International Garden Photographer of the Year

The finalists of the UK's International Garden Photographer of the Year award have just been announced.

Garden tiger moth close-up by Paul Keene

This picture of a garden tiger moth (Arctia caja) was taken in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The caterpillars of this moth feed on nettles, so if you want these moths to be a feature in your garden, then keep a rough, uncultivated patch

(via Look at This)

Fursday Fun

from flickr, by annbananne

from funny pets

from randompictures

from Flickr, by Tambako the Jaguar

cats used to grow big in greece, did they?

Some years ago a Greek vase that the University Museum had lent to Bryn Mawr
College aroused my curiosity about cheetahs in antiquity, starting me on a long
trail of Classical cats.

Such is the opening sentence of Ann Ashmead's article "GREEK CATS: Exotic pets kept by rich youths in fifth century B.C. Athens, as portrayed on Greek vases" (Expedition Magazine Vol 2, No. 3, Spring 1978). Long story short, I may have brought you a bit of a project today if you feel like downloading the PDF and scanning the scholarly article. The text mostly says in essence "Rich fashionable young Greek men could acquire a cheetah or a leopard if they wanted to, apparently." If you have ever wished you could have a mighty cool Acinonyx jubatus -- that's cheetah to you and me -- then you might well enjoy, not least for the great photos taken from ceramics of the time. (I recommend Illustration 8, a kylix by the Cat and Dog Painter, and 6, a cheetah whose spots are made in loopy whorls.)

Give the article a try.

Adorable

(via cute and cuter)

Today's awwww

(via ZooBorns)

I went looking for ducklings this past weekend, but did not find any. However, I have this one (thanks Wikimedia Commons) from the Southern Song Dynasty of China (1127–1279 AD). The Southern Song painters are said to have belonged to a tradition that wanted to foster societal change from the ground up, and thereby focusing on close, intimate subjects. I applaud a time and culture that believed the visual arts were a way to do this for everyone. Don't you just want to run out and tidy up your yard so this little guy could have a calm, clean place to grow up?

It dives in shallows for beakfuls of moss,

Heads to sandy isles to preen its feathers.

Ready to fly off all by itself,

It finds its reflection and lingers.

- "On a Lone Duck," Xiao Gang (6th century AD)

What's that in your pants?

Rascal in my pants 2 by Ed Van Brunt

Cordless Mouse

(via Miss Cellania)

The four faces of the Bengal tiger

Displayed for the first time in a specially constructed studio in South Carolina, The Four Faces of the Bengal Tiger show the four varieties of Bengal tiger.

"There are only four distinct types of Bengal tiger in the world and they are all in this amazing photo shoot," says Dr Bhagavan Antle of The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S), who brought these majestic animals to the studio.

Dr Antle believes the images give away the characteristics of behaviour, age and personality of each tiger. "Like human photographs, you can see the difference in their age as some of them look a little more grizzled and haggard than others."

See all 18 photos

Photograph: Barry Bland/Barcroft Media

How Spaying Helps Your Dog Stay Healthy

Here are some tips from the Dog Age website about the health factors in spaying your dog:

If you could do one thing to help your precious little Lucy stay healthy, you'd do it in a heartbeat, right? So if you haven't done so already, ask your vet about spaying your pet.

Here are the ways it could help your pup's well-being and give you some peace of mind:

* No worries about reproductive cancers. Since the ovaries and uterus are surgically removed, there's no chance of tumors growing in the reproductive tract.
* Your dog won't be in heat. "Heat," or estrus, is a female dog's mating period. During this time, which occurs every 3 to 6 months and lasts up to 4 weeks, dogs will have vaginal bleeding -- that's something you'll have to deal with. And because your pet wants a ready-and-willing male, she may wander off in the neighborhood to find one. If the thought of your pooch on the prowl makes you squirm, picture frisky hounds howling at your door!
* A much lower risk of breast cancer. Animals spayed before their first heat cycle (usually at 6 to 9 months of age) have substantially lower odds of developing breast cancer.
* No uterine infections. Spaying a dog at any age eliminates infections of the uterus, which can be quite serious.

Spaying also helps to reduce pet overpopulation.

Is there one in your walls?

Hundreds of years ago cats were put into walls to ward-off "bad luck".

A 400-year-old mummified cat has been found in the walls of a house that was being renovated in Devon. The remains of the creature were found in one of the bathrooms at the house in Ugborough.

The owner of the house said the cat would be put back where it was found when the renovation is completed.




Source

How to eat a peanut

(via)

the ibmc feeds their feral kitties

I stumbled across this sideways, after surfing through a 2003 article on a woman in Berkeley who tamed feral cats through Buddhist chants. Upon trying to find out more about that, I found a low-key, charming vid in which the Reverend Kusala of the International Buddhist Meditation Center feeds his gang of slowly tamed fellow beings. No chants, just kibble, a little chat, and a good feeling to start your workweek.

Cute or not? Baby wombat

found at Wombat Country

A dog-friendly car from Honda

Now, at a time when much of the auto industry is going to the dogs, Honda is actively chasing dogs. The company has designed a Dog Friendly version of its Element, a vehicle that was shown at this month's New York Auto Show. Honda says the vehicle will go on sale this fall. The special package likely will contain:

• A cushioned pet bed in the cargo area on an elevated platform.


• An extendable loading ramp. (Did you ever try and lift a Shepherd into an SUV?)


• A 12-volt rear ventilation fan.


• Second row seat covers in a dog-pattern that matches the pet bed fabric.


• A spill-resistant bowl and all-season rubber mats with a bone pattern.


• Special Edition emblems.

Source

Spotting Signs of Animal Abuse

I came across this article and was intrigued. Often times you don't think of the fact that animals can and are being abused in some instances. Although the abuse is hard to spot, this article The Pet Place Website outlines the spectrum of abuse in animals.

Although the non-pet loves may wonder why it is such a big deal (are there really non pet lovers?), there is reason to be concerned....Animal abuse is often a stepping stone to violence toward people. Studies show that those who were cruel toward animals as children are drastically more likely to commit violent crimes toward people.

Not only does animal abuse sound an alarm regarding a child's violent tendencies, an abused pet should also be a red flag for child and domestic abuse. In a home where pets are mistreated, there are often people who are being physically and emotionally harmed.

Therefore, not only should their be concern about the pets being abused, but also about the people living in the house with the pets.

Caturday funnies

from Miezenkatzen

from horklog(some entries here NSFW)

from Dilidoo

from I have seen the whole of the internet

more of a cat feeling, really

"I have often, as an exercise and as a sustenance, painted before an object down to the smallest accidents of its visual appearance; but the day left me sad and with an unsatiated thirst. The next day I let the other source run, that of imagination, through the recollection of the forms and I was then reassured and appeased."

This is a quote from the Symbolist painter Odilon Redon (French, 1840-1916). He's best known for his mysterious humanoid creatures rendered in soft, sweet pastel colors. Everyone, I think, has seen The Cylops, in which the terrible beast of legend becomes a tender swain mooning over a sleeping girl. I've always had a soft spot for Redon.

And now I've found another reason to love him. He painted not only a cat, but the feeling and memory of having one, in Bazon The Artist's Cat (1905). In this piece the ginger cat slumbers smiling in a ginger world, in what looks to be a garden setting. Anyone who has felt the peace radiating from their happy cat will know exactly how that can fill their perceptions.

Video: Racoon Thief

Watch video

(via hanuman)

Video: Cat Ambush!

Watch video

(via The Grip)

the sophisticat contingent

So you go to this new lolcat site, or you think it's one, and you realize, "It's not got very many. And they are all speaking perfect English. And it's kind of British."

What it IS is kind of a backlash, courtesy of Weebl and Bob's latest Catface, in which he takes on icanhascheezburger.com and some of our favorites. "Invisible sandwich? Why not the real sandwich?" I wish the Weebl gang would continue it.

Brian eats a daffodil

from Flickr, by Mrs B (aka Chi)

(via A Welsh View)

Smile, it's Friday!

Fursday Fun

Photo credit: Bonnie Trafelet/Chicago Tribune


(via Izismile.com)

"an actual pig, oinky-oink"

As in, "I hear that you're thinking about nominating a pig for President, an actual pig, oinky-oink, you know, Pigasus, the Immortal."

That's a quote from testimony in the Chicago Seven case from Ed Sanders. He's talking about events leading up to the 1968 Presidential election, and the rumors were correct: the Yippie candidate was a mammal of the hog variety named Pigasus, the Immortal.

Introduced as the Youth International Party's choice at the Democratic Convention in Chicago that August, Pigasus' campaign pledge stated: "They nominate a president and he eats the people. We nominate a president and the people eat him." Pigasus was going up against Nixon and Hubert H. Humphrey, so you have to admit that on the face of it he had an outside shot. Or at least he would have, if he hadn't gotten arrested along with Phil Ochs, Jerry Rubin and other the morning of August 23rd. (Yes, that's right: the pig got arrested.) Everyone got sprung but Pigasus, who was never seen again.

I'd have to say this is one of the most vivid uses of political metaphor I've ever run across. For more story and backstory, plus a photo of the pig getting nabbed by no less than four policemen, trot yourself over to this Porkopolis page.

Today's awwww

Study of a small girl with a prize Scottish terrier dog, c. 1935 / by Sam Hood from State Library of New South Wales collection at Flickr

Stunning

Found here

"yer honor." "woof."

Hello everybody! I was up against a couple of freelance contracts with tight deadlines, and surely missed being here.

I wasn't in Rabbit Hash Kentucky either, though it would be diverting. This tiny town in Boone County has developed the wise habit of electing dogs as mayors. Goofy was the first one in 1998. The second was Junior Cochran, who has departed for the doggie beyond as of May 2008 - so they're on their third. An open-minded society, the citizens of Rabbit Hash have elected a woman this time, a Border Collie named Lucy Lou. The exciting rundown of this political process here, in which 215% registered and unregistered voters exercised their rights. (Her opponents included an opossum.)

Hearing Slated For Nonnative Species Ban

A Congressional subcommittee has scheduled a hearing for legislation that could effectively ban ownership of thousands of nonnative species in the United States, including most birds, reptiles, fish and several mammals (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and ferrets) commonly kept as pets.

The legislation currently exempts dogs, cats, horses, goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) and a variety of farm animals, all of which are also not native to the United States.

The House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife has scheduled a hearing on House Resolution 669 for April 23, 2009.

Essentially, the legislation would require the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to create lists of approved and non-approved species of nonnative wildlife (species not naturally found in the United States) based on risk assessments of the species’ potential likelihood to “cause economic or environmental harm or harm to another animal species’ health or human health.”

Currently, species are banned under the Lacey Act only when they’re determined to be an actual threat.

Proponents of the bill include animal rights organizations and some environmental groups.

Opponents have raised concerns that the legislation is too simplistic and too rigid to deal with a complex issue such as invasive species. It could also have a significant financial impact on several industries, including the pet industry.

One concern is that the legislation would seek risk assessments of all nonnative species, including the thousands that have already been in the pet trade in the United States for decades or more. It would require proving a nonnative species could not pose a threat of establishing a wild population anywhere in the United States, according to opponents. For example, the legislation would ban a species that could be a threat in Hawaiian waters, but not likely in Kansas or Arizona throughout the United States.

Also, the opponents say the Fish and Wildlife Service does not have the resources to conduct risk assessments under the legislation’s timetables (37 months from the bill’s enactment to assess all non-native species compared to an average of four years to find a species harmful under the current Lacey Act).

The Fish & Wildlife Service also could determine it has insufficient scientific and commercial information to determine a species is either approved or unapproved, effectively banning trade and ownership of that species.

That is because the legislation prohibits import into or export from the United States, and interstate transportation of, any species not specifically listed on the approved list.

It also bans the possession or trade, breeding and release into the wild of such species. Pet owners who owned their pets prior to the risk assessment’s beginning would be allowed to keep their pets, under the proposed legislation.

Species that might be harmful but are already “so widespread in the United States that it is clear to the Secretary that any import prohibitions or restrictions would have no practical utility” would also be included on the approved list.

What's that in your pants?

(via Miezekatzen)

Cute or not? jumping spider

This new jumping spider species, Orthrus sp., was found in a Papua-New Guinea rainforest during the 2008 expedition.
(Conservation International/© Wayne Maddison )

New, Pet Friendly Car

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Dog-crazy Americans will soon be able to buy a pet-friendly car with a cushioned dog bed in the trunk, fitted with a built-in water bowl and fan and a ramp to help less agile dogs climb in.

With the help of a rescue dog named Sammy, Japanese car maker Honda Motor Co unveiled the pet friendly version of its Element utility vehicle at the New York Auto Show.

It features easy-wash seat covers, a fitted dog bed with restraints to keep Sammy safe in the event of a crash, and a paw logo on the side. Honda said the car would go on sale across the United States from the fall of this year.

Honda spokesman Sage Marie said it was designed with both safety and comfort in mind. "(It's) a car we think is of interest to many of today's dog-crazy consumers," he said.

Senior product planner James Jenkins said Americans spend $41 billion a year on their pets, a figure forecast to rise to $52 billion in two years, indicating a big market for the car.

"Pets have become more like family, more important to households than ever before," Jenkins said.The current model of the Element starts at a little over $20,000 and Honda has yet to determine how much the pet friendly features will add on to the price tag, Jenkins said.

Sammy's owner, Heather Cammisa of the Humane Society of the United States, said she had borrowed the car for two weeks and found the ramp especially useful.

"Sammy actually needs a ramp. Before I adopted him he ended up at a shelter having been hit by a car and he needs that ramp," she said. "Otherwise I lift him to get into my car."

Apple Bird Feeder

This delightful apple bird feeder will be the place to hang out for all your neighborhood's cool birds. Eco-friendly design made from Bamboo.

$25.00 at Satinbox

The Wiener Cleaner

Luxurious triple-milled couture soap sets an elegant tone in your home or in the home of a lucky giftee!

Soaps are beautifully rendered to look just like the breed you love, right down to the finest detail, and distinctively fragranced. Mild, pure, vegetable-based soap. Each arrives in an ornately patterned box with ribbon. Made in USA.

$12.99 at In The Company of Dogs

(via The Long and Short of it All)

Caturday funnies

from SA Forums

Video: Head first

Watch video

(via Snuzzy)

Video: Cat vs Fish Tank

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Nation’s Emergency Physicians Warn about Dangers of Dog Bites

With spring approaching, more people will be going outdoors to enjoy warmer weather. That also might mean more contact with dogs, either being walked by their owners or unaccompanied. Since 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) wants to warn Americans about the dangers of dog bites and help prevent them before they happen.

“Most dogs are friendly, with no intentions to cause harm to anyone,” said Dr. Nick Jouriles, president of ACEP. “But sometimes they act aggressively toward strangers for a variety of reasons. “Most dog bites are not fatal, but at least one in five requires medical attention, including a trip to the emergency department.”

How can dog bites be prevented?
Avoid unfamiliar dogs or any dogs acting strangely. Just stay away from them if you can.
· Don’t run from a dog, scream, startle them or make loud noises.
· Remain motionless if approached by an unfamiliar, possibly threatening dog.
· If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still, and cover your head if possible.
· Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.
· Don’t bother a dog if it’s sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.
· Don’t pet an unknown dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.
· Talk to you kids about this information, make sure they understand the dangers before they go out and play.

What do you do if you are bitten?
· Tell children to immediately inform an adult and seek medical attention.
· If bleeding, put pressure on the wound and clean the area with running water.
· If you develop a fever or other signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, pain, a bad smell or fluid draining from the area, see a physician immediately.
· Call 911 if it is a severe attack, extensive bleeding or near the facial area.
· Most dogs that have owners are vaccinated against rabies. If you are not sure, contact your doctor, your local health department or animal control.
· Children or adults may need a tetanus shot.

For more information about dog bites and other medical related topics, go to www.emergencycareforyou.org.

ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine with more than 27,000 members. ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.

Horse laugh?

Nay

(via Pixdaus)

Ridiculous

(via Go Fug Yourself)

Smile, it's Friday!

(via)

art is consolation

My gracious. What a week.




I need to feast my eyes on my favorite things: art and pets, rolled up together like a peanut butter cup (Mm, right?).

How about this lovely "Tom Cat" by the Dutch artist Frans Koppelaar (1943 - )? Koppelaar currently prides himself on not belonging to any art movement, and painting with a simple, straightforward realism. Now I am fond of many styles and theories of art, so I think there's lots of different ideas to enjoy. Today this was the one I found. Ah, I can almost feel that fur.

Koppelaar's website is here (but he doesn't do many pets).

Eco-Friendly Pet Toys

With Earth Day just around the corner (April 22), the folks at petside.com have released its exclusive list of the Top 10 Eco-Friendly Pet Toys, to help owners reduce their pet's carbon paw print. If interested, you can check it out here: to see the complete list and get information on where to buy these environmentally responsible products.

Let me know what you think.

Very cute website intro

I don't generally like long, flash intros for websites, but this one, for the Hungarian Post Office, is exceptionally well done and interesting.

A wedding dress for the birds

If you want to stand out on your wedding day, this dress made up of 2009 peacock feathers could be just the ticket.

The $1.5million creation was made at a wedding dress factory and took eight workers 40 days to sew together.

An average male peacock sheds around 200 feathers during his annual moult – meaning the makers would have had to have harvested the feathers from more than ten birds over the course of a year.

Source

Fursday Fun

Source

Albert J Valentino / NBP Zoolife Winner

Zainal Abd Halim / Reuters

Alanah M. Torralba / EPA

The first family

Getty Images

Just trying to feed the bears

A polar bear attacked a woman at Berlin Zoo Friday afternoon after she climbed a fence and jumped into its habitat during feeding time.

The woman was severely injured and was being treated at a hospital. It's unclear why the woman entered the bear habitat, but police issued her a citation for trespassing.

Source

(via Blame it on the Voices)

Gross

Gross, disgusting, sickening

Also,
My cats would steal this and hide it within moments.

Today's awwww

(via Dilidoo)

bunny tiles from a garden

You know, I could've posted this for Easter. These are a couple of tiles from a tile wall at the Georgetown (Seattle WA) P-Patch, one of many community gardens scattered through the city. Tara and John (Robin&Finchy's mom and dad) got on the waiting list and were successful this year, so I showed up to salivate over the thought of fresh lettuce. Then I noticed the wall.

There's lots of handmade tiles on the wall, but because it was getting close to Easter I saw these and was enchanted. They're Peter-Rabbity, aren't they? All plump and compact like Beatrix Potter bunnies. I guess all the tiles were installed recently, in June 2008, if this announcement is right.

Woman loses bid to keep 18 dogs

This has been an ongoing dispute in Connecticut. Below is the latest news regarding the fight....I'll say this, although I don't there there are 18 of any type of pets I'd want to own besides maybe fish, these dogs are still her "kids," and she has been taking great care of the pets.

West Hartford (AP) - Connecticut's second-highest court has ruled that a West Hartford woman cannot keep her 18 dogs at her home because of town zoning regulations.

The Appellate Court says Faith Kilburn has to comply with West Hartford officials' orders to reduce the number of dogs at her home to three.

Kilburn had 22 Shih Tzus at her home when she began fighting the town's order in court in late 2006, but four have since died.

Kilburn's lawyer, Danielle Omasta, says Kilburn is very disappointed with the court's decision and is deciding whether to take more legal action. Omasta says her client is very attached to the dogs.

The Appellate Court said having that many dogs at a home is not appropriate for the neighborhood and violates local zoning regulations.

Oooopsie!

From Flickr, by Chika