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

Saturday, November 14, 2020

Japanese Town Deploys Growling "Monster Wolf" Robots to Scare Away Wild Bears


A town in northern Japan has recently been plagued by a plethora of wild bears, roaming around neighborhoods and petrifying residents. In an attempt to prevent attacks, the town of Takikawa has now installed terrifying robotic wolves to howl at the bears and scare them off, Reuters reports.

The residents of Takikawa, located on the northernmost island of Hokkaido, have been increasingly concerned by the potential of bear attacks, as sightings in the country hit a five-year high, according to national broadcaster NHK. There have been dozens of reported attacks this year, two of them fatal, leading to an emergency government meeting last month to address the issue. 

To read more on this story, click here: Japanese Town Deploys Growling "Monster Wolf" Robots to Scare Away Wild Bears



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Thursday, November 12, 2020

Baby Owls Sleep Face Down Because Their Heads Are Too Heavy


If you couldn’t imagine baby owls getting any cuter, it turns out that they can. Consider for a second—have you ever thought about how the creatures take a nap? We know that adult owls sleep upright, but the owlets can’t do that yet as their heads are too heavy. So until they get large enough to nap sitting up, the tiny birds have an alternate solution; they lie down on their stomachs and turn their heads to the side before drifting to dreamland.

Miraculously, the young owls do this all while resting on a tree branch. And they don’t fall off, thanks in part to the strength of their back toe called the hallux. The hallux tethers the creature to the branch and it won’t move until the owlet bends its leg.

To read more on this story, click here: Baby Owls Sleep Face Down Because Their Heads Are Too Heavy



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Fireworks Believed to Have Led to Young Zebra's Death at Zoo


A young zebra born at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic died at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol, England, last week. It is believed the zebra, named Hope, died after being scared by fireworks, the zoo announced on Facebook.

When fireworks went off ahead of a bonfire last Wednesday, Hope ran into the boundary of her enclosure, according to the post. Zoo staff said they believe she was frightened by the bangs of the fireworks, which caused her to bolt.

To read more on this story, click here: Fireworks Believed to Have Led to Young Zebra's Death at Zoo


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Wednesday, November 11, 2020

President George H.W. Bush's Beloved Service Dog Sully Gets Bronze Statue


SMITHTOWN, New York -- It was a special day for a special pooch in New York Tuesday, as former President George H.W. Bush's beloved service dog Sully was honored with a bronze statue.

In recognition of Veterans Day, the life-size statue was unveiled at the America's VetDogs campus on Long Island.

And the man of the hour, the real-life Sully, was the guest of honor at the ceremony.

Sully the statue is shown in a sitting position, holding his leash in his mouth, a task that vet service dogs learn to perform for their handlers.

To read more on this story, click here: President George H.W. Bush's Beloved Service Dog Sully Gets Bronze Statue


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Joe Biden's German Shepherd Will Be The First Rescue Dog To Live In The White House


With this projection comes the assumption that Biden's family will be moving into the White House once he is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States

And this would further mean that the Biden family's two dogs, Champ and Major, will also be moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

As reported by TMZ, Champ's been a part of the Biden family since 2008, and Major joined the clan back in 2018.

To read more on this story, click here: Joe Biden's German Shepherd Will Be The First Rescue Dog To Live In The White House



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Tiny War Dog Saved Soldiers’ Lives in WWII and Became First Therapy Dog


A tiny Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky may not have looked tough, but the dog was a seasoned war veteran by the end of World War II. Not only that, her owner credited her with saving his life and she became the first ever registered therapy dog after the war.

Smoky was first discovered in an abandoned foxhole in the New Guinea jungle by an American soldier in February 1944. The soldiers originally thought she belonged to a Japanese soldier, but she did not understand commands in either English or Japanese, leaving her origins unknown.

To read more on this story, click here: Tiny War Dog Saved Soldiers’ Lives in WWII and Became First Therapy Dog


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Meet Sergeant Stubby: The Most Decorated War Dog in History


Before he became the most decorated war dog in American history, Sergeant Stubby was homeless: unwanted, unwashed, unloved, and scrounging for scraps on the streets of Connecticut.

As documented in history books but largely forgotten today, Stubby was no ordinary stray; he was a tenacious canine, a courageous scout and a fiercely loyal friend.

For his valorous actions, Stubby is recognized as the most-decorated dog in American history. But before he was a hero, he was homeless: unwanted, unwashed, unloved, scrounging for scraps on the streets of New Haven, Connecticut in 1917. His fortunes changed, however, when he ran into a young Soldier training on the grounds of Yale University – Private First Class Robert Conroy of the 102nd Infantry Regiment – who adopted the scrappy little stray and named him Stubby for his short stature and tail.

To read more on this story, click here: Meet Sergeant Stubby: The Most Decorated War Dog in History


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Happy Veterans Day! Thank You For Your Service!


 


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Friday, November 6, 2020

If You're Thinking About Adopting a Cat, Here's Exactly How Much It'll Cost


If you're looking into adopting a cat, you're in for all the snuggles, special moments, and catching your new feline pal getting into nooks you never thought possible. Life will be so much sweeter – but it also comes with a multitude of costs and expenses. For some, cats might seem much more low maintenance than other pets, which can be true. That being said, the yearly costs of having a cat should be examined before adopting, that way, you avoid unpleasant surprises when presented with initial adoption fees, and the eventual veterinary expenses, food costs, and more. Having everything laid out beforehand will make the entire process of getting a cat much smoother, and you'll steer clear of upsets throughout the years as you focus on enjoying your furry friend.

To read more on this story, click here: If You're Thinking About Adopting a Cat, Here's Exactly How Much It'll Cost


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These Giant Cats Have Taken Over A Woman’s Farm, And These Photos Are Proof


Along with freezing cold winters, a small Siberian village outside of Barnaul, Russia, is also known for a high population of cats. The growth of resident felines is such that one local farmer, Alla Lebedeva, has started referring to her property as “Catland.”

In an interview with Design YouTrust, Lebedeva revealed that she and her husband Sergey are partially responsible for the town’s swelling number of feline residents. “How many do we have now? To such a question I usually answer ‘a million, maybe more,’” she said.

The Lebedevas started feeding this especially large, furry breed when they realized how efficient Siberian cats were protecting their other farm animals.

To read more on this story, click here: These Giant Cats Have Taken Over A Woman’s Farm, And These Photos Are Proof



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12 Things You Should Know About the Peekapoo Dog Breed


While poodle mixes are becoming more and more popular, many prospective dog parents overlook one of the older and best mixes- the Peekapoo.

Peekapoos, or Pekeapoos, depending on your spelling preference, are truly little bundles of joy.

But don’t be fooled by their small stature. Peekapoos aren’t your typical purse-sized pups.

Keep reading to learn more about the Peekapoo breed.

To read more on this story, click here: 12 Things You Should Know About the Peekapoo Dog Breed



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Mink Coronavirus Infection in Denmark Sparks Plan to Put Down 15 Million Animals


BERLIN — Denmark, one of the largest fur producers in the world, plans to put down every mink in the country to contain a mutated strain of coronavirus that has infected workers in the industry and could threaten global efforts to find a vaccine.

The Danish government announced this week that it would expand plans for a more limited cull and put down around 15 million minks. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Wednesday it was a “heavy decision” but the situation required “resolute action.”

To read more on this story, click here: Mink Coronavirus Infection in Denmark Sparks Plan to Put Down 15 Million Animals



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A Large Alligator Decided To Act As The Gatekeeper At Myakka River State Park


Sarasota, Florida - Michelle Riddle captured photos of the large alligator laying down in the middle of the road in Myakka River State Park on Friday morning.

The images showed the massive reptile relaxing in the middle of the street, keeping drivers and bicyclists from passing by.

Riddle said she arrived at the park around 8 a.m., only to find the gator not far from the main entrance.

Bystanders could be seen just feet away from the gator.

"I don't know if he was napping, but he didn't leave until the rangers showed up in a tractor," Riddle said. "I think the noise of the tractor annoyed him enough to head back into the greenery."

The park is known for being home to plenty of alligators.

Dozens of gators gather at the "Deep Hole" sinkhole, which is engulfed by Lower Myakka Lake during the rainy season. But when water levels are low, it acts like a fish trap -- which means the area is teeming with gators during the dry season.

"Hungry alligators will congregate here to feed, creating quite a magnificent wildlife spectacle," state environmental officials noted.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the sinkhole is 295 feet wide and about 130 feet deep.

Access to the park's wilderness preserve is limited to 30 people per day. Those who wish to visit must register at the ranger station the day of their trip, with permits issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.





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Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?


Like all mammals, dogs need to drink water in sufficient amounts to keep their bodies functioning normally. Water is essential to digestion, circulation and elimination, and plays an important role in regulating body heat. Without adequate fluid intake, a dog will become dehydrated and, in time, very sick. Severe dehydration can even result in death.

Normally, dogs self-regulate their fluid intake very well. As long as a dog has a bowl of fresh water available, he will generally drink enough water to stay hydrated but not enough to cause him harm. That said, there are a number of conditions that may cause a dog to drink more water than usual, and possibly more than he should. So if you’re wondering, “Why is my dog drinking so much water?” read on to learn what might be going on.

To read more on this story, click here: Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?


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