Archive for the ‘Animals’ Category
The Beauty Around Us
Native to New Guinea, the Victoria Crowned Pigeon (named after Queen Victoria) is vulnerable due to habitat loss. The Zoological Society of London was thrilled at this recent birth, which was part of a European program to breed a “reserve population” in the event that the species ever went extinct in the wild.

Photo credits: Zoological Society of London
Click the picture to see more.
No Means No
Animal behavior is fascinating.
Obviously this dog is well trained and the trick would be cute no matter who the subject of its refusal to accept the treat was, but given the current climate surrounding several political issues it takes on a life of its’ own.
Pet Airways: An Idea Whose Time Has Come
One reason we don’t like to fly when we go somewhere is the hassle and drama of having to put our pets into a kennel to be kept by someone else while we are away for a week or two at a time.
We’d fly them except we don’t want them in the cargo hold of a plane since the temperatures vary so much and things get tossed around. It’s traumatic for the pet and for us.
Currently, Pet Airways flies to and from just five major cities: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver and Washington, DC.
If they ever expand to my home airport and go to other areas I frequent I would be first in line to get my pets first class treatment.
Creatures Great & Small
Enjoy!
(Click the image to see more of “Margaret Abigail” with not only Mom but Grandma and Sis too)
(My apologies to Ms. Maher for not giving proper credit for the photos earlier in the post. It was one of those brain freeze moments where you are certain you did something, but it somehow slips by.)
For Your Viewing Pleasure
Amazing live footage of magnificent creatures in their natural habitats:
(If you are lucky, you will get a good glimpse of the little ones in this nest)
More from the African Bush:
HT:Don Surber
Friday Fly-By
No politics, no news..just bits of this and that to help kick start the weekend in a relaxing fashion.
An evil eye guaranteed to garner a smile:
These little ones born at the National Zoo would warm any animal lovers heart:

The beauty of Spring is upon us. Even if for a few moments, leave your cares behind and enjoy!

Have a terrific weekend!
Friday Fly-By
Was Barack Obama’s luck o’ the Irish what led him to purchase and then sell this particular stock at very specific times?
However, the company had been around since 1980, and had never brought a single drug to market. Yet guided by his preternatural capitalistic savvy, Chairman Zero bought the stock. By some remarkable coincidence…
8 months after Obama bought the stock, the company was awarded a $28 million contract from the federal government to research treatments against biological warfare or a bioterrorism attack.
AVI Biopharma spiked in price… and days after the announcement, Obama sold his shares and booked a 73% profit.
Where’s the press? Crickets, chirping…….
HT:Confederate Yankee
There are times when a simple thank you to an employee is just not sufficient.
This would have to be a strong contender for photoshop of the week.
Just for fun:

Last but not least. A little something for those of us who remember when times seemed a bit simpler, and okay, the clothes a little dorkier:
Have a good weekend folks!
Friday Fly-By
Here they are. The titles of those twenty five movies Prime Minister Brown tucked in his suitcase as he headed back to Britain:

Thoughts anyone? HT: Slashfilm
At the moment many are interested primarily in self preservation. It is completely understandable given the rising unemployment numbers and the losses in the market. Who among us could say we have not been touched in some way by this recent economic downturn?
There are those who are as affected as the rest but also have another burden to carry. One which could take from them something far more valuable than any material possession.
These are the folks who, whether military or civilian, have loved ones in harms way, far from home.
Yes, times are tough at present but if you could find a moment, would you please, if you are so inclined to fit in a prayer for the brave men and women who are currently on battlefields or will soon be deployed?
This is a real “shoe on the other foot” moment for me.
My son – my only son – just got orders for Afghanistan.
He’ll be the third generation of my family committed to a foreign war. Stretching back to WWII one of us always seems to have been among those serving the nation during conflict. Except this time it’s the guy who once was small enough to sleep on my chest.
Thanks.
Absolutely beautiful!
Last month, the Denver Zoo welcomed a brand new bundle of joy. This time, it’s a Golden Lion Tamarin. The newborn weighed less than 100 grams, about as much as an average kiwi fruit.

Hope you all have a good weekend!
Leapin’ Lizards..No Wait, That’s Lemurs
The Besancon Zoo in Eastern France welcomed the arrival of a baby Sifaka in late December. ‘Tahina’ means ‘needs to be protected’ in malgache. With no mother to protect her, ‘Tahina’ is seen living up to her name by clinging tightly to a surrogate stuffed Mommy Lemur.

(Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images)
Here is the lemur as he/she matures:
Hope I made you smile.
Eat, Drink, Sleep and Be Merry
No Greater Love
In Santiago, Chile, a stray dog got hit by a car in heavy traffic. The dog’s buddy risked his own life to pull his friend out of the traffic.
This video is from a traffic camera and is in Spanish, but you get the idea.
Please consider giving to the ASPCA to prevent the overpopulation of domesticated animals and more scenes like this.
We Joined…Will You, Please?
And if you’re thinking of getting a puppy for a Christmas present please watch this video:
Living With Caylee
Almost four weeks ago we adopted an 8 week old mini-schnauzer puppy and named her Caylee.
She has brought a lot of smiles in the house and a lot of “no’s” too. Sometimes she must think her name is “No, Caylee.”
When we got her she weighed 2.4 pounds and the jacket we had for her was way too big. We still used it since she didn’t have much fur.
Yesterday she had her 11 week check-up and has exactly doubled her weight. Because we got down to the lower twenties last night we had to put her jacket back on her and discovered, to our amazement, it is getting too small! It barely velcroes around her neck and belly and instead of hanging over the edge of her bottom it is now about an inch or so up her back from her bottom.
Caylee wants to dominate us, a trait we discovered is common in the breed, so now we are having to make her sit before she eats, goes out or gets held.
She also likes to nip as all puppies do and I had to get creative with that. “Stop!” or “No!” weren’t doing the trick, so yesterday the vet suggested a water pistol or bottle to squirt her when she’s bad. Before we could get that I had to figure out what to do. When she tried to use me for a chew toy I started to call her name and growl at her. She immediately stopped, sniffed my mouth (no, she didn’t pass out) and then started licking me. I just won’t be able to growl at her in public or they’ll commit me. 
Today, this puppy who hates her crate, actually went into it for nap time. She’s taking obedience training and can sit, watch us, touch us and go down. This past Saturday’s lesson was on loose leash walking and she seems to be adjusting to that. Next week is “leave it” week, so I look forward to how we can make her do that.
In the above photo you see her at ten weeks. My husband took the shot, so excuse the back end. 
I’ll keep you posted on her progress, as we hope to have a well-behaved dog by the time this is over.
Elephants Have Musical Preferences Too
Even elephants appear to appreciate the power of music:
The rousing, patriotic sweep of Elgar’s Nimrod, the mournful tones of Nessun Dorma and the urgent eight-note allegro con brio opening to Beethoven’s fifth – they have all been helping animal behaviour experts to make life more comfortable for the elephants at Belfast zoo.
The researchers have discovered that playing classical music to the animals reduces abnormal behaviours such as swaying, pacing and trunk tossing, although they said elephants don’t seem to have a favourite composer.
“We tend to see in some situations that elephants don’t cope well with captivity just because they have this inherent instinct to roam vast distances,” said Dr Deborah Wells at Queen’s University in Belfast. “The rationale underlying this study is really to try and improve their welfare and in particular to try to improve these stereotypic patterns of behaviour that elephants are prone to.”
Gee, I wonder if they would react the same to the music that “soothes the soul:” [Bob Segar's music and Disney movies might be just the ticket]
We Have a New Baby at Our House!
Caylee is our new miniature Schnauzer, who will be 2 months old on Oct. 25. She weighs around 2 pounds and makes a lot of noise for someone as small as she is.
(I think she’s getting spoiled)
It’s Not Mother’s Day But….
This is such a cute and amazing story I thought I’d post it. Besides, it’s not political.
For The Animals
If you happen to be near or in your local PetSmart store in the next couple of weeks, please think about donating to this very worthwhile charity. For just a dollar you could help save the life of an animal:
The Just A Buck, Change Their Luck campaign is an annual PetSmart Charities fundraiser that supports local animal welfare agencies. Funds raised are used by our thousands of agency partners to support spay/neuter, adoption, retention, and education programs in local communities.
The annual Just A Buck, Change Their Luck fall 2008 campaign will run from August 9-26, 2008 in all U.S. and Canadian PetSmart stores. Customers can donate “just a buck” or more. To encourage larger donations, customers who donate $5 receive a mouse pad or techno-skinz, $10 receive a T-shirt, and $15 receive a tote bag.
Each campaign features collectible artwork from a different artist. The fall campaign items feature the artwork of Mitch Henderson entitled “Bright Angels
There is a wonderful video at the link above (no embed code or I would have transferred it here) which details the work of these charities.
If you choose to contribute, you may also do so at the website. Thanks.



















