarding the child for a session of work with the dog is easy, since a child who likes dogs will enjoy petting the dog or other loving interaction such as gentle hand-shaking. This touch provides an additional therapeutic benefit to the child.

Dogs obviously don’t teach reading, so an effective program will include skilled teachers. The dogs bring emotional benefits that can facilitate success in many stressful tasks, including therapy of various types, which is the reason for the term “therapy dogs.” Reading dogs fall under the therapy dog umbrella.

Trackposted to Big Dog's Weblog, The Amboy Times, Cao's Blog, and Adeline and Hazel, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Video: A boy and his dog



(via)

Video: Kissing Pandas



(via)

Video: Leapin' Lemurs!



(via)

What do you call ...

What do you call an escaping cow?

Fast food!

Panda Love


Photo:Yuriko Nakao / Reuters

4 Quick Dog Facts

In Germany, the Great Dane has been the country's national dog since 1876.


Many dogs respond favorably to music. Some provide vocal accompaniment, while a few have even learned to play an instrument like the piano.


Dogs often form close relationships with other animals, ranging from baby chicks to lambs.


During the 1930's, Cocker Spaniels were the most popular dogs in Britain, winning Cruft's Best in Show in 1930 and 1931.



(Source: The complete Encyclopedia Dog Breeds)

$1,000 fine for feeding pigeons?

Put your hands up and back away from the breadcrumbs. Feeding New York City pigeons could soon be banned under a proposal to thin the flocks of the birds sometimes referred to as "rats with wings."

City Councilman Simcha Felder plans to introduce legislation to ban pigeon feeding and fine those caught flouting the ban $1,000.

4 Quick Cat Facts

Cat collars usually feature a section of elastic fabric. This is so the cat is able to release itself should it get caught in a tree.


Cats are so good at locating things by sound, smell, and touch that there have been cases of domesticated cats being diagnosed as being completely blind well after they lived most of their lives.


Keeping fur clean and in prime condition is worth a lot of time to a cat. This is because it is essential for protection against the elements and in providing camouflage.


Cats have rubbery pads to their paws because it enables them to tread softly and quietly. This is very important while stalking prey.

(source: The compete encyclopedia of cats)


Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Stuck On Stupid, The Pink Flamingo, Big Dog's Weblog, CORSARI D'ITALIA, and Public Domain Clip Art, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

Art by Oksana Grivina


print advertising for TRAKT company

Fox Forest

This is an educational site dedicated to the often misunderstood red fox. You'll discover how red foxes live, the challenges they face, and how they overcome them.

In addition to learning about fox life, you can share your experiences, ask questions, and find out what you can do to help our wild friends.

She was "thrilled"


On this season's deer opener, a Minnesota woman shot one of the rarest kinds around; an albino deer. Mary Rakotz of Avon got the 6-point buck on Saturday in Mille Lacs County.

She said it was thrilling to see the rare animal, but 100 times more exciting to be able to actually take it home.

"I had heard that it might be in the area, so I thought that here was my chance of a lifetime. So I had to creep a little bit, probably about 40 yards, to get a good place where I could steady myself a little bit. But then I did that and shot and it went right down," said Rakotz.

(Albino deer are so uncommon that it's actually illegal to hunt them in at least seven states.)

Is it any wonder that so many creatures have been hunted to extinction with idiots like this in the world?

Please don't call his wife a bitch

An Indian man who believed he had been cursed for stoning to death two dogs has atoned for his sin by marrying another dog in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony.

P. Selvakumar, a 33-year-old farm laborer from the southern state of Tamil Nadu, married the four-year-old stray bitch female dog after it was bathed and processed to his village temple dressed in an orange sari and garlanded with flowers.

It was all an act


Remember that cute video of the sweet little otters floating and holding hands?

"Awww," you said, "aren't they adorable!"

That's exactly what Susan Martin of Merrit Island, Florida, said about the otter in her yard. She noticed its cute little face and how innocent it seemed to be. Then while she was looking at it, it bit her - twice!

Yup, all that sweetness & innocence, it's all been an act.

Another otter attacked poor little Taz, the 10-year-old Westie who fought off the frothing otter to keep it away from the Linnett family.

The dog came out bloody, but Animal Control got the otter. "Took 'em a while. He was mean."

The 5 Worst Invasive Species in the World

Environmental Graffiti follows up on a previous article on non-native species in the UK, with a list of the 5 worst non-native animal species worldwide.

So, who's number one?

November Pet Horoscope

Animal Communicator Donna at Zodiapet.com writes a monthly horoscope for pets. Here is what she sees in the future of your pet for November:



ARIES (The Ram) March 21 – April 19: The energy level continues on a high pace for the Aries pet. They may also be a bit on the aggressive side this month. Allow them to expend their energy in a positive way or they could become destructive or even worse, depressed.
TAURUS (The Bull) April 20 – May 21: Your Taurus pet will be the calm in the midst of turbulence. The Taurus will be sweet and nurturing in the upcoming 30 days. So if you have a baby in the household, human or otherwise, your Taurus will take protective role.
GEMINI (The Twins) May 22 – June 21: These 30 days find your Gemini very playful. They will entertain you for hours and will bring joy and laughter to the entire household. The Gemini pet will be on the move so stay tuned to see what they have in store for you.
CANCER (The Crab) June 22 – July 22: Your Cancer pet can be a little touchy this month. They will want to stay close to home, so travel is not a good idea for your Cancer pet. You might be confused by your pet’s actions, just be aware that they are extremely sensitive and they just want your attention.
LEO (The Lion) July 23 – August 22: The Leo’s emotional well being is going be tested this month. Your Leo pet will want to stay close to you. They will also be very talkative and vocal this month. Pay attention as they are trying to tell you something important.
VIRGO (The Virgin) August 23 – September 22: Your Virgo pet will want to spend time outdoors. Be careful as they are easily distracted. Their practical side eludes them this month. They definitely need your protection and due diligence this month.
LIBRA (The Scales) September 23 – October 22: The Libra’s decision making process is non existent this month. They also lose complete sense of right or wrong. So, you really need to set boundaries for your pet as they need structure in their lives. It’s all up to you this month for your pet’s stability.
SCORPIO (The Scorpion) October 23 – November 21: Your Scorpio pet will be very intuitive this month. It will behoove you adhere to the advice they are trying to give you. They will be very diligent in getting your complete attention. Trust your pet as you will not be disappointed.
SAGITTARIUS (The Archer) November 22 – December 21: Your Sagittarian will be constantly on the move this month. Their activity level is up and they will want to do everything that you do. It is important to keep them active both physically and mentally. They are in a positive mode so it is up to you to keep it there.
CAPRICORN (The Goat) December 22 – January 19: Your Capricorn pet is in total control of their emotions this month. They have a keen sense of right and wrong. They are willing to step up to the plate and be the leader in the household. But remember, they always strive to have your acceptance and praise.
AQUARIUS (The Water Bearer) January 20 – February 19: With Mercury out of retrograde your Aquarian pet will be a little more down to earth this month. They will be more focused on their behavior, making sure it is acceptable to you. They will show their intellectual side, and will want to impress you.
PISCES (The Fish) February 20 – March 20: Your Pisces pet this month will have a hard time maintaining their boundaries. They may wander off and will be minding everyone else’s business. They are more concerned with their feelings and emotions rather than yours in the upcoming month. Again, with Pisces patience is needed in dealing with them.



(the above is for entertainment purposes)

Madagascar hissing cockroaches


The Bohart Museum of Entomology on the UC Davis campus, houses three of the world’s largest cockroaches: the Death Head (Blaberus cranifer), collected from a bat roost in Panama; Peppered or Peruvian Cockroach (Archimandrita tesselata) from Peru; and Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) from Madagascar.

Bohart Museum scientists have maintained terrariums of Madagascar hissing cockroaches for some 30 years. At any given time, the museum has hundreds of them. It’s the most popular display among the kids, because of three reasons: the hissing sound they make, their size and their appearance.

More about cockroaches from the Smithsonian National Zoo.

Photo: Kathy Keatley Garvey

More Polar Bear Love

Animal Rescue Site Needs Help

This Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough folks to click on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals.


It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on the purplebox "fund food for animals" for free. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits todonate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.Here's the Web site! Please pass it along to other animal lovers.http://www.animalrescuesite.com/


I don't know a whole heck of a lot about this site besides what I've read, but it seems pretty legit.

The Greyhound Adoption Center

The Greyhound Adoption Center is one of the only greyhound rescue groups that accepts all greyhounds, not just those from the racetrack. Greyhounds adopted directly from racetracks or from other adoption groups with a "no-return" policy frequently wind up at the pound or some other shelter. GAC accepts pound greyhounds and greyhounds with no racing tattoos, as well.

GAC's open-door policy includes ill or injured dogs. As long as they have space, no greyhound is ever turned away, regardless of its age or physical condition. They will keep any dog for as long as it takes to find just the right home.

Saudi cleric condemns camel beauty contests as evil

A leading authority of Saudi Arabia's hardline school of Islam has condemned camel beauty contests as evil, saying those involved should seek repentance in God.

Camel pageants have become major events in the desert kingdom in recent years as tribes hold ever larger competitions, with bigger prizes and wider publicity.

Delicate females or strapping males which attract the right attention during a show can sell for more than a million riyals (127,000 pounds). Sponsors spent 10 million riyals on prizes for one competition this year.

(via)

Penguin Baby Booties


• Slipper Style Booties
• Features Suede Soles
• Made of 100% Leather
• Dyed
• Elastic Closure
• Appliqué

At Target!

(via)

Jellybeanies for kids



Jellybeanies is the only scented plush toy that comes with a unique alphanumeric code that unlocks your character on Jellybeanies.com! Go online, take care of your Jellyfriend, play games, deck them out, and chat safely with friends with pre-set (and kid-safe!) dialogue options!

There are 8 Jellybeanies available in Wave 1 this year, with more coming down the road!