This is a video highlighting Steve Bacque (aka the Crazy Cranford Cowboy), a former Texas rodeo cowboy who married a lady from New Jersey, moved there, and had no place to keep a horse in the area. So what did he do? Built a reigns-controlled one powered by an electric golf cart motor and named it Charger. Man, sometimes I wish I was a crazy person. Charger can do up to 40 miles per hour (though he has a governor to rein him in to about 15 miles per hour) and can handle up to 600 pounds. Charger even has a wheelie bar in the back, which is "not just for show," Bacque warns. Yes, this motorized horse can pop a (small) wheelie. Charger turns left and right with the reins and even brakes when you pull back on them. A key turns him on, and a gas pedal sets him in motion.
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If you live with a dog you may think they have a pretty good memories. After all, a dog who’s been through obedience training remembers commands and hand signals. And they always know which fences are the most fun to bark at and which shops will give them treats when they’re out for a walk. But do dog memories work the same way as human memories? The answer is no, not really, but sometimes. Read on to learn how your dog’s memory works, and find links to research and more info. When you think about going for a walk, you probably remember specific walks you’ve taken in the past. You may reflect in your mind’s eye on a particular path, or recall the time it rained while you were out for a stroll. Dogs don’t really think that way— research shows, in fact, that they have very little direct recall. Instead, dogs have associative memory. Dogs remember people, places, and experiences based on associations they have with them. For example, they may “remember” walks because of their association with your walking shoes and get excited when they see you putting those shoes on. To read more on this story, click here:How Much Do Dogs Really Remember?
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Thousand Oaks, California - National Park Service researchers discovered a litter of four mountain lion kittens, but they are suspected to be products of inbreeding. Two boys and two girls were found in a remote area of the Santa Monica Mountains. They are now P-70, P-71, P-72 and P-73. It is the fourth litter of kittens for mother P-19. Researchers believe she mated with P-56, a 3-year-old male who is also her grandson. P-56 is also a product of inbreeding, as his mother mated with P-12, who is his father and grandfather. Genetic testing is required to confirm the paternity for P-56, but researchers found that two mountain lions spent about 90 days together before the birth of a kitten and that's the gestation period for mountain lions. National Park Service biologists took tissue samples, conducted a general health check and marked the kittens with ear tags. Researchers have studied P-19 since she was four weeks old, and she is now 8 years old. Of the seven kittens from her previous litters, four died, two were never given GPS collars and one is confirmed to be alive. Various entities, including Caltrans, are working on a plan to build a wildlife crossing bridge over the 101 Freeway in the Liberty Canyon area.
Her name is Moony Strangecat, and with one look you will understand why she has that name. The reality is that Moony is a rather unique cat because she has a hormonal condition known as hypertrichosis. So, her fur grown rather uncontrollably and it gives her that signature “strange” look. Hypertrichosis is also referred to as “werewolf syndrome, ” and it means that her coat does require a lot of care and maintenance. If she isn’t groomed regularly, her hair will become matted and dirty. We all know that cats spend a lot of time grooming themselves, but Moony Strangecat needs help with all her fur! There is no way a cat can take care of all of that fluff! Moony is a regular cat despite her long fur, she likes to frolic, sit in the sun, nap, and head pets. Being outdoors is one of her top three activities! Happily, Moony has a groomer that she has been going to since she was a kitten, so she is in good, capable hands. Moony’s looks may scare people or think that a creature has escaped from Hogwarts – but, she is just a loving cat – a true one-of-a-kind! In fact, Moony is one of only two cats to have ever been diagnosed with hypertrichosis. The other cat is Atchoum. If you have found yourself enthralled and want to see more of Moony, head on over to her Facebook page and follow her! The page is regularly updated with funny and cute images.
People have been intrigued by giant-size dogs, keeping them to guard family, flocks and property and to hunt big game. They have also relied on four-legged giants to perform tasks that required size and strength, such as pulling carts with heavy loads. Giant breeds often possess tender, loving temperaments, but before you get one, remember to factor in the costs associated with keeping one. In terms of food, veterinary bills and space, the costs can be gigantic. Scottish Deerhound dog breed This giant breed strode into the world’s view when GCh. Foxcliffe Hickory Wind ran away with the top dog title at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club show. The lithe and lanky Scottish Deerhound, once bred to bring down stags in the Scottish highlands, is 28 to 32 inches tall, sometimes more, and weighs 75 to 110 pounds. Irish Woofhound The Irish Wolfhound, which is now more often found as family companion than bane of wolf pack, is described as having "great size and commanding appearance." He is the tallest of dogs, but not the heaviest. When full grown, a male Irish Wolfhound looms over other dogs, standing at least 32 inches tall and weighing 120 pounds. Females are a minimum of 30 inches and 105 pounds. Mastiff It’s possible that this breed’s name comes from the Latin word massivus, meaning massive. It’s certainly an appropriate description for a dog with a minimum height of 30 inches at the shoulder for males and 27.5 inches for females. Mastiffs have a weight range of 120 to 200 pounds or more. Great Dane Because of his majestic appearance, the Great Dane is sometimes nicknamed “king of dogs.” His size belies his gentle nature, but beware of his thwacking tail, which can clear a coffee table in seconds or knock the unwary off their feet. Possibly created by blending the Irish Wolfhound and the Mastiff, the Great Dane was originally used to hunt boar and guard estates, but these days, he’s a family dog. Male Great Danes stand at least 30 inches tall and weigh a minimum of 120 pounds. Females are at least 28 inches tall and weigh a minimum of 100 pounds. Neapolitan Mastiff You wouldn’t want to run into the Neo, as he’s nicknamed, in a dark alley. His wrinkled, scowling face, plastered onto a massive head, and his massive body are enough to give any evildoer second thoughts — fast! Neapolitan Mastiffs range in height from 24 to 31 inches and weigh 110 to 150 pounds or more.
Saint Bernard The Saint’s large size and thick coat helped him to rescue stranded travelers in the snowy Alps and take them to the Saint Bernard hostelry where they could be cared for. Now he spends his days snuggling with family members and keeping their hearts warm. Saint Bernards stand 25.5 to 27.5 inches tall and weigh 130 to 180 pounds. Black Russian Terrier Created in the erstwhile Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War to be a guard dog, the Black Russian Terrier has moved from military to civilian life as a welcomed family companion and guardian. Breeds used in its creation include the Airedale, the Giant Schnauzer, the Rottweiler, the Newfoundland and the Caucasian Ovtcharka. Males stand 27 to 30 inches tall and weigh 110 to 132 pounds. Females are 26 to 29 inches tall and weigh 100 to 110 pounds. Leonberger At least three big breeds went into the creation of the Leonberger: the Newfoundland, the Saint Bernard and the Great Pyrenees. No one really knows the “canine recipe” used by Heinrich Essig, but the result was a dog who at maturity stands 28 to 31.5 inches and weighs 120 to 170 pounds. Females are 25.5 to 29.5 inches tall and weigh 100 to 135 pounds. Newfoundland The water-loving Newfoundland originally hauled in nets for fishermen, which often required swimming long distances, pulling heavy loads, and rescuing people at risk of drowning. Among his distinctive characteristics are a massive head, webbed feet and a water-resistant double coat. Males have an average height of 28 inches and weigh 130 to 150 pounds. Females average 26 inches and 100 to 120 pounds. Great Pyrenees A flock guardian of French origin, the Great Pyrenees is distinguished by a thick, beautiful white coat. The breed once guarded the king of France and is still territorial in defense of family and property. Males stand 27 inches to 32 inches tall and weigh 100 to 140 pounds. Females are 25 inches to 29 inches tall and weigh 85 to 110 pounds. Anatolian Shepherd This Turkish flock-guarding dog warned off wolves and other predators and still works in that capacity today. He’s also a fine family protector in the right home. Anatolian Shepherd males stand 29 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 110 to 150 pounds. Females are 27 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 80 to 120 pounds. Tibetan Mastiff The Tibetan Mastiff impresses with his size, which is accentuated by his broad head and thick coat and mane. He is a family and property guardian who is aloof toward and watchful of strangers. Tibetan Mastiff males are 26 to 29 inches tall and usually weigh 100 to 140 pounds. Females are 24 to 27 inches and usually weigh 85 to 120 pounds. Tibetan Mastiffs are slow-growing and may not reach their full size until they are 3 to 5 years old. Kuvasz The Hungarian cousin of the Great Pyrenees, the Kuvasz also has a history as a flock guardian. The white-coated breed is thought to have originated in Turkey but was brought to Hungary with Ottoman invaders. The Kuvasz male stands 28 to 30 inches at the shoulder and weighs 100 to 115 pounds. Females are 26 to 28 inches and weigh 70 to 90 pounds.
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A dog's whiskers make up an important part of their appearance, giving our pooches the unique look we know and love. However, you may be surprised to learn that your dog's whiskers aren't just any old facial hair. In fact, they actually have special powers to help your pet explore and understand the world around them. If you're wondering whether your dog will feel pain if you cut their whiskers, for example during grooming, the answer is no. But because they're linked to a wide range of nerves and blood vessels, whiskers are much more sensitive to being plucked, and unless there's any medical reason for them to be removed, they should be left intact. Signs of Whisker Pain Canine whiskers stick out from the side of the muzzle, jaw, and above the eyes. Depending on the breed, they might feature quite prominently on your dog's face or be lost in a sea of bushy fur, and you may notice that they're usually some of the first hairs to develop in young pups. However, one thing that all dogs do have in common is that their whiskers perform an important role. In fact, dog whiskers technically aren't whiskers at all but are actually known as vibrissae. Your dog relies on these highly sensitive tools to gather and analyze information about the world around them, which means you need to treat them a little differently to ordinary hairs. While whiskers can be cut and trimmed without causing any pain for your pooch, pulling, twisting or plucking them will definitely cause your dog grief. Of course, the way a dog reacts to this pain will vary depending on the animal involved and the level of discomfort. Some dogs will yelp, growl, or whine, and all will try to pull away as quickly as possible. Others may paw at their face to let you know that all is not right. To read more on this story, click here:Can Dogs Feel When You Cut Their Whiskers?
Long, short, wondrous, colorful, adorable, wispy and wiry. These are all words used to describe whiskers. Yes whiskers, special hairs that all cats have and need. I have stared at the beautiful strips coming out at a hundred different trajectories, watching kitties play or bask in the sun, and wondered what exactly they were for. As a human female I do not want any whiskers on my own face, where as men’s whiskers can often be quite attractive. Men sometimes use facial hair as a measure of their masculinity. As for felines, it is definitely more than just for vanity, as beautiful and cute as they may be. Whiskers are very important—probably much more important than one would initially realize. To read more on this story, click here:Three Good Reasons to Never Trim your Cat's Whiskers
Hairballs are the butt of many a cat joke, even though the telltale hack-hack-hacking may seem commonplace to most feline owners. Cats are fastidious self-groomers, so it’s this habit that causes hairballs -- swallowed loose fur that is not completely digested. The problem usually warrants no cause for alarm, but in some cases, hairballs become too big for a cat’s digestive tract and cause blockage that can be life-threatening. It’s important for any cat owner to know why hairballs form, why they’re so common and when they can be dangerous. Harmful Hairballs “Most cats will either vomit the hair or pass it in their stool,” explains Tami Groger, DVM, associate veterinarian at Bay Hill Cat Hospital in Orlando, Fla. The feline digestive system is designed to handle hairballs (called trichobezoars by doctors) but only up to a certain size. “We had a long-haired kitty who stopped eating for three days and just did not look comfortable,” recalls Bernadine Cruz, DVM, of Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in California. “Everything seemed normal, but when I [felt] her abdomen, there was something there under the rib cage. We took an X-ray and saw this big thing. We did surgery to remove one huge hairball -- at a cost of $2000.” The kitty recovered fully, but the owner may still be recovering from that bill. Another problem caused by hairballs is that sometimes their symptoms appear similar to respiratory problems, such as asthma, which also require a veterinarian’s attention. Keeping hairballs to a minimum will therefore help your veterinarian diagnose asthma more quickly, should your cat develop it. All cats get hairballs, says Dr. Groger, but “they are more prevalent in the long-haired breeds -- Persians, Himalayans, Maine Coons and domestic long hairs.” She adds, however, that she has “seen problems with short-haired cats, as well.” Hazardous Hairball Warning Signs Three key symptoms can distinguish a not-so-worrisome hairball from one that may require immediate medical attention. These are:
Continued retching that does not culminate with the expulsion of a hairball
Frequent diarrhea
Loss of appetite following repeated hairball episodes
All three of these symptoms could mean that your cat’s throat, stomach or intestines are blocked by a hairball obstruction. If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, schedule a visit to your veterinarian’s office as soon as possible. How to Prevent Hairballs The best defense against hairballs, dangerous or not, is to keep your cat from getting them in the first place or to make sure they can be digested. Here are some tips recommended by veterinarians. Brush your kitty “You really need to get down to the skin to loosen some of the fur,” says Dr. Cruz, who recommends using a soft rubbery brush for the task. Follow up with gentle combing using a fine-tooth comb. Older cats especially need this care, she says, as their digestive systems slow down with age and they’re less able to get rid of hairballs. Feed your cat a specially formulated hairball care food Look for foods with beet pulp, carbohydrate blends and a fruit and vegetable extract known as FOS, which promotes healthy stomach bacteria. This combination of ingredients not only helps reduce fur balls, but it also enhances your cat's ability to absorb nutrients, provides bulk to move food through the intestines, promotes colon health and reduces waste and litter box odors. For repeat hackers, increase their fiber intake Increasing fiber in your cat’s diet can help. The fiber will help hold onto hair and aid it in passing through the digestive track. Dr. Cruz suggests adding bits of asparagus, small amounts of canned pumpkin or oat grass to your cat’s hairball care commercial diet. Offer a little oil You might also add a very small amount -- around half a teaspoon -- of petroleum jelly, olive oil or butter to your cat’s food. This too will help push through fur in the digestive system. Purchase a commercial hairball remedy Commercial hairball remedies often contain similar fiber and oil ingredients combined with flavor enhancers to tempt your cat. Look for them at your local pet store. Just be sure to follow the enclosed listed directions carefully. Keep a clean house Don’t allow your kitty access to pieces of string or thread around the house. If ingested, these can get wrapped up with swallowed fur and cause an obstruction. Hairballs are an unpleasant side effect of your kitty’s natural inclination to stay clean and beautiful. Our job as cat owners is to allow that self-grooming but take responsible steps to make sure it doesn’t result in a dangerous, albeit hairy, health hazard.
