Little Nancy was in the garden filling in a hole when her neighbor peered over the fence. Interested in what the little girl was up to, he politely asked, "What are you up to there, Nancy?"
"My goldfish died," replied Nancy tearfully, without looking up, "and I've just buried him."
The neighbor was concerned, "That's an awfully big hole for a goldfish, isn't it?"
Nancy patted down the last heap of earth and then replied, "That's because he's inside your stupid cat."
Sabtu, 28 Februari 2009
Jumat, 27 Februari 2009
You learn something new every day
The photo above is a Jenny Haniver.That's not the name of a person, it's the carcass of a ray or a skate which has been modified and subsequently dried, resulting in a grotesque preserved specimen. [wiki]
One suggestion for the origin of the term was "jeune d'Anvers" (French for Antwerp is Anvers), that is "young girl of Antwerp." British sailors "cockneyed" this description into the personal name "Jenny Hanvers."
For centuries, sailors sat on the Antwerp docks and carved these "mermaids" out of dried cuttlefish. They then preserved them further with a coat of varnish. They supported themselves by selling their artistic creations to working sailors as well as to tourists visiting the docks.
Jenny Hanivers have been created to look like devils, angels and dragons.
It is possible that Jenny Hanivers were the source of some tales of dragons during the Middle Ages, and they affirmed people's belief in dragons. Jenny Hanivers may also have started the legends of Mermaids.
(via Cynical-C)
At Susology, the story of an artist currently creating Jenny Hanivers.
Photo credit: Awkward Conversations post on "Rogue Taxidermy: The Jenny Haniver".
Any dog can bite but most don't
Dog bites happen, but they don't happen often, and many bites are preventable.
That message, delivered Thursday at a forum in Denver, was gleaned from data taken in Colorado over a year-long period.
The Coalition for Living Safely With Dogs, made up of Colorado veterinarians, animal-control officers, animal-care professionals and others presented the data at the group's second annual forum.
"The data shows that any dog can bite but most don't," said Nick Fisher, a coalition member.
The dog-bite surveys were taken from July 2007 to July 2008 and covered 17 "districts" in Colorado.
The coalition study tallied 2,060 bites. That's about 1 bite for every 350 dogs, less than one-third of one percent.
Of the 2,060 bites, Labrador retrievers made up the biggest percentage on the bite list.
Labs accounted for 13.3 percent of the reported bites; pit bulls, 8.4 percent; German shepherds, 7.8 percent; Rottweilers, 3.9 percent; and Chows, 3.5 percent.
Source
That message, delivered Thursday at a forum in Denver, was gleaned from data taken in Colorado over a year-long period.
The Coalition for Living Safely With Dogs, made up of Colorado veterinarians, animal-control officers, animal-care professionals and others presented the data at the group's second annual forum.
"The data shows that any dog can bite but most don't," said Nick Fisher, a coalition member.
The dog-bite surveys were taken from July 2007 to July 2008 and covered 17 "districts" in Colorado.
The coalition study tallied 2,060 bites. That's about 1 bite for every 350 dogs, less than one-third of one percent.
Of the 2,060 bites, Labrador retrievers made up the biggest percentage on the bite list.
Labs accounted for 13.3 percent of the reported bites; pit bulls, 8.4 percent; German shepherds, 7.8 percent; Rottweilers, 3.9 percent; and Chows, 3.5 percent.
Source
Funky fish found - the frogfish
A funky, psychedelic fish that bounces on the ocean floor like a rubber ball has been classified as a new species, a scientific journal reported. The frogfish — which has a swirl of tan and peach zebra stripes that extend from its aqua eyes to its tail — was initially discovered by scuba diving instructors working for a tour operator a year ago in shallow waters off Ambon island in eastern Indonesia.Each time the fish strike the seabed, they push off with their fins and expel water from tiny gill openings to jet themselves forward. That, and an off-centered tail, causes them to bounce around in a bizarre, chaotic manner.
Photo credit: David Hall
Source
Marilyn and her dogs
Marilyn Monroe at the beach with her dog Ruffles in 1947.Photo: Associated Press
MM plays with her Chihuahua on May 17, 1950.Image: Earl Leaf
Also on May 17, 1950Image: Earl Leaf
MM and Arthur Miller with Miller's dog Hugo, during a playful moment at Miller's summer home on June 25th, 1956.Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS
Here's another photo of Hugo with MM and Miller.
Image: © Bettmann/CORBISWhen Marilyn and Arthur split up, Arthur retained possession of Hugo.
Maf was a little white French poodle who was given to MM in New York by Frank Sinatra. Sinatra had purchased the dog from Natalie Wood’s mother.Marilyn named the dog “Maf” because of Frank Sinatra’s alleged mafia connections. lnterestingly, to spite Arthur Miller, Marilyn used to let Maf sleep on an expensive white coat that Miller had presented her.
When Marilyn returned to live in Hollywood, she had Maf flown back to be with her.
Following her death, Maf was inherited by Frank Sinatra’s secretary, Gloria Lovell.
(via u2r2h blog)
a cat post i did not expect to do
You know, this morning I was thinking I'd find some winsome cat portrait or sculpture to post upon, as I'm still in a reflective mood. So I went looking this AM - and what did the InternetGods throw in my search results?
A furry cat art car from Burning Man. No fooling. And there's no way I'm not going to link to that.
A furry cat art car from Burning Man. No fooling. And there's no way I'm not going to link to that.
Kamis, 26 Februari 2009
hot diggity dog!
The sweet demeanor of yesterday's Strasbourg dog stayed with me till today, and I was still in a dog mood as I sat down to bring you today's post.
And wait till you see where that spirit has led me: a sizable collection of dog metaphors, all collected up at metaphordogs.org! "Dogs in metaphor and idiom, illustrated." Here you may learn how we came to let sleeping dogs lie, double dog dare ya, go see a man about a dog, lick one's chops, thow him a bone . . . ah, such a nice long list, and such a pleasantly organized site.
Very good work, and all about dogs! Hooray.
And wait till you see where that spirit has led me: a sizable collection of dog metaphors, all collected up at metaphordogs.org! "Dogs in metaphor and idiom, illustrated." Here you may learn how we came to let sleeping dogs lie, double dog dare ya, go see a man about a dog, lick one's chops, thow him a bone . . . ah, such a nice long list, and such a pleasantly organized site.
Very good work, and all about dogs! Hooray.
On the subject of penguins
Looks like the inauguration, doesn't it?
This amazing photo was taken on South Georgia Island. The photographer says, "This is not the largest colony of king penguins on South Georgia but there were over a hundred thousand breeding pairs in this location. The brown spots are not open spaces but chicks that have not fledged."
from Flickr, by chuck12600
Take a look at it in the largest size: 3200 x 2135. Better yet, set it as your desktop wallpaper.
This amazing photo was taken on South Georgia Island. The photographer says, "This is not the largest colony of king penguins on South Georgia but there were over a hundred thousand breeding pairs in this location. The brown spots are not open spaces but chicks that have not fledged."
from Flickr, by chuck12600Take a look at it in the largest size: 3200 x 2135. Better yet, set it as your desktop wallpaper.
As cute as a sock monkey?
Might be cuter than a sock monkey ...
This instructable will walk you through the step by step creation of a Sock Penguin. This project was completed for a Grade 1 (6 year old kids) class that has been studying penguins.
Please note that no penguins were harmed in the creation of this project, however, some socks were severely damaged in the prototyping stage. Please do not use socks that still contain feet.
Note that hot glue guns can burn you. They're called "hot" for a reason. Do not let 6 year olds operate hot glue guns. Adult supervision is required. Also, do not let 6 year olds operate heavy machinery. It's just a bad plan.
(via Penguins!)
This instructable will walk you through the step by step creation of a Sock Penguin. This project was completed for a Grade 1 (6 year old kids) class that has been studying penguins.Please note that no penguins were harmed in the creation of this project, however, some socks were severely damaged in the prototyping stage. Please do not use socks that still contain feet.
Note that hot glue guns can burn you. They're called "hot" for a reason. Do not let 6 year olds operate hot glue guns. Adult supervision is required. Also, do not let 6 year olds operate heavy machinery. It's just a bad plan.
(via Penguins!)
Bored? Go wake up your cat
Chris "Petey" Peterson at "Something Awful" had a dastardly idea. Assuming that your cat is sleeping right now, and which cat isn't, grab a camera and go wake that cat up. Go, right now! Take a picture of that darling little (pissed off) face and post it.
Quite a few people have responded and sent Chris their photos. Here's a couple:
Ok, I have to admit - I too, have been know to interfere with my cats' napping pleasure.
I took this picture of Grace when I caught her napping in Ava's chair which Grace thinks should now be called Grace's chair.
The next photo is of Bandit. I have an extensive collection of shots of him sleeping. He's always sleeping, except when he runs through the house doing his "here comes a herd of elephants" sound effects.
Next, Smoke. He had the fluffiest, fuzziest belly, and the sweetest personality until he scratched the hell out of my daughter-in-law's arm one day. He left us one day on a neighborhood safari and never came back.
Here's a bonus shot: waking up two cats at once! Buddy always loved to sleep on top of Coco. They're both gone from us now, but fondly remembered.
Quite a few people have responded and sent Chris their photos. Here's a couple:
Ok, I have to admit - I too, have been know to interfere with my cats' napping pleasure.
I took this picture of Grace when I caught her napping in Ava's chair which Grace thinks should now be called Grace's chair.
The next photo is of Bandit. I have an extensive collection of shots of him sleeping. He's always sleeping, except when he runs through the house doing his "here comes a herd of elephants" sound effects.
Next, Smoke. He had the fluffiest, fuzziest belly, and the sweetest personality until he scratched the hell out of my daughter-in-law's arm one day. He left us one day on a neighborhood safari and never came back.
Here's a bonus shot: waking up two cats at once! Buddy always loved to sleep on top of Coco. They're both gone from us now, but fondly remembered.
Rabu, 25 Februari 2009
Beware of Cocoa Mulch
This one has been floating around the internet and email forwards for a few years, but seems to be some truth to the warning. According to an article on Snopes,
this common outdoor garden mulch, sold at a variety of stores, does contain ingredients that are potentially harmful to your pets. The substance smells like chocolate and contains a chemical that can be lethal.
Take extra care when gardening and to be on the safe side, avoid using this mulch.
Good to know: Some people still have money
Despite the grim economic environment, the art market let out a collective sigh of relief Feb. 23 as Christie's in Paris successfully auctioned $266.7 million worth of Impressionist and modern artworks collected by the late designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Berge. The sale of nearly 700 works, estimated to bring in up to $425 million, continues through Wednesday.A German Silver-Gilt Cup Formed as a Hunting Bear
Maker's mark of Leonhard Umbach
Augsburg, 1585-1590
Height: 6 7/8 in.; Weight: 13.70 oz.
Estimate: €80,000 to €120,000 (approx. $103,000 - $155,000)
Francois Pompon (1855-1933)Boston Terrier or 'Toy'
Model created in 1930, cast circa 1965-1970
Black patinated bronze
Portrays Madame Georges Menier's dog, 'Toy'
11 3/4 in. x 13 1/4 in. x 5 7/8 in.
Estimate: €15,000 to €20,000 (approx. $19,000 - $26,000)
Source
a soulful dog
(Thanks, WikiCommons.)This dog sits and reflects in the Museum of Notre Dame Strasbourg. Though it was created during medieval times, when animals were not formally considered to have souls, I feel sure that the sculptor believed otherwise.
The head is, I find, quite sensitively modelled for medieval work, though the elongation and simplicity of the body is very much of the time.
Notre-Dame de Strasbourg was constructed from 1176 to 1439, and for two centuries was the world's tallest building. Here is the website of the Cathedral Museum. (In French, of course!)
Selasa, 24 Februari 2009
photo break: featuring elizabeth (again)
The curatorial spouse being not at all well, I find I must resort to what basically amounts to a nonpost - the glorification of Elizabeth.
(Above) In "night vision" on the handy phone-cam.
And here, sleepy and wishing the "ape" (as Whicky W. would say?) would get the phone cam out of her face already.
Brave, loving, or stupid?
Read the story in the Daily Mail about British park ranger Alex Larenty who regularly treats eight year old lion Jamu to a foot massage and a hug.
(The shots were taken at The Lion Park, near Johannesburg, South Africa, just weeks before a man who broke into the reserve was mauled and killed.)
Senin, 23 Februari 2009
3 Cat Symptoms Never to Ignore
According to Petplace.com, there are three cat symptoms that you should never ignore...here they are along with their reasoning.
1. Red Eye . A "red eye" is a non-specific sign of inflammation or infection. It may be seen with several different diseases including those involving different parts of the eye including the external eyelids, third eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, and sclera. It may also occur with inflammation of the structures inside the eye, with glaucoma (high pressure within the eye) or with certain diseases of the orbit (eye socket). Either one or both eyes can become red, depending upon the cause of the problem. Some of the possible causes can be serious and ultimately cause blindness.
2. Coughing . Coughing is a relatively uncommon problem in cats. Coughing is a common protective reflex that clears secretions or foreign matter from the throat, voice box, and/or airways, and protects the lungs against aspiration. It affects the respiratory system by hindering the ability to breathe properly. Common causes include obstruction in the windpipe, bronchitis, pneumonia, heartworm disease, lung tumors, and heart failure. Some of the causes are life threatening and all cats with a cough should be evaluated by a veterinarian
3. Bloody Diarrhea . Blood in the feces can either appear as "melena" which makes the stools appear black and tarry is the presence suggests digested blood in the feces. Melena is different from fresh blood in the stool (hematochezia). Bleeding into the colon or rectum appears as fresh blood in the stool. Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
1. Red Eye . A "red eye" is a non-specific sign of inflammation or infection. It may be seen with several different diseases including those involving different parts of the eye including the external eyelids, third eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, and sclera. It may also occur with inflammation of the structures inside the eye, with glaucoma (high pressure within the eye) or with certain diseases of the orbit (eye socket). Either one or both eyes can become red, depending upon the cause of the problem. Some of the possible causes can be serious and ultimately cause blindness.
2. Coughing . Coughing is a relatively uncommon problem in cats. Coughing is a common protective reflex that clears secretions or foreign matter from the throat, voice box, and/or airways, and protects the lungs against aspiration. It affects the respiratory system by hindering the ability to breathe properly. Common causes include obstruction in the windpipe, bronchitis, pneumonia, heartworm disease, lung tumors, and heart failure. Some of the causes are life threatening and all cats with a cough should be evaluated by a veterinarian
3. Bloody Diarrhea . Blood in the feces can either appear as "melena" which makes the stools appear black and tarry is the presence suggests digested blood in the feces. Melena is different from fresh blood in the stool (hematochezia). Bleeding into the colon or rectum appears as fresh blood in the stool. Bloody diarrhea should be evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
The quest to ave Right whales
At least 32 new right whale calves -- more than ever recorded -- have been observed this season off the coasts of Georgia and Florida, where the whales migrate to give birth between late November and March. Only about 400 members of the species exist, and the massive mammal is thought to be the most endangered of all the large whales.Each birth is seen as a miracle of sorts -- a potential key to the survival of a species that has been through many tough years.
Right whales were named by their hunters who once said they were the "right whale" to kill. When they were harpooned, the chubby whales floated to the surface of the water. That made them both profitable and easy to hunt.
Every morning during calving season, volunteers armed with binoculars and whale-related handouts troll up and down the Florida coast -- climbing to balconies and zipping up elevators to the top floors of high-rise condos and retirement communities -- to look for whales.
Source
Unbelievably cute
Only 28-days old, brother and sister Zanzibar and Nairobi are already a huge hit with visitors to Taronga Zoo, in Sydney.
They are the latest additions to the site's meerkat manor - and are the first pups to be born there for nine years.
more
Cute or not? Gentoo penguin chick
This little cutie was born on Dec. 12 at Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.
the cat cabinet amsterdam
John Pierpont Morgan lived from 1966 to 1983, and lived happily in Amsterdam.
No of course not THAT Morgan. I mean the orange kitty who was the close buddy of Bob Meijer, and the inspiration for Meijer's Kattenkabinet, a museum devoted to cat artworks, established in Morgan's memory.
Here's the sort of English version of the Kabinet's homepage.
The collection includes work by Leonor Fini, Picasso, and Foujita (yay!), to name but a few. Also five resident cats, and Bob Meijer himself, who still lives up on the top floor. Here's a travel article telling more about the museum.
No of course not THAT Morgan. I mean the orange kitty who was the close buddy of Bob Meijer, and the inspiration for Meijer's Kattenkabinet, a museum devoted to cat artworks, established in Morgan's memory.
Here's the sort of English version of the Kabinet's homepage.
The collection includes work by Leonor Fini, Picasso, and Foujita (yay!), to name but a few. Also five resident cats, and Bob Meijer himself, who still lives up on the top floor. Here's a travel article telling more about the museum.
Minggu, 22 Februari 2009
Need a laugh?
The Chuckle Buddies love to have fun. Marlin the Monkey & Paul the Pooch will explode with uncontrollable laughter when you pass by them while rolling around on the floor. Their laugh is so infectious that you won't be able to help yourself from having a smile on your face.Get Your Chuckle Buddies for $19.95 each
(via Nerd Approved)
Sabtu, 21 Februari 2009
Jumat, 20 Februari 2009
not only a film monster but also a poodle
There is an entire wiki on Frank Zappa. This delights me. There is no end to the detail, commentary and sheer frolic in Zappa's lifework.
Plus, he did some pretty great riffs on poodles. Including the family pet called Fruney that morphed into Frunobolax, the unstoppable monster of the song "Cheepnis." Some lyrics...
Ladies and gentlemen,
The monster,
Which the peasants in this area call FRUNOBULAX
(Apparently a very large poodle dog)
Has just been seen approaching The Power Plant
Bullets can't stop it
Rockets can't stop it
We may have to use NUCLEAR FORCE!
What's the point? Well to know that, you should read this Zappa Wiki article about old, rather shoddily made monster movies...
Plus, he did some pretty great riffs on poodles. Including the family pet called Fruney that morphed into Frunobolax, the unstoppable monster of the song "Cheepnis." Some lyrics...
Ladies and gentlemen,
The monster,
Which the peasants in this area call FRUNOBULAX
(Apparently a very large poodle dog)
Has just been seen approaching The Power Plant
Bullets can't stop it
Rockets can't stop it
We may have to use NUCLEAR FORCE!
What's the point? Well to know that, you should read this Zappa Wiki article about old, rather shoddily made monster movies...
Photography by Gary Parker
When attempting to describe Gary Parker’s unique brand of photography forget words.
Begin with this: picture what an exuberant 8 year old boy might do with a camera if he had 25 years of experience winning awards in advertising and photojournalism, could light anything and could read the minds of dogs and go figure, EVEN CATS!
Begin with this: picture what an exuberant 8 year old boy might do with a camera if he had 25 years of experience winning awards in advertising and photojournalism, could light anything and could read the minds of dogs and go figure, EVEN CATS!
Gary is so busy taking photographs, he actually needs 2 websites to show them
all off.
Gary Parker Photography also showcases Gary's pro bono work with Little People of America (LPA). His photos encompass the #1 dwarfism photography website in the world, a site which has positively impacted the lives of many Little People families worldwide, as well as many of average stature who have found the portraits a source of inspiration, education and delight.
Look: 
All photographs are the exclusive property of Parker Photographic productions, Inc. – and are protected by US international copyright laws. These photos may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, stored, manipulated, projected or used in any way without the expressed permission of Gary Parker. If you wish to use any of these photographs please contact ary@garyparker.com.
Want To Add a Feathered friend?
Thinking of adding a feathered friend to your flock?
(Here are a few things to keep in mind)
Special guest post by Elizabeth Judek of www.birdyparadise.com
When considering whether a bird would make a fitting addition to your family, some very important factors must be kept in mind.
Generally, the idea of a pet bird evokes images of beautiful, colorful feathers, sweet warbled tunes, and perhaps even comical conversations. Poopy cages and skittish little guys with their hearts beating through their chests aren’t really thought of until it’s oftentimes far too late.
Birds, just like cats or dogs, are all mini individuals. Each has his or her own needs, personality, and preferences. While selecting a certain sort of bird may give you a general idea of what to expect, your bird may still exhibit some peculiarities. As a responsible pet owner, this has to be taken into account.
Other things that are helpful to consider include:
• The bird’s size, the cage it will need, and the space for both within your dwelling (the cage should allow the bird adequate room to hop around, and possibly even fly). Also, look into the sort of cage the breed you’re interested in prefers. Budgies, for example, like cages with a longer width and care less for height. Thought must also be put in to where the cage will be placed. A bird will be bored and lonely (especially if it is a single bird) if placed in a room that rarely sees human traffic. Your living room would be the best bet if you want to keep your new friend happy.
• The other residents of your abode (be they other pets, children, or your sweetie). Keep in mind that birds can be noisy, and are definitely “morning people”. Expect some shrieks among the melodies. Also, different birds will make very specific types of noise, and some are louder than others. Not every sort can sing, and not every kind can talk. Be sure you can handle the pitch of their warblings before you commit to becoming a bird owner.
• The amount of time you’ll be able to devote to its care (you’ll need to put in some serious hours to have a good relationship with your bird). It is not reasonable to expect a bird to love you immediately. Also, many breeds are very skittish (think finches and canaries) while others (like cockatoos) might love to cuddle. It’s important to note that where you buy the bird will highly impact how well it will take to humans. A hand-reared bird from a reputable breeder will be far easier to hand train than a bird plucked from a huge cage in a pet shop. Also be prepared to do some research on particular breeds you may be interested in, beforehand, to know the specific requirements for your future buddy.
• The amount of time you’ll be able to devote to extra cleaning (the bottom of the cage requires daily maintenance, as does the entire area around the cage – a mini vacuum would be a very wise investment). Birds also need baths from time to time, to keep their feathers clean and glossy. Misting them with water from a spray bottle is also recommended, especially if your home is hot or dry. A humidifier would take care of humidity issues just as well, and provide you and the other habitants of the home (including your plants) with a nicer atmosphere.
• Your use of products that affect air quality or cleanliness (did you know that your cooking with a Teflon pan might kill your bird? They are especially deadly if you’ve burnt something cooking on one, as smoke indiscriminately travels to other parts of the home). Additionally, smoking, incense, and potentially toxic plug-ins or air sprays are all certifiable threats for birds. They are very sensitive to even tiny amounts of impurities in the air.
• Your financial situation (looking past the initial cost is key here). Whether or not you’re able to shell out $20 for a budgie, or thousands for a macaw, will evidently affect your decision of which bird to buy. However, you must consider that its food and veterinary visits will be recurring costs. A cage, toys, treats perches, and other accessories also cannot be avoided, and require that a part of your budget is allocated towards such. Dietary supplements might also be required
• Consider whether you’ll be comfortable regularly clipping your bird’s wings (this might help keep them safe and make it easier to hand-train them). Remember that if you chose to do any bird grooming yourself, that its very important to be precise and steady (cutting claws too close to a blood vessel, or cutting through blood-feathers is painful and potentially life-threatening).
• Finally, consider how often you’ll let the little guy out of cage, if at all. While its cage is its secure haven, most birds are up for a bit of exploration every now and then. However, there are many hazards (open toilets, open windows, poisonous houseplants, ovens in use, burning candles, plastic bags, and sneaky kitties, to mention just a few).
Most important of all, take a good look at yourself. Are you up for the (sometimes difficult) but gloriously rewarding task of taking in a bird companion? Are you capable of providing a comfortable home for a creature that might live between a decade to over a century? Chose well and chose wisely – and if you should be so lucky that everything is in order, you’ll certainly reap a wonderful reward.
For other great bird tips, hop on over to birdyparadise.com!
(Here are a few things to keep in mind)
Special guest post by Elizabeth Judek of www.birdyparadise.com
When considering whether a bird would make a fitting addition to your family, some very important factors must be kept in mind.
Generally, the idea of a pet bird evokes images of beautiful, colorful feathers, sweet warbled tunes, and perhaps even comical conversations. Poopy cages and skittish little guys with their hearts beating through their chests aren’t really thought of until it’s oftentimes far too late.
Birds, just like cats or dogs, are all mini individuals. Each has his or her own needs, personality, and preferences. While selecting a certain sort of bird may give you a general idea of what to expect, your bird may still exhibit some peculiarities. As a responsible pet owner, this has to be taken into account.
Other things that are helpful to consider include:
• The bird’s size, the cage it will need, and the space for both within your dwelling (the cage should allow the bird adequate room to hop around, and possibly even fly). Also, look into the sort of cage the breed you’re interested in prefers. Budgies, for example, like cages with a longer width and care less for height. Thought must also be put in to where the cage will be placed. A bird will be bored and lonely (especially if it is a single bird) if placed in a room that rarely sees human traffic. Your living room would be the best bet if you want to keep your new friend happy.
• The other residents of your abode (be they other pets, children, or your sweetie). Keep in mind that birds can be noisy, and are definitely “morning people”. Expect some shrieks among the melodies. Also, different birds will make very specific types of noise, and some are louder than others. Not every sort can sing, and not every kind can talk. Be sure you can handle the pitch of their warblings before you commit to becoming a bird owner.
• The amount of time you’ll be able to devote to its care (you’ll need to put in some serious hours to have a good relationship with your bird). It is not reasonable to expect a bird to love you immediately. Also, many breeds are very skittish (think finches and canaries) while others (like cockatoos) might love to cuddle. It’s important to note that where you buy the bird will highly impact how well it will take to humans. A hand-reared bird from a reputable breeder will be far easier to hand train than a bird plucked from a huge cage in a pet shop. Also be prepared to do some research on particular breeds you may be interested in, beforehand, to know the specific requirements for your future buddy.
• The amount of time you’ll be able to devote to extra cleaning (the bottom of the cage requires daily maintenance, as does the entire area around the cage – a mini vacuum would be a very wise investment). Birds also need baths from time to time, to keep their feathers clean and glossy. Misting them with water from a spray bottle is also recommended, especially if your home is hot or dry. A humidifier would take care of humidity issues just as well, and provide you and the other habitants of the home (including your plants) with a nicer atmosphere.
• Your use of products that affect air quality or cleanliness (did you know that your cooking with a Teflon pan might kill your bird? They are especially deadly if you’ve burnt something cooking on one, as smoke indiscriminately travels to other parts of the home). Additionally, smoking, incense, and potentially toxic plug-ins or air sprays are all certifiable threats for birds. They are very sensitive to even tiny amounts of impurities in the air.
• Your financial situation (looking past the initial cost is key here). Whether or not you’re able to shell out $20 for a budgie, or thousands for a macaw, will evidently affect your decision of which bird to buy. However, you must consider that its food and veterinary visits will be recurring costs. A cage, toys, treats perches, and other accessories also cannot be avoided, and require that a part of your budget is allocated towards such. Dietary supplements might also be required
• Consider whether you’ll be comfortable regularly clipping your bird’s wings (this might help keep them safe and make it easier to hand-train them). Remember that if you chose to do any bird grooming yourself, that its very important to be precise and steady (cutting claws too close to a blood vessel, or cutting through blood-feathers is painful and potentially life-threatening).
• Finally, consider how often you’ll let the little guy out of cage, if at all. While its cage is its secure haven, most birds are up for a bit of exploration every now and then. However, there are many hazards (open toilets, open windows, poisonous houseplants, ovens in use, burning candles, plastic bags, and sneaky kitties, to mention just a few).
Most important of all, take a good look at yourself. Are you up for the (sometimes difficult) but gloriously rewarding task of taking in a bird companion? Are you capable of providing a comfortable home for a creature that might live between a decade to over a century? Chose well and chose wisely – and if you should be so lucky that everything is in order, you’ll certainly reap a wonderful reward.
For other great bird tips, hop on over to birdyparadise.com!
Kamis, 19 Februari 2009
Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign
Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign Foots the Bill,
So Pets Don’t Pay the Price
Advantage® from Bayer Animal Health Distributes More than $250,000
Worth of Veterinary Vouchers to Get Pets Visiting Veterinarians
SHAWNEE, Kan. (February 16, 2009) – Advantage® Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health announced today the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign with a mission to distribute more than $250,000 in $20 Veterinary Vouchers and offer valuable money-saving information to help offset costs and concerns for pet owners nationwide. Regular veterinary visits and preventive care are essential to maintaining a pet’s health, but during these challenging economic times, many pet owners are facing difficult choices about how to pay for and prioritize their pets’ care and wellness.
In fact, a recent survey of veterinarians confirmed pet owners have scaled back on veterinary visits and preventive pet care in the past six months2 – and nearly one-half of pet owners revealed they are now more likely to wait until there are obvious, visible issues with their pets before seeking veterinary treatment, with most noting that costs and economic concerns were the reason for the delay.1 More than 90 percent of veterinarians expressed concern about the future health of pets if veterinary visits and preventive care decline.2
From February 16 through February 28, 2009, the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage® from Bayer Animal Health is lending a hand by giving up to 13,000 pet owners the chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher. These vouchers can be used at any licensed veterinary clinic nationwide for preventive care services including: vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventatives and dental care. Each voucher helps offset close to 20 percent of the average cost of a veterinary visit for cats and dogs.
“Cats and dogs age much faster than we do. For some breeds, they can go from adolescence to middle age in a few short years. Since their health issues can develop and progress faster, regular veterinary visits are critical for checking health status and any new health developments,” said leading veterinarian and pet expert, Dr. Marty Becker. “Missed veterinary visits are missed opportunities to identify and address potentially serious health issues and complications as your pet ages. It’s far easier and more economical to prevent a health problem than to treat one.”
The Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage® Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health provides support to pet owners in two ways:
* At www.gettothevet.com from February 16 through February 28, 2009, dog and cat owners have a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher good toward preventive veterinary care (vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventatives, dental care, etc.). Vouchers are available on a first-come basis from 9:00AM to 9:00PM ET every hour on the hour with up to 1,000 vouchers distributed each day. More than 80 vouchers distributed every hour. No purchase necessary to obtain voucher. Voucher valid until May 31, 2009. See official rules.
* At www.gettothevet.com, pet owners can find money-saving tips on pet care from leading veterinarian and pet expert, Dr. Marty Becker.
Advantage® Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health issued “The State of Preventive Veterinary Care Report,” a comprehensive compilation of third-party and original research from pet owners and veterinarians, that concluded veterinarians believe pet health care is a major area for concern – with the potential for the problem to intensify without proper preventive care.
Insights from Advantage® from Bayer Animal Health:
* As many as 98 percent of veterinarians believe that preventive care is one of the best ways to forgo added medical costs and treatments in the long run for pet owners.
* More than nine out of 10 veterinarians expressed concern about the future health of pets if veterinary visits and preventive care decline, with almost half of them expressing deep concerns.
* More than 35 percent of pet owners admit they have already cut back on veterinary services. Other areas where they indicated they are seriously considering scaling back are grooming and teeth cleaning.
* More than 20 percent of pet owners are seriously considering scaling back on veterinary wellness visits, despite these pet-related costs being one of the expenses they want to sacrifice the least.
* Nearly half of the pet owners surveyed pointed to the cost of clinic visits and exams as barriers to taking their pets to the veterinarian, and 30 percent of pet owners admitted they have not taken their pet to the veterinarian for routine and/or preventive care in the past six months.
* Nearly 50 percent of pet owners reveal they will now wait until there are obvious, visible problems with their pets before visiting a veterinarian, with almost 80 percent of them pointing to economic/financial concerns as the reason for the delay.
* Within the past year, 35 percent of pet owners have cut costs on personal and lifestyle items (clothing, beauty products, home accessories, etc.) to afford their pet’s health care.
“As animal health professionals and committed industry partners, we understand the vitally important role that veterinarians and preventive care play in keeping pets healthy,” added Ohle. “We want to help pet owners to continue to work with veterinarians to ensure their pets’ well-being.”
To learn more about the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage® Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health and for a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher, visit www.gettothevet.com.
So Pets Don’t Pay the Price
Advantage® from Bayer Animal Health Distributes More than $250,000
Worth of Veterinary Vouchers to Get Pets Visiting Veterinarians
SHAWNEE, Kan. (February 16, 2009) – Advantage® Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health announced today the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign with a mission to distribute more than $250,000 in $20 Veterinary Vouchers and offer valuable money-saving information to help offset costs and concerns for pet owners nationwide. Regular veterinary visits and preventive care are essential to maintaining a pet’s health, but during these challenging economic times, many pet owners are facing difficult choices about how to pay for and prioritize their pets’ care and wellness.
In fact, a recent survey of veterinarians confirmed pet owners have scaled back on veterinary visits and preventive pet care in the past six months2 – and nearly one-half of pet owners revealed they are now more likely to wait until there are obvious, visible issues with their pets before seeking veterinary treatment, with most noting that costs and economic concerns were the reason for the delay.1 More than 90 percent of veterinarians expressed concern about the future health of pets if veterinary visits and preventive care decline.2
From February 16 through February 28, 2009, the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage® from Bayer Animal Health is lending a hand by giving up to 13,000 pet owners the chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher. These vouchers can be used at any licensed veterinary clinic nationwide for preventive care services including: vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventatives and dental care. Each voucher helps offset close to 20 percent of the average cost of a veterinary visit for cats and dogs.
“Cats and dogs age much faster than we do. For some breeds, they can go from adolescence to middle age in a few short years. Since their health issues can develop and progress faster, regular veterinary visits are critical for checking health status and any new health developments,” said leading veterinarian and pet expert, Dr. Marty Becker. “Missed veterinary visits are missed opportunities to identify and address potentially serious health issues and complications as your pet ages. It’s far easier and more economical to prevent a health problem than to treat one.”
The Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage® Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health provides support to pet owners in two ways:
* At www.gettothevet.com from February 16 through February 28, 2009, dog and cat owners have a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher good toward preventive veterinary care (vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventatives, dental care, etc.). Vouchers are available on a first-come basis from 9:00AM to 9:00PM ET every hour on the hour with up to 1,000 vouchers distributed each day. More than 80 vouchers distributed every hour. No purchase necessary to obtain voucher. Voucher valid until May 31, 2009. See official rules.
* At www.gettothevet.com, pet owners can find money-saving tips on pet care from leading veterinarian and pet expert, Dr. Marty Becker.
Advantage® Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health issued “The State of Preventive Veterinary Care Report,” a comprehensive compilation of third-party and original research from pet owners and veterinarians, that concluded veterinarians believe pet health care is a major area for concern – with the potential for the problem to intensify without proper preventive care.
Insights from Advantage® from Bayer Animal Health:
* As many as 98 percent of veterinarians believe that preventive care is one of the best ways to forgo added medical costs and treatments in the long run for pet owners.
* More than nine out of 10 veterinarians expressed concern about the future health of pets if veterinary visits and preventive care decline, with almost half of them expressing deep concerns.
* More than 35 percent of pet owners admit they have already cut back on veterinary services. Other areas where they indicated they are seriously considering scaling back are grooming and teeth cleaning.
* More than 20 percent of pet owners are seriously considering scaling back on veterinary wellness visits, despite these pet-related costs being one of the expenses they want to sacrifice the least.
* Nearly half of the pet owners surveyed pointed to the cost of clinic visits and exams as barriers to taking their pets to the veterinarian, and 30 percent of pet owners admitted they have not taken their pet to the veterinarian for routine and/or preventive care in the past six months.
* Nearly 50 percent of pet owners reveal they will now wait until there are obvious, visible problems with their pets before visiting a veterinarian, with almost 80 percent of them pointing to economic/financial concerns as the reason for the delay.
* Within the past year, 35 percent of pet owners have cut costs on personal and lifestyle items (clothing, beauty products, home accessories, etc.) to afford their pet’s health care.
“As animal health professionals and committed industry partners, we understand the vitally important role that veterinarians and preventive care play in keeping pets healthy,” added Ohle. “We want to help pet owners to continue to work with veterinarians to ensure their pets’ well-being.”
To learn more about the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage® Topical Solution from Bayer Animal Health and for a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher, visit www.gettothevet.com.
Now here's a real "wildlife" photographer
What would you do if you saw a wild otter holding a video camera?
Take a picture, of course!
Professional photographer Enrique Aguirre took this photo of an otter holding a video camera while on a tour of Elkhorn Slough aboard the Elkhorn Slough Safari Boat out of Moss Landing on Feb. 3. The otter apparently found the camera at the bottom of the ocean.
Do you think the otter will post on YouTube soon?
Photo Credit: Enrique Aguirre
Source
Take a picture, of course!
Professional photographer Enrique Aguirre took this photo of an otter holding a video camera while on a tour of Elkhorn Slough aboard the Elkhorn Slough Safari Boat out of Moss Landing on Feb. 3. The otter apparently found the camera at the bottom of the ocean.Do you think the otter will post on YouTube soon?
Photo Credit: Enrique Aguirre
Source
Hello, beautiful!
Meet Inuk, upclose and personal.Inuk is the Mystic Aquarium's male Beluga whale. He is an amazing creature who shows a great deal of curiosity and intelligence. When the crowds are thin at the Aquarium and there are only a few people in front of the glass he will sometimes stay and watch those people closely. Especially children who are more calm.
Some people ask if whales have ears at the aquarium...here you can see the small opening behind the eye, that's Inuk's ear.
Status: Vulnerable, growing risk; mostly from pollution of native waters but also hunting.
IUCN Redlist: Vulnerable
Cook Inlet Alaska Population: Critically Endangered.
CITES: Appendix 2
Photo & text: eclectic echoes
(via benhästen)
Oh, Oogie
When he was just a puppy, Oogy was living in a hell on earth. He was tied to a stake and used as bait for pit bulls in a dogfighting ring. He'd been thrown in a cage and left to die, and the police raided the facility. He was brought to Ardmore Animal Hospital, and they saved him.Dr. Bianco, a veterinarian, says Oogy was still a puppy when he first treated the dog's severe damage. He basically had the side of his face ripped off, his jaw was crushed, his skull was damaged. He's lucky to be alive.
Larry Levin and his twin boys were at the vet to drop off their cat when Oogy walked down the hall…and right into their hearts. "He looked like part of him had melted," Larry says. "But he just covered us with kisses. It's like he didn't know that anything bad had happened to him—he was just full of love. He jumped in our arms."
When Larry found out the dog didn't belong to anyone, he asked Dr. Bianco if he could adopt him. "I couldn't believe my good luck," Larry says. "That's how I felt about this dog right from the start."
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