The U.S. Postal Service will deliver smiles to cat lovers
later this year thanks to new First-Class Forever stamps that pay tribute to
our friends with fur, fins and feathers.
Among a group of 20 stamps of popular pets who looked into
the lens of Eric Isselée are two photos that celebrates the beauty of our pals
who purr.
Cats have acted as muses (or should that be mewses?) for
postal art since 1887, when Germany issued a stamp which featured a feline
sporting a fish in his mouth. Possibly the first cat to appear with a pet
parent on a stamp, in 1930 the silhouette of a small black kitten named Patsy
starred on a stamp from Italy which honored Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight
in the Spirit of St. Louis. U.S. cat lovers had to wait until 1972 for a feline
to show up on a stamp, according to the book Planet Cat: A Cat-Alog.
Along with the cat and kitten stamps, the upcoming booklet
of First-Class Forever postage also includes such popular companion animals as
puppies and dogs, parrots and parakeets, rabbits, horses, fish, mice, gerbils
guinea pigs and hamsters, geckos, hermit grabs, corn snakes, iguanas and
tortoises.
Pets will be issued as Forever stamps, which are always
equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce price.
A New Jersey woman who took in two abandoned baby squirrels
said she saw the animals taken away and was slapped with a fine after wildlife
authorities saw images of the critters that she had posted online.
Maria Vaccarella and her husband were surprised to find in
July an injured squirrel they had come upon in a neighbor’s yard had given
birth to two healthy babies and left the pair to fend for themselves.
“We left the babies out for 24 hours. No mom (came back) so
I decided to take them in,” she said.
Vaccarella treated the pair— whom she named Lola and
George— like her pets as she cared for them.
“I read up on them… I started feeding them puppy milk with
whipping cream for three months and started introducing other foods,” she said,
telling CBS New York that she fed them every two hours to build up their
strength.
Vaccarella posted photos of the siblings on social media to
the delight of her friends, who expressed how happy they were to see the
squirrels thriving.
“How sweet is that!” one person commented on a photo.
“You did a beautiful thing… saving those little babies!”
another person wrote.
But those pictures attracted the attention of state
wildlife officers, who visited Vaccarella on October 31.
“I was proud to tell them the story (of) how I saved them,”
Vaccarella said.
“I even asked if they would like to come in and see them…
If I had known it was illegal to have them I would have never let them (the
squirrels) in my home,” she said, noting that she reached out to a
rehabilitation specialist who had been unable to immediately take the pair.
Vaccarella told CBS New York she was happy to give the
squirrels to professionals and thought that was the end of it, but was
surprised to receive a summons in the mail for what she had done.
She pleaded not guilty to possessing captive game animals
and said she faces a fine up to $1,000 and up to six months’ jail time, she
wrote in an online petition to have the charges dropped and to find out where
the squirrels were taken.
“All I did was help these babies,” she wrote on the
petition.
Bob Considine, spokesman for the state Department of
Environmental Protection, which oversees the Division of Fish and Wildlife,
told Inside Edition that the civil penalty carries a fine of $100 to $500, but
no jail time as it is not a criminal penalty.
“We understand there are many people who take in wildlife
and have the best intentions, as clear was the case with Mrs. Vaccarella…
However, domesticating any wildlife for an extended period of time, which was
the case here, also puts these animals at great risk of being unable to survive
in the natural habitat, where they belong,” he told Inside Edition.
After the case was referred to the Division of Fish &
Wildlife by a New Jersey licensed wildlife rehabilitator who saw it on
Facebook, the department was obligated to follow through with an official
notice of violation of law. If they had not acted, they stood to be legally
challenged by the licensed wildlife rehabilitators, or anyone else, who reports
an infraction.
He said this is not a case the department is “focusing any
energy on.”
Wildlife officials are trying to figure out exactly how a
shark got into the swimming pool at a South Florida condo complex.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers responded to the Mariner's Cay
condominium in Hypoluxo last week after a woman found a live five-foot blacktip
shark in the pool.
The woman told officers she saw two young men running from
the pool, which is located near the shoreline of the Intracoastal Waterway. The
officers removed the shark from the pool and returned it to the ocean.
Blacktip sharks are among the most common species in
coastal South Florida.
Happy birthday, Betty White! The Golden Girls alum turns 94
on Sunday, January 17, and she stopped by The Late Late Show With James Corden
earlier this week to kick off the celebrations.
“I’m sorry you had to say the number,” White said after
Corden, 37, announced her age to the audience on Tuesday, January 12. “I was
going to say it was my 58th!”
The Proposal star jokingly added, “I plan on celebrating
with Robert Redford. He doesn’t know that, and I think he’s out of the country,
but I’m going to celebrate with him.”
To commemorate her birthday, Corden quizzed White and NBA
player Amar’e Stoudemire on whether she was born before or after certain
historical items during a game called “Did It Exist?”
It turns out that White, who was born in 1922, is older
than sliced bread and Mickey Mouse (both were created in 1928).
It was the biggest dinosaur that ever lived, so when museum
experts tried to reconstruct a life-sized skeleton of the recently discovered Titanosaur
it presented something of a challenge.
The American Museum of Natural History in New York needed
to use some careful spatial planning when it built a replica of the enormous
creature for a new exhibition.
At 20 ft (6 m) tall and 122 ft (37 m) long, the recently
discovered dinosaur's skeleton is so big it does not fit in the museum’s
warehouse-sized exhibition room.
Instead curators were forced to build the massive dinosaur
so that its head pokes out of the door to the huge room.
Visitor's to the exhibition, which opens in New York today,
pass under the creature's massive head, which hangs just 9.5 ft (2.8 m) above
the floor.
A video from the museum shows a time-lapse of the
construction team putting the giant bone jigsaw together.
The Titanosaur, which has yet to be given an official
species name, was uncovered by paleontologists in a desert region of Argentine
Patagonia in 2014, after a farmer found what he suspected to be fossils.
Scientists believe the creatures lived 100 million years
ago, and fed exclusively on vegetation.
The 122-foot-long dinosaur stands 20 feet tall and likely
weighed 70 tons, about the same as 10 African elephants. Its thigh bones alone
are each nearly 8 feet long.
To build the giant structure, the museum team started with
the giant hind legs and pelvis.
From there, it was built up over a number of hours adding
sections of the spine, followed by the forelegs, ribs, neck, head and tail.
The dinosaur was identified from among 223 fossils from the
Patagonian site, by paleontologists from the Museo Paleontológico Egidio
Feruglio in Argentina and a team at the American Museum of Natural History.
The museum staff worked with Canadian company, Research
Casting International, to produce the skeleton.
The giant cast took the Canadian firm more than six months
to make, based on 84 fossil bones that were excavated from the site in 2014.
To build the display, the bones were recreated through
plaster casts and 3-D printing.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the skull was
partially designed using a single tooth.
The real fossils would have been far too heavy to mount, so
the life-size model is made of fiberglass.
With its neck elevated, the titanosaur would have been tall
enough to peer into the window of a five-story building, the museum said.
The Titanosaur will be shown to the public in a walking
pose, with its neck stretched out toward the museum's fourth-floor elevators.
In a Tweet from its official account, the museum states: “Ladies
& gentlemen, we are proud to present the Titanosaur, the Museum's largest
dinosaur.”
A new video from the American Museum of Natural History in New York shows the construction of a replica of the world's biggest dinosaur for a new exhibition. The video shows a time-lapse of the construction team putting the giant fiberglass bone jigsaw together.
At 20 ft (6 m) tall and 122 ft (37 m) long, the recently
discovered dinosaur's skeleton is so big it does not fit in the museum’s
warehouse-sized exhibition room.
The biggest dinosaur ever to be shown at the American
Museum of Natural History will be unveiled today, and its head will poke out
the door to greet visitors (pictured). The as yet unnamed Titanosaur is one of
the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, and lived 100 million years ago.
Reconstructing the Titanosaur
The 122-foot-long dinosaur stands 20 feet tall and likely
weighed 70 tons, according to the Wall Street Journal, about the same as 10
African elephants.
Its thigh bone is nearly 8 feet long.
To build the display, the bones were recreated through
plaster casts and 3-D printing.
Scientists from the Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio
and a team at the American Museum of Natural History collaborated with a
Canadian company, Research Casting International worked with what they had,
using existing bones to create what wasn't there.
Now, the Titanosaur will be shown to the public in a
walking pose, with its neck stretched out toward the museum's fourth-floor
elevators.
This is the only way the dinosaur would fit in the
building.
Some of the best-preserved bones will also be on display,
amongst them being the massive femur.
The Titanosaur is so large that it will not fit into one
room in the American Museum of Natural History ; its head will reach the
ceiling, poking out of the gallery and into the hall along with part of the
neck.
If your cat is approaching the golden years, there are
signs to let you know once they are reaching the homestretch of those nine
lives. Although we love our cats dearly, sadly they are like humans who don’t
live forever. Here are a few things to be aware of if your cat is getting
older:
Getting up isn’t always so easy
As your precious kitty reaches their twilight years, it may
prove difficult for them to get up as quickly as they once did. Allow them
extra time to move about or help out by giving them a loving lift.
Gradual loss of appetite
This sign may be easier to spot if you have a kitty that
always leaves their food bowl dry. The older your cat gets the lesser amount of
food they will need to take in, so be on the lookout for a drop in weight as
well.
Here, kitty kitty?
If your cat is truly getting older, that selective deafness
they may have been practicing at times could take a turn to impaired hearing.
As your cat ages so will all of their senses. This completely normal transition
into a new stage of life may be a telltale sign for you as an owner.
Your social butterfly may start to retreat
Your cat may once have been the life of the party, but if
they retreat to a safe place to hide every time visitors are present definitely
take this as a sign. Cats that are older prefer peace and quiet as opposed to
the lively lifestyle they may have once enjoyed.
Catching extra catnaps
Older cats require more sleep than younger cats do. As your
cat approaches their senior years you may find them sleeping even more than
normal.
They need you more than they used to
Cats are loyal to their loving owners, that’s for sure. As
your cat gets up there in age you may find them becoming a bit clingy with a
desire to be close to you almost whenever you’re around.
Not so high, please
With a slow decline in the senses also comes a steady
decline in cat-like reflexes. The same cat that you may have once repeatedly
told to “get down” may now have a hard time getting up. If kitty sleeps with you
on your high bed at night, try investing in a cat ramp/step ladder to make
getting on/off the bed easier for your aging feline companion.
A new strain of dog flu has been found in 25 states since
last April including LA county. Now veterinarians are warning pet owners to be
on alert.
Canine Influenza on CDC:
Canine influenza (also known as dog flu) is a contagious
respiratory disease in dogs caused by specific Type A influenza viruses known
to infect dogs. These are called "canine influenza viruses." Dog flu
is a disease of dogs. No human infections with canine influenza have ever been
reported. There are two different influenza A dog flu viruses: one is an H3N8
virus and the other is an H3N2 virus.
The signs of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose,
and fever, but not all dogs will show signs of illness. The severity of illness
associated with canine flu in dogs can range from no signs to severe illness
resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death.
Almost all dogs are susceptible to canine flu infection,
and illness tends to spread among dogs housed in kennels and shelters. Canine
flu can spread to other dogs by direct contact with aerosolized respiratory
secretions (coughing and sneezing) from infected dogs, by uninfected dogs
coming into contact with contaminated objects, and by moving contaminated
objects or materials between infected and uninfected dogs.
Canton, Ohio - Jethro was shot in killed in the line of
duty over the weekend. Police said he was responding to a call of a burglary on
Saturday, when he was shot multiple times. He died from his injuries on
Sunday.
The city held a funeral for the German Shepherd Thursday at
the Canton Civic Center, on what would have been Jethro's third birthday.
Speakers included the Canton Police chief and the
mayor.
"Jethro's legacy is to remind us all is that bravery
and devotion can travel on four legs, and that loyalty and love can be
delivered by the playful nudge of a wet nose," Mayor Thomas Bernabei said
to those assembled.
K-9 officers from as far away as Virginia and the New York
Police Department attended the service. More than 100 K9s from various
departments walked in a five and a half minute long procession in front of
those gathered.
Jethro's partner, Ryan Davis, was presented with a flag and
a fallen officer medal honoring his four legged best friend. At 12:27 pm the
department officially declared Jethro's end of watch.
"A lot of people love dogs obviously, and they know
the dog is doing it for us and he doesn't really have a choice, so to speak, so
I think people really identify with that - that a lot of people have dogs that
they believe would do this for them," said Eric Stanbro, the Canton Police
K9 head trainer.
Stanbro said to those who may criticize giving a memorial
service for a dog, that this was the least the department could do.
"We owe it to them. I believe 100% that without
Jethro, today it's Ryan's funeral and not a dog's funeral," said Stanbro.
The suspect, Kelontre D. Barefield, received a gunshot
wound to the leg and was taken into custody after being treated. He is being
held on $5 million bond.
There is a GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/h8xbvs8s account
to pay for Jethro's vet bills and buy new K-9 vests for the department.
"I absolutely think Jethro is a hero. The dog did his
job and it's tough to take. And for that
some officers went home safe," said Tim Wilmoth, a canine handler
and retired police officer.
The Canton Police Department is not actively seeking
donations. However, those that wish to donate can make a check out to the
Canton Police Department and write K9 donation on the memo line. Donations and
condolences can be sent to the Canton Police Department at 221 3rd St. SW,
Canton, OH 44702.
On Monday January 11, 2016 the Norfolk, Virginia police
department lost one of its bravest members, a K9 named Krijger. The pup was a
four-year-old Belgian Malinois. The brave canine officer died during a shootout
after officers responded to a domestic violence call.
According to Pilot Online, those close to the pup say that
he would have survived had he been wearing a ballistic vest.
These vests are expensive, each one costing roughly $2,200,
and most police departments cannot afford them. But, thanks to one very kind,
and very famous, good Samaritan, every single dog in the Norfolk PD is about to
get one.
Who’s the good Samaritan in question? Anderson Cooper.
The CNN news anchor donated the funds via the Virginia
based charity Spike’s K9 Fund. Cooper had previously interviewed the charity’s
founder, retired SEAL Jimmy Hatch, in 2015 and the two have stayed in contact.
Hatch announced the donation on Spike’s K9 Fund’s website:
We are humbled to announce that Anderson Cooper has donated
his speaking fee for his upcoming “Norfolk Forum” speech (26 January) to
Spike’s K9 Fund for the K9 Krijger Ballistic Vest Campaign. His donation was
quite generous. All of the Norfolk K9’s will be outfitted and we will start
outfitting K9’s from other cities in Hampton Roads with the remainder.
Dogs love us unconditionally and, every day, many of them
selflessly risk their lives to protect us. Anderson Cooper did a beautiful
thing by donating this money and making sure that they are protected when they
put their lives on the line.
You can watch a local news report about Krijger below:
If you would like to help other canine officers obtain a
lifesaving ballistic vest, you can donate funds in Krijger’s memory via Spike’sK9 Fund.
Should my female have a litter before she is spayed?
No. Females dogs and should be spayed before the first heat
which usually occurs at 5-6 months of age for dogs and 4 months of age for
cats. We stress BEFORE, since a female can become pregnant at that age and she
is in no way ready for it. Pregnancy will place a great strain on the system,
often resulting in birth defects, and she may not be able to nurse, resulting
in seriously malnourished offspring. In addition, early spaying prevents later
problems, including mammary tumors, uterine infections, and uterine tumors. If
a female is allowed to go through a heat before spaying, those problems may
still arise later in life because estrogen is stored in the system as a result
of the heat.
How old should my pet be before the surgery?
Pets as young as three months old can have the surgery with
no ill effects. If females are spayed before their first heat (which usually
occurs when they are four to six months old), breast cancer can be almost
completely prevented. Younger pets also recover more quickly from the surgery
and experience less pain following surgery than older pets. In short – the
sooner the better.
Will my animal’s behavior be changed by surgery?
Behavior changes as a result of sterilization surgery are
positive. Male cats reduce territorial spraying. Neutered animals fight less
and do not wander in search of a mate.
Will my animal gain weight after this surgery?
Weight gain is more a product of exercise, nutrition and
aging, not neutering.
Why neuter my male animal?
Males can impregnate many females, many times during the
year. Neutered males experience a decreased risk to reproductive organ cancers.
Is the procedure painful?
Surgical sterilization is performed under general
anesthesia by licensed doctor of veterinary medicine. The animal is asleep
during the procedure, and may experience mild discomfort after surgery. Most
animals feel well enough to return to normal activity within 24 to 72 hours,
but you must continue to limit their activity level for 10 days.
Can you spay an animal in heat or when pregnant?
Sterilization procedures are performed when the female dog
or cat is in heat or pregnant. This procedure will terminate the pregnancy. Client must be informed of the increased risk
that lies in having an in-heat or pregnant animal spayed. In the event of a late term pregnancy that
requires the use of Euthasol for the fetus’s there will usually be an additional fee for the Euthasol drug. In late term
pregnancy or when in heat, the DVM on duty may deem it necessary to administer
SQ fluids to compensate fluid loss during surgery. There is an additional fee for the administration
of SQ fluids.
My animal just gave birth, how long should she wait for
surgery?
Females can be spayed 2 weeks after weaning her
litter.. After spaying of a post-partum
mother it is imperative that you separate the kittens from the mother until she
is fully healed.
It is very cold (hot) outside, is it OK to do surgery?
The anesthetics used in the surgical process tend to
disturb the animal’s natural ability to regulate body temperature. Animals must
remain indoors for seven days after surgery, in a temperature-controlled
environment suitable for their human companions. Clients bringing animals for
surgery on days when the local temperature is predicated to drop below
freezing, and who cannot keep the animal in the heated house, will be
rescheduled.
Do cats need special litter boxes after surgery?
Male cats should use shredded newspaper instead of litter
to 3 to 4 days after surgery. This helps prevent irritation to the surgical
incisions from the clay litter dust particles.
What does the tattoo look like and where is it on my pet?
The tattoo is 1/2 to 1 inch long, straight line in green
ink located right by the surgical incision. It will fade a little after the
skin heals.
Can’t veterinarians tell if my pet is spayed or neutered
without the tattoo?
Sometimes not. Of course this would only be an issue if
your pet were lost or in a shelter without it’s medical history. With newer
dissolvable suture materials, there are no stitches to feel in a female’s belly
to indicate she was already spayed and if they have surgery at a young age,
there is no scar to see. In male dogs, if you can’t see or feel a scar, there
is a possibility that the dog still has testicles but they never dropped into
the scrotal sac (cryptorchid). The doctor would open the male dog up like a
spay to look for those testicles, a painful and unnecessary surgery that could
have been prevented with a permanent identifying mark.
As fans around the world mourn the death of David Bowie, a
certain sub-genre of fans – felines and ailurophiles alike – are claiming the
beloved musician as one of our own. And why shouldn't we? Bowie wrote an ode to
cat lovers in 1982, the seminal “Cat People,” recorded with famed producer
Giorgio Moroder for director Paul Schrader's infamous film of the same name. You
may also remember it from a pivotal scene in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious
Basterds.
Cat-loving Bowie fans have also unearthed some gems of
photographic evidence over the years. Like this:
Soon, cats began to express their mutual love for Bowie as
well:
There's even a Tumblr devoted to the topic of cats who look
like Bowie. For meowers in mourning, it's a must see. (Here's another.)
