To stay updated on his flight, click here: BEI BEI’S PLANE
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Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Follow Bei Bei’s Plane With Fedex Flight Tracker!
To stay updated on his flight, click here: BEI BEI’S PLANE
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Monday, November 18, 2019
The Goodbye Celebration Continues for Bei Bei the Giant Panda
"When he first got here he was so excited to come here. And I'm just going to miss him so much," Caris Counts said.
Counts drove two hours on Sunday morning with her mother to catch Bei Bei before he heads on a 16 hour non-stop flight to China Tuesday.
To read more on this story, click here: The Goodbye Celebration Continues for Bei Bei the Giant Panda
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Here's How The National Zoo Will FedEex Bei Bei The Giant Panda
WASHINGTON — Bei Bei, the District's beloved giant panda, will play in his outdoor habitat for the last time Tuesday before he heads to China. The Smithsonian National Zoo is sending the four-year-old panda to China as part of the panda diplomacy program. This program between the U.S. and China requires all pandas born at the Zoo be sent to China when they turn four.
Bei Bei will make his way to Dulles Airport on Tuesday, and will be transported to Chengdu, China on a specially chartered FedEx cargo plane. He'll ride on a direct 16-hour flight with the National Zoo's animal care team, a panda keeper and a veterinarian.
To read more on this story, click here: Here's How The National Zoo Will FedEex Bei Bei The Giant Panda
Bye Bye, Bei Bei: Beloved Giant Panda Leaving DC for China in Private Jet
As if flying in his own Boeing 777F private plane dubbed the Panda Express is not enough, handlers will be feeding him his favorite treats during the trip. And the zoo is asking for song recommendations for a mixed tape for the long trip -- just change the title of the original from "baby" to "Bei Bei."
To read more on this story, click here: Bye Bye, Bei Bei: Beloved Giant Panda Leaving DC for China in Private Jet
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Thursday, November 14, 2019
Farewell Celebration for Giant Panda Bei Bei
Fans can pick up a postcard memento at the Zoo and write their own notes to Bei Bei that will travel with him to China. For fans joining the festivities remotely, Panda Cam 1 will show Bei Bei 24/7. Bei Bei will receive special treats and toys twice each day. All three of the Zoo’s giant pandas will receive ice cakes at 9am on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17 in honor of Bei Bei’s farewell. In addition, free hot chocolate will be served on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17. Click here for a detailed schedule of events.
To learn more about this event, click here: Farewell Celebration for Giant Panda Bei Bei
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Shark Experts Say the Coast of Florida Is Starting to Heat Up with White Shark Activity
The Palm Beach Post reports that eight white sharks tagged by the Utah-based research group were spotted from New Jersey to Florida in the last week.
Three other sharks that had been tagged were detected Wednesday in waters on North Carolina beaches, and two more sharks —Helena and the 2,076-pound Unama’ki —made their presence known with toothy grins just west of Key West in September.
Unama’ki had been tagged off Nova Scotia in September. She’s a big girl —some 15-feet, 5-inches.
It’s not unusual for great whites to call southern waters home during winter and sightings are common near popular fishing and diving spots in Florida through spring.
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Did You Know Cockatiels Are Among The Most Popular Of Pet Birds?
The life-span of Cockatiels is usually around 15 – 20 years, however, it has been reported that some have lived up to 30 years! Having one bird is fine, but you must spend a lot of time interacting with the cockatiel on a daily basis. Having two birds will make it a little easier, but they will bond with each other, and may not bond with the owner.
I have often heard people say, “I don’t want a bird, they are dirty!” This is simply not true. If a bird’s cage isn’t clean, it’s the fault of the owner, not the bird! All pets require care.
Cockatiels are vocal creatures. Some make very loud noises. It may sound like they are screaming, but it’s just the natural sounds of the bird. When you arrive home your bird may make noises at the excitement of seeing you.
How to tell the sex of your Cockatiel:
Males tend to have a brighter facial color. Females have a duller facial color, and have barring under their tails. This method of sexing becomes more difficult in the variations of birds.
Feeding your Cockatiel:
A seed diet is not adequate, but tends to be high in fat and deficient in vitamin A, calcium, and protein. Seeds can be part of a healthy diet but only a minor percentage. There are other human foods that birds like. Millet is another great food.
For a well nourished bird include a variety of fresh fruits crisp or lightly steamed veggies and other table foods in your bird’s diet. Always serve them chopped, sliced, diced, minced and mashed.
There are human foods that you can give your Cockatiel:
Cooked chicken/ turkey; Eggs/hard boiled/scrambled; Cottage cheese; Yogurt; Asparagus; Beets/beet tops; Broccoli; Brussel sprouts; Carrots; celery; corn; chicory greens; cilantro; collard greens; green/yellow beans; kale; mustard greens; peas and pods; parsley; pumpkin; red/green sweet pepper; romaine lettuce; spinach; turnip greens; water crest; yellow squash; zucchini; bananas; berries; cantaloupe; cherries; cranberries; honey dew; kiwi; mango; oranges(seedless); papaya; pineapple; watermelon; cook pasta; cooked brown rice; dried fruits; whole wheat toast; oatmeal; cheerios; rice krispies; grape nuts; Un salted popcorn; and animal crackers.
Foods you should never give your Cockatiel:
Avocado, chocolate, coffee, lima beans, milk, sodas, sugar, teas, rhubarb, leaves from potatoes, tomatoes, egg plants, bean plants, alcohol, salt, greasy foods, tobacco, fruits seeds or pits from, apples, apricots, oranges, cherries, or peaches.
Tips on caring for your Cockatiel:
1. Your cockatiel needs to have fresh water every day. Change the water every day, even if it looks full. If you find any droppings or feathers in the water cup, change the water, so your bird will not get sick.
2. Some bird noise is very loud but is not screaming, it’s just the natural sounds of birds. Since they are very vocal creatures and you can expect them to greet dawn and sunset with enthusiasm. They may get rowdy just before mealtimes and especially, if you work and the house is empty all day, when you arrive home.
3. Offer foods that have different colors shapes, textures and flavors also vary the presentation.
4. Some birds get startled in their sleep and awaken in a panic. They may start trying to flee the cage and bumping into toys, feeding bowls and their perch.
5. Don't ever give food from your mouth, or kiss your bird. This is harmful to your bird since your mouth carries germs that can make your bird sick.
6. Cockatiels are very dusty. They use a powder to keep their wings water proof. After petting the bird, one normally has a powdery finger.
Signs that your bird may be sick:
- Birds often pretend to be fine when someone is watching nearby (survival instinct), so observe very carefully
- Sleeping excessively. Like people, birds who sleep a lot more than usual may be in trouble.
- Any sign of blood, is a bad sign. If your bird is bleeding, you need to stop the bleeding immediately, and contact your Vet.
- If a normally playful bird doesn't play very much any more, it may well be sick.
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Are You Thinking About Getting A Rabbit As A Pet?
Rabbits aren't for everyone, but make loving pets. You will need to spend time with them every day. If you leave them alone with only other rabbits for company, some tend not like human attention. You will need to make your home rabbit friendly.
Take time to think about what you are getting into. While they are cute in the pet store, you must look past the cuteness and consider the care. Do some research before making your decision.
1. Some have a very long life-span. Most live between 7 – 10 years, and some into their teens. Are you
prepared to devote this time?
2. They are very messy and can be destructive, sometimes burrowing into mattresses and furniture.
3. Pretty independent and could do without human interaction rabbits do not like to be picked up. The act of bending over them and grabbing them by their ribs to pick them up is very similar to being picked up by a hawk and is very scary to them. Please read the article below called, “Rabbit References”, it will tell you the proper way to pick up a rabbit.
4. They are prone to dental problems, as their teeth grow constantly during their life.
5. Male rabbits, especially make the best pets because they are more attentive and affectionate. They make the best pets for kids because they are interactive, curious, and easy to handle.
6. When a female rabbit reaches sexual maturity, she may begin to view her cage as her potential nesting space and become protective of it. A female rabbit that feels nature urging her to breed can become very testy.
7. Rabbits should always be kept inside. Their body temperature rises far more quickly than that of many other animals, and is already at a higher average than other animals. It is necessary to make sure that the area they are in is appropriately heated or cooled as warranted by the environmental conditions around it.
8. You should not leave them in the sun for long periods of time. Seems obvious, but if you put it in a cage near a window, make sure you provide some shade.
9. Vet visits are expensive for rabbits as compared to cats and dogs. You will need to find a good vet who has experience with rabbits.
10. A rabbit screaming is a sign that the rabbit perceives itself to be in a life or death situation.
11. Rabbits can be trained to use a litter box and some can learn to come when called.
Fun Facts About Rabbits and Hares:
A rabbit is different from a hare. A hare is usually born with hair and its eyes open. While a rabbit is born with no hair and its eyes closed.
Did you know that baby rabbits are called kits or kittens?
Baby hares are born above ground with fur and open eyes. They are called leverets. While rabbits are born underground, blind and naked.
The word Bunny is a nickname for rabbits. It comes from the word "coney" (pronounced like "honey"), which used to be the name for a rabbit. The word "rabbit" used to be the name for a kitten (that is, a baby "coney").
Pet rabbits kept indoors are referred to as house rabbits. House rabbits typically have an indoor pen or cage and a rabbit-safe place to run and exercise, such as an exercise pen.
A rabbit will teach you a new way of looking at the world! Although they can be ornery at times, rabbits are wonderful, fun, and loving companions.
Are you the right kind of person to live with a rabbit?
If you have decided to get a rabbit as a pet, would you please consider checking your local animal shelter. They often have rabbits that are looking for a forever home!
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New Google Feature Lets You Bring Lions, Tigers, And Bears Into Your Home
It’s not a good idea. It’s not even legal. Still, there’s nothing stopping you from finding out with a new feature from Google.
The biggest name in internet search, and arguably in the world, is using augmented reality (AR) technology to allow users to see what it might be like to bring home a lion, a tiger, or even a bear. Oh my.
“it’s one thing to read that a great white shark can be 18 feet long,” Google reports. “It’s another to see it up close in relation to the things around you. So when you search for select animals, you’ll get an option right in the Knowledge Panel to view them in 3D and AR.”
To read more on this story, click here: New Google Feature Lets You Bring Lions, Tigers, And Bears Into Your Home
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Meet Unama'ki, the 2,000-Pound Great White Shark Who Reached the Keys
According to OCEARCH, a nonprofit research organization that tags sharks to keep track of their movement and activity, the 15-foot-5-inch adult female "pinged" just off the coast of Key West on Saturday morning.
She's been named Unama'ki, a term meaning "land of the fog" in the language of the indigenous Mi'kmaq people of Nova Scotia.
OCEARCH stated on its website that it hopes Unama'ki will lead them to the site where she gives birth, exposing a new white shark nursery.
To read more on this story, click here: Meet Unama'ki, the 2,000-Pound Great White Shark Who Reached the Keys
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Sunday, November 10, 2019
The State of New York Has Passed a Law Allowing People to Be Buried Beside Their Pets in a Human Cemetery
But if people can be buried at a pet cemetery, than why can’t pets be buried at a human cemetery?
It’s a question that one state is answering with a new law.
New York is changing up the rules when it comes to pets and where they’re allowed to be buried. They passed a law that allows people to be buried alongside their pets if they so choose, in a human cemetery. And the law isn’t just limited to dogs and cats. It allows for a range of different animals to be buried with their owners.
It’s a decision that many pet owners are applauding, as their fur babies are part of their family. There are some exemptions to the law, of course. Religious cemeteries don’t have to comply with this new law, and individual cemeteries can still choose to refuse to bury any pets if they so please.
A pet cemetery in Westchester County stated that, every year, at least five people choose to be buried with their pets in their cemetery, rather than being apart from them in a human cemetery. It’s a way for them to stay close to their loved ones even after they’re gone.
New York is finally allowing pet owners to rest in peace next to the living creatures who provided so much comfort, companionship, and happiness during their time on earth. After all, it doesn’t quite make sense that humans could be buried in pet cemeteries, but not vice versa.
Sometimes family is who we choose, not who we’re blood-related to — and that applies to our pets too. Pets are family. Why make such a distinct separation between what constitutes as family?
With New York leading the way, hopefully other states will fall in line and create similar laws.
For some people who wish to be buried with their pets, they have to resort to somehow sneaking them into the cemetery. This can be dangerous for the friends or family members who are asked to do this after the pet owner has passed away.
But now, in New York at least, there doesn’t have to be any slinking around in a cemetery, performing secret burials for loved ones. You and your pet can be together forever, if you want to!
Again, each cemetery must agree to let you be buried with your pet — it’s their right to opt out. However, for people whose pets are family, it’s certainly a step forward.
New laws seem to crop up all the time, and they can be confusing — but this is one law that many of us understand the importance of.
Share this information with the animal lovers in your life who want to be buried with their pet family.
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Dog Owners - Wild Mushrooms are Toxic for Your Dog – Could Be Fatal
There are different types of mushrooms that can have varied effects on pets such as, depression, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, tearing, hallucinations, defecation, liver failure, seizures, drooling, urination, kidney failure, heart damage, hyperactivity and in some cases, death.
Amanita phalloides is the most commonly reported severely toxic species of mushroom in the US but other Amanita species are toxic.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, mushrooms are a very complex group of fungi. Certain species of mushrooms, such as the types you find in the grocery store, are considered to be nontoxic, while other wild species can be very toxic. Some have been known to cause liver and kidney damage, while others result in severe gastrointestinal and even neurological effects.
Because a toxic mushroom could be growing right alongside a nontoxic one, identifying what type the animal ingested can be tricky. Because of this, we advise that pet owners not allow their animals to ingest any wild mushrooms. And since we often cannot get a positive identification of the exact species involved, it is important to treat all wild mushroom ingestions very seriously.
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An Anne Arundel County Woman Now Holds the State Record for Catching the Largest Common Dolphinfish
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said Kristy Frashure of Pasadena reeled in the 74.5-pound fish during a tournament in Ocean City Friday.
Frashure told the DNR it took 20 to 30 minutes to reel in the fish.
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Three Red Panda Cubs Born At The Virginia Zoo
Mom, three-year-old Masu, and dad, four-year-old Timur, welcomed three red panda cubs on June 18.
The two male and one female cubs weighed about five ounces at birth, but now they're just over a pound.
“Having red panda triplets is a unique situation,” said Dr. Colleen Clabbers, the Zoo’s Veterinarian. “It’s a lot of work for mom to care for three newborns, but Masu is doing a great job caring for the triplets, and all three have been thriving.”
Red pandas are tree-dwelling animals that are native to the eastern Himalayan. In the wild, they are usually found in habitats in Myanmar, Nepal, India, Bhutan, Tibet, and China.
The den is out of view to the public, but it is monitored by by Zoo Keepers and Animal Care Staff. Masu and the cubs will make their way to the original Red panda exhibit off the main pathway later this fall when Keepers feel they can confidently navigate the trees and other exhibit features.
“Our Animal Care team had a great strategy last year in moving Masu to the Animal Wellness Campus while she was still pregnant, providing privacy for her first birth experience. She took great care of her cubs last year, which is why we opted to do the same thing again this time around,” said Greg Bockheim, Executive Director of the Virginia Zoo. “We’re excited to introduce Masu and the triplets to the public this fall!”
What will the cubs be named? The Virginia Zoo is auctioning naming rights of the cubs in support of red panda conservation.
The public can place bids on each of the cubs’ names through August 30.
Click here to place a bid on the cub's name, or to learn more.
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Sunday, August 18, 2019
DC Ranks 2nd in Top 10 Cities for Prevalence of Heartworms in Pets
Washington comes in behind Moreno Valley, California, on the list and above Newark, New Jersey, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, in the top five.
Craig Prior, past CAPC president, says that the organization has seen a 20% rise in cases of heartworm disease nationally in the last five years.
“When we’re seeing these spikes in the prevalence rates in places like D.C. and other areas where you normally won’t see large numbers of heartworms, we realize that there’s something going on here that you need to be aware of and that you need to talk to your veterinarian because your dog has got the potential to be exposed,” said Prior, who has been a veterinarian for more than 35 years.
To read more on this story, click here: DC ranks 2nd in top 10 cities for prevalence of heartworms in pets
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Sir Patrick Stewart and Wife Sunny Ozell Rescue Their 3rd Pit Bull
Sunny is clearly smitten with Ella already, saying on Instagram that she has taken to calling her Ella Bella Cinderella because she is such a “pretty princess.” Like countless other pitties, she enjoys snuggling up on the couch under the comfort of a cozy blanket.
Stewart and Ozell work with the rescue group Wags and Walks in fostering these wonderful pups. Based in Los Angeles, the group rescues family friendly dogs and works to find them foster and forever homes. They rely on donations to keep things running as well as fundraising through various event. Tickets are on sale now for their 9th annual Wags & Walks Benefit Gala in October. The star-studded event will be hosted by the fabulous Judy Greer and Sir Patrick and Sunny will be special guests.
To read more on this story, click here: Sir Patrick Stewart and Wife Sunny Ozell Rescue Their 3rd Pit Bull
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This Cat Lost His Limbs To Frostbite And Now He Was Fitted With Artificial Ones
Ryzhik (Ginger or Redhead) was found Tomsk, the city of Siberia where temperatures dropped to minus 40°c. All of his paws were so badly frostbitten, with gangrene setting in quickly and the vet had no other option but amputation. Despite losing all limbs, Ryzhik’s new owner didn’t give up him and decided to take him to a clinic in Novosibirsk, where can set him up with four prosthetic paws.
To read more on this story, click here: This Cat Lost His Limbs To Frostbite And Now He Was Fitted With Artificial Ones
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Couple Is Proud Of Having The Longest Cat In The World
“(Omar) was tiny when we got him but then he just started growing and was at 22 lbs one year old.” Hirst decided to measure Omar and he came in around 3.93 ft weighing 30.86 lbs. Up until now, this Guinness title belonged to UK-based Maine Coon Ludo, who is measured at around 3.88 ft.
After the his picture was posted on Cats Of Instagram, Omar became an Internet sensation. However, stardom doesn’t affect his daily routine, which includes waking up at 5 AM, eating kibble for breakfast, napping outside on the trampoline, and enjoying some raw kangaroo meat for dinner.
“He sleeps on the couch … because he takes up too much room on the bed and he demands we cuddle and pet him all through the night.” Hirst says her husband always wanted a big cat – well, there you have it!
To read more on this story, click here: Couple Is Proud Of Having The Longest Cat In The World
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Dog Dies From Starvation At Training Facility
This post contains graphic content and pictures that may be upsetting to some. Viewer discretion is advised.
Dallas, an 9-month-old miniature bull terrier, was brought to Off-Leash K9 Training facility to be potty trained and learn basic obedience. His owners thought they were leaving their beloved dog in the care of professionals and never imagined any harm would come to him. Instead of being treated like a family member, Dallas was deprived of food and starved to death.
Dallas spent five weeks at Off-Leash K9 Training in Johnson City, Tennessee. During that time the family said they were told they couldn’t visit because it would disrupt the training. Originally, Dallas was scheduled for two weeks of training, but the owners said the trainer told them he needed more time for housebreaking.
To read more on this story, click here: Dog Dies From Starvation At Training Facility
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Very Good Service Dogs Watch 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' At The Theater
And cute images of the pooches peering over the backs of seats at the Festival Theatre in Stratford, Ontario, are now going viral.
The group of dogs attended one of the Stratford Festival’s “relaxed performances.”
The shows are “specifically designed to welcome patrons who will benefit from a less restricted audience environment,” according to the festival’s website.
To read more on this story, click here: Very Good Service Dogs Watch 'Billy Elliot: The Musical' At The Theater
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Woman Finds HUGE Huntsman Spider the Size of a Dinner Plate and Rescues It With a Broom
But that’s not the case for Barnyard Betty’s Rescue, a Queensland animal sanctuary that rescues all sorts of animals in need. A viral photo taken by Betty herself testifies to this after she rescued a huntsman spider the size of a dinner plate. Betty’s posted it online and described the encounter:
“Yes, she is very real and very large and not photoshopped,” the description read.
“She was a beautiful, calm spider, not aggressive in any way and like most spiders she just wanted to go about her business eating bugs and living in peace.
“She didn’t or doesn’t need to be killed! Poor spiders are so misunderstood!”
To read more on this story, click here: Woman Finds HUGE Huntsman Spider the Size of a Dinner Plate and Rescues It With a Broom
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Algae Toxin That Can Kill Dogs Discovered in 2 Montgomery County Lakes
There are elevated levels of a toxic substance that could be deadly to dogs and harmful to people in two lakes in Montgomery County, Maryland, officials say.
Blue-green algae released the toxin microcystin in Lake Needwood and Lake Frank in Rock Creek Regional Park.
If ingested, microcystin can cause liver damage to people and pets.
The toxin often appears at the lakes during the summer.
"An algal bloom toxicity can be very dangerous and possibly lethal if not treated when clinical signs start occurring," Dr. Matthew Antokowiak, a veterinarian at AtlasVet in Washington, D.C., previously told News4 in 2017.
Montgomery Parks said in a statement Tuesday that pet owners should keep their dogs on leashes and not allow them to drink or come into contact with the water.
To read more on this story, click here: Algae Toxin That Can Kill Dogs Discovered in 2 Montgomery County Lakes
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Saturday, August 17, 2019
Spotlight Is On Rescue Dogs In First-Ever American Rescue Dog Show
Watch the first dog show that does not judge a dog on their breed, but rather their personality. Dogs do not have to be purebred to compete, and mutts are our favorites. The only requirement is that the dogs all be rescues.
This dog show will be showcasing the dogs’ best traits out of 10 categories. Rebecca Romijn and Rich Eisen are the hosts, and the program features some celebrities as the judges.
To read more on this story, click here: Spotlight Is On Rescue Dogs In First-Ever American Rescue Dog Show
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Disabled Man Leaves His Wheelchair And Risks His Life To Rescue Kitten Stuck In Drain
30-year-old Abu Fathiyyaturahma Menk Abdun Mujtahid first noticed the kitten struggling to hold onto the concrete barriers in Sabah, Malaysia, last Saturday morning.
Despite his inability to use his legs, Abu didn’t hesitate to get out of his wheelchair to get down to the stranded cat.
His friend, who is also in a wheelchair, managed to film the moment that Abu rescued the kitten.
When Abu first reached the drain, he realized that he was too far away to reach the kitten so he then readjusted his position in order to try again.
To read more on this story, click here: Disabled Man Leaves His Wheelchair And Risks His Life To Rescue Kitten Stuck In Drain
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Dog Stolen In Home Burglary Found Months Later In Awful Condition
Wainman had adopted Daisy from the shelter more than seven years ago. Daisy has a severe skin condition that requires medication. Without it, her skin could become very bad, so Wainman worried about this as well.
Months after Daisy had gone missing, a good Samaritan saw her on a road in North Miami Beach and took her in to try and find the owner. They scanned the dog for a microchip, which she had, but it still had the previous owner’s information. But with a lot of hard work, they finally were able to find Wainman.
“I feel very excited because she’s back home and I know she’s going to be around people who love her and who are going to care about her,” said the good Samaritan, Joceline Paria.
To read more on this story, click here: Dog Stolen In Home Burglary Found Months Later In Awful Condition
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The Blind Pet - They Can Still Live a Happy Normal Life
While there are certainly some things that they may be unable to do, most of the activities that are important to our pets are still possible. A blind dog or cat will behave remarkably normally in their own home. Animals that lose vision gradually appear to adjust better than those that lose vision rapidly. In both cases, with a bit of patience, we have found that almost every pet can make this adjustment. They will remember where their food and water are and rarely bump into things in the home.
Try not to rearrange the furniture and you will be amazed at how well your pet will remember the floor plan, even going up and down stairs. They will still play with toys and may prefer a ball with a bell or a squeak toy. They will enjoy interacting with their human family in most all of the same ways as they did before they lost vision. A blind pet can continue in every way in their primary role as a loving companion.
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Is Your Pet Left Handed or Right Handed
The discovery was made by psychologists from Queen's University Belfast, who as part of their research played with 42 pet cats for weeks on end.
Dogs are the same - until they are spayed or neutered, when the difference disappears, suggesting hormones play a role in left or right-handedness. They found that females are 'right-handed' while toms favor the left.
Paw preference: Female dogs favor their right front paw and males choose their left, according to the study.
The scientists also reported that parrots will pick up objects with their 'dominant' foot, toads are mostly right-handed and fish will have a preference to left or right when they dodge a predator - and even humpback whales prefer the right side of their jaws when feeding.
Dogs wag their tails to the right when relaxed and to the left when agitated, this week's New Scientist reports.
The experts said: 'Male and female cats differ in their behavioral patterns, for example hunting styles and parental care, and it is possible that these place different demands on motor functioning.'
Female felines use their right paw while toms tend to use their left
Dr Culum Brown, a behavioral ecologist, said they also tested the theory with parrots: "Anything they are interested in they will pick up with their dominant foot".
Curiously, those parrots that favor their left or right rather than liking both equally, have been shown to be brainier.
With goldfish, the way they dodge predators is likely to allow them to use a specific eye and side of the brain to deal with the threat.
To test it out, place an unfamiliar object in the center of your fish tank and watch which way your pet swims round it.
Toads, however, prefer their right, and pounce more quickly on morsels of food that enter their line of vision from their right.
Humpback whales prefer to use the right side of their jaws to scrape up sand eels from the ocean floor.
While there are advantages in following the crowd, it can also be good to be different. For instance, those humans or animals that are left-handed, or pawed, in a right-handed world, have the surprise on their side when they launch an attack.
How to Remove a Tick from a Person
When you return home from areas where ticks might live, carefully examine your skin and scalp for ticks. Check your pets, too.
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