Vet Wisdom® Café

Human cancer drug for dogs

Dr. Kim Selting at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine is studying a cancer drug used for humans on dogs. She is the lead investigator on a study of the drug Attaxol™ in dogs with naturally occuring cancer.

"Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in dogs,” Selting said. “This study is important because most chemotherapy drugs available to people can be used in dogs, except for the highly successful taxanes that can keep cancer from proliferating throughout the body. The Attaxol™ formulation is built specifically for dogs and could allow taxanes to be used by veterinarians." (Full story here.)

The study is very interesting to hear about. I know that many studies of this kind are done all the time in veterinary medicine. I'm always amazed at what these incredible doctors do to ensure that our pets can be taken care of in the best ways possible. I also am very intrigued by the cross-over of these studies with human medicine.

Have you read about or has your animal ever participated in a research study? I know I'm glad that these studies happen. Cancer in pets is one of the scariest things to have happen to your pets. These doctors really do all they can to help you through it!

--Tammy

Facebook rescue

So, you've all heard about Facebook by now! It's a huge, and growing, social network. And it's helping people in unique ways!

A family in California was reunited with a dog that was left when they relocated from Florida four years ago via Facebook! (They left the dog with a relative initially, and then the dog was rehomed supposedly to a good home since the family in CA couldn't take the dog back.)

Well, last week, Diane Stess-Kirschner found Topaz, a Lhasa-Apso outside her apartment. She decided to do a lot of detective work and figure out who the little dog belonged to. Topaz was micro-chipped and unfortunately, her chip information hadn't been updated. The names of the Greenfelder's (Topaz's original owners) were all that she had to go on. Diane decided to go to Facebook and see what she could find. She sent messages to the two names that matched her search. Within minutes, she heard from Glen Greenfelder.

Diane got Topaz groomed, got a health certificate for her, and she has (by now) arrived home to CA with her original family.

What an awesome story for this little dog and her family! Have you heard of other stories of rescues of pets on Facebook? Would you think to search Facebook if you were doing detective work (of any kind)? (Read the full story at the Sacramento Bee.)

--Tammy

Puppy Mill Initiative

As I'm sure you're aware, the November elections are fast approaching. We don't have TV, so thankfully, we're missing out on all of the campaign advertising.

There is one measure that is gaining a lot of attention nation-wide is an initiative in Missouri. It is being calle the Puppy Mill Initiative - actually Missouri Dog Breeding Regulation Initiative, proposition B. One of our regular blog readers brought this to my attention. I am not going to "get political" and dive in with any specific opinions, but just share the information that I have gathered with you.

The Puppy Mill Initiative will "adopt new rules for dog-breeders, including capping the number of dogs that are used for breeding purposes, requiring testing periods between breeding and establish other requirements. If enacted, dog-breeders would only be able to have 50 breeding dogs and would require them to feed those animals daily and regularly." (Info from ballotpedia.org)

Many animal welfare groups are supporting this initiative. Best Friends Animal Society has joined with a coalition to help get this legislation passed. (See Best Friend's website) The ASPCA is also joining in support of the initiative. (ASPCA Website) To learn more about the supporters of this bill, you can visit the Yes on Prop B website.

There are organizations against the proposition as well. The American Kennel Club says "it will do nothing to improve the wellbeing of animals; instead it would add excessive expenses to responsible breeders who strive to produce well-bred family pets." (from ballotpedia.org) There are also concerns that this proposal would prove dangerous for Missouri's agriculture businesses.

Even though this is an issue in only one state on this year's ballot, it is an issue that is resonating country-wide. What do you think of this bill? Would you give it a yay or nay vote? One thing I do have to say is this: Read. Educate yourself. Don't just take someone's word on it. Be sure that you are fully educated before you go to vote (or mail in your ballot as we do here in Oregon.) Use your right to vote to get your voice heard in the way you want it to be!

--Tammy

Powered by Poop

Yep, you heard me right! Powered by poop. I came across this really interesting site the other day. What do you think?!

The Park Spark Project is making lamps in parks that are powered by dog poop! "The Park Spark project is the transformation of dog waste into energy (methane) through a publicly fed methane digester as an interactive urban intervention that questions our current waste system, and at the same time creates an opportunity for others to participate in the (re)imaging of the byproduct energy (methane)."

The first ever project is installed in Cambridge, MA, near MIT. There are more projects being planned. "Anywhere people are walking dogs can be a source of heat and light by introducing a Methane Digester into the equation. As long as people are throwing away their dog's waste, the flame will burn."

What do you think of this project? Would you use a digester to dispose of your dog poop where you walk him or her? I think it's a pretty cool and innovative idea. I don't think the big tanks are all that attractive, though, so I think there's some improvement they could make to really get people to run with this idea!

--Tammy

Is your pet family?

I read an article on MSNBC a couple weeks ago. It was really quite interesting, and I'd like to get your take on it too!

How do you define family? That was the question posed in a new research study. There is an upward trend of people who are recognizing unmarried couples, both gay and straight, as families. But, it seems too, that there is a "solid core resisting this trend who are more willing to include pets in their definition than same-sex partners." 

My views may be a bit more liberal than many, but I'm willing to allow that any grouping of people who consider themselves to be a family should be defined as such. So, same-sex, couples with pets instead of kids, traditional families, I think they all should be called families. Mike and I are a family. We have just ourselves and our kitty-boys. We have chosen to not have children, so it will be just us and whatever assortment of pets we have in the future.

What do you think? If you were surveyed for this poll, would you define families differently? Including your pets?

--Tammy

OK Go goes to the dogs

So, I've only "sort of" heard of the band OK Go. Their name is familiar to me, but honestly, that's about it. (I admit - I'm not all that "with it" when it comes to music!) But when my husband ran across this post on the Rachel Maddow Show blog, he made me take time out to watch their newest viral music video.

It's great! So much fun to watch, whether you like their music or not! Clever, simple, and fun! I hope you enjoy watching as much as I do. Visit a story about OK Go at the New York Magazine and learn more about their video and process.

--Tammy

"Katrina" Pets

There has been a lot of news coverage lately about the 5 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It's hurricane season again and we have new storms brewing...

One of the perspectives on rescue work during natural disasters that I found interesting was an article in Best Friends magazine (Sept 2010, p. 52.) This article recounted memories about the people who came to pet shelters after the storm, wanting to adopt a "Katrina dog."  When the shelters said they didn't have any more dogs rescued from that particular storm, many people left without a new pet.

They wanted a hurricane pet or nothing!

Dr. Frank McMillan recounts this experience and comments on how much he admires the shelter workers who could have lied and said all the pets in the shelter were "Katrina" pets, but didn't.  They could have adopted out hundreds more animals, but truth and ethics won out.

When disaster strikes and we want to help, it's important to remember that adopting ANY animal from ANY shelter makes room for the animals who suddenly need care and the chance for a new home.  If there's no where to place these displaced pets, many must be euthanized.

I'd never thought of this angle on helping during a disaster before. 

Would you go ahead and adopt a "non-hurricane" (or "Michael Vick", or "earthquake'", etc.) pet if you were trying to help out? 

--Laurel

Lion + Tiger = Liger

A private zoo in Taiwan may be in hot water. About a week or so ago, there were a couple of the cutest babies born there. The problem is - these are baby ligers. They are a cross between a tiger and a lion. The government of Taiwan forbids cross breeding of animals.

The keeper of this zoo said that the babies came as a complete surprise to him. The tigress and the lion have lived in the same cage since they were young but "nothing happened." According to the story at Discovery News, there are only about 10 surviving ligers in the world.

What is your take on this issue? It sounds to me like negligence on the part of the zookeeper may be part of the story. I do think it's also possible he tried to have these babies born... It also sounds to me that these are not a good cross, as they aren't in the wild naturally! They are cute babies though! (Discovery story here, photo from AP)

--Tammy

Kitten therapy

Those are words I like to hear! I think all kittens offer humans some therapy! But, there is some proof that kittens actually provide beneficial therapy for humans with cerebral palsy.

The Washington Humane Society's Therapy Live-In Cats (TLC) are working with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Washington DC and Northern Virginia to provide therapy assistance animals for people with cerebral palsy.  From the TLC website:  Foster kittens residing at UCP locations provide individuals with regular opportunity for sensory enhancement and reaching exercises. The live-in situation helps provide a sense of normalcy and connectedness to the outside world.

Benefits of this program do go both ways! The people benefit from having the kittens to look after, and the kittens receive additional socialization and care.

Have you ever heard of a program like this? I hadn't, and I really love the idea. These kittens from a humane society get the love and care and socialization they need, while helping people who also need it! (photo from istockphoto.com)

--Tammy

Motorcycling dog

This is truly just about the cutest thing ever!

Smudge, the Jack Russell terrier, is a motorcycle veteran. She has been riding with her owner, Rob Fuller, since she was three months old. They've racked up around 11,000 miles together on the motorcycle.

In the interview with the Daily Mail, Rob says, "She loves watching the farm animals as we bike through open fields and you can see she's happy because she is always looking out at cows and sheep grazing." Also noted in the story... Smudge lets Rob know when she needs to have a break. She taps on his arm to let him know she needs to go to the bathroom.

While I've never seen a dog riding on a motorcycle with its owner, I have seen dogs riding on bicycles with people fairly often here on the Oregon coast. I think it's pretty fun to see. I would love to see a dog riding like Smudge does! What do you  think? Would you ever suit up your dog to ride with you? There is a video at the full story you can watch that shows how Smudge is harnessed in and safe with her owner.

--Tammy

Dog days of summer

As summer is starting to wrap up and kids head back to school, I thought it appropriate to share a very interesting idea I read about!

Synonymous with summer days were ice cream trucks. I remember as a kid getting excited to hear the music of the local truck working its way up your street. Well, now the ice cream truck is for dogs, not kids. (Wait... didn't I just write about a restaurant for dogs. What is going on here?!) A truck in London, near Regent's Park, is specifically geared toward summer treats for dogs!

A team of scientists checked out the treats and determined that the treats were great for animals, and safe. The flavors are "Dog eat hog world" - gammon (pork) and chicken sorbet topped with a biscuit. Or canine cookie crunch - mixed dog biscuits and ice cream.

Oh! And instead of the more traditional ice cream van tunes? This one plays the tune of Scooby Doo. Fitting, no? Also, the profits from the sales of these doggie treats are going to a good cause.  Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs will benefit.

Would you buy a dog ice cream treat for your buddy? I like the idea, and I would certainly buy a treat, especially knowing that the money is going to a good cause! (full story and photos here.)

--Tammy

Guilty As Charged

There's been a whole lot of stress at the Iams pet food company these past few weeks (as well as at scores of veterinary hospitals all over the country). As many of you know, on August 4th, Iams had to recall some 22 of its veterinary diets resulting from a concern over Salmonella. It was the necessary and ethical thing to do but boy did it cause a whole lot of worry to thousands of pet owners. (See the Iams site for a list of the recalled foods.)

At our own pet hospital, the phone was ringing off the hook for almost an entire day. It can be very difficult to reassure someone who is feeling anxious, worried, and even angry all at the same time. Though the problem originated at the Iams company, it's probably hard for the average pet owner to make a distinction between Iams and the veterinary profession (after all, it is usually a veterinarian who ends up prescribing these special diets in the first place). It becomes a case of guilt by association. How do you think veterinarians should have handled this situation and what would you want to hear from your own veterinarian?

--Dana

This Restaurant is for the Dogs

Don't worry - I haven't turned food critic on you overnight! This new restaurant is for the dogs!

In Sydney, Australia, Chew Chew has opened its doors and it is a meeting place for dogs and their owners. The menu is just for canines and felines only! Humans can join their pets in the cafe, but they have to bring their own food/drink. (There is a human cafe next door.)

The pet friendly menu includes such delicacies as beef steak and mushrooms, fish soup, goat's yogurt jelly, and lamb bones. (They do carry-out orders too!) The owner and chef says she had always dreamed of having a pet restaurant. Her menus are based on Japanese nutritional principals.

What do you think of this idea? Would you take a pet to a restaurant exclusively for them? I have to say I find this to be a rather odd idea, if a very enterprising one! I don't know if I would do this with my cats, but I'd definitely be more tempted if I had a dog. Though, I think it might be more tempting yet if it had both a pet and a human menu! (full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

Hero Dachsund

This amazing little dog, Missy, is a hero. She is an eleven year old dachsund and she helped to save her owner's life!

Her owner, Charlie Burdon, collapsed in his house on Tuesday morning. Missy took it upon herself to run to the neighbor's house to alert them. The neighbor knew something was up because Missy never left the yard on her own. She was always close to her owner!

The neighbor tried to send Missy home, but instead went with her when she wouldn't leave. Missy barked at her front door until the neighbor went in to check on Charlie when he didn't come to the door.  Charlie had open heart surgery in June and had suffered an attack of vertigo and collapsed to the floor.  He was able to make a phone call and alert his wife.

Between the call to his wife, his neighbor and Missy, Charlie got the help he needed. Paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. He was released the next day and he's doing OK now. Charlie's wife, Junia, is thankful for Missy! They've had her since she was 4 weeks old and Junia says she's more like a child than a pet.

Have you ever had a pet help out in an emergency situation? Missy certainly saved the day for Charlie! (full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

Gina the dog has PTSD

Gina is a veteran of the Iraq war. She is also a dog. She is a German Shepherd who was trained as a bomb-sniffing dog. She helped conduct door-to-door searches, and witnessed many noisy explosions.

After returning home, Gina has changed. She left for Iraq as a playful, happy dog. She returned home cowering and fearful. She resists being taken into buildings. She hides and tucks her tail, and cowers.

Turns out, her veterinarian thinks she has PTSD - post-traumatic stress disorder. "She showed all the symptoms and she had all the signs," said Master Sgt. Eric Haynes, the kennel master at Peterson Air Force Base. "She was terrified of everybody and it was obviously a condition that led her down that road." Apparently PTSD can affect dogs similarly to how it can affect humans.

PTSD has been a well documented problem for military members of the human variety. But it isn't seen (or at least not documented) in the animals that go to war as well. It seems that veterinarians are reticent to apply the term to animals as it might be considered demeaning to the humans who are also diagnosed with PTSD.

What do you think of this situation? Are you offended by dogs being diagnosed with PTSD, or think it's demeaning to humans? I personally don't understand that attitude. I think animals react much the same to trauma as humans do, and I think it makes a lot of sense that Gina suffers from PTSD based on her experiences. War is not pretty. For the humans, or the animals, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, or beyond.

I was glad to read that Gina has started improving since being home and is starting to come out of her shell. Read more about her here.

--Tammy

Service iguana?

So, we all know about service dogs. But have you ever heard of a service iguana?

A man in Ocean City, Maryland was told he could not bring his pet iguana on the boardwalk with him anymore. There is a town ordinance that prohibits undomesticated animals in public. Wayne Short was upset by this, and he went about finding a way that he could have his iguana, Hillary, with him anyway.

He had her registered on the National Service Animal Registry. This declares animals as protected under the American Disabilities Act. Short has a card showing that Hillary is registered and he can now, legally, have her with him on the boardwalk. She wears a harness and leash and calmly sits with Short.

The mayor of Ocean City wonders, "What service does Hillary perform?" Short won't reveal his disability, but says that Hillary calms him, like a cat might for another person. The mayor says that "... if this is a legal document, and Hillary is fully registered under the proper authority as a service animal, then I guess this gentleman has the right to take Hillary with him everywhere he goes... If Hillary doesn't cause any problems and everybody is happy, we can continue on with the summer of 2010."

What do you think of this? Is having an iguana registered as a service animal a stretch? Or do you think it's legitimate? I have a bit of a beef with "service animals" right at the moment, personally. We live in an apartment complex that is supposedly dog free. However, there are all of a sudden, a LOT of barking dogs around. Turns out, our apartment manager cannot turn a renter away if they have a "service" dog. So... I guess all these little, yappy dogs are service animals. Sure doesn't seem like it to me. I like dogs, but I really liked our quiet complex too. I don't know what the answer is here. Seems like some people are using "service animal" as a rule-bender. What's your take? (full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

Should a dog receive communion?

A dog in Toronto made headlines recently when he was allowed to receive communion in St. Peter's Anglican Church. The Reverend at the service was an interim reverend and made the gesture spontaneously to make the parishioner and dog feel welcome on their first visit to the church.

It seems that at least one parishioner of the church was offended and filed a complaint. He filed the complaint and also left the church. The area bishop who received the complaint wrote back to the complainant. He said, "I wrote back to the parishioner that it is not the policy of the Anglican Church to give communion to animals. I can see why people would be offended. It is a strange and shocking thing, and I have never heard of it happening before."

The Reverend who allowed the dog to take communion is apparently quite embarassed and has refused to comment. Other parishioners have commented that they didn't think it was a big deal. The Reverend has apologized and she assured that she wouldn't do it again.

What do you think of this issue? Is it an issue, or a non-issue? Without getting into my own views on religion - I have to say I personally like that the Reverend did this! As the man with the dog, I would have felt extremely welcomed and it probably would have made me think about returning. (full story here.)

--Tammy

How does your state rank?

The Humane Society of the United States has released its first "Humane State Ranking" which is a comprehensive report that rates all 50 states on a range of animal protection laws dealing with pets, animal cruelty and fighting, wildlife, animals in research, horses and farm animals.

So, where does your state rank? Since I don't know where you, dear readers, are from... I looked at two states. World by the Tail headquarters is in Colorado, and I personally live in Oregon. The report ranked each state in 65 categories. At the very top of the list was California with a score of 45 of 65.

Colorado ranked third (in a tie with Maine and Massachusetts) with a score of 38 of 65. Oregon ranked 10 (tied with Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) with a score of 35 of 65. Colorado has a check-mark in every box regarding animal fighting, where Oregon has a check in all but two in that category. (Apparently Oregon does not have a law prohibiting hog dog fighting (what is that?! I probably don't want to know!) and does not require a person charged with animal fighting to post a bond to cover the costs of caring for the animals.

Colorado also has a full column of check-marks in the animal cruelty section. The only category they don't have a check in is not having limits on the inhumane chaining of dogs. Oregon is pretty good on animal cruelty laws as well, but less strict than Colorado.

Where does your state rank?  Are you aware of the laws in your state regarding animals? I am surprised at some of what I read in this report. At the very bottom of the list for states is South Dakota with only 8 out of 65! Yikes!

--Tammy

Teach your cat to meditate

This is a very interesting story!

But, there was a study done recently in the UK on kitties. A student veterinary nurse studied cats when they were in a vet's surgery. She found that cats who were played yoga meditation music and Om Shanti tunes were calmer than those who weren't. Their breathing also slowed.

The student doing the study, Miss Barr, said, "It [stress] will have a negative effect, such as in a veterinary practice. This is because a cat is in a cage and isn't able to do what it would like to do, so stress levels will increase and it will become wound up and angry."

She found in her study that those who got played the yoga music had a dramatic effect on helping the cats to calm more quickly.

I wonder if yoga music might have helped our little Miss Girl in calming down. We would have had to play it 24/7 for her though as her anxiety levels were high much of the time! Have you ever tried playing calming music for your pets? We actually have CDs in our store that are relaxation music for pets (and for owners). Would you ever try out this idea for your pets?

--Tammy

Is your pet green?

Well, if you have a lizard, then the answer is yes. But I'm not talking about their actual color!

More and more pet products are "going green". A story on MSNBC states that "In the last year and a half we have seen more eco-friendly products than ever before." It seems that pet owners are realizing that they can help the environment by being aware of the things their pet can do to help!

There is a growing demand for products that will be healthy for pets and healthy for the environment. Organic foods, recycled materials used, and healthier options are the word of the day.

What do you think? Are you aware of the impact your pet can have on the environment? Have you chosen a product for Fido or Fluffy because it was more environmentally friendly?

Honestly, I haven't really considered this as of yet with our kitties. I guess I need to be more aware!

--Tammy

New law in Massachusetts

Last week, a new law went into effect in Massachusetts. The law bans surgical devocalization of animals. As the Boston Globe put it - "the right to free speech -- for dogs and cats."

The governor signed the bill into law on April 22. The new law bans "de-barking" in any case except a case of medical necessity. Devocalizing a pet in Massachusetts now could carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2500. The Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association opposed the legislation.

Laws surrounding devocalization vary from state to state, but it seems that it is largely still legal in most states. California is apparently considering a similar bill to the one in Massachusetts now. (Devocalization is illegal in the UK, though I don't know what penalties are involved.)

I've only known one dog who had this procedure done. He lived in a tiny apartment and he would not stop barking. His owner wanted to keep him, but because of his barking, would have had to give him up without the surgery. (I didn't meet this dog until well after the surgery had been done.) In his case, he had no side-effects from the surgery (as many animals do). He still "barked" constantly, but there was little or no noise. He made a small sound that sounded like "blacket".

I personally would never consider doing a devocalization. If I were in a situation with an animal would wouldn't learn to be quiet when appropriate, I think I would rather try to re-home to a place where barking wouldn't be a problem.

What do you think of the new law on the books in Massachusetts? Would you ever want to devocalize a pet?

--Tammy

Cat burglar

I came across this story recently, and it just made me laugh! I have to share it with you!

There is a cat in the UK who is an accomplished burglar. Oscar the cat (he is a ginger and white - orange and white to us Americans) likes to steal things. But he is picky about WHAT he steals. He prefers to steal ladies underwear!

Over the past few weeks, Oscar has been bringing home underwear (and some socks and gardening gloves) to his foster family. (His foster family has decided to adopt Oscar permanently as well, in spite of his kleptomaniacal tendencies!)

They even phoned the police in their neighborhood to let them know about Oscar's habit, just in case anyone reported items of clothing missing! Police now know about Oscar and have logged his thefts... totalling around 70 so far!

Have you ever had a pet bring you something that didn't belong to him (or to you!)? My Luna girl used to steal shiny things. I couldn't leave any of my jewelry where she could get to it. It would disappear and usually turn up in some odd place later. My cats have always been indoors, so bringing home underwear wouldn't happen! (Full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

Pet bathrooms

So, it seems that airports are becoming more pet-friendly these days!

The airports in the Washington, DC area have added new "pet relief areas" at both Dulles International and Reagan National Airports. Dulles has three areas outside the terminal and one inside, while Reagan National has four, all outside the terminal.

The areas include grass (or artificial turf) and even fire hydrants! These areas have been added specifically for service dogs to use as they fly with their humans, but can be used by family pets who are traveling as well.

We've talked about traveling with pets before. What do you think of these additions to airports? Will it make you more likely to travel with a pet (service or otherwise)? It was something I never actually thought of as a factor in travel with pets before reading this story! It makes sense that there would need to be a good location for pets to pee! (Full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

A Fishy Conversation

Researchers in New Zealand have learned that fish actually talk to each other! They apparently can communicate using "noises including grunts, chirps, and pops".

The researchers also say that all fish can hear, but not all make noises. The fish that do make noises do so for many reasons. They can "talk" to each other for mating reasons, to orient themselves to their surroundings, or to warn off predators.

Do you ever wonder what your pet fish are saying to you? Well, don't listen too hard to goldfish! They apparently make no sound at all. Funny enough, a blog reader sent me this video just today. This goldfish might prove the researchers wrong! :) Enjoy!

--Tammy

Smile - it's Candid Camera!

As you've learned - I like to geek out on Discovery News! The animal stories posted there just intrigue me. I find myself often sharing them with you too!!

Recently, I came across a posting there about "candid" animal videos. The Museum of Animal Perspectives features many of these animal videos using "dwelling cams". They are catching amazing video of birds and animals in their nests and homes, going about their day to day business!

There are many that are just fascinating to watch. I am sharing just one here with you today. It is bald eagles in their nest. One of them has just caught a fish! We see bald eagles out of our windows almost daily, so this was a treat for me to see! I've seen them diving into the lake trying to catch fish, but haven't seen what happens if or when they do catch a fish!

Enjoy poking around the site and seeing these amazing animal videos!

--Tammy

P.S. Enjoy your holiday weekend! (if you are in the States, that is!) We'll be back to regularly scheduled posting on Tuesday, July 6th!

Oscar the bionic cat

Oscar the cat lost his back legs in a farming accident - he was run over by a combine tractor last year. But, now Oscar is a "bionic cat"!

He has been fitted with two prosthetic legs! He can now run and jump around just like any other cat. His owner Kate Nolan said, "We had to do a lot of soul-searching and our main concern has always been whether this operation would be in Oscar's best interests and would give him a better quality of life."

What do you think of Oscar's new legs? Would your choice for your cat have been to do a surgery like this for him, or another choice? I think it is amazing that something like this can even work, but... I'm not sure what I would decide for my own pets. I tend to be pretty conservative with what I choose to do for treating my pets. I have to think that I might not have done this, but who knows?! Good for Oscar and his pet parents and doctors for making this successful for him! (Full story and photo from Discovery News.)

--Tammy

Spin cycle

This story is a few weeks old now, but I wanted to share it with you.

A kitten in Australia is a very lucky cat! Four-month-old Kimba apparently decided that a washing machine in her home was a great place to explore. Her owner says she must have climbed into the front loading machine when the door was open. The machine got turned on while Kimba was curled up in the dirty clothes. The machine ran the full cycle (including high spin) and when the machine was opened, Kimba's owner was shocked to find her in the machine.

"We could hardly believe our eyes when she emerged, looking like a drowned rat."

Kimba was rushed to the vet and needed some immediate care. She was treated for shock and hypothermia and her eyes were badly affected by the detergent. Her owner says, "It is just amazing that she survived but we reckon she's used all of her nine lives."

I recall seeing a cat being brought into the CSU Vet Hospital who had been in the dryer when it was turned on. This cat didn't have a happy ending like Kimba. She was actually already dead on arrival. It was so amazingly sad to see. The picture is of my Luna cat who snuck into our dryer. It was warm and she thought it was a great place to curl up. We were extremely careful to close the doors, but she snuck in somehow.

It's a cautionary tale. Cats are curious and will try to get places they don't belong! Be careful when doing laundry. Check for cats!

--Tammy

Big cats like cologne

Now this is rather interesting! (Another story from my favorite source, Discovery News!)

It seems that the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has discovered that a number of big cats including jaguars, pumas, and others are very attracted to Calvin Klein's Obsession for Men cologne. The WCS has apparently been using the cologne to entice the cats to remote cameras set up in the wilderness.

"Pat Thomas, General Curator of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo, came up with the unusual cologne-attractant technique. He settled on Calvin Klein Obsession for Men after discovering that the zoo's tigers, snow leopards and cheetahs were drawn to it more than any other commercially produced scent. 'Calvin Klein Obsession for Men clearly passes the sniff test among the WCS Bronx Zoo’s big cat population,' said Thomas."

This strikes me as pretty funny! But, I also think it's an intriguing way to capture images and video of these elusive creatures! Are any of your household pets attracted to certain scents? (besides the obvious - treats, food, etc.!) My Oscar grump is attracted to plants - I don't know if it is scent or not, but he has always been the one who wants to eat my houseplants! (They are all up and out of kitty reach now!)

You can watch a video of the cats caught on video here.

--Tammy

Pets at college

I've seen this idea mentioned several times over the last week or so. It seems there is a new trend for college students.

Some colleges are now allowing incoming students to bring their pets with them when they start college. A story in the New York Times talked about Stephens College, a woman's college in Missouri. This particular school is actually renovating a dorm to make it "Pet Central". There are 30 incoming freshman to Stephens who will be coming to college in the fall with their pets!  Pet Central dorm will even have a kennel for pets to stay while their students are away. It will be staffed by work study students!

According to the article there are a growing number of universities that are allowing pets to come to college. The State University of New York at Canton, Eckerd College (FL), Washington & Jefferson College (PA), and even MIT are allowing pets. (There are about 12 colleges that have some policy regarding having animals in the dorms.)

The president of Stephens College has said, “It’s harder and harder for students to leave home. Bringing this particular piece of home with them may make that separation easier.”

What do you think of this new idea? Would having your pet with you at college have made that transition easier for you? I didn't attend college in a traditional setting. I went to night school while working full time, and it wasn't on a traditional campus either. So, I don't have the experience of living in a dorm, leaving home to go to school. However, I think if I had done this, I would have LOVED to have my pet with me. It seems like a lonely time to me, and having a pet along might have helped make it a little less stressful! I think it's a great idea, as long as there are some pretty good rules and guidelines in place! (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Tammy

Don't scoop the wrong poop

Wow! This is quite an amazing story.

It seems that Pam Robson picked up the wrong poop when scooping up after her dog, Derik. She had been walking Derik and talking on her cell phone, when Derik ran off to do his business. She cleaned up after him, but was then approached by two men.

One of them was a city council member, and told her she had cleaned the wrong mess, and fined her 50 pounds. At that point, she picked up the mess that the men thought was the "right" one as well, but was still fined. She refused to pay, and was issued another fine, and a court summons. Her solicitor (lawyer) was able to get the case dropped.

I was shocked to hear about this. I think it is silly, and it was probably a huge waste of the city council's time. I can totally see, and agree with, fining someone for NOT picking up poop... but to question whether they picked up the "right" poop or not... wow. We run across poop on the beaches near us, way too often. People ignore the rules, and they ruin beach (or park) experiences for others. I hate having to watch where I step when barefoot on the beach because a dog-owner wasn't responsible!

What do you think? Should Robson have been fined because she picked up the "wrong" poop?

--Tammy

Cat tweets

Yes, I know... cats don't tweet. But now, thanks to Sony, they can submit posts to Twitter!

Yep, I posted a while back about dog tweets, so you know someone had to get cats into the action! (Hmmm... and I used the same joke too... I need a new staff writer for my comedy schtick!) The device the company is developing will attach to a collar of a cat, and will have (so far) 11 phrases available that your cat can tweet to his or her very own Twitter feed.

The data is transferred via a Bluetooth and picks up on the activities of your cat. For instance, if the device senses a cat eating, a tweet about food will be sent. The device isn't up for sale yet, but looks like it will be out before long!

What do you think of pets "tweeting" and joining the social media world? Personally, I think my cats wouldn't be interested, but who knows? I've never asked them if they want to blog or tweet! Maybe Henry could find his voice! :) I imagine there are a lot of people who will try this out for their pets, but I don't think I'll be one of them. I have to work hard to keep track of Twitter, Facebook, and blogs as it is, without having to help my cats network too!

--Tammy

After dark in Disneyland

I came across this very interesting tidbit via the Pet Connection blog.

It seems that Disneyland has a hidden crew that come out after dark to help clean up the park. And it isn't only made up of humans!

Disneyland is a very clean amusement park, and the after-dark crew is the main reason why! There are people to clean every aspect of the park. But the thing that I found most interesting is that there are around 200 cats who live in and around the park, and they help clean up the mice population.

Apparently, no one knows for sure when these cats started sneaking into the park. They were feral at first, but now they are actually cared for by the park. The adult cats are spayed or neutered and any kittens that are born in the park are found homes. There are five permanent feeding stations for the cats throughout the park.

The park is definitely not trying to rid the park of the cats. They are welcome additions to the "clean-up" crew as they keep the rodent population down! (I think Disney's most famous rodent is safe though!)

I really liked hearing about this  aspect of Disneyland. The fact that they are taking care of these feral cats and helping to keep their population under control is great. I haven't been to Disneyland since I was about 20 years old. I probably won't choose to visit again, but my opinion of them just raised a few notches! What do you think of Disney's take on their cat population?

--Tammy

Are you a dogler?

I'm definitely a dogler. How about you?

I loved this new term I read in an article in the New York Daily News. Hannah Spencer is the non-dog owner who coined the term. She is a dogler too. What does it mean?!

A dogler is someone who doesn't actually own a dog, but uses any excuse to be near dogs and "ogle" other people's dogs. Ogle, dogle. I like it!

Spencer says, "I know my own level of responsibility, and I just can't have a dog. So you get this vicarious pleasure out of watching other people's dogs." Spencer uses her daily runs as a good excuse to go by the dog park and watch the dogs playing.

We live in an apartment that doesn't allow dogs, so we can't have one right now. (My husband isn't a huge fan of dogs, so I'm not sure we'll ever have one. I may try to convince him at some point down the road.) I love dogs, but have never had one as an adult. I definitely "dogle" other people's dogs though. Especially now that we live near the ocean. Dogs on a beach are just about the happiest sight I know. I love to watch them play. I think maybe I need to find someone who will allow me to walk their dog for them, and take them to the beach with me!

So, do you dogle? (I think you can be a dogler even if you do own a dog, too!) (The photo is one I took while dogling, actually. I enjoyed watching this man play with his dog on the rocks so much, I actually snuck a photo!)

--Tammy

Sad news for John Travolta

This report came out yesterday. Tragedy has once again struck the family of actor, John Travolta. Just a little more than a year ago, his son Jett died.

Now, the family's dogs have been killed in an accident at an airport. Two dogs were being walked (on leash) from the plane they had just arrived on (with members of the Travolta family). A service truck struck and killed both dogs. The truck was apparently approaching the plane in order to service it and did not see the dogs.

There aren't a lot more details about what happened, but suffice it to say - this is a horrible tragedy and so sad for this family. Our thoughts go out to the Travoltas.

Have you flown with your pets? I never have. I think I would be a worried wreck the whole time, wondering if they were OK in the hold. There was another story recently about a pet that was lost during a flight. No news if that pet was ever found again!

--Tammy

Heroes Among Us

At some point in our lives, most of us will meet and perhaps even befriend a person who stands above all the others. This is the person we will always remember for their heroic accomplishments...the person who sets the standard so high that very few can ever measure up. In my life, this person is a veterinarian who I've known for more than 15 years. He is an amazing doctor, a brilliant surgeon, a fantastic teacher, and does all of these things with grace, humor, kindness and humanity. Who is my hero you ask?...Dr. Steve Withrow.

Dr. Withrow is a hero to many, many people. As the director of the Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, he has changed the face of veterinary oncology forever (as well as human oncology). Dr. Withrow, a veterinary surgeon, has been at CSU since 1978. Since that time, he has accomplished so many things and received so many awards it would take an entire day to list them all.

Recently Dr. Withrow has received 3 more distinguished awards (can you imagine having to dust his award cabinet)? His newest awards include: 

• The Bourgelat Award (given by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association)
• The "Hero in Veterinary Medicine Award" (given by the the American College of Veterinary Medicine)
• The prestigious John E. McCoy Award (given by Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine)

Don't go away yet my friends...there's more. Dr. Withrow was one of the very first veterinarians to recognize the need for emotional support of his clients. He understood the pain that people can feel when their pets are diagnosed with cancer. He realized that top notch cancer treatment involved emotional support as well as state-of-the-art medical treatments. So in typical Withrow form, he took his ideas and turned them into action. He created the "Changes Program" (along with our Laurel Lagoni and Carolyn Butler). "Changes"was a pioneering support program at Colorado State and is now referred to as The Argus Institute for Families and Veterinary Medicine. At Argus, this much-needed emotional support continues to this very day.

I was lucky and blessed to have worked at "Changes" for several years with these talented individuals.They have forever changed the way in which veterinary teams work with thier client's emotions.While it's been almost 9 years since I left the program, I can still hear Dr. Withrow's words when I'm working with clients. Over the years, when funding for the program was dangerously low, guess who was the very first in line to help and fight for the program?  You got it .

Personally, I'm lucky to also know Dr. Withrow as a colleague and friend (even a father figure). Although it's been almost 10 years since I've worked with him, he was one of the first people I heard from when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was so comforting to hear from him during that tough time. Just knowing he was on my side helped me immediately to handle my overwhelming fear and anxiety.

So please join me in thanking a hero with the heart of a giant. Thank you for everything...thank you Dr. Steve Withrow.(Photo and full story of awards from Today at Colorado State University).

--Dana

Chimpanzees and grief

So, I have become a big fan of Discovery News. I find the most interesting things there!

This story really interested me. It seems that researchers have found that chimpanzees face death and grief in very human-like ways. "From holding death-bed vigils to comforting the dying, chimpanzees face death in human-like ways that indicate their awareness of death is probably much more developed than previously thought."

The researchers observed adult chimps while Pansy, a 50 year old chimp, passed away. "'In the days before Pansy died, the others were notably attentive towards her, and they even altered their routine sleeping arrangements to remain by her, by sleeping on the floor in a room where they don't usually sleep,' lead author James Anderson told Discovery News." They go on to observe that the other chimps were very attentive to Pansy, continually checking to see if she was comfortable. The chimps were also less restful at night, aware of Pansy's situation.

There are many more stories from the researchers in the full story here. It was amazing to read of how these animals cared for the sick and dying, and how they expressed grief after their companions died. It seems, truly, that they understand dying, and grief for their lost companions.

Have you observed your pets reacting to a sick or dying buddy? It's hard to say whether our dogs and cats really understand if their companions are sick or not, but I sure have noticed reactions at the very least. When our Henry was so sick, Ben was very gentle around him. He was seemingly very concerned about Henry. On a different note, when Miss Girl was euthanized, Ben had little or no obvious reaction. We let him see her after she had died. He didn't really respond. (We moved only a couple of days after she died, so the uproar of moving may have masked his reactions.)

--Tammy

Helping wildlife after the oil spill

I'm sure, if you're like me, you're watching the news of the oil spill/leak in the Gulf of Mexico with horror. There already have been many animals and sea creatures affected, and it seems there will be so many more.

How can we help?

There are many ways you can donate money to help with the cleanup and rescue of the wildlife in the affected areas. One of the most creative is one I really love. There is an organization called Matter of Trust. They collect hair from groomers, hair salons, and veterinarians in order to help soak up oil. They create booms using this donated hair and fur. We all know that hair "soaks up" oil - that's why we shampoo! If you know a groomer or hair salon in your area, let them know about this option! It's a great way to help!

Many other organizations are willing to take monetary donations. They include:

The Audobon Society (They are also organizing for volunteers to help with birds.)
National Wildlife Federation
Alabama Coastal Foundation
Save Our Seabirds
Defenders of Wildlife (The DoW are also encouraging people to call the White House to prevent further drilling offshore. If you're so inclined, you can do so by calling 202-456-1111).

How can or will you help? I've personally signed several petitions and will try to make a monetary donation to one of these groups. It is just heartbreaking to see the devestation which is just starting.

--Tammy

Videos of Torture...We Need Them Why?

I was reading the latest Time magazine and came across some upsetting news. In what they call a "major free-speech ruling", the Supreme Court struck down a 1999 federal law that made it a crime to sell videos or pictures of animals being killed or tortured. The ruling (by an 8-1 majority) subsequently overturned the conviction of a Virginia man who sold dogfighting videos to the public.

Chief Justice John Roberts called the scope of the 1999 law "alarming" because it could end up creating a ban on hunting videos. I find myself thinking, "and this is bad because why?" Are hunting videos a necessary part of our daily lives and exactly what purpose do they serve? Yes...I get it. Free speech. There are many people who like to hunt but I did not realize that they need to make videos of their activities. I guess I understand the decision in theory... If we ban videos of torturing animals then what's next to be banned? In real life however, this ruling by the Supreme Court is a difficult pill for me to swallow.

There are no good answers here. It is completely illegal to make videos or pictures of killing and torturing people. So there's the rub...why do we see killing animals as okay but not the killing of people? What a sticky, messy, slippery slope. I wish I could stand indignant on my soapbox declaring the killing of animals as fundamentally wrong....but I can't without being a total hypocrite.  I have eaten steak, chicken, pork, and seafood. This food didn't just appear from the thin air. It certainly helps me to understand why so many people become vegetarians!

What do you all think? Is there a way to preserve our precious right to free speech without making it okay to sell videos of torturing and killing animals? If you were on the Supreme Court, what would you have ruled and why? A messy, slippery slope indeed.

--Dana

Are cat-owners smarter than dog-owners?

I saw this study a while back and found it interesting!

A study done at the University of Bristol, UK, looked at cat owners vs. dog owners. The survey found that 27% of households polled had cats, and 31% had dogs.

Cats are more likely to be owned by people with gardens in semi-urban areas, and by someone who has a higher education degree. Households that had one or more dogs were less likely to also have a cat.

Dogs are more likely to be owned by people with gardens in rural areas and by people who don't have a higher education degree. Dogs are less likely to be in homes with children under the age of 11, also.

So... the stories are now saying, of course, that cat owners are smarter than dog owners! What do you think? Do you see this as being true perhaps? I'm a bit biased as I am owned by cats, and have never had a dog as an adult.

Where would you fit into this study? I am a cat owner, with a bachelor's degree. My house doesn't have a garden (third story apartment) and my little town can hardly be called urban! Given an opportunity, I'd love to have a dog at some point. In our current spot, though, this is not possible. I'll have to start watching for the house with a garden in a rural area! Sounds great!

--Tammy

Scary cat!

Usually you hear about dogs attacking the postman, or the UPS delivery person. In this case, however, it is a nineteen-year-old cat who is on the attack!

Tiger, the alleged attack cat, has reportedly tried to get three postmen in the last week. According to the victims, Tiger waits behind his cat flap door for the delivery person. At Tiger's home in the UK, the mail is no longer being delivered. The Royal Mail has banned deliveries because "he [Tiger] is deemed a risk to staff's health and safety."

Tiger's owner is finding the allegations hard to believe. She says, "We don't have a rottweiler, just a 19-year-old cat." She doesn't think that Tiger can be the scary cat he is alleged to be towards delivery people.

Have you ever had a cat who went on the attack? A guard cat instead of a guard dog? (full story and photo from dailyexpress.co.uk)

--Tammy

Owl scared of heights

I remember writing about a flamingo baby who was scared of pink a while back. Well, now there is a new story about an owl afraid of heights!

It seems that there is an owl in the UK who won't fly higher than about 6 feet off the ground. He has been hand raised since only a few weeks old. Experts think he has 'forgotten' that he is a bird, and has an extremely rare case of fear of heights! (rare for birds that is)

Troy the owl is now being encouraged to fly. His trainer, Gareth Tonen, is only about 5'10" tall, so that is the height Troy is comfortable with. Tonen is trying to help Troy now by climbing trees with the bird. It seems progress is slow, however, since Troy has to be carried both up and down the trees!

His trainer says, "I don't think he even knows he's an owl - he thinks he's a Gareth."

Have you ever had a pet who thought it was a human instead of a cat, dog, or bird? Our cats definitely do things that are perhaps odd for cats, but they still do mostly cat-like things! (Full story here.)

--Tammy

A surfing alpaca?!

I've brought you stories in the past of dogs who surf with their owners. When I happened across this story, though, I was incredulous!

Peruvian surfer Domingo Pianezzi has trained dogs to surf with him for many years. He decided that his domesticated alpaca, Pisco, needed to learn with him as well. (I'm not sure the thought process that goes into thinking animals need to surf...) Near Lima, Peru, Pisco and Pianezzi caught the waves. Pisco was able to stay up on the board for a bit before bailing off into the water.

Some people have told Pianezzi that it is cruel to make Pisco go into the water. He disagrees with them and says that Pisco is getting used to it.

What do you think of animals taking on a sport such as surfing? I find it rather odd to have the impulse to take your animal into the water and put them on a surf board. I don't know if it is cruel or not, but in the photo, I have to say, Pisco doesn't look very happy! (photo and story from Reuters)

--Tammy

Convicted by cat fur

Owning a cat may prove useful if you get robbed or have some crime committed against you!

This story really surprised me. I've long been a fan of reading crime novels (Patricia Cornwell is a favorite of mine. I do have to be careful about reading her books too close to bedtime though! They freak me out!) It turns out that cat fur has started being used as forensic evidence in criminal cases!

"Fur from a fluffy, white house cat has already been used in a murder trial. The accused, Douglas Beamish of Canada, had white fur stuck to one of his pockets in a discarded jacket. The fur was genetically linked to victim Shirley Duguay's cat, Snowball. The evidence helped to convict Beamish of second-degree murder, leaving him with a 15 year prison sentence." Because Beamish came into contact with the fur in and around Duguay's home, he was convicted of the murder. I'm sure there was other evidence in the case, but the cat fur definitely played a role.

Researchers talking about using fur as evidence explained that since cats groom themselves a lot (usually) their fur can contain their DNA. By testing and proving fur to be from a certain cat, they can prove that a criminal was present in a certain home, etc. The science is further explained in the article as well.

I think someone needs to write a crime novel using this new twist of science! I know if someone broke into our house to commit some crime, they wouldn't be able to get out without cat hair on them! The harder part in our house would be proving which cat the hair came from!

What do you think about fur being used as evidence in crimes?

--Tammy

Pet Food Bank

This is a really cool program!

With the nation's economic woes for humans, pets are also feeling the "crunch". Many families are having a hard time affording their own expenses, let alone their pet expenses. Food banks around the country have been inundated with requests for help with food. But, they don't offer pet food or supplies.

Well, enter PETCO. The PETCO Foundation and PETCO stores are building a nationwide network of pet food banks. They are putting food collection bins in their stores. Then they are joining with local food banks to help distribute donated food and supplies to needy families.

The program started in mid-March with select stores participating, and will continue. PETCO will add the collection bins to their stores throughout the spring. The stores will participate with their local food banks and animal welfare groups to be sure that the donated food gets to the families (and pets) who need it most in their communities.

I was very excited to hear about this program. I have donated to the local food banks around our new area already, and I will definitely donate to pet food banks if I have the opportunity. (We don't have a PETCO in our small town!) I know that shelters are overrun with abandoned animals now, and I know there are many families who struggle to be able to keep their animals, even as they struggle to keep their human families afloat. Any little help we can offer is wonderful!

I really appreciate seeing a company like PETCO reaching out and doing good in their communities! Have you seen one of these donation bins in your PETCO store yet? Will you donate if you can? (Thanks go to Daniela at the Daily Tail who tipped me off about this program!)

--Tammy

Do you miss your pet more than your partner?

When you travel away from home, do you find yourself missing your pet(s) more than  your spouse, partner, or family? You're probably not alone!

The results of a survey that was commissioned by the makers of PupPeroni show that many dog-owners feel this same way! The survey questioned 1000 dog owners in the US and has some very interesting responses!

70% of the participants said they would rather go for a walk with their dog when they are feeling stressed than hang out with a human friend. Two thirds say they feel more guilty about leaving their pets behind when traveling than leaving friends or family. Also, nine out of ten feel their pet is more pleased to see them at the end of the day than their spouses or partners.

Wow! It's pretty amazing to hear these results. I have never had a dog as an adult, so I don't know what my feelings would be on these questions. Cats are quite different than dogs in their interactions with humans. I have experienced really missing my furry buddies, but I definitely wouldn't say I missed them MORE than I missed my husband. The cats, however, reportedly really missed me when I took my recent trip back to Colorado. Henry held Mike hostage while I was gone by crying constantly. If Mike didn't respond to him, he vomited. I'm sure it was anxiety on Henry's part because I was gone. He is highly attached to me.

What do you think about this study? Would you answer that you miss your dogs more than your families? (Full story here. Photo from istockphoto.com)

--Tammy

Most popular dogs

Recently, the American Kennel Club announced the most popular dogs in America. For the nineteenth consecutive year, the labrador retriever remains in the number one slot!

For 2009 the list is:

1. Labrador Retriever  
2. German Shepherd
3. Yorkshire Terrier
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Bulldog
8. Dachshund
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu

AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson said, "Labs have been America's top dog for nearly two decades due to their loyal and gentle nature. But the German Shepherd has gained ground recently, quite possibly due to the increased attention they receive for their security efforts at home and abroad."

Pet preferences vary a lot from city to city. The bulldog is a favorite in California. South Florida loves German Shepherds more. If you live in Des Moines, you're more likely to have a Bull Mastiff. Or if you live in Honolulu, you're more likely to own a chihuahua!

Bulldogs have had the biggest increase in rankings in the last ten years - from 21st to 7th.

What is your favorite dog breed? Do you know what the top dog is in your town? My favorites include great danes, standard poodles, and pugs! If we ever actually get a dog though, it will very likely be a mutt! (See the full article here.)

--Tammy

Penguin of a different color

Have you ever seen an all black penguin?! I hadn't, until I happened onto the story from National Geographic about this all black guy in South Georgia, Antarctica. Andrew Evans took the photo of this standout penguin while traveling there.

Dr. Allan Baker, an ornithologist and professor of Environmental and Evolutionary Studies in Toronto, Canada, was disbelieving that the photo was "real"! He said, "it's a one in a zillion mutation somewhere. The animal has lost control of its pigmentation patterns." He went on to explain that melanistic birds will have white spots where melanin pigmentation failed to occur. It is very rare to have this "reverse" look happen though. (Read the full story here for the rest of the science. I can't understand it all, so won't try to parse it out for you here! Suffice it to say, this is one very rare bird!)

I am fascinated by these so-called mutations in nature. I know next-to-nothing about the science, but I find it quite amazing when a bird of a different color (so to speak) shows up. This penguin seems to be interacting with his neighbors just the same, so his looking different doesn't seem to matter. If only humans could be so accepting! (I had some video troubles this a.m.! There is a cool video of this guy that you can see, but wouldn't work embedded.)

--Tammy

Coyote ugly

Nope, not the bar or the movie, but coyotes seem to be taking up residence in Manhattan!

Recently, it has become increasingly common to spot coyotes in the very urban streets of Manhattan! These coyotes are extremely adaptable, and they are adapting to the city life. They travel long distances, and are adapting to the busy-ness of Manhattan. (full story here)

This coyote was spotted in Central Park and caught on film.

Coyote sightings are happening in other places than Central Park, too. Chelsea and the Columbia University Campus among them!

I remember seeing coyotes all over the place in Fort Collins. It wasn't too uncommon to see one running right along a busy street. I would be quite surprised to see one in NYC though! It seems a very unlikely place for a wild creature like the coyote to be!

Do you see coyotes where you live? Are you in a big city or a small, rural area?

--Tammy

 

"Miracle" elephant born

Last week, an elephant was born at the Taronga zoo (Australia). He has defied the odds in his survival!

This new little guy's mother labored for six days to birth her calf. The caretakers were quite certain that the calf would not be born alive. There were no signs of life from him before birth. One of the doctors said, "The early indications are that the calf survived the protracted labour in a coma. That unconscious state would explain the complete absence of any vital signs during all the checks and examinations we conducted during the labour and led us to believe the calf had not survived."

The new little guy - named Mr. Shuffles for now, because he isn't strong enough to pick up his feet when he walks, is doing well! He is receiving around the clock care from the zookeepers and doctors, as well as the other elephants! His mother, Porntip, is doing well, and is helping her new calf to gain strength. Mr. Shuffles is barely tall enough to suckle from his mother, but she stands perfectly still so he is able to drink!

The "little" guy weighs in at a whopping 116 kilos, which is about 250 pounds! He is up and about and able now to get up and down from the ground. The other elephants are really curious about him and have been very tender in their intial contact with him!

This is an amazing story. I hope we can continue to see how Mr. Shuffles does as he grows! I'll try to keep you updated! Here is a video about his birth. (Images, video, and full story here.)

--Tammy

Dog of war

Earlier this week, Treo, an eight year old black lab, was decorated for canine courage at London's Imperial War Museum.

Treo was awarded a Dicken medal, awarded for bravery and commitment in wartime. It is the highest military honor an animal can receive. Treo was nominated because of his service in uncovering a series of Taliban bombs during his service in Helmand Province in 2008.

Treo is the 63rd recipient of the medal since it was created in 1943.

I really like that animals are being honored for their service in the military (or otherwise actually.) The story mentioned that there had been some concerns when this medal was created that awarding it to animals would somehow devalue awards given to humans. I don't think this is true. These specially trained, amazing animals, do just as much good (maybe more sometimes) as humans! I love that they are honored! (Full story and photo from here.)

What do you think of Treo's award?

--Tammy