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Emil Steiner's post "Cry Me a River, Ellen DeGeneres!" in the Washington Post's Offbeat Column is generating a TON of comments from readers. Emil said, "With her emotional and peremptory elocution, Ellen avoided being mauled by the tabloids and, more important, avoided disappointing her adoring fans. Rather than deny and explain, she confessed and begged forgiveness. And by crying those tears, whether alligator or not, she most likely won over even more fans. Think I'm being too cynical? Watch the video and decide for yourself." After you watch the video, scroll through the comments - some are just hilarious.

Knut Learns to Stand On Hind Legs Without Falling Over

Berlin's most famous resident, Knut the polar bear cub, has finally taught himself to stand on his two hind legs after practicing hard for months. "He started standing up this month. It's a sign that he's getting increasing control of his body," said Heiner Klös,the zoo's expert on bears.

Cute Mini Pigs

The mini pigs weigh less than a fifth of an ordinary pig when fully grown. Photo: © Pennywell Farm

Worth a Car?

Would you give up your car for this dog? Latasha Armendariz used her customized 1996 Ford Mustang to ransom Pork Chop her kidnapped 2-year-old English bulldog.

Hello!

Dallas police say a homeowner today fatally shot an intruder after his parrot alerted him that someone was on the property. Dennis Baker, who keeps several pet birds, said his Mexican Red-headed parrot "Salvador" said "hello" when he sees someone. As a man passed by a window at his home, Salvador began saying "Hello, hello," awaking Baker. Baker approached 46-year-old John Woodson in a detached garage -- and shot him. Woodson died at a hospital.

Possum breaks record with year-long snooze

A possum has set an enviable record for doing absolutely nothing. After stuffing itself full of food in a laboratory, one curled up and hibernated for a record 367 days. There ARE some days when I think I could beat this!

An abundance of turtles

More than 1,300 baby sea turtles -- the majority from Volusia County -- have washed ashore, leaving the Marine Science Center in Ponce Inlet overrun with hatchlings that need to be rehabilitated. Michelle Bauer, sea turtle rehab specialist at the center, said the last time this many hatchlings came ashore was during Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The hatchlings, mostly green sea turtles and loggerhead sea turtles, were brought back ashore by a tropical storm system and started appearing about a week ago. Most washed up, exhausted, on the beach amid lines of seaweed. The turtles will be returned to the ocean--about 20 to 40 miles off shore--once the seas calm down. Photo: Roberto Gonzalez, Orlando Sentinel

South American hummingbird visits Wisconsin home

Bird experts say sightings of the green-breasted mango inside the United States are rare, making the one in Joan Salzberg's yard on a recent warm October morning that much more unusual. "Birds from the Yucatan aren't supposed to be in southwestern Wisconsin," said Donnie Dann, a bird conservation expert from Highland Park who recently made the approximately 90-mile trek to see the iridescent green animal. "But that's one of the wonderful things about birds. They fly, and sometimes they act in a bizarre and unexpected way." (via)

National Feral Cat Day

If you don't believe in killing cats, then you are already an advocate. On October 16th, National Feral Cat Day (NFCD), Alley Cat Allies launches a campaign to change the policies that kill feral cats and kittens. Alley Cat Allies implores you to take action: talk to your public officials, ask questions, engage residents to question animal control policies, and discuss how animal control practices are hurting or helping cats in your area.

'Bite Me' Kitchen Linens

Perfect for those of us not really crazy about domestic activities. (via)

Duck Diapers

Wow! I didn't know this: Diapering your duck, goose or chicken is the first step to enjoying the rewarding experience of living with one of these amazing creatures. It not only keeps your house clean, it gives your little feathered kid the freedom to go where you go and do what you do! (via)

Hero Cat!

Ramses was awarded a Medal of Courage by the Governor of Texas for scaring off a wandering tiger which was heading toward 65-year-old Emma Betts, Ramses' owner. During a coffee break from filming a commercial, an animal handler led Sasha, a trained Siberian tiger, into her makeshift holding pen. But the handler forgot to fasten the gate and Sasha sneaked out of the cage — and out of the room — undetected. The 400-pound tiger made her way down a stairwell and dashed out the front doors of the office building as a Fed-Ex man was coming in. The unexpected noise and commotion of downtown Austin caught the cat off guard, and she quickly became spooked and defensive. Emma Betts was walking down the sidewalk with her cat Ramses when without regard for his own safety, Ramses leaped from his owner’s arms and ran straight for the tiger. The two felines squared off amid shocked onlookers, and for some time just stared at one another. Then the tiger roared at the tiny cat and took a swipe with its paw, just missing the quick-moving Ramses. It was a moment when most cats in their right minds would have turned tail and ran. But not Ramses … not on this day. The 10-pound hairless cat drew himself up and “roared” back with all he was worth, baring his teeth while hissing and growling. Much to the dismay of everyone present, Sasha the 400-pound Siberian tiger turned and ran in the other direction — back into the building she had just escaped.

Craving Chocolate?

Chocoholics have been handed a useful new excuse for their craving after a scientific study suggests it may be determined by the bacteria in their stomach. While everyone has a vast number of microbes in their gut, people who have a daily craving for chocolate show signs of having different colonies of bacteria than people who are immune to the food's allure, according to the research. Go ahead then, feed that bug!

Plush Penny Penguin Cell Phone Cover

Plush Penny Penguin Cell Phone Cover Fun Friends™ Plush Animal Cell Phone Covers are cute and stretch to fit most flip style cell phones. Made of the highest quality fabrics and materials, these adorable plush cell phone covers are a great gift or stocking stuffer for family and friends. Soft to the touch, these cute creatures are the perfect accessory for your cell phone. (via)

Jail time for ostrich killers

An ostrich named Gaylord kicked Timothy McKevitt, 19, and Jonathon Porter, 21, last October when they trespassed on an ostrich ranch south of San Francisco after a night of drinking. As the startled bird attacked, their female companions laughed, wounding their male pride. The two men returned with a rifle and shotgun seeking revenge. They fired at least seven shots at Gaylord, according to a police report. McKevitt was sentenced to five months in jail. Porter was sentenced in March to seven months in jail after pleading no contest in the ostrich killing. An interesting correlation: Mary Winkler, convicted of manslaughter in the shotgun slaying of her minister husband was freed after serving 67 days in custody.

“Fauna of Doom” - 7 Deadliest Animals

We in the modern world have long since left behind the worries of our caveman ancestors. No longer must we fear being crushed by a mammoth or gored by a saber-toothed tiger, but there are still many formidable fauna the modern person must face.

Canine Companions for Independence

Canine Companions for Independence® is a national nonprofit organization that enhances the lives of children and adults with disabilities by providing highly-trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships.

Bumblebee Identification Chart

A surprisingly large number of people are unaware that there are lots of different types of bee in Britain, including bumblebees (genus Bombus), honeybees (Apis mellifera) and numerous small solitary species. Bumblebees are the large, furry and often colorful insects that frequently feature in children’s books, cartoons and on greetings cards.

Need a Costume?

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Windy City Dog Walkers

Serving Chicagoland's pet community for over five years. Windy City Dog Walkers, Inc. offers daily dog walks, cat care, and pet sitting with the highest level of customer service and personal attention in the industry. They are available 365 days a year, any time of day, and offer a variety of services to meet your pet care needs. This is one of the Chicago area's most trusted dog walking and cat care service. They are licensed, bonded and insured. You get the same walker everyday.