Typical Loggers' Workday The loggers of the Georgia Kraft Co., were experiencing a regular workday. The company is located in Jasper, Georgia, and as a paper mill machinery business, part of its work involves acquiring wood for paper pulp. So, one day in the year 1980, the loggers went out to a nearby forest to cut some trees. Little did they know that there was a secret hidden inside a tree that they were about to uncover.
Shocked They realized something wasn't right as soon as they cut down that tree trunk. Unlike most chestnut tree trunks, this piece was light and hollow on the inside. And once the trunk was on the ground, they realized that in the middle was a black hole. But they weren't expecting to find what they did, which was a canine growling at them. And while they were shocked by this discovery, there was an intriguing story behind it all.
Not Your Average Wood Given that they grow faster than oak trees, American chestnut trees have always been of great commercial valuable. In fact, surviving specimens remain throughout eastern North American regions like Nova Scotia, New Hampshire, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, despite a fungal infection that nearly made this species of trees extinct in the early 20th century. Chestnut trees have a number of interesting characteristics, one of which resulted in this phenomenon, which stunned loggers.
Hollow interior The loggers began to chop down all of the chestnut trees that they had selected to be cut. It was a grueling task, which would take all day. Then they prepared to cut down this chestnut tree. But they realized that it was hollow the moment their axes hit the trunk. But that didn't matter. As long as the wood came from a chestnut tree it would produce pulp that was high in quality. So, they continued to chop, not realizing what was within.
Something Was Off About That Tree Once the tree trunk came down, the loggers prepared to start cutting it into logs that they could place on their truck. But then they saw something that caught their eye. Inside the hollowed-out trunk was something that was preventing the light from passing through. The loggers took a closer look and then they jumped back in shock and fear. Inside the trunk was a beast who was looking straight at them.
Was It A Pooch? The mysterious creature was surprisingly, a dog. The loggers could tell because it had sharp canine teeth, a long snout, and paws that were near the trunk's top. But there was something really strange about this dog. It looked as if it was frozen. The loggers didn't understand how the dog wound up inside the tree trunk, or why it appeared the way that it did. But they had a job to complete, so they had to make a decision about what to do with this fast.
It Was Too Valuable The loggers knew they'd lose money by not cutting up the tree trunk, but they decided that this interesting discovery was too incredible to chop down. So, they decided to set it aside in the hopes that they could find someone they could give it to who could investigate the origin of the dog inside the trunk. Fortunately, the trunk eventually found its way to the right place.
Southern Forest World A year after the loggers discovered the dog inside the chestnut tree trunk, the Southern Forest World opened in 1981. The museum dedicated itself to the Southeastern United States' industry of forestry, which included wood production in colonial America to modern tree farming techniques. The loggers from the Georgia Kraft Co., knew that this was the right home for the tree trunk.
A Popular Exhibit Southern Forest World received the tree trunk before it opened its doors. The staff knew it would be a popular exhibit despite the fact that its connection to the forestry industry was only due to the fact that a bunch of loggers had discovered it. But they wanted to learn more about the dog within the trunk, and that's when the truth behind the mysterious chestnut tree was discovered.
Bottom Of The Mystery Southern Forest World sought out the help of biology experts to study the dog inside the trunk. The dog seemed to be mummified, but no one could figure out how that would have happened naturally without the help of human hands and the methods used back in ancient Egypt. But, biological anthropologist Kristina Killgrove from the University of West Florida discovered that this is exactly what had occurred to the dog.
Preservation Killgrove analyzes tissue decay and explains how the putrefying process begins when microbes begin to eat the tissue shortly after death. “They grow, they reproduce, and they start taking over the body,” she explained. But a property within the chestnut tree prevented nature from taking its course. Chestnut trees contain tannin, an organic substance that acts as a desiccant and absorbs moisture. It was the lack of moisture that prevented microbes from beginning the decaying process. But what about scavengers living outside the tree?
Masking The Scent When microbes begin to consume a deceased body, natural predators are lured by the smell and arrive to turn the body into a meal. But the chestnut tree prevented this from happening to the dog. In fact, it blew the air up through the hollow trunk like a chimney, which prevented other animals from smelling it. “Anything that would eat dead flesh would never know he was in the tree,” explained Bertha Sue Dixon, Southern Forest World's director. But one question about this mystery remained.
The Final Chase That Ended His Life The question remained, how did the dog wind up inside the trunk of this tree? According to Dixon, “He’s a hunting dog, so we assumed that he was chasing something in the tree.” According to experts, the dog, who was 4 years old at the time, was probably chasing a raccoon or a squirrel around 1960. He may have followed his prey into the tree, but got stuck 28 feet in, where it likely died of starvation. But now he's preserved forever, and he's very popular.
Popular Attraction The mummified dog has been extremely popular in the Southern Forest World. In fact, the attraction can be found prominently displayed in the central rotunda of the building. It's also surrounded by a variety of tree specimens like cypress, oak, and pine trees. He's such a star that his image is on promotional materials and even postcards. But ironically, it would be decades before the dog would get a name.
Meet Stuckie The hound was called the "Mummified Dog" up until 2002. That's when the museum had a naming contest and some of the runner-up names included "Chipper," and "Dogwood." But the museum picked "Stuckie" as the winner. The person who came up with the dog's name said that the dog's trunk coffin was like "pecan logs," which are sold in Stuckey's convenience stores. Of course, to avoid trademark infringement, the museum had to change the spelling a bit. If you're interested, you can go to the Southern Forest World in Waycross, Georgia and pay Stuckie the Mummified Dog a visit.
(CBS Local) — A 61-year-old New York man developed an extremely rare and fatal brain disorder after he ate squirrel brains, according to a new report. The unnamed victim was taken to a hospital in Rochester, New York in 2015 after his ability to think and was losing touch with reality. He also could no longer walk. His family described him as an avid hunter who had dined on squirrel brains. However, it was not clear if the man had consumed the entire squirrel brain or just squirrel meat that was contaminated with parts of squirrel brain, according to Dr. Tara Chen, a medical resident at Rochester Regional Health and lead author of the report. Chen presented the report October 4 at IDWeek, an annual meeting of infectious diseases professionals. To read more on this story, click here:Doctors Suspect Man Died Of Extremely Rare Disease After Eating Squirrel Brains
There are a number of everyday household items that can be poisonous to cats, so as they are inquisitive animals it's important to keep them out of their reach. This visual guide lists some common cat poisons, explains what the symptoms of poisoning are and what to do: Most importantly, if you suspect your cat has ingested poison, take them to a vet immediately. COMMON CAT POISONS Spot On dog flea treatments: Never use a dog treatment on a cat. Some dog flea treatments contain concentrated permethrin insecticide, which is highly toxic to cats. Cats can even be poisoned simply through contact with any dogs that have been recently treated with flea spot on products containing concentrated permethrin, so read labels and take care. Human medicines: Common painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol can be deadly – just one paracetamol tablet can be enough to cause severe illness or even death. Antifreeze: Antifreeze is lethal to cats – ingestion of just a small amount can lead to kidney failure and death. Household chemicals: Disinfectants (particularly those containing phenol, which usually go cloudy when added to water) and decorating agents like white spirit are toxic to cats. Pest control such as slug pellets, insecticides, weed killers and rodent bait are also very dangerous. Lilies: A number of plants can be toxic to cats, but lilies in particular can be lethal. Cats have been poisoned by simply brushing against toxic plants and then licking the pollen from their fur, so avoid them altogether. You can see a full list of plants that are dangerous to cats on International Cat Care’s website. Human foods: Certain human foods including onions, raisins, coffee and chocolate can poison your cat. It’s also worth noting that although it’s not poisonous, a common food intolerance in cats is to lactose in milk. To read more this story, click here:Cat Poisoning Advice: A Visual Guide to Keeping Your Pet Safe
It can be a crime to leave pets outside in extreme temperatures without food and shelter Cold weather can be deadly for pets. As the temperature plummets in many parts of the country, The Humane Society of the United States sees a marked increase in the number of complaints about dogs and cats who have been left outside with no food or shelter. We encourage you to contact local law enforcement agencies because pets left outside in extreme temperatures, especially without food and shelter, are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite and even death. Their owners are at risk of facing criminal charges. The act of leaving a pet outside without food or adequate shelter often receives less attention than a violent attack against an animal, but neglect is a crime. "Especially in these cold months, it is important for people to bring their pets inside and for others to report neglected animals to law enforcement,” says Ashley Mauceri, HSUS manager for cruelty response, who fields these calls. To read more on this story, click here: What To Do If You See a Pet Left Out in the Cold
I am proud to be the owner of a former shelter dog who is a mutt (my PAL Buster might look and act just like a Black Lab, but I assure you, with pleasure, that he is a mutt). I am someone who will always own a dog, and I have decided that I will only own rescue or shelter dogs. Therefore I am a big fan of October, which is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Behavioral and lifestyle questions for yourself and shelter staff The decision to adopt a shelter dog (or any dog) needs to be come from introspection. Shelters have dogs to suit any situation or lifestyle. What sort of dog do you desire? What sort of dog can you handle? The latter question is the more important one. Human-canine relationships work only when the human is the leader. I do not subscribe to schools of thought that recommend humans be aggressive or domineering with dogs. However, dog owners must be sufficiently competent and confident to lead the relationship gently. This is for the safety of the dog and all of the people who meet the dog. Unfortunately I have met many people who have misjudged their confidence and competence when adopting dogs. The result invariably is a bad relationship in which the dog does not respect its owner. A shy, fearful, hesitant, or inexperienced owner who adopts a spirited, challenging dog will probably suffer with behavior problems over time. These behavior problems can devolve into a situation that can be fatal for the dog; euthanasia for behavior problems unfortunately is common in this world. If you are an experienced dog owner who enjoys the robustness of a relationship with a spirited dog, then by all means adopt one. If you are inexperienced or if you lack confidence, then you need to look for an easy going, easy-to-handle dog. To read more on this story, click here:What Questions Should I Ask Before Adopting a Shelter Dog?
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol made a bust in Atlanta that's complete hogwash. Last Thursday, K-9 Hardy certainly squealed with delight when he alerted his handler to the roasted pig head inside a traveler's luggage. The passenger from Ecuador attempted to carry the two-pound piece of pork through customs at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. “Our best defense against destructive pests and animal diseases is to prevent the entry of prohibited agriculture products from entering the United States,” said Carey Davis, CBP Area Port Director for the Port of Atlanta. “This seizure at ATL illustrate the tremendous expertise of our four-legged K-9 partners in protecting the United States." Pork products from other continents are not allowed to enter the U.S. in an effort to prevent the potential introduction of foreign animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth disease, Classical Swine Fever and Swine Vesicular disease. This is one interception Hardy can take to the piggy bank.
FOLLOW US!
San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputies in California had to reach into their bag of tricks — or lunch bag of tricks — to corral a portly pig that had gotten loose. The two deputies from the Highland station responded to a call of a pig "the size of a mini horse" wandering the streets. They decided the path of least resistance was to sacrifice a bit of their lunch to create a trail of chips to entice the pig back home.
You’ve gone to training classes, read books, and even watched videos. Yet your dog still seems to dislike training with you. This is usually around the time a pet owner will tell her dog trainer that her pup is either dumb or stubborn, and therefore cannot be trained. However, in situations like this, an owner is often accidentally sabotaging the training sessions. AKC GoodDog! Helpline program manager Penny Leigh, CPDT-KA, reveals some of the most common mistakes we make that can cause a dog to disengage. Attitude “Owners need to always approach training with a positive attitude and avoid telling the dog ‘no’ or making negative sounds like ‘ehhh,’ etc.,” says Leigh. While the idea of a “negative marker” has been around for decades and was originally used by positive reinforcement trainers, research has shown that a negative marker actually hinders learning. “Dogs need to feel confident in order to learn new skills,” explains Leigh. “If they are constantly being told that they are wrong, then they don’t want to try anymore.” Enter what many dog owners describe as the “stubborn” dog. This is a canine companion that seems to be ignoring his owner — doing everything except what is asked of him. To read more on this story, click here:These Common Training Mistakes Might Be Causing Your Dog to Disengage
Most people know that alpacas can be used as pack animals and that their fleece is valued for its silkiness. Pet lovers often ask if alpacas can make friendly pets. The truth is, these llama cousins are friendly and easy to handle. Besides being inquiring, they are also intelligent and sensitive. Additionally, they are calming to be around and show a quick response to gentle handling. Here are 7 reasons alpacas make great pets. 1. Alpacas Have Super-Soft Hypoallergenic Fleece. If you have never touched alpaca fleece, you will be delighted at how soft it feels. Besides being fluffy and soft, alpaca fiber is naturally free from lanolin and other allergy-causing agents. Whether you want to hug an alpaca or make a blanket from its fleece, you are not likely to suffer the same redness and itchiness caused by other types of fiber. Additionally, alpaca fiber has been granted a class 1 rating by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission because of its flame resistant nature. This fleece is also water resistant, making it a warmer alternative to cotton, and a lightweight option to sheep’s wool. 2. Given Time, Alpacas Are Typically Receptive to Human Touch. Every relationship is founded on trust. Once this amazing animal becomes acquainted with you, it will be much more receptive to your contact and touch. In fact, alpacas tend to be more similar to cats in behavior than to dogs. After establishing trust from familiarity, most alpacas will allow you to stroke their backs and necks, and even hug them! What’s more, alpacas are very friendly and even more receptive to children than adults, perhaps because children are small, and therefore less intimidating to be around with than adults. To read more on this story, click here:7 Reasons Alpacas Make Great Pets
I am so delighted to share all the information I have learned on how to raise baby chicks. Whether you are dreaming of fresh eggs, learning to be more self-reliant, looking for a great pet or wanting your own home-grown chickens for meat, just about anyone can raise chickens. I love my chickens. But growing up I was terrified of them. The drive for learning how to be self-reliant and the desire for fresh eggs helped me to overcome my fears. I live in the city and only am allowed a couple of chickens, so I brought home 4 chirping little baby chicks this past spring. After learning how to raise baby chicks and watching them grow, I can say they are the most enjoyable pets I have ever raised. They are super easy to care for, can be very loving, inexpensive to feed plus you get super delicious fresh eggs from them too. To read more on this story, click here:How to Raise Baby Chicks
FOLLOW US!
How often you need to wash your dog depends on a variety of things, including the dog’s breed, size, type of coat, and activities. Dogs that are frequently outdoors may need more frequent baths, while indoor dogs may need a bath only every few months. Baths can be scary for dogs, but with a little knowledge and preparation, you can make washing your dog a good experience for both of you. Before you bathe your dog, brush its fur thoroughly before the bath, and place cotton balls in your dog’s ear canals to protect it from getting an ear infection. Adjust the temperature in the bath so it’s warm but not hot. Wet your dog from the neck to its tail, making sure you fully saturate the coat, then pour a strip of shampoo down the dog’s back and massage it in. Lather up the dog’s entire body except for its head, then use a washcloth to gently clean the dog’s face. Rinse the dog completely, then pat it with a towel to dry. To read more on this story, click here:How to Wash a Dog
While cats can be meticulous groomers, there are times when they really need a bath. Sometimes they get into something very sticky or dirty. Other times, they have a medical condition that requires regular bathing with medicated shampoo. Despite this, most cats will react negatively to getting a bath, which can be stressful for both the cat and the owner. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make bath time less stressful for both parties, and this wikiHow will show you how. To read more on this story, click here:How to Bathe a Cat
The first thing you must do if you’re thinking of having Capuchin monkeys as pets is to check the laws for exotic pets in your State. It is extremely important to know that capuchin monkeys, like other primates, can transmit certain diseases to humans. After rabies, Hepatitis is the most common. Capuchins can also be infected with more common ailments quite easily from humans since their immune systems are not as strong as ours. Monkeys are messy, and most capuchin owners use diapers for their monkey’s entire life. Since they can live for as long as 35-40 years in captivity, that’s a lot of diapers! They may also need to be bottle-fed for their entire lives. Capuchins are mostly kept on leashes both inside and outside of the home. Capuchin owners treat their monkeys like babies and commonly dress them up. Capuchins can grow to weigh up to 4 lbs but the average weight is 2 pounds. They grow twelve to twenty-two inches in height and their tails are also usually the same length as the body. These monkeys can become quite troublesome and aggressive when they reach sexual maturity, which can be difficult for the owner to handle. To read more on this story, click here: Capuchin Monkeys, Do These Primates Make Good Pets?
Poisoning by pesticides and rodenticides is one of the most common household dangers to your pet. In this case, zinc phosphide poisoning will be explored as a potential culprit for your pet's health condition. Zinc phosphide is an ingredient used in some rat poisons, and is also commonly used by pest control professionals. One of the effects zinc phosphide has on the body is a release of gases in the stomach, so that an animal that has ingested poison containing zinc phosphide will have breath smelling of garlic or rotten fish. Treatment is symptomatic (based on symptoms), and side effects of zinc phosphide poisoning can linger for several days after treatment. To read more on this story, click here:Rat Poison Toxicity in Dogs
Halloween can be a festive and fun time for children and families. But for pets? Let's face it, it can be a nightmare. Skip the stress and keep your pets safe this year by following these 10 easy tips. 1. Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. All forms of chocolate—especially baking or dark chocolate—can be dangerous, even lethal, for dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. Halloween candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures. “Xylitol ingestion can also cause liver failure in dogs, even if they don’t develop symptoms associated with low blood sugar,” adds Dr. Jennifer Coates, veterinary advisor with petMD. And while xylitol toxicity in cats has yet to be established, it's better to be safe than sorry. To read more on this story, click here:10 Halloween Safety Tips for Pets
A tiny bunny born with no ears is living 'hoppily ever after' as her new adoptive owner knitted her a replacement pair. Seven week-old runt of the litter Mimi is completely deaf and only has three legs, but Rodajia Welch created the bunny wool ears to ensure she can feel just as fabulous as her furry siblings. The rabbit can 'be whoever she wants to be', as Rodajia has made an impressive collection of woollen ears for Mimi, after being inspired by cosplay. Rodajia agreed to take on the litter and their mum after their elderly breeder became too ill to look after them properly. Mimi's wardrobe includes a knitted flower crown, pink and white ears, as well as a pair of Minnie Mouse-inspired ones. To read more on this story, click here:Tiny Bunny Born Without Ears Gets Adorable Knitted Replacements
Snapchat just introduced new selfie filters meant specifically for your cat Snapchat can now detect your cat's face and apply lenses to it. Previously, the app could generally only detect human faces for its selfie lenses — but it would occasionally work with animals. For now, Snapchat is specifically focusing on cat lenses, and not other pets. If you've painstakingly tried to get Snapchat filters to apply to your cat without luck, your time has come. Snapchat just announced the introduction of cat lenses, meaning the app is now able to reliably detect cats' faces. Previously, the lenses were only meant for human faces, but you could get it to work on your pets if you were lucky. For some reason, Snapchat has chosen to focus specifically on cats, and not other animals. In a tweet announcing the new feature, Snapchat showed off a few of the filters in action — including a cat with bats flying around its face, and a few cat owners taking selfies with their grumpy-looking, glasses-wearing cats. To see it working click here:Snapchat For Cats
FOLLOW US!
What could be hotter than shirtless firefighters with dogs? Shirtless firefighters raising money for charity with dogs! The 2019 Australian Firefighters Dog Calendar is ready to grace your wall with 11 beefy firemen and their adorable, fuzzy, canine companions! Not only will you get 12 months of super cute canines and foxy firemen, but you’ll also be helping multiple charities that support cancer research and animals! To read more on this story, click here:Shirtless Firefighters Pose With
FOLLOW US!
This dog, named Beauty, was found abandoned as a puppy in Mani, Greece. After she was found, she was taken in by a local charity, and sadly spent the first nine years of her life in a shelter. Beauty, along with 150 other dogs at that shelter, waited every day for a family to adopt them. Every time someone would walk by her cage she would wag her tail in anticipation and hope. But that day never came for Beauty. To make matters worse, Beauty got sick with leishmaniasis https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/leishmaniasis-in-dogs , a parasitic disease, this past summer. They couldn’t let her live in the shelter while she was sick, so she was brought to Athens to live in a foster home, where she would finally receive proper care. The best part is that Beauty won’t ever have to live in a shelter again. She will remain at her foster home, but is still waiting for a forever home. In the meantime, she will continue to receive treatment. She is doing and feeling much better! Her foster mom, Zaira, has a heart of gold and always takes in the sickest dogs and tries to nurse them back to health. Sadly, many of them have passed away, but Beauty has proven to be a true figher. Although she was very weak and didn’t seem like she’d make it, she defied all of the odds and managed to pull through! She got her second chance at life, but now she is looking for a permanent home with a family who will love her unconditionally. She is a very friendly and sweet pup and definitely deserves a happy ending after everything she has been through. If you’re interested in adopting Beauty,email support@theorphanpet.com. Watch Beauty in the video below:
Our pets are so adorable that the online pet community has birthed its own ridiculous but hilarious slang to describe our furry friends and their behavior. You are probably familiar with some of the classic kitty memes, such as Keyboard Cat or LOLCats in general, but cat-memeing has crossed the digital threshold into IRL vocabulary. Case in point? Splooting. Splooting describes one of the silliest things a four-legged friend can do. Splooting is when a cat lays out on the belly while having both hind legs splay out behind them instead of being neatly tucked under their torso. It looks like this: To read more on this story, click here:Sploot Or Splooting Your Cat Already Does It
FOLLOW US!
The Afghan hound is renowned for its silky coat, fringes, and curly tail. These tall, elegant, and dignified hounds have exquisite looks. Luke Kavanagh from Australia has the privilege of being the owner of this gorgeous hound named Tea. She was “far too pretty to keep at home,” said Luke. When Luke posted Tea’s photo on social media, it was shared 1 million times… “I guess people were mostly drawn to [the photo] because of her silky coat coupled with that dignified look that Tea has, but that’s just her being her,” Kavanagh told NewsLocal. “I am seriously blown away by how far this one photo has gone and the subsequent stories on Tea.” Tea is not just a pretty face, though. Royal Canin, a dog food brand, asked Kavanagh one time if he would mind if Tea became their “spokesdog,” to which he was delighted with the idea. Tea also landed herself a place in an ad for Harriot and Hounds dog perfume. “Even our weekend walks draw a crowd. She pretends she doesn’t need the attention, but she definitely loves it, just like any supermodel.” The pretty pooch, that is now retired, is very dear to its owner. “I have such a special bond with Tea, and we have shared a lifetime of wonderful moments together.” To read more on this story, click here:This ‘SUPERMODEL’ Afghan Dog Will Blow Your Mind With Its Well-Groomed Looks!
FOLLOW US!
Halloween conjures images of pumpkins, bats, witches and, of course, black cats. But how much do you really know about them? Test your black cat knowledge with our 15 fun black cat facts! 1. The Ancient Egyptians revered all cats as sacred, helpful and lucky. They were the symbol of Bastet, the cat-headed goddess of protection. 2. Sometime during the Middle Ages, Europeans got the idea that black cats were associated with witchcraft. Some elderly, solitary women who often fed and cared for stray cats were misidentified as witches and the cats as their conspirators. 3. In parts of England and Ireland, a black cat cross your path signifies good luck. 4. Speaking of Great Britain, giving a cat to a bride in the English Midlands should bring good luck. 5. In Scotland, a strange black cat arriving at your home means you may win the jackpot! A stray black cat arriving on your doorstep signals prosperity. 6. If you’re German, you have to pay attention. If the cat crosses your path from right to left, that’s bad; left to right is good. 7. If you’re a pirate, it gets even more complicated. If the black cat is walking toward you, it’s bad luck. If it’s walking away, that’s good. If the cat walks onto the ship and then back off, get off the ship because it’s going to sink. 8. Fishermen and their wives saw black cats as good luck, with many keeping them on their ships or in their homes. Black cats became so highly valued that some could not afford them. 9. In Japan, black cats are considered symbols of good luck, especially for single women. Owning a black cat is thought to attract potential suitors. 10. In Russia, all cats are viewed as lucky. 11. There is no one breed of black cat. There are 19 cat breeds in the Cat Fanciers Association directory that list “black” as a color option. 12. Many black cats have golden eyes, which is the result of their high melanin pigment content. 13. Black cats can be boys or girls, but more are male than female. 14. Black Cat Appreciation Day is August 17. 15. Black cats go with every décor, and, best of all, you can’t see their fur on your furniture! Bonus round: It’s bad luck to walk under a ladder that a black cat just passed. However, we would also suggest that it’s just good common sense not to walk under any ladder, whether or not a cat of any color is nearby. If you’re interested in adopting a black cat, know that many rescues suspend adoptions of black cats around Halloween. Many also advise keeping your black cat indoors on or near the Halloween holidays. It’s actually a good idea to keep all pets indoors on Halloween; the increased foot traffic, noises and costumes can be frightening to many pets. Looking for the cat of your dreams? Adopt today!
In the latest installment of ‘Dear Kitten’, Cat takes a walk down memory lane and tells Kitten about his former best friend, Peanut. Just wait till you find out the one thing about Peanut that Cat wouldn’t stand for…
Dogs age at different rates compared to humans, but the simple rule of 7 dog years to 1 human year is far from accurate. If humans aged seven times slower than dogs, then many of us would be able to reproduce at age 7 and live to be 150. Obviously that's not the case. The reason that dogs can reach full sexual maturity after only a year is that our canine friends age faster during the first two years of their lives than humans do. Even this general statement is slightly off since smaller breeds tend to mature faster than larger breeds. Compared to humans, dogs age more quickly at the beginning of their lives and slower toward the end. Therefore, calculating your dog's age relative to yours is a bit tricky, but luckily it's possible. Since smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger breeds, it's important to calculate your dog's age according to the right category: small (20 pounds or less), medium (21-50 pounds), large (51-90 pounds), or giant (over 90 pounds).
Twice when I was a child, my parents surprised my brother and me with a pet. When I was 8, it was a puppy at Christmas. And when I was 13, a kitten, several months after a beloved cat had died. We always had a dog or a cat, or both, in the house, and those pets were completely woven into the fabric of our family life. The dogs went on vacations with us; the cats were a fixture at the foot of my bed, or firmly planted between my face and whatever book I was reading. We were devastated when they died. Of all of the pets that came and went, though, the two I remember most were the ones Mom and Dad sprung on us when we weren’t expecting it. Being a kid, I figured they had stopped somewhere on a whim and picked up the new animal on the way home. Now I know better. My husband and I surprised our own children with a kitten a few years ago, much to their delight. Just as my brother and I didn’t know how much planning went into my parents’ surprises, our kids didn’t know that we spent many evenings weighing the pros and cons of getting a cat. I had lived with cats my entire life, but I read “Cats for Dummies” and found out how much I didn’t know. (Cats have a pattern on their noses that is unique, just like a human fingerprint!) We visited the shelter and played with several animals before choosing one. Then we waited a week for our application to be approved, and for her to get spayed. There was a lot that went into her popping her little head out of a picnic basket one Saturday morning and worming her way into all of our hearts. The right pet in the right home can be one of the best experiences you can give your child. Pet ownership can teach a child about responsibility and unconditional love. But the wrong pet at the wrong time can lead to a heartbreaking disaster for everyone, including the animal. To read more on this story, click here:Choosing the Best Pet for Your Family
FOLLOW US!
It turns out Bullards Alley's upset of the Grade 1 Canadian International last year was an anomaly. The race lived up to its name Saturday as Desert Encounter out-dueled Thundering Blue for a win in the $800,000 feature at Woodbine. Both the top contenders hail from Europe, with the winner stalking the runner-up throughout. Quite a stretch battle ensued as Thundering Blue, a flashy gray, looked best before chased down by Desert Encounter, who was sprinting on the outside. The final time for 12 furlongs on turf was 2:28.88. "I followed Thundering Blue all the way around," said jockey Andrea Atzeni. "I thought he was the horse to beat." It turns out he was, and now eight times in the last nine years the Canadian International has been won by an overseas entrant. To read more on this story, click here:Desert Encounter Wins The Battle In Canadian International
There has been a lot of news about pets on airline flights lately, so when Southwest Airlines recently updated their statement about traveling with animals, it didn't comes as much of a surprise. However, there was something in there that I wasn't expecting. From the statement. Southwest Airlines welcomes trained dogs, cats, and miniature horses as service animals onboard our flights as long as the Customer is able to provide credible verbal assurance that the animal is a trained service animal. Southwest Airlines does not accept unusual or exotic species of animals. Am I the last person to know that there are service miniature horses? (Let alone, service cats?) I mean, emotional support animals come in all shapes and sizes – peacocks, squirrels, you name it – but service animals are trained and actually act as guides. Horses are smart and seriously intuitive, but I didn't know they could take the place of dogs in, among other tasks, guiding the blind. Which led me down the research rabbit hole to discover that it all makes perfect sense. Here's why. (But first, meet Chunky Monkey, Fancy Dancer, Glitter Bug and Patty Cake.) To read more on this story, click here:Why Miniature Horses Make Such Great Service Animals
