The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Meet Big Jake, The World’s Tallest Horse


Horses are majestic creatures and the subject of many stories, both fanciful and realistic. Something about a horse just appeals to mankind, and Big Jake is no different, though he tends to generate greater awe and excitement than most horses. Holding the Guinness World Record for the tallest horse in both 2010 and 2013, Big Jake stands 6 feet 10.75 inches tall. People tend to be speechless when they catch their first glance of the mighty Belgian.

A native of Nebraska, Big Jake was bought and moved to Poynette, Wis., where he currently lives on Smokey Hollow Farm with his owner Jerry Gilbert. Big Jake is a Belgian draft horse. According to PetBreeds, the Belgian draft horse was bred in the country of Belgium to do heavy work. Being the strongest breed of draft horse, the Belgian is ideal for work in forestry and logging as well as agriculture. Some people even use the Belgians for riding since these massive horses can carry a heavier load.

Of course, sustaining the massive size of a draft horse isn't cheap. In his YouTube interview, Gilbert says that Big Jake eats 1.5 bales of hay a day and 32 quarts of oats. That's a lot of food!

Besides being a big horse with a big appetite, Big Jake has a big heart. According to his website, Big Jake is also a supporter of the Madison, Wis., Ronald McDonald House. What an amazing horse! He truly takes your breath away!




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SeaWorld: Rewards Employees for Staying Quiet in the Face of Clear Cases of Abuse


This week, trainers from around the world will arrive at SeaWorld for the International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association conference. The event is likely to draw controversy, as the Chicago-based IMATA has come under recent fire for its policy allowing trainers to participate in the violent Taiji dolphin hunts.

A change in this policy is long overdue. But as a former trainer myself, I can attest that IMATA’s stance is symptomatic of a much deeper culture of turning a blind eye to cruelty - one that runs throughout the marine park industry, including SeaWorld.

For 12 years, I worked alongside Smooshi, an 800-pound walrus, as a marine mammal trainer at Marineland. In that time I saw a lot of bad things, from repeated animal neglect to mass graves.

Even though the conditions were shocking, nothing could have prepared me for the cult-like work environment that rewarded employees for staying quiet in the face of clear cases of abuse.

If you speak out, there’s hell to pay.

I found this out the hard way. When I blew the whistle on Marineland’s dodgy practices, they sued me for $1.5 million. And I am just one of 15 whistleblowers, along with others from parks like SeaWorld, who finally said enough is enough.

Though it may look fun from the outside, working as a marine animal trainer is a tough gig. I loved Smooshi like family and wanted to protect her, but I also knew I was part of the problem.

When she first arrived at Marineland in a small wooden box, Smooshi was just 18 months old. The vet came to take her blood for a health check and she was terrified. She ran to me looking for help and we instantly bonded.

The two of us became inseparable. Smooshi would follow me around the park and bark incessantly when she couldn’t see me. Television shows like Jimmy Kimmel even ran stories about us, with the headline “Walrus in love”. I did worry about Smooshi and the other animals’ living conditions, but my concerns were ignored by management.

Even though I was paid to look the other way, the realities of captivity were difficult to ignore. At times, the water was so caustic with chlorine it caused blindness to the animals and gave Smooshi chemical burns. I’d run my hand over dolphins and watch as their skin literally flaked off. Six of the park’s seven seals were blind or had serious eye problems due to the high levels of chlorine.

Some days there would be mysterious bloodstains on the floor I’d have to mop up, no questions asked. One time I even found myself in a mass animal grave, digging up Kandu, a wild-caught orca from Iceland, because his necropsy wasn’t done properly the first time around.

Another cruel aspect trainers are forced to look the other way on, is how wild animals are collected. Marine parks often promote their animals as “rescues” when really they are deliberately captured from the wild and stolen from their families. I am guilty of shying away from this reality myself, because Smooshi didn’t come to Marineland as a rescue walrus. She was captured in the Black Sea in Russia.

Since leaving the park, I can see the truth: Smooshi should never have been in captivity in the first place. Capturing marine animals like walruses, beluga whales and dolphins is a violent and cruel process. And putting them in sterile, unnatural environments is torture, even with the so-called “best” care there is.

It’s terrible how many marine parks and trainers are still involved in the wild capture of marine animals, even though reaction to movies like Blackfish and The Cove show the general public clearly don’t agree with it.

Perhaps the most shocking thing is that the peak body for trainers in the United States, IMATA, still actually allows their trainers to be involved in the Taiji dolphin hunts. This is one of the most controversial wild capture operations in the world, yet IMATA gives its trainers permission to participate and select dolphins for sale to marine parks.

For many young people, a job at a marine park is an all-access pass to touch and play with animals. It’s a reward every young child wants - until they learn the truth.

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The World's Oldest Living Animal Get His First Bath at 184-Years-Old


The world's oldest living animal is starting over with a clean sheet at 184 years old - after a vet gave him his first ever bath.

Jonathan the giant tortoise has come out of his shell after centuries of grime were painstakingly scrubbed off his back with a loofah, soft brush and surgical soap.

Dr. Joe Hollins, the vet for the British Outpost of St. Helena in the south Atlantic where Jonathan lives, decided to give him a spruce up ahead of a royal visit in a few weeks' time.

He carefully scrubbed each of the segments of Jonathan's shell, known as scutes, and removed black sludge and bird droppings while the tortoise sedately chewed on grass.

Surgical soap was chosen as it is not caustic and soft brushes and a loofah were gently used to avoid damage to his shell.

After his bath Dr. Hollins noticed that the rings on his shell were completely worn away. These rings are used to tell the tortoises’ age.

There was no medical reason for his hour-long soak. They were expecting a visit in May, by an unknown royal for the dedication of a new airport on the tiny island of St. Helena.

The spring clean comes months after Jonathan, who was aged 50 when he arrived on the historic isle in 1882, was placed on a special high calorie diet as it was feared that his health was declining.

Dr. Hollins, believes it is Jonathan's first ever bath.

He said, “In the past Jonathan's keepers had a rather laid back attitude to the tortoises on St. Helena, and this is probably his first bath he’s had in 184 years.

He looks so much cleaner and he seemed to enjoy the whole experience.

He stood like a statue when I was washing him, I don't know if it was the vibrations that he found so soothing, or if he was thinking "at last, I've had my first bath!"

“I used water, surgical scrub, loofah and a little brush to slowly cleaned him.

He doesn't look any younger, but he does look different. He is much paler and you can see the rings on his shell have almost completely disappeared.
He had black deposits on his shell that came from wear and tear. As far as I could see his shell is in great condition for his age.”

Hopefully he won't have to wait another 185 years before his next bath!
Jonathan, is 45ins long and stands about 2 feet tall, arrived on St. Helena as a gift to the governor from the Seychelles.”

In his time on St. Helena he has seen 28 British governors come and go. Eight British monarchs from George IV to Elizabeth II have been crowned during his lifetime, and 51 British Prime Ministers have served at 10 Downing Street.

Private tours were arranged in the past for visitors to meet Jonathan around the Governor's house.

He currently shares his enclosure with four other giant tortoises - David, Emma, Frederika and Myrtle.

Although he has lost his sense of smell and his eyesight is fading, Jonathan is said to be in good health.

Dr. Hollins, will now start cleaning some of the other tortoises, and some of them are dirtier than Jonathan.

Following the death of Harriet, a 175-year-old giant Galapagos Land tortoise, in 2005 in Australia, Jonathan has been recognized as the world's oldest living land animal.

St. Helena was chosen as the place of Emperor Napoleon's second exile and the French dictator died there in 1821.

You may be interested in reading: A Tortoise Named Jonathan is Believed to be the World’s Oldest Known Living Land Creature

















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Tuesday, November 8, 2016

This Family of Dogs and Cats and Ducks Does Everything Together and We Are Squealing


We’re having serious #familygoal envy over here. This tribe of four dogs, a cat, and two ducks is the brood we’ve always dreamed of. They love each other, protect each other, dress like each other, nurture each other, and do literally everything together.

Kasey Boggs of Missouri and her husband have been rescuing animals for a decade.

They started with Roxie the Toy Fox Terrier who they spotted malnourished in the window of a  pet shop. They nursed her back to health and then got the shop shut down for selling unhealthy animals with forged records.

To read more on this story, click here: This Family of Dogs and Cats and Ducks Does Everything Together and We Are Squealing

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Friday, November 4, 2016

A Woman in Catonsville is Beside Herself After Her Pet for More Than 78 Years Goes Missing


Baltimore, Maryland - With temperatures in the 70’s on Thursday a Baltimore County pool sits empty.

Catonsville resident, Gloria Todd says she’s had her pet turtle, Moses since she was 5.

“He lived with me till September 12th, for 78 years.” said Gloria.

Now, the slider turtle has slid right out of sight.

“I am really concerned about his health,” said Gloria. “I have a special light for him. He does not eat regular turtle food that you buy at the store listed under  ‘turtle food.’”

When asked what Moses does eat in case someone spots him, but Gloria says, “I’m not going to tell you exactly what he eats.”

She’s concerned about sharing too much of his personal information.

Gloria does tell us Moses is the size of a lunch plate, with yellow lines on its head, neck and shell.

She believes he was snapped up.

“I think he was taken, at dinner time, and he is usually not out that late,” Gloria says.

She hopes someone sees this story and brings Moses home.

“I’m just concerned for whoever has him, knows how to care for him. I’m hoping someone will return him to me.”

Usually Moses stays inside–in the laundry room, but after its vet recommended he get more sunlight, he started spending more time outside.

No word if he is already hibernating.





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Thursday, November 3, 2016

A 7-Year-Old Tuxedo Cat is Helping Patients Heal the Intensive Care Unit at UCSF Medical Center


San Francisco, California - Amid the pumps and IV machines, ventilators, and monitors at in the intensive care unit at UCSF Medical Center, a “purrfectly” trained professional is making the rounds: a 7-year-old tuxedo cat.

His name is Duke Ellington Morris

“When he first mentioned it, I was, like, ‘Is it a dog?’  Nope – a kitty!” chuckled patient Susan Wuann.

“Oh, this cat’s phenomenal!” exclaimed patient Marcy Harrison.

“It’s pretty exciting to meet him and see a cat in the hospital.” said nurse David Goldberger.

For both the patients and staff, Duke is one cool cat.

“I was skeptical of the idea until I met Duke and was, like, this works for us,” said Steven Koster, who facilitates the animal-assisted therapy program at UCSF with the San Francisco SPCA.

All the pets who participate in the program are vetted and healthy.

“The staff who has been involved with the animal assisted therapy program are very careful to make sure the animals are very safe to be in the ICU,” said UCSF Adult Critical Care Director Dr. Matt Aldrich

The goal is to facilitate healing, promote wellbeing, and share a little love.

Studies show pet therapy can reduce blood pressure, pain, stress, anxiety, and depression. And Duke is a pretty mellow cat.

“When you have this animal that comes in here like Duke … you can pet him, you can stroke him. He gives you a sense of being connected as a human again. So it’s really a wonderful thing,” explained patient Andre Ross.

These days, Duke – a rescue cat – pretty much rules this ICU and his owners are happy to share him. “I think he rescued us. there’s no doubt in my mind,” said owner Jennifer Morris. “He’s just a sweetheart.”

“It really does make you feel good,” added Harrison.

“This is the cream on the top,” exclaimed Wuan.

As for Duke? He just lapped it up.









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Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Meet Samson, the Largest Cat in New York City


This is Samson, the largest cat in New York City. Dr. Lisa Lippman, a Manhattan veterinarian, said he is by far the biggest cat she has ever heard of!

Samson, a Maine coon, is four feet long and weighs 28 pounds! For perspective, an average cat weighs between 8-10 lbs and is about 2 feet long! It is not unusual, however, for Maine Coon cats to weigh between 15 to 20 lbs.

According to his dad, Splurt Zillionz, Samson is a tender, sweet, but tough guy. Samson likes to wrestle and loves to cuddle – only when no one is watching! Samson is now 4 years old and has been living with his dad in New York since November 2013.

Even though the apartment in NYC are small, Samson always finds a place to hang out. Samson also loves to go for rides in his green cat stroller.

Every few months, Samson gets a $120 grooming session to keep himself looking lush and fluffy! Samson eats six cans of wet food a day and uses four pounds of litter a week.

Samson’s groomer, Carolyn Ayala said he is long, broad, strong, and heavy – he is not fat. He is well-proportioned. She called him a gentle giant.

Because of his size, Samson has been getting a lot of attention. He is big news in New York and all around the world! Samson has over 34,000 followers on Instagram, his account is called @catstradamus.

But, in typical cat fashion, Samson pretends he doesn’t care at all!









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Monday, October 31, 2016

A Tiny Male Deer Fawn Weighing 1-Pound Was Born at the Queens Zoo


A tiny male deer fawn weighing just 1lb (450g) and measuring 6 by 6 in (15.24 x 15.24cm) was born on May 12 at Queens Zoo, NYC. Pudu are the world’s smallest deer species and the Zoo now has 3 on display. The tiny creature is still nursing but will soon be eating leaves, grain, kale, carrots, and hay.

Pudu are a subspecies of the South American deer and are generally solitary animals. They bark when frightened, shiver when angered, and do not interact socially other than to mate. Pudu are so small that they count the horned owl as one of their predators, and there is a popular rumor that the deer can die from fear-induced cardiac complications.






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