Meet the Florida Couple Kicking Up a Stink with 14 Pet Skunks Under the Same Roof

Visitors to Don and Brenda Hoch's home need a simple piece of advice: bring a peg for your nose because with 14 pet skunks you're going to need it.

The proud owners of Spike, Inca, Sammy, Suna, Nutmeg, Chanel, Spencer, Theodore, Alvin, Simon, Frosty, Zipper, Napoleon and Da Vinci, Don and Brenda say the famously stinky animals are more affectionate than even cats.

The couple, from Hudson, Florida, have owned skunks since 2006 and have begun taking in unwanted ones too working in conjunction with Florida Skunk Rescue.

As Florida is one of only two states in the USA where skunks can be legally kept as pets, a large number of them are unfortunately left by the roadside or simply dumped.

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Heatstroke in Cats

 

Just like humans and dogs, cats can be affected by high temperatures. Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are serious conditions that can occur in any animal. We tend to hear more about Heatstroke in dogs, especially those left in hot cars or taken outside as temperatures increase. Cats are not commonly affected by Heatstroke because they are less likely to be trapped in hot areas, but this doesn't mean they are not at risk. You can protect your cat by understanding the signs of heatstroke and learning what actions to take.

What Is Heatstroke?

Heatstroke is a condition that occurs when the body temperature has become dangerously high. A cat's normal body temperature range is between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. An internal body temperature over 102.5 is considered abnormal. If the elevation in body temperature is caused by a hot environment, heat exhaustion may develop and heatstroke is likely to follow.

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Heat Stroke in Dogs

 

Heat stroke is a term commonly used for hyperthermia or elevated body temperature. Generally speaking, if a pet's body temperature exceeds 103°F (39.4°C), it is considered abnormal or hyperthermic. Body temperatures above 106°F (41°F) without previous signs of illness are most commonly associated with exposure to excessive external or environmental heat and are often referred to as heat stroke. The critical temperature where multiple organ failure and impending death occurs is around 107°F to 109°F (41.2°C to 42.7°C).

How do I know if my pet has heat stroke? 

Dogs suffering from heatstroke can have elevated breathing rates, dry or sticky gums, abnormal gum color, bruising in the gums, may appear lethargic or disoriented, and can have seizures.

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Puppies 101: How to Care for a Puppy

Bringing a new puppy into your home will change your life forever. Puppies are definitely a lot of work, but they also bring plenty of joy to your world. Whether you are ​getting your first puppy or just need a refresher course, here's what you'll need to know to get your puppy on the right track to adulthood.

Choosing the Right Puppy

If the time is right for getting a puppy, you will now have to choose the best match. Perhaps your future companion will find you. A puppy can come into your life by chance and you can feel an instant connection and know it is the right one, but it doesn't always happen like that. Often, you must take on the important task of going out and finding the right kind of puppy for you.

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Artist Recreates Portraits of Animals From Flower Petals and Leaves

 

What if feathers, fur, and scales were actually just flower petals and leaves? Australian photographic illustrator Josh Dykgraaf reimagines animals composed entirely from found natural materials. His digitally rendered series, titled Terraform, reminds us of the visible patterns found in nature. His latest works in particular highlight the similarity in shape between petals and reptile scales, as well as leaves and feathers. Each creature looks like some sort of hybrid species from an alien planet.

The inspiration for Terraform came from a simple realization. “I was surfing through some images I'd shot on a totally different project and had the observation that some rock formations in the Swiss Alps looked like the skin of an elephant,” Dykgraaf tells My Modern Met. “That became the first piece in the project, Ourea.” The artist adds, “I then started applying that idea to other forms—noticing that some leaves resemble the feathers of a bird for example, or that magnolia flower petals look like scales.”

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Artist Turns Nuts, Bolts, and Scrap Metal Into Life-Size Animal Sculptures

While most of us dispose of old car parts and unused cutlery at the dump, Aloha, Oregon-based artist Brian Mock turns scrap metal into fantastic outdoor sculptures. He collects use and discarded materials—such as screws, nuts, and bolts—and assembles them into human and animal forms.

Mock has been exploring a number of artistic practices from an early age, but discovered his love of upcycling art in the 1990s. He taught himself how to weld, allowing him to visualize his artistic ideas as metal sculptures. Today, he’s creating an entire zoo of metallic animals—including dogs, cats, and larger-than-life lions—all from 100% reclaimed materials. Mock chooses each piece of scrap metal carefully to fit the forms of his subjects—dog tails are depicted as flexible metal chains, and floppy ears are crafted from large sheets of curved steel.

To read more on this story, click here: Artist Turns Nuts, Bolts, and Scrap Metal Into Life-Size Animal Sculptures

Meet Winnie, The Cocker Spaniel That Looks Like A Real-Life Disney Character

Adorable puppies are programmed to win people’s hearts at first glance but in this specific case of unbelievable cuteness, it is nearly impossible to resist going “awwww.” Meet an unreasonably cute doe-eyed cocker spaniel from the UK called Winnie. She has been flooding social media and news feeds around the globe for the past week, and we are not even mad about it. Who would mind a little bit of pup-therapy to brighten up their day?

To read more on this story, click here: Meet Winnie, The Cocker Spaniel That Looks Like A Real-Life Disney Character

Angriest-Looking Stray Cat Is Actually A Total Sweetie

When a Good Samaritan in Akron, Ohio, noticed a grumpy-looking tabby hanging around her house, she assumed he wanted nothing to do with her. Not only did he wear a permanent scowl, but he seemed to have been living outside for a long time.

But as the woman got to know the cat, she realized that was far from the truth.

The cat may have looked angry on the outside — but all he wanted was to be loved. So she contacted Riggi Rescue to see if they could help the skinny, flea-bitten stray.

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Top 5 Benefits You'll Get From Owning Pet Koi

The Good and Bad of Keeping Koi

Any type of pet comes with their own challenges and setbacks, and koi fish are no different. They're subject to disease, emergencies and sometimes sadly turn out to be a bad fit for their owner. For the sake of those who have the time, finances and space to keep these great creatures, let's embrace the positive gems that koi have to offer.

1. The Best Parts of This Hobby

2. The Koi Pond Provides Moments of Peace

3. The Hobby Has a Great Social Factor

4. Keeping Koi Offers a Good Challenge

5. Koi Are a Reactive Pet

6. You Can Trade and Sell the Fry

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WHEN AND WHY TO STOP FEEDING YOUR KOI FISH IN WINTER

We’re moving into the winter season, and temperatures are dropping. You might be thinking about your koi pond and how your koi will fare during the winter months.

Your fish will be just fine, but colder weather does mean you need to adjust your feeding schedule.

Here’s how your koi feeding schedule will change as the temperature falls – even to the point where you stop feeding them until the spring.

HOW WEATHER AFFECTS FEEDING SCHEDULE

As the air temperature falls, your koi pond water temperature will drop. There’s a direct relationship between water temperature and koi feeding because your koi’s digestive system slows down as the temperature does (with one exception).

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How To Raise Koi Fish In A Pond?

Koi fish are renowned as an easy-to-raised specie and if raising them successfully, you might earn a fortune from them.

However, there are still some certain requirements that you should keep in mind before bringing them home, such as pond sizes, expenses, living environments, and how to feed them. Rest assured, all will be told in this article.

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Kitten Care 101: From Birth To a Year Old

Congratulations on getting a new kitten! Here’s everything you need to know about being a good kitten parent.

Adding a new kitten to your family is an exciting time! Raising a kitten to adulthood can be an incredibly rewarding way to bond with your pet. From the time they're born up to their first birthday, these easy care tips can help you keep your pet happy and healthy throughout their first year.

How To Care for a Newborn Kitten

A mother cat will provide everything a young kitten needs until he is about 4 weeks of age. All you need to do is keep the family warm, dry, and in a dark, private location. Mom will do all the feeding and cleaning. Sadly, however, sometimes the mother of a baby kitten is not around or unable to care for her little ones. If that's the case, you'll need to step in to help keep the kitties warm and fed.

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Is a Fish the Right Pet for You? 7 Reasons Why It Might Not Be

Are you considering buying a pet fish?

Excellent choice!

But they certainly are not for everyone.

I have had pet fish for quite some time now…

Over 30 years, in fact. Where does the time go?

During this time I have actively been involved in online fish forums, local meetups and helped many, many beginners overcome problems with their aquarium setup.

You would be amazed at how often I hear this phrase uttered by beginners after receiving advice:

Ugh… If I knew that, I never would have considered fish as a pet!

What are these deal breakers?

That’s exactly what I am going to reveal in this guide.

If at any point while reading this, you think to yourself:

I don’t like the sound of that…

Then I highly recommend considering a different pet for you and your family.

Which brings me to my first point…

To read more on this story, click here: Is a Fish the Right Pet for You? 7 Reasons Why It Might Not Be

5 Training Commands to Save Your Dog’s Life

Imagine how you would feel if your dog ran into a busy street, ignoring your calls because he or she didn’t understand what you were trying to communicate?

Obedience training needs to be about safety, rather than tricks. Here are 5 must-know obedience commands that you should start practicing now.

To read more on this story, click here: 5 Training Commands to Save Your Dog’s Life