(Until next year.)
Little, a Chihuahua dressed up to look like a three-headed dog, won "Best in Show" at a dog costume contest and parade in Boston's Faneuil Hall Marketplace held October 25, 2008.
—Photograph by Lisa Poole/AP
Friday, October 31, 2008
Last dog in costume photo, I promise!
Scientists Discover Vampire Moth
Scientists have found a previously unknown population of vampire moths that may have evolved from a fruit-eating species.
Only slight variations in wing patterns distinguish the Russian population from a widely distributed moth species, Calyptra thalictri, in Central and Southern Europe known to feed only on fruit.
Photograph by Sharon Hill
Source: National Geographic
There's a good reason for 'keep out' sign
A volunteer at a US animal sanctuary has died after he was savaged by a 1,000-pound liger - a rare cross between a lion and a tiger.
Peter Getz, 32, suffered fatal puncture wounds in his neck and back as Rocky, who weighs twice that of an ordinary lion and is 20 times more powerful than a human, pounced on him during feeding time.
An investigation was under way into why Mr Getz, an accomplished big cat keeper, broke with protocol and entered Rocky's enclosure at Safari's Animal Sanctuary in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Bleeding heavily, he hauled himself out of the enclosure with help from two fellow keepers but collapsed outside and was airlifted to hospital, where he died.
This has to be the ultimate dog costume
This is Rina dressed as "Tails" of Mother Goose
(Thanks to an anonymous e-mailer)
There are many more Dogs in Costume here
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Cute ads
A series of ads for Swedish Fish candy, "A friend you can eat," by advertising agency: JWT, New York, USA
Here's another one ...
And one more ... 
(via Ads of the World)
Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade
The annual Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade in Long Beach's Belmont Shore was held this past Sunday drawing more than 600 costumed dogs and thousands of onlookers.
Event organizers say it is the world's largest Halloween pet event, but whatever it is, one thing rings true: these dogs are cute.
Here are some of the cute dogs LAist photographer Tom Andrews saw...
Photography by Tom Andrews
(via LAist)
On the head of a pin
6th Place, 2008 Nikon Small World Photography Contest
Klaus Bolte
Stittsville, Ontario, Canada
Chrysolina fastuosa (Micro leaf beetle) on a pin head (40x)
(via bioephemera)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Rats in art
In old Japan, rats had it good because a white rat was a messenger of one of the seven gods of luck, Daikoku. Because of this connection, they were not killed.
The story goes that a rat couple wanted the strongest husband in the world for their daughter. They asked the sun who declined saying that clouds had more power because they could cover him up.
When they asked a cloud, he responded, "The wind is stronger than I because it can blow me away."
The wind could not make the grade either. " The wall stops me cold," he said.
And the wall, though honored by the offer wailed, "The rat is stronger. He can bore a hole right through me."
So the couple wisely gave their daughter in marriage to another rat who was indeed the strongest creature of them all.
-Senryu
More rat stories, rat photos and rat art at: Rats in Art
(via Information Junk)
Call the exterminator, quick!
There are 11 species of giant weta. The largest species of giant weta is the Little Barrier Island giant weta also known as the wetapunga. They are found primarily on New Zealand offshore islands, having been almost exterminated on the mainland islands by introduced mammalian pests.
Thanks goodness, the Giant weta prefers a vegetarian diet. Still, I wouldn't want to meet one.
(via Full Room)
Wonderful doggie poetry
Haiku is an ancient and revered art form.
What kind of haiku would be composed by a dog?
They say integrity is its own reward.
Wrong. I like pig ears.
They say old habits die hard. Wrong.
Bruce Willis dies hard. Old habits last forever.
Why no dog congress?
'Cuz we can't stop sniffing butts.
Oh wait! That's the same.
What kind of haiku would be composed by a dog?
They say integrity is its own reward.
Wrong. I like pig ears.
They say old habits die hard. Wrong.
Bruce Willis dies hard. Old habits last forever.
Why no dog congress?
'Cuz we can't stop sniffing butts.
Oh wait! That's the same.
Dog-ku: Very Clever Haikus Cleverly Written by Very Clever Dogs
, written by Steve D. Marsh is the most charmingly funny book I have read in ages. The haiku are clever and humorous. Many pages contain pictures of some very cute dogs.I brought the book to work today. My coworkers and I spent way, way too much time reading the poems out loud to each other and laughing at them.
Here are some of our favorites :
I am not howling.
It is country music and
I'm singing along.
Accidental poop
Left by your bedside with love.
Why do you step there?
I don't shed that much.
Just enough to decorate
Your brand-new dress pants.
It is country music and
I'm singing along.
Accidental poop
Left by your bedside with love.
Why do you step there?
I don't shed that much.
Just enough to decorate
Your brand-new dress pants.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Pets behaving badly?
I once had a cat, Conrad, who loved to chew up my contact lens case, while my contacts were in there. He did this twice before I learned to put the case away in a drawer.
When I was a kid, our poodle Fluffy had a litter of puppies in my bed. Under the sheets, by my feet, while I was sleeping. I had a very rude awakening!
What’s the worst thing your bad-behaving pet has ever done — or destroyed? Randy at Mental Floss asked this question of his readers after his cat ate the wires from his bluetooth headset. - Reader's comments vary from dogs eating houses and furniture to cats who poop in purses. One of my favorites: "You haven’t lived until you have tugged a nylon stocking from your dogs rectum. She eats them and then cannot pass them completely, and is running around with a pantyhose foot dangling from her butt."
If you think your pet is the only one behaving badly, take a look at:
Funny photos of dogs chewing things and making a mess of the house at Dog-bones.com
and Photos of the Day at things my dog ate.
Stop squirrel indecency
Are you sick and tired of squirrels running naked in the trees around your house?
Have you had to hide your children's eyes when a tiny furry streaker crosses the sidewalk in front of you?
Here's the answer: Squirrel Underpants!
Each pair of tiny briefs has a 3" waist and is made of 100% cotton. The underpants squirrels prefer! Also good for hamsters, frogs and gerbils.
(via Linkfilter)
Monday, October 27, 2008
A walrus with bling
Akituusaq, the rare walrus calf billed as Brooklyn's biggest baby, is flaunting a fabulous new set of titanium crowns at Coney Island's New York Aquarium.
The 16-month-old baby, affectionately called Tuusaq, was fitted with the caps after his keepers noticed the tips of his tiny tusks were already wearing away.
"There were many jokes about putting a diamond in one, or having a laser etch his initials in the other," said David DeNardo, general curator at the New York Aquarium, "but we decided that was going a little bit too overboard.
Source: New York Daily News
A spider I hope never to meet
There's a series of photos from the Cairns Post, which show a giant Golden Orb Weaver spider who caught a chestnut-breasted mannikin bird in its web. The photos were snapped in a backyard in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
Joel Shakespeare, the head spider keeper at NSW's Australian Reptile Park, said he had seen golden orb weaver spiders as big as a human hand but the northern species in tropical areas were known to grow larger.
(via Boing Boing)
Cute or not? Glow in the dark cat
This kitty, named Mr. Green Genes, looks like a six-month-old cat but, under ultraviolet light, his eyes, gums and tongue glow a vivid lime green.
Scientists at the Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species in New Orleans have genetically modified this cat as part of an experiment that could lead to treatments for conditions like cystic fibrosis.
Source: Telegraph
(via Mirabilis.ca)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Should farm animals have rights?
On Nov. 4, California voters will be asked to decide on Proposition 2, an animal rights ballot measure that would grant the farm animals in California the opportunity to spread their hooves and claws, rather than being confined to restrictive cages, as many chickens, sows and veal cattle now are.
But because veal and pork are not major industries in California, the battle over Proposition 2 is focused almost exclusively on the state’s henhouses, which opponents say will be hard hit by higher production costs if the measure passes.
“This is a well-intended initiative for animals with some very negative unintended consequences for people,” said Julie Buckner, a spokeswoman for Californians for Safe Food, the leading anti-Proposition 2 group. “It’s going to wipe out the California egg farmers, and it’s going to raise the food costs for consumers. And this is at a time when our economy is hurting.”
Supporters of the proposition, the first of its kind in the nation, reject those arguments, casting the ballot measure as an act of kindness for animals whose bodies and byproducts usually end up on dining room tables.
“If animals are going to be killed for food,” said Wayne Pacelle, the president and chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States, “the least we can do is treat them with decency and give them a semblance of life.”
What do you think?
Source: NY Times
Heidie gets a bath
The wonderful folks at Jarden RapidBath sent me a RapidBath® Pet Bathing System to try out.
My friend's dog, Heidie, volunteered to be our model and to get a bath. Heidie needed a bath anyway, so it's not like she had much of a choice.
Well, Heidie loved it!
The RapidBath® was easy to use. The unit came with a hose and connection to attach to a water faucet. We removed our shower head and attached the hose to the shower pipe.
The RapidBath® system comes complete with packets of shampoo in different scents. We used the "Ultra Cleaning Shampoo." There was plenty of product in the package to get Heidie totally clean.
After her bath, Heidie smelled great and her hair was smooth and velvety!
The RapidBath® Pet Bathing System is an "all-in-one" wet, wash and rinse dog bathing solution. The dog will love the relaxing massage action - and you'll love the results. No more stressful, backbreaking, messy baths for either one of you!
Photos by Julie Corsi
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Would you sniff your kids?
Sniff Dogs rents drug-sniffing canines to parents for $200 an hour. It was started this year by Debra Stone, who says her five trained dogs can detect heroin, cocaine, crystal meth and ecstasy.
The dogs' noses are so sensitive that they can smell a marijuana seed from up to 15 feet away and marijuana residue on clothing from drugs smoked two nights before.
One of the selling points of this service? Avoiding the kind of confrontation that comes with a drug test.
Drug-sniffing dogs aren't the only measures parents are using to keep tabs on their children. There are now Global Positioning System devices that can be sewn into children's clothing to monitor how fast they're driving, and software that allows a parent to read text messages.
But some psychologists say these surveillance techniques can backfire.
"There are major repercussions for this type of intervention," said Dr. Neil Bernstein, a Washington, D.C.-based clinical psychologist and author of the book "How to Keep Your Teenager Out of Trouble and What to Do if You Can't
Source: abc
How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?
Just like people, dogs need a proper diet and the right amount of exercise to stay fit and healthy. But it can be hard for owners to know how much time to spend at the dog park.
ILoveDogs.com said that a good basic guideline is 30 minutes of exercise a day. But owners need to see how that works for each pet, because some dogs will be able to go nuts for much longer than that, while others poop out at 20 minutes.QualityDogResources.com gives the same guideline, but also notes that dogs bred for working farms such as collies may need two hours a day.
Regardless, the time can be broken up into chunks so that neither owner nor pet gets too tired. But remember: You can't really judge based on a dog's size, WiseGeek.com notes.
The breed, however, can give a clue.A small Jack Russell, for instance, may need a lot of play time each day, but a huge mastiff could be happy with a 15-minute walk.You can also vary how much exercise your pooch gets by changing up the activities.
PetFit.com says that walking burns twice the number of calories as resting, while jogging or playing fetch burns three times. Swimming, doing agility trials or working with livestock burn six times the calories.
Still, you must be careful about how much exercise a dog gets.
VetMedicine.com says that owners need to be careful not to overwork young, excited dogs, as well as keep an eye out for damage to feet from running or playing on hard surfaces.The site also suggests a complete health exam before starting an exercise program with a dog.
Source: wftv.com
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Our new family member
Our previous puppy, Hershey - adopted through a rescue agency whom we won't name here - became extremely ill and died from canine distemper just three weeks after our family adopted her. It was a heart breaking (and financially expensive) experience.
But we never lost the desire to rescue another puppy, and visited Animal Welfare in Chicago Ridge, IL on an almost weekly basis.
One lucky day, we met Dixie ...
Dixie had been adopted from Animal Welfare, received all her puppy shots and had been spayed. Unfortunately, her adoptive family had lost their home and couldn't keep her in the apartment they were moving to.
We adopted Dixie on the same day she had been returned to the shelter.
Dixie is a wonderful, sweet, loving little girl. She's already a valued and adored member of our family.
Dixie is one lucky dog - she gets all the USA rawhide bones she can possibly chew. One of the perks of i-pets.com being the family business!
We think Dixie looks like she's a Rottweiler, shepherd mix - anyone have any other suggestions?
Photos by Julie Corsi
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Is your pet ready for Halloween?
These pets are ready for the Halloween 2008 ...
Is your pet ready?
More dogs in costumes ...
More cats in costumes ...
More pets in costumes ...
Monday, October 20, 2008
Cute or not? Punk rock turtle
This is a Mary River Turtle, one of the most unusual reptiles of its type on the planet.
The Mary River Turtle has become a popular figure with Australian environmentalists who say the endangered creature is being further threatened by Queensland State Government's plans to build a dam on the river.
It is one of the more unusual species of turtles as it breathes through lung-like structures in its tail and needs shallow water to survive.
It was described formally by scientists only in 1994 and little is known about it.
The hairsute creature was captured by amateur photographer Chris Van Wyk as it quietly waded in the shallows.
Source: Mail OnLine
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Oops, bad timing
It's lovely! I'll take it! is a collection of poorly chosen photos from real estate listings.
Here's a great example of a poorly timed shot to show off the gorgeous yard ...
(click to enlarge)
Wearing The Hair Of The Dog
Thanks to If It's Hip, It's Here, I found a great series of photos by photographer Erwan Fichou of people posing with their beautiful dogs, sporting canine couture... actual sweaters and vests made from the hair of their own pet dogs. 
You must see more of these photos: Dogwool
(via Presurfer)
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Are we totally tired of politics yet?
Just in case you're not,
new from the PoliticalShop, campaing buttons for your pet, just clip the 1 1/2" button on your pet's collar! 
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Got a costume? Get your camera!
In honor of “Howl-O-Ween,” the web site PetSource.org is hosting a photo contest showcasing the greatest pet Halloween costumes.
Whether your pet is a cute pumpkin or a scary ghost inside their haunted doghouse, they want to see them in their best costumes! The winner, which is voted on by the public, will receive a slew of pet products as well as a $1,000 donation to the local Humane Society or animal shelter of their choice. Celebrate this spooky holiday with your pet while also supporting a great cause!
Submit your own entry
Video: Purina Incredible Dog Challenge
On October 4th, canine athletes had the opportunity to make their mark in a variety of Olympic style events to ultimately earn the title of national champion! The events included agility, flying disc, Jack Russell hurdle races, head-to-head 60-weave pole and the crowd favorite dog diving.
United States Olympic Diver, Laura Wilkinson was also on-site to experience dog diving up-close-and-personal.
2008 marks the 11th year of the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, which continues to showcase Purina's commitment to and passion for pets.
Watch video
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Do giraffes sleep?
Fascinating: It used to be thought that giraffes did not sleep at all, but this was shown to be incorrect in a 1956 study which demonstrated that adult giraffes slept recumbently on the ground for short periods (2.5-6 minutes), resting the head on the hindquarters or ground and holding the neck in an arced posture.
The sleep behavior of giraffes was also looked at in detail in a 1996 study which showed that giraffes slept both while standing and while recumbent for a total of 4.6 hours per 24 hours.
If you're interested in the sleeping behavior of other creatures, read "Sleep behaviour and sleep postures" at Tetrapod Zoology.
The world's most endangered species 2008
The red list includes 188 mammals in the highest threat category of critically endangered, including the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), which has a population of just 84-143 adults and has continued to decline due to a shortage of its primary prey, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus.)
Nearly a quarter of the world's land mammal species are at risk of extinction, and many others may vanish before they are even known to science, according to a major annual survey of global wildlife
Source: Guardian
Thursday, October 9, 2008
A trip back in time
Want to see what a Russian zoo looked like in the 1920's?
English Russia has shots from Moscow Zoo - the largest Soviet and Russian zoo - back from 1920.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Charlie the dog
Photography by Steve Carter - view a chronological photo diary - 1 month onwards in the life of a Bearded Collie.
Duuuuh
About 90 elementary school students in Montana have started a series of rabies shots after a parent let them touch a dead bat that was later confirmed to be diseased.
The mother of two students gave presentations in five classrooms and allowed the kids to touch the dead bat last week. She offered each student who touched the bat a sanitary wipe.
The exposed students will receive six shots of anti-rabies vaccine.
Source: AP
Catching up ...
I've been unable to check emails for a couple of days, so I'm glad to have found some new items in my mailbox to share with my readers:
Shane, the community moderator, invites us to visit a new pet-oriented social networking site called WagNBrag. Participation in the site is free and offers members an opportunity to post photos and videos, host their own mini-blog, join and create special interest groups (such as breed specific, region specific, etc.), and participate in forums.
WagNBrag looks interesting ... there are pet related videos, photos and many other interesting features.
Jillian emailed me to announce that October is American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog month. Adopt-A-Dog Month is an effort by American Humane to support canine adoption from animal shelters while spreading the word about responsible pet care. American Humane is a 130-year-old organization dedicated to protecting both animals and children. This year’s American Humane Adopt-A-Dog Month is being sponsored by Fetchdog.com, which offers dog people a place to find the highest-quality dog supplies and credible advice on their dog’s health and wellness.
Driven largely by the rising tide of home foreclosures, animal shelters across the country are overpopulated with furry friends. While no national statistics exist, shelters across the country say they are receiving dogs everyday from displaced homeowners. With more dogs than adopters, shelters are facing a tragic scenario: euthanizing dogs that would, in the past, be snatched up for adoption.
In May, I posted about Smoky the WWII hero Yorkie. Bill Wynne wrote to tell me that a video about Smoky was featured during the Westminster Dog Show in February 2008. A copy of the video is posted at Yorkie Doodle Dandy, a blog about Smoky's continuing popularity.
Shani, of Always Faithful, emailed me about a celebration to be held October 11 through October 18 in Kansas City: The Doberman Pinscher Club of America (DPCA) will host more than 400 Doberman Pinschers and owners, enthusiasts and dog handlers from around the world for its 83rd Annual National Convention and Specialty Dog Show.
What's really special about this year's Doberman Convention is that it is celebrating 100 years of the Doberman in the U.S.
On Thursday, October 16 (7:00 PM) ~ “The Heroes:” Ceremony commemorating the 100 Year anniversary of the Doberman Pinscher will include a special tribute and salute to the 11 surviving U.S. Marine War Dog Handlers of World War II (majority of these dogs were Dobermans) to include a marching band and seven men and women who are handlers of service dogs today.
The DPCA, American Kennel Club (AKC) will also sign a contract with the Department of Homeland Security, launching a national public/private effort to secure American working dogs for protecting America.
If you're in the Kansas City area or a Doberman lover, this might be a fun event to visit.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
The Odd, Odd Octopus
There can't be too many creatures more odd or more fascinating than the octopus.
Mental Floss has a very interesting post about this unusual creature, written by the always very knowledgeable Miss Cellania.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Cute or not? Baby parrot
This is a baby Brotogeris Jugularis, a parrot known as "bronceado".
AP Photo/William Fernando Martinez
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Kitty Toupee
Instructions
1. Brush your kitty.
2. Remove hair wad from brush and make a stylish toupee!
3. Take a picture and send it to kittytoupee(AT)gmail.com.
Look at the kitties with toupees.
The hungry frog
We have a little koi pond in our back yard. One of our favorite amusements is our "froggie." We have watched him grow for the past several years. We were greatly surprised one day to visit the pond and find Froggie with a half swallowed sparrow protruding from his mouth. He caught a little more than he could eat.
The following are NOT my photos - but they tell the story very well ...
(photos via Cellar)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A deer little handful
This tiny muntjac fawn was born three weeks early after his mother was hit by a car.
The little orphan, delivered by Caesarean section, was just six inches tall and, at 500 grams, weighed little more than a bag of sugar.
It looked like he, too, would face a tough fight for survival.
But staff at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire believe Rupert, as he has been named, will make a full recovery after his dramatic arrival.
At five days old, he is being kept in an incubator and has just opened his eyes.
Source: Mail Online
Not all injuries call for a trip to the vet
Veterinary Pet Insurance, the largest provider of pet health insurance in the U.S., has compiled a list of the 10 most common pet injuries. This article lists the most common injuries and tips on how to treat those injuries.
1. Lacerations/bite wounds
2. Torn nail
3. Insect bites/stings
4. Abrasions
5. Eye trauma
6. Punctures
7. Foreign objects in skin
8. Foreign objects in ear
9. Foreign object in foot
10. Snake bite
Source: Chicago Tribune
Internet Hoaxes: Penguins, Part Four
Claim: Many versions same premise - A child smuggles a penguin out of an amusement park.
Status: False.
Source: Snopes
Photo from Flickr, by littlepants
Art by Jessica Joslin
Jessica Joslin creates strangely beautiful sculptures that combine animal skeletons with baroque elegance.
Shown at left:
Vida, 6"x7"x9", 2008
Brass horns and antique findings, velvet, toadskin,
antique brass branch, cast pewter, glass eyes
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Dewey Readmore Books
Dewey Readmore Books was the resident cat at Spencer Public Library.
He was put in the book return one cold January night in 1988. When the staff found him the next morning, they decided to adopt him. After the library's board of trustees and the city council approved, the kitten was declawed, neutered, and given the proper vaccinations. A contest was held to pick a name, and Dewey Readmore Books was officially added to the staff. The staff cared for Dewey and donated their pop cans to feed the kitty. Patrons and friends from as far away as New York have donated money for Dewey's food.
Dewey passed away on November 29, 2006 due to complications from a stomach tumor. He had become very frail because of hyperthyroid disease for which he was receiving medication. He died in the arms of the library director, Vicki Myron. He had just celebrated his 19th birthday eleven days before he died.
Vicki Myron, the director of Spencer Public Library, has written a book about the impact Dewey had on her life,
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
Through her developing relationship with the feline, Myron recounts the economic and social history of Spencer as well as her own success story—despite an alcoholic husband, living on welfare, and health problems ranging from the difficult birth of her daughter, Jodi, to breast cancer.
Internet Hoaxes: Penguins, Part Three
Claim: Penguins fall over onto their backs while trying to observe airplanes flying overhead.
Status: False.
Source: Snopes
Photo from Flickr, by mostlysunny1
Getting a jump on Halloween
A Middletown, Ohio, court has sentenced a woman to a month in jail after she admitted to chasing children and blocking traffic while dressed as a cow.
Michele Allen, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct after police said she dressed as a cow Saturday night and chased children after urinating on a neighbor's porch.
Allen was ordered by an officer to go home and remain there for the evening, but later in the evening authorities received a call that a woman in a cow costume was blocking traffic. Police said she had alcohol on her breath when an officer arrived and she shouted and swore at the officer.
She was sentenced to one month in the Middletown Jail.
Source: 700wlw
(via Boing Boing)
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