Bengaluru, India – A woman turned into social media’s newest rage after she turned down a marriage proposal because the prospective groom had a disliking for dogs. Soon after Karishma Walia posted her final WhatsApp conversation with her suitor on Facebook, it went viral and created a buzz on social media. Originally from Bengaluru, Karishma currently works with Delloitte India in Gurgaon. “It was an arranged marriage set-up. This guy was good to talk to, well-to-do and pretty good looking, but when I told him that I wanted to bring my dog with me after marriage, he wasn't keen on it,” Karishma Walia was quoted by Times of India as saying. When Karishma told her suitor about her desire and love for her dog, he texted, “I dont’t want a dog to come in my love life and not share the same bed... That’s for sure... And my mom doesn’t like dogs in general.” Karishma, a passionate animal lover, did not think twice before clearly indicating how much Lucy, her dog meant for her. Incidentally, Lucy even shares her surname – Walia. The prospective groom tried to convince Karishma suggesting that her love for the pet could be a temporary phase. Karishma did not take too kindly to it texted back, saying, “Having a dog is definitely not a temporary phase. I can't abandon my dog for anyone.” Annoyed with her reply, her suitor texted: “I am sorry to say this. But please marry the dog in that case.” “He couldn't digest the fact that a dog can be someone's priority. I am OK with not marrying, but I am not OK with abandoning my dog,” said Karishma. While people are lauding her for taking a stand for her loving pet, Karishma’s parents told her that they still think that her decision was wrong and that the guy was an excellent match for her. Karishma’s Facebook profile and her posts clearly show her love for dogs. Her profile bio reads, “For my dog, I am the only one. And that’s all that matters.”
The backyard chicken trend that has taken hold of America has a lot going for it, occasional neighborly disputes notwithstanding. The eggs are fresh, it’s clear where they came from, and raising fowl is educational for children. But it’s also causing an “emerging public health trend” in the form of increasing salmonella outbreaks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday. It doesn’t help that, according to the available data, a not-insignificant share of poultry-keepers kiss their chickens and allow them into the living room. These head-scratching findings are among the “high-risk practices” occurring as what once were production animals “are increasingly being considered household pets,” a new CDC study said. Salmonella infections can make people very ill and, in rare cases, cause death. They originate with bacteria that hang out in animal intestines, enter the world via their feces and are usually transmitted to people through contaminated water or food. But recent outbreaks in the United States have implicated contact with live poultry as a growing source, and healthy chickens are known to shed salmonella bacteria, so the CDC scoured various databases and studies to determine the role of all those crafty coops in the problem. Here are some of the basic findings:
From 1990 to 2014, there were 53 “live poultry associated salmonella” outbreaks that sickened 2,630 people, hospitalized 387 and killed five.
About one outbreak occurred each year from 1990 to 2005.
That rose to about four outbreaks a year from 2005 to 2014.
About 6 in 10 patients said they’d been exposed to baby poultry, and 74 percent said that exposure happened at home.
And here are some of the more surprising figures. Of those exposed to baby poultry, these are the percentages of patients who reported:
Snuggling baby birds: 49
Kissing baby birds: 13
Nearly half — 46 percent — of patients said they allowed live poultry in the house. Of those, these are the percentages who kept fowl:
In the living room: 22
In the kitchen: 12
In the bedroom: 10
In the bathroom: 10
No word, unfortunately, on whether cuddling and kissing took place in the bedroom. About half of those who took the “mi casa es su casa” approach to their chickens reported having owned their birds for a year or less, the study said, which suggests inexperience might have something to do with their unfamiliarity with “appropriate husbandry practices” (though a slightly greater percentage said they knew about the link between poultry and salmonella). The authors of the study also surmised that some people might bring chicks inside in the winter out of fear their fluff will not stand up to the cold. But the authors were also categorical in their opposition to this practice: “Poultry should never be allowed inside the house,” they wrote. They stopped far short of warning people off keeping backyard flocks. All in all, the study concluded, poultry owners, especially children, who most often get salmonella, need to regularly wash their hands and be aware that even robust-looking birds can shed salmonella. And health-care workers, veterinarians, pediatricians, hatcheries, feed stores and other key players in this field need to spread the words about the risk.
2 Chainz, meet kittens. Kittens, meet 2 Chainz. The "I'm Different" rapper has been busy exploring the finer things in life for GQ's Most Expensive Sh*t series, giving everything from $48,000 sunglasses to diamond-infused vodka a spin. Next up on his lavish list? Meeting some of the world's most expensive cats, of course. There are several important takeaways in this video, chief among them that 1.) 2 Chainz can't whistle and 2.) an exotic serval kitten goes for a cool $15,000. If you're in the market to drop as much money on a cat as, say, a semester of college tuition, this one's for you.
As ISAR’s many supporters know, addressing the scourge of dog and cat overpopulation is one of our major programs. We have been fighting that problem for decades, and although ISAR and other organizations have been making some progress—mandatory spay/neuter, prohibitions on retail sales, crackdowns on puppy mills—still the cycle of birth-suffering-death goes on unabated: too many shelters do an incompetent job of obtaining adoptions; spay/neuter programs, if they exist at all, are ridden with exemptions; dogs and cats continue to breed (and be bred!). And as they multiply endlessly, the dead bodies of their predecessors go up in smoke, literally. It has been estimated that at least 70,000 puppies and kitties are born in the United States every day. Many are born into households whose members cannot provide for them, or mistakenly believe they can but later learn otherwise and relinquish the animals. For decades most shelters have been at capacity, with routine ever-ending euthanasia the rule rather than the exception. Indeed, the Humane Society of the United States has reported that between six and eight million dogs and cats enter shelters each year, and over half of them are euthanized. To read more on this story, click here: Dog and Cat Overpopulation
It’s really sad that animals, particularly domesticated animals trust and rely on people, and are often the victims of abuse and exploitation with heartbreaking frequency. Horses, for example, are some of the most beautiful and majestic animals around, but because they are large, useful, and expensive to keep, they are often pushed to work harder than they should, or neglected, as we saw with sweet Flora until she was finally rescued. Among the most controversial horse-keeping practices is the long-standing tradition of using horses for carriage rides in big cities, particularly New York City. Recently, shocking images have emerged showcasing why it’s time to comfortably retire NYC carriage horses once and for all. Carriage horses are a long-standing New York City tradition dating back over a century. Many big cities maintain horse-and-buggy scenic rides as a novelty for tourists visiting the city — in this case, New York’s Central Park. Of course, not all traditions are worth maintaining, especially when the health of innocent animals may be at stake. The matter of horse-drawn carriages has long been fraught for New Yorkers and visitors to the city. There have been countless allegations of abuse by the carriage drivers, and new regulations have been put in place by the ASPCA to protect the horses. Unfortunately, many of these rules are hard to enforce beyond occasional spot checks. In the meantime, two photos have emerged that showcase exactly why it’s so urgent that we end this practice as quickly as possible. Over Labor Day weekend, a Long Island man named Bogdan Paul Angheluta was leaving a nightclub at 2:00 a.m. As he walked out, he asserts that he witnessed a driver encourage his horse to move quickly to make it through a green traffic light before it changed. The horse, unable to keep up with the pace, collapsed on his side. A veterinary investigation and a statement from the New York carriage industry say that the horse, a 14-year-old named Norman, simply tripped. The spokesperson, Christina Hansen, characterized the horse as “kind of a klutz.” Meanwhile, the witness who snapped the photos, Angheluta, remains concerned about the animal’s welfare. Angheluta says that Norman lay on his side for 20 minutes before he was able to get up, and required the assistance of a group of men from his stables, the Clinton Park Stables. Angheluta stayed with the horse throughout the experience, and sent his pictures to NYCLASS, an animal welfare organization, which in turn contacted the NYPD. Norman is now just fine, despite his scare, but activists are concerned about what could have happened. Investigations concluded that Norman tripped, but Angheluta and the folks at NYCLASS don’t buy it. NYCLASS has released an official statement condemning the incident and calling upon Mayor Bill de Blasio to enact legislation ending the practice. If you’re interested in learning more about ending carriage rides or donating to the cause, check out the NYCLASS website, where you can also sign their petition to end the practice. For those in the greater New York area, there will also be a protest in front of Gracie Mansion this Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
Horses like Norman deserve an open pasture and plenty of oats from here on out.
Garmin, the company known for GPS devices that help drivers navigate and runners record their mileage, released a new product for dog owners last week. The Delta Smart, a small, smartphone-compatible contraption that slips onto a collar, can help keep pooches fit by tracking the time they spend active or sedentary. But the product’s primary selling point, according to Garmin, is its ability to “reduce or eliminate unwanted behaviors” and make your dog a “more enjoyable member of the family.” How? By either beeping, vibrating or issuing “static” at one of 10 levels when a dog does something its owners don’t want it to do, including barking. In other words, it can function as what’s more commonly known as a shock collar, and it can work remotely.
“Dogs aren’t born with manners,” Garmin declared in a video posted Thursday to its Facebook page. In it, the company calls out some familiar canine offenders that the product purports to help: the blinds shredder, the trash can tipper and the moccasin dismantler, among others. The video was clever, and it featured very cute canines. But many dog lovers were not amused. As of Tuesday afternoon, the video had nearly 2,800 comments, the most popular of which collectively amounted to a flood of condemnation. “As a veterinarian, I would NEVER recommend a product like this,” a Facebook user named Ella Richardson wrote in a comment that won more than 2,400 likes. “It is aversive, and these sorts of training techniques have long ago been scientifically proven to be far less effective than reward-based training, and far more damaging to your dog’s general well-being. Shame on you Garmin for trying to make outdated training seem modern and innovative.” “Great idea, Garmin! Let’s electrocute the kids while we’re at it, too!” wrote Jill Botti. “Save some money on a babysitter and raising them ourselves, ain’t nobody got time for that, amirite??” That got nearly 300 likes. An online petition launched Friday by a Virginia woman, Tracy Krulik (who has written for The Washington Post), had nearly 5,000 signatures by Tuesday. It called on Garmin to remove the product’s “electric shock feature.” It’s not the first time passions have flared over these kinds of gadgets, which are also known as e-collars. The devices are banned in some European nations, and countries including Canada and Scotland have considered prohibitions. They’re opposed by some researchers, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior and other national organizations, and by many trainers, who dismiss them as unhelpfully punitive and stressful for dogs. “An issue with punishment as a training method, which includes shock collars, pinch collars, choke collars and even verbal reprimands, is that you aren’t really telling the dogs what to do,” said John Ciribassi, AVSAB president, told the Post earlier this year. But they also have vociferous backers, who say that they’re humane and effective when used correctly. James Hamm, who bills himself as the “Lone Star Dog Trainer,”he helped tested the Delta Smart. “Depending upon the sensitivity of the dog, you can use tone, you can use vibration or stimulation,” Hamm, who is shown using Garmin training collars in videos on the company’s website, said Tuesday. “Once the dog understands it, the system comes off the dog. It’s just a training tool. It’s not a forever tool. It’s not a punishment tool.” Yes, that’s right: Garmin makes training collars, plural. As some who stood up for the company on Facebook pointed out, the Delta Smart isn’t the first dog behavior device released by the company, which also makes products called Bark Limiters. It’s just the first to stir up such a storm. “It did come as a bit of a surprise, because we’ve been selling these products for quite some time,” said Ted Gartner, a Garmin spokesman. “These sorts of tools have really, really been able to save the relationship between a dog and a family. That’s what we’re all about.”
I'm a homeless vet and can't pay my pet sitter. I would like a good home for my 12 and 3 year old lab mix dogs. They have to go as a pair. Please reach out if you can help. I don't want them to go to a shelter. I only have until tomorrow September 14 at 5 pm. Craigslist ad link:Someone to help and keep my dogs (Washington) Please Share!
Join us this Saturday for our Puppypalooza at Petsmart – Columbia, Maryland. WHAT: Puppypalooza WHEN: Saturday, September 17, 2016 TIME: 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. WHERE: Petsmart 9041 Snowden Square Drive Columbia, MD 21045 Check out our adoptable dog album:Adoptable Dogs Puppies, kittens, dogs and cats available. Same day adoption. All pets spayed/Neutered. Up-to-date on age appropriate vaccines. Volunteer at the event: volunteer@lastchanceanimalrescue.org or 301-885-8538.
For the first time in 25 years, primate staff at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo are celebrating the birth of a male Bornean orangutan. He was born at 8:52 p.m. Sept. 12. Both 19 years old, female Batang and male Kyle bred in January following a breeding recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP). Primate staff have confirmed the newborn is a male. Animal care staff have observed Batang nursing the infant who has been clinging closely to his mother, and they are cautiously optimistic that the newborn will thrive. The Great Ape House will remain closed to provide Batang a quiet space to bond with her infant. Animal care staff believe that Batang had successfully conceived Feb. 2, based on a human pregnancy test. They confirmed pregnancy with a subsequent ultrasound. The Zoo announced Batang’s pregnancy June 14 through a Facebook Live broadcast of one of her ultrasounds. Over the past 12 weeks, the Zoo has provided weekly updates on Batang on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #OrangutanStory and will continue to share behind-the-scenes photos and videos as news breaks. “Each and every birth of a critically endangered species is significant, but it is all the more exciting and this is a historic moment for our Smithsonian’s National Zoo,” said Meredith Bastian, curator of primates and member of the Orangutan SSP Steering Committee. “I am very proud of Batang and my team. Ever since we received the breeding recommendation, they have dedicated themselves to preparing Batang for motherhood. I look forward to watching the infant experience everything for the first time—especially meeting the other orangutans and going outside for the first time with Batang.” For the past three years, keepers have been acclimating Batang to the experiences of motherhood and training her to care for an infant. Building upon behaviors Batang has learned through routine training sessions, keepers have trained Batang to hold a baby upright, present it to keepers for bottle feedings and place the baby in a specially designed box when asked. This training enables staff to retrieve the infant if medically necessary and evaluate its health in a way that is safe and not stressful for the animals. To read more on this story, click here:Orangutan Born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
D.C. animal welfare groups merge to better serve the community In February, animal control officers in Washington, D.C., visited a home that had more than 20 dogs—from adults to newborns to 3-month-old puppies—who had all been exposed to parvo. The officers brought them to an animal welfare organization’s veterinary clinic in Northeast D.C. It wasn’t an unusual protocol, but this time, the process moved exceptionally quickly. Officers didn’t have to wait and figure out if the clinic could take the animals. They brought them right in, and staff were treating the dogs within 45 minutes. To read more on this story, click here:A Rare Case of Cooperation in Washington
“Many strays are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.” We hope it never happens to you, but every year, many dogs get away from even the most attentive and loving owners. Prevention is key to avoiding this heartbreaking scenario. Read on to learn the most common reasons dogs run away, and how to keep your own beloved pet safe. Easy Dog Escape Routes
Not every dog is a runner, but genetically, our four-legged friends are built to roam. According to veterinarian Sharon Crowell-Davis of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia, “As a species, the majority of dogs are curious and want to be active and explore and discover” (source). And a too-low fence, broken gate, or open window makes it especially easy for a curious dog to set off exploring. “As a species, the majority of dogs are curious and want to be active and explore and discover.” Of course, on a lovely spring day, it’s nice to fling open the windows and doors and let in the cross-breeze. Just make sure those windows have secure screens or security bars, and put up a baby gate or barrier to keep your dog from springing out the open door. It’s also a good idea to supervise your dog in the yard, and periodically check the fence for holes or weak spots. On the Chase
Some dogs could care less about running after potential prey, but if your dog likes to chase, it’s important to take extra precautions to keep him safe. No matter how diligent we are as owners, a prey drive is hardwired, so prevention and appropriate tools can go a long way to keeping your dog by your side (and keeping smaller neighborhood mammals safe). Nature Call
Reproductive drive is a powerful thing, and intact male dogs especially are driven to roam in search of a mate. Even the most sensible, well-trained dog can be overwhelmed by, ahem, natural urges. If the neighbor’s un-spayed Lady is hanging out on the sidewalk, and your un-neutered Tramp catches a whiff, the urge to mate could lead them straight through the fence and down the road together in search of conjugal bliss. Of course, supervision and secure fencing can prevent a runaway hound. But the easiest “fix” of all is to have your dog spayed or neutered ASAP! According to the Dumb Friends League, “Studies show that neutering will decrease sexual roaming in about 90 percent of the cases.” Once your dog’s hormones chill out, they’ll be far less likely to go chasing neighborhood tail. “Studies show that neutering will decrease sexual roaming in about 90 percent of the cases.” The timeline for having your dog fixed is somewhat flexible; most vets agree that dogs can be spayed or neutered as early as eight weeks, but some recommend waiting until a dog is six months or older to allow for full development. Learn more here, and if you make the decision to hold off on having your puppy fixed, you’ll want to be extra-careful about letting them roam unsupervised. Boredom
It’s not just nature that calls dogs out of the yard; some hit the road out of sheer boredom. You can help calm your dog’s exploratory instincts by providing “the three E’s”: Exercise. At least one good walk during the day (the duration and intensity of a “good walk” will vary depending on your dog’s age and activity level) can help calm your dog and set them up to relax while you’re out of the house. Enrichment. Give your dog’s brain a workout with puzzle toys and games. Entertainment. A lonely dog is more likely to become bored and seek greener pastures. Keep your dog active and engaged with lots of socialization. For some dogs, this may simply mean spending some quality couch time together at the end of the day. If you have a higher-energy pup, consider doggy playdates or trips to the park to burn off the blahs. A note of caution about yard time: of course, a yard can be a great tool for exercising, enriching, and entertaining your dog! Just remember to limit yard time to when you’re home and can supervise your dog (and double-check those gate latches).
Scary Sights and Sounds
According to a report released by PetAmberAlert.com, “animal control officials across the country see a 30-60% increase in lost pets each year between July 4th and 6th.” The main culprit? Fireworks! Loud noises, bright lights, and big crowds can frighten even the happiest dog. Of course, you should go ahead and celebrate holidays with family and friends. But for your dog’s safety, consider keeping them securely indoors at home while the party rages elsewhere. Scary sounds and sights aren’t limited to holidays. Thunder, gunfire, and car accidents can all send a scared dog running. If your dog spooks easily, there are several simple things you can do to keep them secure throughout the year: When outdoors, secure your dog with a well-fitted collar and leash (you may even want to use a back-up collar or harness if you anticipate being in an environment with potential fear triggers). Scared dogs can back out of loose collars, which explains why so many strays are found without collars. Work on recall training every chance you get! A panicked dog may not respond to her name, but the more you can make her recall reaction instinctual, the easier it will be to call her back. Create a “safe space” or den for your dog at home (a crate or room with a closing door is perfect). Keep your dog indoors during thunderstorms and loud celebrations, and be sure doors and windows are secure and locked. Try a ThunderShirt or other calming device to help soothe your dog in stressful times. As curious as dogs can be, they’re also social animals who love to stick by their people. With a little foresight and prevention, you can keep your dog safe at home. If the unimaginable happens and your dog does run away, don’t panic. As the ASPCA notes, over 500,000 lost dogs are reunited with their families each year. Keep your dog’s ID tags and microchip information up-to-date, and consider investing in new technology to track missing pets. A little preparation can go a long way towards a happy ending for you and your four-legged best friend.
Elkton, Maryland - The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to an arrest in the gruesome killing of a cat in Maryland. On September 7, 2016, authorities say a cat was found burned to death in an apartment complex in Hollingsworth Manor in Elkton, Maryland. Investigators believe it was severely tortured and then set on fire. “It is absolutely horrific to imagine someone intentionally and viciously harming an innocent cat in this way,” said Emily Hovermale, The HSUS’ Maryland state director. “Whoever would commit such a crime is clearly a dangerous person, and we are hopeful that this reward will bring forward anyone with information about this heinous crime.” Anyone with any information is asked to call the Cecil County Animal Services at 410-441-2040.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed dramatic changes Monday to its 29-year effort in North Carolina to save endangered red wolves, including dramatically shrinking their range. An estimated 45 to 60 wolves – down from more than 100 in recent years – now roam five counties of northeastern North Carolina, much of it private land. Under the proposal, they would be limited to federal land in Dare County, in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the Dare County Bombing Range. The change would take effect by the end of 2017 after further studies and public comment. Conservation groups quickly condemned the proposal Monday. Wolves on private property would be removed and made part of a captive wolf population, which now numbers about 200 animals. The captive wolves include only 29 breeding pairs, which is not enough to sustain the population, the agency says.
The service will identify potential new sites to release wolves into the wild by October 2017. Coastal North Carolina is now the only place where they run wild. The wolf recovery program has been hailed as ground-breaking for saving animals that were declared extinct in the wild in 1980. But wolves in recent years have faced a backlash, including growing numbers shot to death and mounting pressure from landowners to keep them off private property. To read more on this story, click here:Feds Want to Shrink the Range of Endangered Red Wolves in N.C.
Washington, DC – If you think your feet hurt after a long day spent atop them… imagine weighing 9,000 pounds. That’s the situation that Shanthi, a 41-year-old Asian elephant at the National Zoo, finds herself in. Shanthi suffers from arthritis, which can make getting around painful. It’s also led to problems in her front feet, including cracks in her toenails and lesions on her skin. Actually, they’re more like boots, custom made for Shanthi in about a size 20, with an EEEEEEEEEEEE width. Sitting on a table in a staff room in the zoo’s Elephant Community Center recently, a single boot resembled a rubberized birdbath. When Shanthi wears the boots, said elephant keeper Deborah Flinkman, “She looks like she’s going off-road.” Elephants have five toenails on their front feet and four (usually) on their back feet. An elephant foot can be close to 20 inches across when it’s resting on the ground, six inches smaller when it’s lifted up and the weight is off it. “We put a lot of attention into elephant feet,” said Tony Barthel, curator of the zoo’s Elephant Trails and Cheetah Conservation Station exhibits. “It’s one of the things we can do to help ensure that they’re healthy.” That foot care includes regular inspections, pedicures and occasional X-rays. Shanthi’s arthritis has caused her to lean forward on her feet, stressing them. Zoo veterinarians needed to treat the arthritis with injections and apply topical treatments to Shanthi’s troubled nails and skin. They also needed to keep debris out of the fissures in her feet. This all posed a challenge, especially keeping the medication on long enough to work. Elephants are intelligent and curious, with dexterous trunks well-suited for unwrapping bandages. Boots had been used successfully at other zoos, so the National Zoo decided to give them a try. There is no Brannock device for elephants, that metal contraption humans step in to measure the length and width of their footsies. Instead, the Smithsonian’s 3-D Digitization Program produced scans of her feet that were sent to Teva in California. The footwear company already had experience with interesting custom jobs. It made a pair of elephant shoes in 2004 and in 2011 created a tiny sandal for the Santa Barbara Zoo, where a Humboldt penguin named Lucky had an impaired foot. “There’s not a tremendous amount of feedback that comes back from the animals,” said Chris Hillyer, director of innovation for Deckers Brands, which owns Teva. “But the reality is, all the principles we use in making good footwear for humans is absolutely applicable, from the standpoint of traction, durability, drainage and fit.” Chris flew to China to oversee construction of the shoes, which Teva donated to the zoo gratis. (A local outfit also made some custom boots for Shanthi before the zoo settled on the Tevas. Joe Stern, of Cobbler’s Bench in Landover, Md., fabricated a pair that was hardened with the spray-on lining used for truck beds. Joe finished them off with red soles to make them resemble high-end Christian Louboutin pumps. Shanthi seems to prefer the more casual Tevas.) What does Shanthi think of wearing shoes? At first, Tony said, it was like when you “put a sock on a dog and they don’t know how to walk. She did a little bit of that. . . . She was very careful about how she walked. That was an important part of the learning process.” Now Shanthi takes the boots in stride. The arthritis treatment seems to be working. The swelling in her left foot has eased. Keepers have to stuff some foam in the boot to make it fit — elephant orthotics — and Shanthi is more mobile and unafraid to amble down the steep incline into the pools, where she plays and rolls around. “We’ve given her a good quality of life and improved her level of comfort,” said Don Neiffer, the National Zoo’s chief veterinarian. On a recent afternoon, Deborah the elephant keeper knelt at Shanthi’s feet, separated from the elephant by widely-spaced bars. The world’s largest land mammal can be dangerous, after all. “If she stood a foot away, I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Deborah said. But Shanthi was standing up close, encouraged by Deborah’s calm patter and light touch — and by the apple-flavored fiber biscuits Deborah offered. At just the tap of Deborah’s finger on a gnarled gray toe, Shanthi lifted her left foot. Deborah slid a boot under it, and Shanthi stepped down. “Perfect,” Deborah said. “What a good girl.” She sealed the Velcro closure, cinched the webbing at Shanthi’s ankle and then said “Over,” asking the elephant to rotate 180 degrees and present her right foot. This Shanthi did, pausing only to lazily grab some hay with her trunk. Shanthi lifted her right foot, then, like Cinderella after the ball, gingerly stepped into the boot. I’ve seen parents have more trouble getting their squirming toddler into a pair of sneakers.
