Thursday, January 7, 2016
Did You Know That Your Dog’s Nose Can Smell Things That Cannot Be Seen?
Snowy Owl Caught on Traffic Camera
A Montreal traffic camera captured stunning images of a
snowy owl in flight over a highway earlier this week.
A series of images were taken on Jan. 3 by a traffic camera
over Montreal’s Highway 40, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported.
The owl appears in the corner of the frame, flies toward
the camera and past it.
American Airlines Introducing the First-Of-Its-Kind "Pet Cabin"
It looks like some dogs will be traveling with a little bit
more style thanks to American Airlines introducing the first-of-its-kind
"pet cabin".
The airline has just announced the offering of their
"pet cabins", which has been nicknamed "Cuddle Class" and
will allow pet owners to keep their pets in a larger, private space versus
being kept in a carry-on under the seat.
The pet cabins have vented doors and will be able to fit a
pet carrier to a maximum of 19 by 13 by nine inches if hard-sided, or a little
larger if soft-sided. It will be available on select flights between New York
and Los Angeles and JFK and San Francisco. The pets will be seated adjacent to
their owner's seat and can sit with their owners during the flight or in the cabin.
AA's outside PR firm said, "Each of the two bulkhead
First Class suites on the American Airlines A321T at the front of the cabin has
an attached pet compartment with vented door where a passenger traveling with
his/her pet can place the pet, in its carrying case, for taxi, take-off, and
landing. During other phases of the flight, the pet, in its carrying case, can
be kept on the floor space of the passenger’s First Class suite. The two berths
at the front bulkhead each have a space with a vented door to hold a kennel or
carrying case for takeoff and landing."
The same rules the airline has for carry-on pets will
apply, along with their usual carry-on pet fee. There's no word on whether the
dogs will be treated to free beverages and biscuits.
Washington, DC - Smithsonian National Zoo Has Announced That the Red Pandas Are Back on Exhibit in the Nation’s Capital
Smithsonian National Zoo has announced that red pandas are
once again on exhibit in the nation’s capital, after a two-year absence.
For now, male Tusa and female Asa, both 1 year old, will be
on display at the zoo’s small mammal house. The ginger cuties will move at a
later date into swanky new digs -- boasting indoor heat, air conditioning, new
perches, and plenty of quiet -- now under construction for them on the larger
"Asia Trail" red panda exhibit.
The zoo’s previous pair of red pandas, Shama and Rusty,
were transferred to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI) two
years ago this month, so they could breed. The couple did produce three cubs in
June 2014, but, sadly, Shama died soon after they were born.
Rusty, however, is “thriving” at the SCBI, according to zoo
staff. The clever male made a name for himself in June 2013 when he staged a
very public, and Internet-viral, escape to the streets of D.C.
While Tusa and Asa will call D.C. home, their species —
listed as endangered on the IUCN’s “red list” of threatened species, with fewer
than 10,000 thought to remain in the wild — is native to Nepal, China, Bhutan
and India. SCBI has long studied the adorable animals.
“We’ve made a commitment to study red pandas,” said curator
Steve Sarro in a release, “and we hope that they inspire the public to help us
conserve this endangered species and their habitat for many generations to
come.”
Watch as Hope For Paws Miraculously Save a Pit Bull from a Busy Los Angeles Freeway
Living near a busy, dangerous freeway is no place for a dog
to call home, which was sadly the case for a pit bull named Veyron.
The animal rescue organization Hope For Paws received a
call that a homeless pit bull was scared and stranded near a Los Angeles
freeway.
Dedicated workers from Hope for Paws spent ample time
trying to get the timid dog away from his surroundings, and in a terrifying
life-or-death moment near an overpass, the team was eventually able to rescue
the shaken pittie.
With the efforts of Hope for Paws and trainers, Veyron is
now a happy, healthy dog. He gets to run and play and no longer lives in fear.
Veyron is ready to leave his old life behind and be adopted and brought into a
caring forever home.
Watch Veyron's journey from the streets to the hearts of
animal lovers everywhere below:
Have You Heard of American Airlines “Cuddle Class” Cabins For Pets?
If your pup’s tired of getting stuffed under your seat
during long flights, you may want to try out American Airlines’ new pet cabins,
which they’re affectionately calling “Cuddle Class.” The snug cabins have
vented doors and let pets sit adjacent to their owner’s seat, which lets them
see their best buddies during flight and, hopefully, keeps them a bit more
relaxed.
The pet cabins don’t come cheap, as they’re only available
in First Class suites. For the initial roll-out of the pet cabins, they will
only appear on flights from New York to Los Angeles and from JFK to San
Francisco.
While Cuddle Class will only be for a limited few
passengers and their lucky dogs and cats, at least it’s a step in the right
direction to make flying more comfortable for our furry friends. Anything that
lets us stay close to them and keep them from being stressed is fine with us.
And at least they can beg us for some of our airline peanuts.
The Problem With Pit Bulls
It's horrible that KFC kicked out that 3-year-old girl, but
let's focus on the real problem: pit bulls were bred to be violent
The social media universe became furious at KFC this week
after an employee reportedly asked a 3-year-old victim of a dog attack to leave
one of their restaurants because “her face is disrupting our customers.”
But it wasn’t KFC employees who broke down the door to
Victoria Wilcher’s grandfather’s house and mauled the toddler until half her
face was paralyzed and she lost the use of one of her eyes. Three pit bulls did
that.
Pit bulls make up only 6% of the dog population, but
they’re responsible for 68% of dog attacks and 52% of dog-related deaths since
1982, according to research compiled by Merritt Clifton, editor of Animals
24-7, an animal-news organization that focuses on humane work and
animal-cruelty prevention.
Clifton himself has been twice attacked by dogs (one pit
bull), and part of his work involves logging fatal and disfiguring attacks.
Clifton says that for the 32 years he’s been recording, there has never been a
year when pit bulls have accounted for less than half of all attacks. A CDC
report on dog-bite fatalities from 1978 to 1998 confirms that pit bulls are
responsible for more deaths than any other breed, but the CDC no longer
collects breed-specific information.
Another report published in the April 2011 issue of Annals
of Surgery found that one person is killed by a pit bull every 14 days, two
people are injured by a pit bull every day, and young children are especially
at risk. The report concludes that “these breeds should be regulated in the
same way in which other dangerous species, such as leopards, are regulated.”
That report was shared with TIME by PETA, the world’s largest animal-rights
organization.
To read more on this story, click here: The Problem With Pit Bulls
Bringing Home Baby to a Dog’s World
The scenario is far too common. The happy, expecting couple
stroll into the clinic with their four-legged child for her Annual Wellness
Exam. The first born of the family is healthy and has a great check-up so I
turn my attention to the parents who are expecting their first two-legged
child. “Have you starting thinking about how you will introduce your new baby?”
All of the sudden, the happy couple becomes the bewildered couple and stares at
me with the “deer in the headlights” look. I know it’s time to have “the talk”.
Bringing home baby to a pet who has ‘ruled the roost’ for years can be done. We
have a few guidelines for you.Many soon-to-be parents don’t realize that
without proper precautions and planning, their new bundle of joy will be their
pet’s worst nightmare and is even at risk to be harmed by their pet.
It is important that every pet owner who is expecting a
child follow a few easy steps to ensure the new addition to the family is a
happy addition.
1) Allow your pet to becomes used to “baby stuff” before
the big day comes. While babies themselves are terrifying enough for pets, all
their stuff can be even worse. Strollers, cribs, toys, high chairs, and car
seats are all brand new items for your pet to adjust to. Stock the nursery
early and allow your pets time to get used to all the new stuff before their is
a screaming child who is taking all your time and energy sitting in them. Even
going on walks with the empty stroller or having bonding time in the baby-less
nursery can put your pets at ease. If your pet is anxious or scared around new
noises, play recordings of baby noises in the months leading up to the
delivery. Start at low levels that your pet doesn’t react to and slowly work up
to “real life” levels. Do positive things with your pets such as eating, giving
treats, brushing, and playing during these noise desensitization sessions to
allow your pet to become comfortable with the change.
2)Teach a calm, controlled behavior. Many dogs get excited
around new people and like to jump up on them to greet them. Teach your dog to
“sit” or “lay” and make them do it before they receive anything (food, treats,
toys, affection, etc.). Think of it as teaching your dog to say “please” before they get something they
want. Pets with good manners are less likely to injure children or be scolded
by adults who are holding children. Remember, we want having a baby to be a
happy experience for the pets and constantly getting scolded because the baby
is around will lead to further fear and anxiety for your pet.
To read more on this
story, click here: Bringing Home Baby to a Dog’s World
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Myths/Facts About Protecting Your Pets in the Winter
We love our pets as family members, so it is our responsibility
to make sure that they are safe and warm in the winter.
Here are some myths/facts about caring for your pets:
Myth: Unlike summertime where a car acts as a greenhouse
and can cause harm and even death to pets, a pet is safer in a car during
winter months.
Fact: Pets can freeze to death even in a short period of
time. Cars act as a refrigerator in cold months. A dog alone in a car, no
matter the season, is a target for thieves.
Myth: All ice melts are created equal.
Fact: Not all ice melts are formulated to keep pets safe.
Pet-safe ice melts like Morton Safe-T-Pet are salt- and chloride-free, which is
safer on pet paws and stomachs. Never use a human grade ice melt, and always
sprinkle Safe-T-Pet on sidewalks; do not pile product and risk Fido or Fluffy’s
health.
Myth: A dog’s pads protect them from all elements of
weather.
Fact: Though a dog’s pads contain much fatty tissue that
does not freeze as easily as other tissues, protection against scuffing,
scraping, cutting, and ice damage is crucial in winter months. Ice cubes and
“snowballing” may occur in the delicate areas between toes and pads. Protective
booties or a product like Musher’s Secret, which is used on sledding dogs, can
help ease extreme conditions on sensitive pads.
Myth: Dogs do not absorb antifreeze or harmful chemicals on
walks through their paws.
Fact: A dog’s pads are more resilient than other parts of
his body, but chemicals can be absorbed through them. In turn, chemicals like
antifreeze can be licked by dogs and cause severe problems. Wipe dog pads off
thoroughly after a walk, perhaps using some warm water and a washcloth to melt
any ice balls that may have formed on the feet.
Myth: Coats are for show and really do not keep pets warm
in the winter months since animals have a natural fur coat.
Fact: Dogs and cats get cold, particularly short-haired
breeds, senior citizens, puppies, and pets with medical conditions. Look for an
insulated sweater with a turtleneck, that covers the belly, and that allows for
protection from neck to tip of tail.
Myth: Dogs should gain weight in the winter to keep their
fat ratio up and stay warm.
Fact: Not always. Though dogs are more sedentary in winter months,
gaining weight as a form of insulation is not always advised. Indoor dogs who
participate in strenuous activities or winter sports may require additional
food in colder months. A recent study from the Association for Pet Obesity
revealed that 53 percent of cats and 55 percent of dogs are overweight or obese
in the United States. Keep a pet’s heart, organs, and joints healthy and keep
an eye on their weight year round.
Myth: Thought a humidifier may help people, it does not do
much for our pets during winter heating season.
Fact: Dry air in the home can make pets itchier, cause dry
noses, upper respiratory infections, more dander, and dry throats. Consider a
humidifier, talk to the veterinarian about skin conditioners and fatty acid
supplements for healthy skin.
Myth: Fleas will not affect my pet during the winter
months.
Fact: Though fleas may not survive in brutal winter
temperatures outside, the warmth of home means fleas gravitate towards indoor
comfort where they can affect pets. Using a natural, safer product with no
chemicals, and a safe alternative for pest control and prevention during colder
months. Always consult a veterinarian with any questions.
Football Fan Cuddles Cat During Chiefs Raiders Game At Arrowhead Stadium
A photo of a stray cat being cuddled inside Kansas City’s
Arrowhead Stadium during a football match has gone viral, with the unusual
sight raising plenty of whiskers.
“Just a man and his kitty in a sea of red,” Instagram user
Max Chilen captioned the bizarre snap as the Chiefs battled the Oakland Raiders
on Sunday.
As if the cat’s attendance wasn’t enough of an anomaly –
especially considering stadiums’ strict rules on restricted items -- the man
seen holding the animal is decked out in Green Bay Packers garb.
According to Chilen, the foreign fan scooped up the cat
after finding it wandering around inside. Another Twitter user shared a photo
of the man appearing to exit the stadium with the cat in his arms.
"Great work by Arrowhead security tonight. This dude
managed to sneak in an effing cat," Taco Salazar sarcastically tweeted
with the photo and hashtag #StandUpJob
But Chilen said they got it wrong.
“The dude found it in the spiral walkway heading into the
game so they kept it instead of giving it to security,” Chilen tweeted to an
Arrowhead Pride reporter.
“At the 4th quarter security came and there was quite the
protest to let him keep the cat. Then he went away with them but … I think they
planned on letting him keep the cat,” he continued.
To read more on this story, click here: Football Fan Cuddles Cat During Chiefs-Raiders Game At Arrowhead Stadium
This Photo of an Absolutely Adorable, Brown Ball of Fluff is Indeed of a Dog… Not a Bear
The dog is actually a female Pomeranian-mix named Bounce,
according to Ryan Horn, an employee of The Dog Spot, West Nashville, Tennessee,
a retailer, dog supplier and daycare store with three locations in the
Nashville area.
Horn told ABC News that Bounce checked in The Dog Spot last
Monday, when he took a photo of her and texted it to his friends, joking,
"Somebody brought this bear into doggie day care."
One of his friends, Lanier Basenberg, posted the photo to
Reddit and Imgur with the same text as a caption. The post took off, and
hundreds of users got into a debate over whether Bounce was indeed a bear or a
dog. The photo of the smiley "bear dog" on Imgur had nearly 1 million
views as of Tuesday afternoon.
"Bear with me -- I think he might be a woof," one
user, carson9910, wrote.
Horn explained that Bounce is actually owned by Elizabeth
Maguyon, a 19-year-old chemical and bio-molecular engineering student at the
Georgia Institute of Technology.
Maguyon told ABC News today that she and her family were on
vacation in Tennessee when they checked Bounce into doggie daycare.
"We hate leaving her at home and try not to board her
as much as possible, so we decided to take her on the road trip with us and
then board her there if the hotel wouldn't allow pets," she said.
Maguyon said that while walking Bounce in downtown Nashville,"every
single person who walked by her stopped, took photos of her and commented about
how cute she was, saying things like, 'Is that dog a bear?!'"
"Since she was getting so much attention, I actually
made a joke on the trip that Bounce would become famous without us even knowing
because of all the pictures people were taking of her, and little did we know
she actually did!" Maguyon said.
The 19-year-old and her family were shocked after several
family friends texted them about seeing Bounce on the Internet.
Maguyon said that funny enough, Bounce isn't just like a
bear in appearance but also in personality.
"My mom thinks she looks like Paddington, and she also
loves to sleep," she said. "She could sleep all day long. She doesn't
ever bark either. She naps all day and in that way, I guess she's like a little
bear who sleeps lots in winter. We joke all the time she's not even like a real
dog."
In light of the Internet fame, Bounce "hasn't let all
the attention get to her head," Maguyon said, adding, "She's just a
normal, very, very friendly and nice dog."
American Kennel Club: We Have Two New Dog Breeds – The American Hairless Terrier and the Sloughi Have Joined 187 Other Recognized Breeds
A hairless terrier and an ancient North African hound are
ready to run with the pack of dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel
Club.
The organization announced Tuesday that the American
hairless terrier and the sloughi have joined 187 other recognized breeds. The
newcomers can now compete in most AKC shows and competitions, though not at the
prominent Westminster Kennel Club show until next year.
Many American hairless terriers are, as advertised, bare-skinned,
though others have short coats but carry the hairless gene. Their rise began
when a hairless puppy emerged in a litter of rat terriers in the 1970s, wowing
a Louisiana couple and leading to deliberate breeding of the hairless dogs,
according to the American Hairless Terrier Club of America.
The lively, inquisitive terriers can do well at canine
sports and as pets for people with dog-hair allergies.
"They're terrier-smart" but somewhat calmer than
some other terrier breeds, said club secretary Lynn Poston of Fontana,
California. "They're very easy to live with because they're very
trainable."
The sloughi (pronounced SLOO-ghee), also called the Arabian
greyhound, was developed to hunt game as big as gazelles. The lean, leggy dogs
have some similarities to salukis, another hound breed from North Africa.
Sloughis are known for speed, endurance, grace and rather
reserved demeanors.
"They are very attentive to their family, but they are
not the kind of dog that will jump on your lap - they are not after you all the
time," says Ermine Moreau-Sipiere of Como, Texas, president of the
American Sloughi Association. She has owned them for nearly 40 years.
The dogs need patient training, opportunities to exercise,
and a substantial fence if they're allowed to be loose in a yard because they
may follow their hunting instinct far and wide if they spy prey, she said.
Criteria for AKC recognition include having several hundred
dogs of the breed nationwide.
Some animal-rights advocates are critical of dog breeding
and emphasize that many mixed-breed dogs need adoption. The AKC says breed
characteristics help owners anticipate a dog's characteristics and make an
enduring match.
This undated photo provided by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
shows an American Hairless Terrier, one of two newcomers recognized by the AKC
that can now compete in most of the organizations shows and competitions,
though not at the prominent Westminster Kennel Club show until next year. The
two new breeds announced Tuesday, Jan 5, 2016, are the hairless terrier and a
sloughi, also called the Arabian greyhound. (American Kennel Club via AP)
This undated photo provided by the American Kennel Club
(AKC) shows a sloughi, also called the Arabian greyhound, one of two newcomers
recognized by the AKC that can now compete in most of the organizations shows
and competitions, though not at the prominent Westminster Kennel Club show
until next year. The two new breeds announced Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, are the
sloughi and the American hairless terrier. (American Kennel Club via AP)
Jack Russells Are More Likely to Bite Their Owners Than Any Other Breed of Dog
Jack Russells are more likely to bite their owners than any
other breed of dog, according to police.
Data from the city of Liverpool – the second worst area in
the UK for dog attacks – ranked the small terrier as the most likely to bite
humans.
A total of 71 dog attacking incidents were reported to
police over the last 12 months in the city, which ranks only second to Oxford.
Officers were able compile data on the most aggressive dogs
based on reports, with Jack Russell coming out on top.
The terrier, which has its origins in fox hunting, is a
popular dog, but is known for its high energy and considered mainly suitable
for experienced owners.
It topped a list that includes Rottweilers and
Staffordshire bull terriers.
In Liverpool in 2015, Jack Russells were responsible for
six attacks where police could definitely say what the dog was.
Pitbull and Staffordshire bull terrier-type dogs accounted
for five recorded incidents during the year, with German Shepherds accounting
for three.
Elsewhere on the list is the rather surprising addition of
the Daschund.
A recent YouGov study put the worst city in the country for
dog attacks as Oxford, with Liverpool, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, Hull,
Leeds and Wakefield also on the list.
However, Phillip Gower, of solicitors Simpson Millar, which
commissioned the study, said argued breeds have nothing to do with attacks.
He said: “In 20 years working on dog attack cases I haven’t
spotted a trend in the breed of dog that attacks. It’s usually down to the
owner.”
The full list is as follows:
Jack Russell
Staffordshire bull terrier
Pitbull terrier
German shepherd
Rottweiler
Daschund
Boxer
Great Dane
Doberman pinscher
Husky
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Tips for Feeding Backyard Birds in the Winter
If your community gets consistently cold (below freezing)
in the winter or has extended periods of snow and ice on the ground, you may be
surprised to learn what a huge difference you can make by feeding wild birds
right outside your own door or window. A
large-scale winter storm, with deep snow or ice cover, cuts off many birds from
their natural food supplies and can actually cause them to starve by the
thousands and even millions. Backyard bird feeding can make a real contribution
to their survival and even thriving during the winter months. Here are ten pointers for a successful
winter bird feeding season:
1. Put out feeders with good size capacity: And/or use multiple feeders to provide ample
food especially during snow and ice storms.
There are many stores in your area that sell excellent bird feeders
including bird-specific stores and most lawn and garden centers. You can also
visit the National Wildlife Federation’s online backyard store to purchase
feeders while also supporting the Federation’s conservation work:
2. Provide nutritious winter seed foods: For most birds theses
often include seed mixes of: black oil sunflower seed, hulled peanuts, niger
seed and white millet seed. Mixed seed
bags can be purchased at local bird and lawn and garden stores or you can go on
line and visit the Scott’s Songbird Selections website for a store locator or
to learn more about wild bird feeding:
3. Offer fatty food too:
Birds need to burn more calories in the winter just to stay warm. Suet is considered a high energy food because
it consists of fat that has 9 calories per gram compared to 4 calories per gram
for carbohydrates or protein. Peanut Butter is also popular with our flying
friends but is more expensive than suet. Suet feeders are a favorite of
woodpeckers and other insect-eating birds
4. Keep your feeders full: Winter birds need to stock up on
calories especially for those long, cold winter nights.
5. Be consistent and keep feeding through the winter: Birds
grow accustomed to your feeders especially in severe weather when the snacks
you offer may mean their very survival.
If you leave home for an extended period, try to have a neighbor or
friend keep the feeders going.
6. Remember water: Birds can become dehydrated in winter even
if surrounded by ice and snow. Putting
out a pan of water near the feeder on warmer days is a terrific idea.
7. Stamp down the snow below: Ground-feeding birds such as
dark-eyed juncos, doves and many sparrows will be able to gather up the seed
that drop from the feeders if they don’t have deep snow to try to manage.
8. Hang feeders in cat-safe locations: Place bird feeders in
locations that do not also offer hiding places for sneak-attacks by cats and
other predators. Think of placing the feeders ten to twelve feet from shrubs or
brush piles. This gives the birds some
time to react.
9. Remember feeder cleanliness: Your feeders can get a little
grimy. Because natural food sources are scarcer in the winter, more birds may
be attracted to backyard feeders and those feeders will need to be cleaned with
some hot water and dried a few times during the season.
10. Save some money and stock up on seed: Bird feeding veterans
say it is best to stock up on birdseed in the Fall when many lawn and garden
centers are discounting it to make way for winter merchandise. Stored properly,
(in cool dry places) seed can easily last for months, particularly seed mixes
and sunflower seeds.
The first days or winter are a great time to start feeding
birds. Once you have bird feeders, some
water sources, some shrubs and trees for habitat cover you are well on your way
to qualifying for certification as a backyard habitat with 135,000 other U.S. residents. Learn more about NWF’s Certified Wildlife
Habitat™ program and see if you might like to join up. The winter birds surely need you.
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