71-year-old Hiroshi Hoketsu is the oldest competitor at the London Olympics, representing Japan in the equestrian discipline of dressage. This is his third Olympic Games, making his first appearance in Tokyo in 1964. (Photo via Yahoo! Sports)
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Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Olympic hopeful
71-year-old Hiroshi Hoketsu is the oldest competitor at the London Olympics, representing Japan in the equestrian discipline of dressage. This is his third Olympic Games, making his first appearance in Tokyo in 1964. (Photo via Yahoo! Sports)
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Rare white bison's birth celebrated
The miracle calf was officially named Yellow Medicine Dancing Boy at the elaborate ceremony at the Mohawk Bison farm in Goshen, in the state's northwestern hills. It was born 16 June at the farm of fourth-generation farmer Peter Fay.
Many Native Americans consider white bison a symbol of hope and unity; some consider their births sacred events. Experts say white bison are as rare as one in 10 million.
Yellow Medicine Dancing Boy is not an albino, and Fay said DNA testing confirmed the animal's bloodlines are pure and there was no intermingling with cattle.
Source
Monday, July 30, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Man accidentally shot himself trying to kill mouse
A Canadian man accidentally shot himself in the forehead while trying to kill a mouse with the butt of his rifle.
The
man was reportedly intending to crush the rodent with the weapon at a
camp on Anjigami Lake in Ontario, but didn't know the gun was loaded.
As such he got quite a shock when the gun fired, with the bullet grazing his forehead but luckily not causing too much damage.
Source
500 dead penguins washed up on Brazilian beaches
Brazilian scientists are investigating what has led to more than 500 dead penguins being found on beaches in the last week.
Autopsies are being carried out on some of the birds, which washed up
on the beaches of Rio Grande do Sul state, in the south of the country.
Biologists at the Centre of Coastal and Marine Studies said the
penguins appeared to have been well-fed, with no apparent injuries and
no oil on their bodies.
Similar incidents in the past have been blamed on shifting ocean currents and colder temperatures.
Source
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Pets on vacation
It’s that time of year, when people gather their belongings, pack up the kids, and take off from work for a getaway. But do you also pack up your pets?
If you take your furry (or feathered) friends along on a summer adventure, the Today show wants to see it! Whether your pet enjoys sunbathing on the beach or exploring the Arctic, submit photos of your vacationing pets here and they may be featured on TODAY.com.
Photo: Pam Francis / Getty Images
The cutest thing you'll see today
It's Orazio (italian for Horatio). He lives in Lake Como.
Photo: Jilly Bennett ~~~ from one of my favorite websites: Riviera Dogs
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Animals in the Olympics
To celebrate the opening day of the 2012 Olympics, let's look at some Olympic animals ...
Australia's Henry Pearce stopped rowing in his 1928 Amsterdam games
quarter-final to allow a family of ducks to pass safely in front of his
boat. He still won the heat and took gold in the final.
The 2012 Aquatic Centre, built for £269m, has been designed in the shape
of a stingray - the fish branded "rank and disagreeable" in Francis
Day's 1884 opus The Fishes of Great Britain and Ireland.
Remember the music that greeted water polo teams as they entered the arena in
2008? Beijing’s brilliant choice: the theme from the movie “Jaws”.
The first Olympic Games in which doves were released to symbolize peace was 1920. The traditional release of live doves at the Olympic opening ceremony was abandoned after Seoul 1988, when around 10 chose not to swoop majestically across the skies but instead to settle on the rim of the Olympic cauldron just as it was being lit and were instantly burned to death.
The London Olympic site will feature more than 500 bird boxes and 150 bat boxes to help maintain the local wildlife. But they will not be opened until after the Games, lest the winged beasts disrupt athletes' preparations.
The 1900 Paris Games included a long jump for horses and a high jump for horses. Extra Dry won the former with a leap of 6.10m, beating Oreste, who finished joint-first in the latter.
The London Olympic Park spans 500 acres - more than 100 toads and 2,000 newts were saved from the Olympic Park site during construction.
Tough Australian quarantine rules meant that all the equestrian events at the 1956 Melbourne Games were held 9,700 miles away in Stockholm.
Olympic mascots were only introduced in 1968 when Mexico used both a red jaguar and a white dove to help them communicate their Olympic message.
See a listing of all Olympic Mascots at Wikipedia.
Ladbrokes are offering competitive odds of 2012-1 for the Loch Ness Monster to be spotted in the Thames during the London Olympics.
Upset when his mount Ranchero refused at three jumps in the 1968 Mexico Games' modern pentathlon, knocking him out of medal contention, West Germany's Hans-Jurgen Todt leapt out of the saddle and began slapping the fussy horse. Team-mates had to restrain him.
Athens 2004 saw the Olympics Games’ first cases of horse doping. Germany was disqualified from gold in the team jumping event for a substance thought to have been used in a cream to treat a horse’s sore skin. Irish rider Cian O’Connor became a hero overnight when he won gold at the same Games. But his horse, Waterford Crystal, tested positive for two antipsychotic drugs normally given to humans.
Sources:
London 2012 Olympics: 100 quirky facts from Olympic history
Olympic Games Trivia
Olympic Games - Interesting Facts
Mad Olympic Games: Quirky stories and facts
Product Review: Bistro Bites
When it comes to small dogs and treats, size matters!
Small Dog Wonders Bakery, LLC recently released Bistro Bites, a new line of all-natural, healthy dog treats made specifically with the nutritional needs of small dogs in mind.
Valerie Perlowitz, CEO and founder, says many dogs are suffering from severe obesity because the treats they’re eating are simply too big.
Bistro Bites are perfectly sized for small dogs. Biscuits come in two sizes – small for dogs under 10 pounds, and medium for dogs between 11 and 20 pounds.
Although she doesn't really qualify for the "small dog" classification, we taste tested the Bistro Bites on our favorite taste-tester, Poppy, who absolutely loved the Sweet Potato flavor.
Bistro Bites are made in the United States and crafted on a made-to-order basis with ingredients sourced from local farms whenever possible. Bistro Bites are conveniently available for purchase at on the newly redesigned Bistro Bites website and selected pet shops.
BTW...
It took a few days after I received the sample of Bistro Bites before I could schedule a tasting appointment with Poppy. The samples package kept disappearing from my desk and showing up in unusual places around the house. Some days, I would find only the crumbs of the little brown biscuits. It was a mystery, until I saw this:
I wonder if the Bistro Bites folks are aware that some kitties are fond of these treats, too?
Photo: Julie Corsi
Man saved from snake by dog
Onex had served in the Army in the Middle East before landing in Clarksville in November. He was trained in Iraq to sniff ordnance and was a rescue dog too.
“I was very lucky to get him,” Layne said. “It wasn’t your normal adoption.”
When Onex saw the snake threatening Layne, he crouched forward growling, which diverted the snake’s attention. But now the attention was on Onex, and the snake bit the dog twice on the face.
That gave Layne the opportunity to grab a fencepost and kill the snake.
Onex was in bad shape though. Layne had to rush him to the veterinarian, where the dog was treated for two days with fluids and anti-venom.
The dog’s head remains swollen from the bites, but a full recovery is expected, Layne said. “Dogs can be the best partner you have, and unconditional love describes Onex,” he said. “People need to take care of their pets like they would their best friend.”
Source
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
21-pound lobster saved from dinner table
A 21-pound lobster thought to be headed to a dinner table began adjusting to its new home Tuesday at the New England Aquarium.
he 35-inch crustacean was caught off Nauset Beach earlier this month and arrived to Capt'n Elmer's restaurant and fish market in Orleans on July 14.
Manager Elise Costa held a raffle for the lobster but the winner decided to anonymously donate it to the aquarium instead.
The lobster, thought to be between 20 and 30 years old, will go on display in the aquarium’s Cold Marine Gallery after a routine 30-day quarantine.
Source
The cutest thing you'll see today
White lion mother Princess licks one of her six little white lions at Circus Krone in Kempten, Germany on July 17. She gave birth to the six lion cubs on July 11.
Photo:
Tobias Kleinschmidt / EPA
Source
Monday, July 23, 2012
Win a FREE dog bed!
Pet Dreams - the first company to design bedding for dog crates - has posted a very cute picture on their Facebook page.
Just caption the photo - and you could win a FREE dog bed. Best caption will be announced this Tuesday (tomorrow.)
Happy hot dog napkin rings
These napkins rings will be a hit at your next dinner party! These unique rings sit perfectly on your table or plate...just like your doxie!
- Inspired by antique napkin rings in the 50's
- Set of 6 in the box
- Size: approx. 4”x 2 1/4”x 1/2"
- Material: Acrylic
Looking to rent? Have a pet?
Searching for a rental that meets all of your location, price, and
amenity preferences is hard. Finding a place that has it all and allows
pets is even harder. No matter how much joy Fido or Kitty bring you,
having a pet is a huge hassle when renting an apartment or house. Pets
are expensive, time consuming, and sometimes destructive.
8 Risks of Renting with a Pet will help you prepare ahead
of time for what to expect when renting with a pet and help you prepare for the risks you may encounter.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Kitty Keychain Self-Defense Device
These cute cat key chains are not toys, but are in fact very serious
defense weapons. The design has been around for years, but the
technology has gotten better. They are now made of an ultra-tough
plastic material that is very hard to break, which is exactly what you
need should you ever have to use this device.
You can buy them here.
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Thursday, July 19, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Video: Puppies And Tiaras (Toddlers & Tiaras Parody)
The beautiful blonde long hair chihuahua in the film is named Gizmo.
He also has his own web series called 2fur1.
He is such a great actor!
There is also a website: Puppies & Tiaras
Guest Post: How to Stop Barking Dogs with Dog Socialization
This guest post was provided to you by Jennifer. Jennifer is a dog enthusiast who enjoys caring for dogs, especially her own. She loves to talk with fellow dog owners and share tips or advice, while discovering new trends by working with Havahart Wireless, a pet product company.
Is Your Dog Sociable? How to Stop Barking Dogs with Dog Socialization
There is nothing more annoying than a dog that barks incessantly. This cannot only be very irritating and frustrating for dog owners, it can also destroy neighbor relations. While it is unrealistic to want to stop dogs barking completely – for that is how they express themselves – it is possible to both prevent, and stop, nuisance barking in dogs. Follow the advice below to learn how to prevent nuisance barking in dogs, and how to stop barking dogs from barking uncontrollably.
Proper Socialization
The key to preventing bad social behavior in dogs is to properly socialize your dog when it is still a puppy. Puppy socialization and training is essential to set boundaries, rules, and to develop social interactions and social rank within the family hierarchy. During puppy training your dog will learn to respect you as leader, and obey your commands. He will also gain confidence that will stand him in good stead throughout the rest of his life – this will prevent other social problems, such as separation anxiety, chewing and digging, fear and mistrust, and barking for attention or reward. Puppy socialization teaches your puppy social skills, both in the family setting, and when mixing with strangers and other dogs.
Leader of the Pack
First and foremost, your puppy must learn to recognize you as the pack leader, and respect your authority and commands. Proper training is generally achieved through conditioning – usually by providing a reward when commands are obeyed. The essential element is consistency. Your expressions must be consistent with your demands so as not to send out mixed messages, which will only confuse your dog. There are training devices that can be used to stop barking dogs, including bark collars, and electronic anti-bark devices, but ultimately, prevention is better than cure. By giving your puppy a good grounding with proper training and socializing, you will prevent undesirable behavior from developing from the onset, and will own a dog that is a pleasure to have around.
Social Skills
Take your dog out of the yard under the control of a leash so that he gets used to strange smells, and to other dogs. Visit the local park, dog park, or the beach with your dog so that he gets used to mingling with other canines. This will prevent aggressive barking and aggressive behavior towards other dogs developing from a young age.
Provide Companionship
Dogs are sociable pack animals and are generally don't enjoy being left in isolation for lengthy periods. It is important that you provide your dog with human or canine company rather than isolating him to the back yard on his own. If your dog is confined to the back yard on his own it will ultimately result in a bored, lonely, and unhappy dog that will inevitably resort to barking and whining to vent his frustration, or to seek attention. This is unfair and unkind, as you also have responsibilities to ensure that your dog is stimulated, and that his social needs are met.
If you have to leave your dog alone for long periods of time, make sure that he receives adequate attention and companionship when you are home. Try to walk your pooch daily to provide him with both physical and mental stimulation, as he struts down the road sniffing the curb for telltale signs left by the other dogs in the neighborhood as they passed by. Allow your dog to enter the home as a welcome member of the family when you return home from work.
If you want to know how to stop barking dogs, the answer is proper socialization and training, together with love, companionship and stimulation – this will result in a happy, well-balanced dog that will be your loyal companion.
The cutest thing you'll see today
A baby hedgehog - or hoglet - sleeps at the Folly Wildlife Rescue near Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
Picture: Phil Yeomans/BNPS
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Exposure to Pets Can Make Young Children Healthier
A new study published online from the journal Pediatrics found that children who had pets as part of their environment during the first year of their lives were on average healthier than children who did not have exposure to pets. The study specifically looked at the impact that the presence of cats and dogs had on the children, and found that when a pet was present during the child's first year, the child on average suffered fewer ear infections and colds, among other health benefits.
Source
Monday, July 16, 2012
Canine Hawaiian Shirt
Long synonymous with summer time leisure, the modern Hawaiian shirt was created in the early 1930s by a Waikiki cloth merchant from leftover kimono fabric. This shirt's lightweight 100% cotton fabric displays classic Polynesian motifs favored by locals, in contrast to the loud prints found on common aloha wear. Tailored to comfortably fit a canine's frame, the short sleeve shirt has a square collar and a front placket with genuine coconut shell buttons.
The cutest thing you'll see today
Siberian tiger cubs born in the circus Renaissance, that is currently located in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Photograph: Koen Van Weel/EPA
Source
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
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