Stop The Suffering. Paradise. Update.

 

Belated Posting:

Quick question, Friend?

"Congress just introduced an important animal welfare bill, and your lawmakers need your input.

Assuming that it’s NOT necessary to conduct animal testing to create gorgeous lipstick and great shaving cream, which of these things do you think we should do?

[A] Drip chemicals into the eyes of rabbits without pain relief;

[B] Force-feed mice large amounts of a chemical to see how much might kill them (also without pain relief);

[C] Kill tens of thousands of animals a year by suffocation, neck-breaking, or decapitation (again, no anesthetics or pain relief); or

[D] Use safe and effective alternatives to animal testing instead.

If you said D, we’re with you! And the animals need us to be with them.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives just introduced the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 2858), which would prohibit animal testing for cosmetics manufactured or sold in the United States.

We’re working hard to keep the pressure on your elected officials to move this bill—and other animal protection measures—forward. But we can’t do it without you. Please donate now to help end cosmetics testing on animals! Your gift will be used to help us work on this and many other legislative fronts of animal protection.

Shocking as it may be, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and mice are still routinely blinded, poisoned, or even killed just to test new cosmetics products and their ingredients.

Why is this still happening? Old habits die hard. These days, modern science has completely eliminated the need to use animals to ensure the safety of products like perfume and hair color. And the FDA doesn’t even require that animal tests are conducted to demonstrate that cosmetics are safe.

But some companies still persist in subjecting animals to hideous practices just to produce nail polish (nail polish they could produce without using animals!).

I’m writing to you today because it doesn’t have to be like this.

Will you please make a gift today—however much you can afford—to help us advocate for this bill and other critical legislation affecting animals?

Animal testing for cosmetics is heartbreaking. A large percentage of the animals used in tests aren’t even covered under the Animal Welfare Act, so while inhumane and unethical, it’s perfectly legal to perform all sorts of crude tests on them without any sort of pain relief whatsoever.

Perhaps worst of all, none of this is even necessary. Non-animal safety tests have been proven to be more effective and less expensive over the long run than animal-centered testing. And more than 600 beauty brands around the world are already using them and the thousands of ingredients already found to be safe to produce quality cosmetics.

It’s clear: humane cosmetics should be the law of the land.

And it can be, but only with your help. Please, make a gift today to help us advocate for the Humane Cosmetics Act and other important bills to defend animals. Your generous donation will also be used to support our lifesaving work in areas like dogfighting, wildlife trafficking, puppy mills, and horse slaughter.

Please, help now. Stop the needless testing. Stop the suffering.

Thank you for all you do for animals."

 http://action.humanesociety.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=107643.0&dlv_id=110001

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Paradise

An Amazing Fact: "Where is the best place in the world to live? According to an annual survey of the Economist Intelligence Unit, Vancouver, British Columbia, has hit the top for the fifth year in a row. Cities are rated in five areas: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Second place went to Melbourne, Australia, and third to Vienna, Austria.

But wait a minute! The United Nations listed Norway as the most desirable country in the world in which to live, followed by Australia and Iceland. At the bottom of its list are Niger, Afghanistan, and Sierra Leone, especially because of war and AIDs epidemics. Except that CNN reports that International Living magazine voted France, for a fifth year in a row, the best place in the world to live! You can get 12 months of paid maternity leave in France, guaranteed by law. Finally, Forbes shares the research of international human resource consulting company Mercer, which puts Vienna, Austria, at the top. In fact, not one place in the United States makes the list.

So where is paradise? Where is the perfect place to live? It depends. Most people are pretty happy right where they are at this moment. The environment is certainly nicer in some parts of the world than others, though toxins have touched our entire planet wherever you go. The biggest problem with finding the perfect place to live is that any place that has a human being will be imperfect, including your own home—that includes the person who looks back at you from the mirror every morning.

Paul writes about an acquaintance who apparently had a vision of paradise (2 Corinthians 12:4), also known as the garden of Eden. This special place was our first home, but our planet has undergone some changes since God first created the perfect place for us to live. Someday Eden will be restored (Revelation 2:7). When that day comes, we will have no doubts about the best place in the world to live."
KEY BIBLE TEXTS
And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. - Genesis 2:8

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A Belated Update:

Evicted Ray still hasn't shown up to get his things out of the guest house, so we are having to work around it all.  We did pile some of it up at the end of the living room, but the bedroom and utility room are still cluttered with his stuff.  Legally, I can't get rid of it yet.

Jay is having a hard time staying sober, so I have a new worker, Roy, and he wants to rent the guest house.  He is helping me tear up the floor that was damaged by Ray letting an AC drip down the wall and across the floor under the linoleum for several years. 

We took the middle seats out of my Dodge Grand Caravan, and easily hauled 4x8' sheets of plywood in it.  I can see it is going to be a useful vehicle.

Roy also went to church with me and really enjoyed our little congregation and the fellowship at the potluck afterwards.

The Bible readings were Psa.138,139, Num.22:2-25-9, Micah 5:6-6:8 and 1 Pet. 2.  The Teaching was about Unity, and to humble our hearts.  It was a lovely day.

70° Is Too Hot. 3-yr Vaccinations. Bison Revitalize Prairie. Rescues Are Optimistic. Freeing Chimps. Trouble With TNR. Toxoplasmosis. Captive Kitties. Saving Elephants. Pike Expedition. Mariner 4. Tex Schramm.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

70 degrees is too hot to leave a pet in a car.

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The Outdated Vet Vaccination Advice That Can Harm Your Pet

“The new canine vaccination protocol recommending 3-year vs. every year intervals for core vaccines is now two years old. Within those new guidelines, the American Animal Hospital Association admits that immunity lasts at least 5 years for distemper and parvo, and 7 years for adenovirus. So in fact, even the new 3-year protocol is heavy-handed.

Regrettably, two years after the new guidelines were released, and despite the fact that vet schools are now teaching the 3-year protocol, the majority of practicing veterinarians continue to recommend annual re-vaccinations.

One reason given for continued yearly vaccinations is veterinarians can think of no other way to encourage clients to bring their pets in for wellness exams. The second and more offensive excuse is that many vets simply do not want to give up the revenue they bring in with annual vaccination visits.

If your vet is still recommending yearly re-vaccinations, ask for titers to measure your pet’s immunity. If your pet was properly vaccinated as a puppy or kitten, chances are he’s protected for life from core diseases. It’s also important to remember the only vaccine required by law is rabies.

If your vet recommends any non-core vaccines, it’s important to ask what your pet’s real risk is of acquiring the disease in question, and we also recommend doing your own research on risks vs. benefits of non-core vaccines.”   Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/07/03/new-pet-vaccination-protocol.aspx

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Yellowstone Bison Revitalize Prairie on Fort Peck Reservation in One Year

Photo Alexis Bonogofsky

“The bison and the native wildlife and plants that rely on the bison are thriving. New songbirds are coming through that they’ve never seen before. Native grasses and wildflowers are thriving in the bison pasture. The bison have restored balance to the land.

One of the major things that Robbie has noticed is that bison make it possible for other wildlife species to thrive in the winter months. Bison use their massive heads to push the snow out of the way, exposing grass and other vegetation to eat.

Pronghorn antelope are unable to dig through the snow to find food so during the long hard prairie winters, pronghorn antelope suffer. However, with the bison back, Robbie noticed that the pronghorn follow behind the bison and are able to eat in the places that the bison have uncovered. Then come the ground birds and all of the other critters. The bison are bringing other species back to the prairie.

It makes me think how interconnected the two animals are and how when the bison were killed off, the antelope lost a lot of their ability to forage for food in the long winter months.”

More and lovely pictures at: http://blog.nwf.org/2013/07/yellowstone-bison-revitalize-prairie-on-fort-peck-reservation-in-one-year/

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Rescued Animals Are Optimistic

“All animals deserve love and care, especially those who have been neglected and left to fend for themselves. For all of those individuals who've rescued a lost, abandoned, or unappreciated animal, your kindness has not been overlooked and is making a bigger change than you may think.

A new study by scientists at Queen Mary, University of London has discovered that animals rescued from abuse and neglect, aren't a lost cause. These animals can recover and in some cases have a more optimistic outlook on life compared to other animals.

So even though our furry friends can't literally thank us for our hospitality in their time of need, it's their outlook on the future, after they've been cared for, that proves that we are making a difference in each rescued animal’s life, one at a time.”  Read more at: http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/article/Rescued-Animals-Are-Optimistic213

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Unlikely Partners, Freeing Chimps From the Lab

“On June 26, Dr. Collins announced that more than 300 of the 360 or so chimpanzees owned by the N.I.H. would be retired to sanctuaries over the next few years.

“There are still chimpanzees in private labs,” Jane Goodall said, as well as in other countries, though Gabon is the only other country known to allow medical experimentation on the animals. It is, however, “a very, very important milestone along the way,” she said.”   Video: http://nyti.ms/16m3ay5  

More at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/science/unlikely-partners-freeing-chimps-from-the-lab.html?pagewanted=all

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The Trouble With Trap-Neuter-Re (Abandon!)

is simply stated by the executive summary of the 2012 Florida Department of Health Rabies Guide:

“The concept of managing free-roaming/feral domestic cats (Felis catus) is not tenable on public health grounds because of the persistent threat posed to communities from injury and disease. While the risk for disease transmission from cats to people is generally low when these animals are maintained indoors and routinely cared for, free-roaming cats pose a continuous concern to communities. Children are among the highest risk for disease transmission from these cats.”

1. 30,000 +/- Kids are Hospitalized Each Year from Cat Scratch Disease!

2. 455 People in Florida given Rabies Shots from Cat Attacks in 2010!

3. 250,000 -1.25 MILLION people impacted yearly with Ocular Toxoplasmosis!

4. 1 of every 4 Americans infected with Toxoplasmosis!  *

5. 4,000 – 6,000 Kids develop Congenital Toxoplasmosis each year!

6. 2.4 BILLION (avg) Birds Killed by Feral Cats Each Year!

7. 12.3 BILLION (avg) Small Mammals Killed by Feral Cats Each Year!

* http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/toxoplasmosis.html

Feral cats are maintained in the wild by a dangerous, cruel, and illegal practice called trap, neuter and return. After these unfortunate animals are re-abandoned, they are regularly fed, which draws more feral cats and encourages more re-abandonment.

One intact male can impregnate dozens of females, so trying to reduce cat populations by TNR is like, well, herding cats.

It's dangerous — because feral cats are reservoirs for disease. Three studies reveal that 62 percent to 80 percent carry toxoplasmosis. Feral cats are now the most common domestic rabies vector. In Florida, where rabid cats attack people, the state Department of Health warns that TNR "is not tenable on public health grounds because of the persistent threat posed to communities from injury and disease." A TNR colony at Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., was removed because rabid cats were biting children.

It's cruel — because feral cats lack vet care and suffer from injuries and the same diseases they spread. They infect lynx, bobcats and endangered Florida panthers with feline leukemia, distemper and an AIDS-like immune-deficiency disease, FIV.

It's illegal — because feral cats kill migratory birds and endangered species such as honeycreepers in Hawaii and lower keys marsh rabbits and silver rice rats in Florida. But the Interior Department lacks the spine to back its law-enforcement agents who want to prosecute TNR practitioners. Free-ranging cats have driven at least 33 bird species to extinction.” 

More at: http://www.hahf.org/awake/the-trouble-with-trap-vaccinate-neuter-return/

and: http://news.msn.com/science-technology/parasites-in-cat-poop-how-dangerous-is-it

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Forty Percent of River Otters in England and Wales May Be Infected with Parasitic Disease Toxoplasmosis

(Washington, D.C., July 11, 2013) A study by 11 British scientists who examined 271 Eurasian otter cadavers across England found that 108 (almost 40 percent) of those animals tested positive for the parasitic disease toxoplasmosis, which is described in the study as a “globally important [disease] with potentially devastating health impacts both for humans and a range of domestic and wild species.

None of the otter cadavers that were examined for the British study died directly from toxoplasmosis. The leading causes of mortality were road traffic (90 percent); infection, fighting injuries, and/or emaciation (5.5 percent); or drowning or shooting (2.6 percent). The study’s authors pointed out, however, the comparative ease of finding road-killed otters as opposed to those which might have actually died from toxoplasmosis.”  More at: http://www.abcbirds.org/newsandreports/releases/130711.html

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Your Cat's Life in Captivity - How to Simulate Conditions of the Wild...

“Believe it or not, your feline companion is a wild animal living in captivity!

It's true. Your kitty, especially if he lives entirely indoors (which I recommend), can be loosely compared to a zoo animal held in captivity. But don't be tempted to throw open a door or window and encourage your pet to run wild and free.

While it's true living indoors isn't an entirely natural environment for your cat, letting him run around loose outside actually presents much more risk to his health and longevity than keeping him 'captive.' Housecats with free access to the outdoors are much more likely to be exposed to viruses and other agents that cause serious disease. They can also be inadvertently poisoned.

They become prey for dogs and wild animals like coyotes.

Fighting among outdoor cats is common, and someone has to come out the loser. Usually it's the kitty who doesn't live outside full time and hasn't honed his street-fighting skills.

Cats with access to the outdoors in winter are apt to look for warmth in hazardous places, like the wheel well or up inside the hood of a parked vehicle. Kitties have also been known to dart out into traffic after being startled or because another animal is chasing them.

So I absolutely do not recommend you set your captive kitty free. A much smarter, safer alternative is to learn…”   More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/10/20/your-cats-life-in-captivity-how-to-simulate-conditions-of-the-wild.aspx

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Elephants in Africa are facing a serious predicament.

“With illegal poaching topping rates not seen since the 1980s, nothing short of a full-throated global outcry will prevent their extinction.

President Obama launched an unprecedented anti-poaching campaign, dedicated to the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. This new $10 million initiative will work to thwart poachers and reduce the insatiable demand for ivory from vulnerable elephants.

With poachers able to sell ivory for thousands of dollars per pound, it's clear that criminal networks have everything to gain from killing wildlife. But countries across Africa have everything to lose from the instability, organized crime, disease, and economic disruption created by poaching.

It's an uphill battle, but I'm so glad to know we have one of the world's most powerful diplomats standing up for elephants, rhinos, and other wildlife driven toward extinction by poaching. We need to make sure President Obama knows folks at home think he's doing the right thing. Will you send him a letter of support?”     https://secure3.convio.net/wcs/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=561    Thanks!

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On This Day:

Pike expedition sets out, Jul 15, 1806:

“Zebulon Pike, the U.S. Army officer who in 1805 led an exploring party in search of the source of the Mississippi River, sets off with a new expedition to explore the American Southwest. Pike was instructed to seek out headwaters of the Arkansas and Red rivers and to investigate Spanish settlements in New Mexico.

Pike and his men left Missouri and traveled through the present-day states of Kansas and Nebraska before reaching Colorado, where he spotted the famous mountain later named in his honor. From there, they traveled down to New Mexico, where they were stopped by Spanish officials and charged with illegal entry into Spanish-held territory. His party was escorted to Santa Fe, then down to Chihuahua, back up through Texas, and finally to the border of the Louisiana Territory, where they were released. Soon after returning to the east, Pike was implicated in a plot with former Vice President Aaron Burr to seize territory in the Southwest for mysterious ends. However, after an investigation, Secretary of State James Madison fully exonerated him.

The information he provided about the U.S. territory in Kansas and Colorado was a great impetus for future U.S. settlement, and his reports about the weakness of Spanish authority in the Southwest stirred talk of future U.S. annexation.”

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Mariner 4 studies Martian surface, Jul 15, 1965:

“The unmanned spacecraft Mariner 4 passes over Mars at an altitude of 6,000 feet and sends back to Earth the first close-up images of the red planet.

Launched in November 1964, Mariner 4 carried a television camera and six other science instruments to study Mars and interplanetary space within the solar system. Reaching Mars on July 14, 1965, the spacecraft began sending back television images of the planet just after midnight on July 15. The pictures--nearly 22 in all--revealed a vast, barren wasteland of craters and rust-colored sand, dismissing 19th-century suspicions that an advanced civilization might exist on the planet. The canals that American astronomer Percival Lowell spied with his telescope in 1890 proved to be an optical illusion, but ancient natural waterways of some kind did seem to be evident in some regions of the planet.

Once past Mars, Mariner 4 journeyed on to the far side of the sun before returning to the vicinity of Earth in 1967. Nearly out of power by then, communication with the spacecraft was terminated in December 1967.”

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Tex Schramm dies, Jul 15, 2003:

“On this day in 2003, former Dallas Cowboys General Manager Tex Schramm dies at the age of 83. Schramm served as the architect of 30 Cowboys teams, from the franchise’s inception as an NFL expansion team in 1960 until 1989, when owner Burn Bright sold the team to oil billionaire Jerry Jones. Under Schramm’s stewardship, the Cowboys won five NFC titles and two Super Bowl championships.

Contrary to his nickname, Tex Schramm was born and raised in Southern California. He played high school football in his home state before moving to Austin to study journalism at the University of Texas. After graduation, he took a job as public relations director for the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams had moved from Cleveland to Los Angeles in 1945, and had been the first team to integrate the segregated NFL that same year, with the signing of Kenny Washington and Woody Strode out of UCLA. After being promoted to general manager of the Rams in 1949, Schramm signed the first player from a historically black college, Tank Younger out of Grambling. In 1950, Schramm selected the first African American in NFL draft history, Dan Towler from Washington and Jefferson.

In 1960, after three years working in television, Schramm was hired as general manager of the expansion Dallas Cowboys. His philosophy centered on building a team through the draft, and in 1961, he began by selecting Bob Lilly, a defensive tackle who went on to anchor Dallas’ feared "Doomsday Defense" from 1961 to 1974. In 1963, Schramm drafted Lee Roy Jordan to play linebacker behind Lilly, and the next year chose defensive back Mel Renfro; wide receiver "Bullet" Bob Hayes; and, last but not least, quarterback Roger "The Dodger" Staubach out of the Naval Academy. With a strong foundation in place and legendary coach Tom Landry at the helm, the Cowboys managed winning seasons every year from 1966 to 1985. In the process, they became "America’s Team," beloved by fans across the country.

As head of the NFL’s competition committee, Schramm teamed with the American Football League’s Lamar Hunt to unite the NFL and AFL, first with a Super Bowl played between the champions of the two leagues after the 1966 season and finally with a complete merger in 1970. He also instituted microphones for referees, flags in the end zone to judge the direction of the wind and instant replay to ensure that calls were made correctly.

Upon Schramm’s death, no less an authority than former Dolphins Coach Don Shula told the Associated Press that Schramm had "as much or more to do with the success of professional football as anyone who has ever been connected with the league."

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Yesterday:

After feeding the five hungry kittens at 6.00 am, I cranked up the computer and started work.  When I was done at 8.00am, I fed Misty, Nala and Midnight, and the kittens wanted to be fed again.  They are hungry little critters, and I am glad that I was fostering them for a few days, and not permanently.  I don’t know how long it will take to get them all adopted, especially the four black ones. 

Midnight is a very sweet cat, but she often nearly trips me up when getting under my feet.  Of course she had to help when Ray came over to help me move a heavy item in the Grooming Room, so that I could clean behind it.  Then Ray went back to painting the new fence in front of my front door.  It was a lot cooler for a change.

I was expecting Midnight and the kittens to be picked up by their foster parents around 11.30 am.  I couldn’t leave or do anything like bathe Misty, as the kitten’s pen is in front of my dog dryer.  But I did give Misty a little trim.  By then Ray was through with painting for the morning, and it was time to feed the kittens again.

Ray and I took my newer desktop computer outside, opened it up, gently vacuumed it and blew it out with the compressor.  I took note of the # on the little battery that works the clock.  I know it needs a new one, it never says the right time.

Finally, after I had fed the kittens for a fourth time, the foster parents arrived after 5.30pm.  They asked me if I wanted to keep Midnight, but I said no.  Taking care of Misty and keeping track of Nala, my foster cat, is enough for me right now, with all the building going on.

Thankfully, it is now a drizzly rainy day.

A Special Service Dog. Ellen Helps Animals. Dog Bites? Toxins Harming Sea Mammals. ‘Trained’ Tama! Why Do We Love Cats? How to Feed Your Cat. Baby Seals. Primate Lab. Gulf Dolphins. Joan of Arc. Vietnam War Ends. William Weds Kate.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

Adorable Dog and Teen Swimmer Have a Life Saving Friendship

“Dakota is one special Labradoodle. Day after day, he hangs out at the pool with the swim team. However, he isn't their mascot. He is actually a service dog that is there to keep his owner, Ben Ownby, safe.  Ben is a freshman at Churchill High School that has Type 1 diabetes. That means he must manually inject insulin seven to eight times a day. He can't even use monitors that would be attached his body because he is allergic to adhesives.

That's why Ben has Dakota. The dog can detect Ben's blood sugar levels and know when he is in danger. When they're high, Dakota tugs on a bracelet and when they are low, Dakota will jump on top of Ben.”  More at: http://www.godvine.com/read/swimmer-dog-155.html

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Share This Video to Help Animals

“Wayne Pacelle, President of the Humane Society of the United States, was here to discuss new and important legislation about animals that you need to hear. He and Ellen asked for you to share this video to help raise money for animals.”

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Six Tips for Dog Owners to Prevent Biting

“Children are the victims in over 60 percent of all dog bites. They are also the group for whom bites are most often fatal.

As a general rule, State Farm doesn't refuse insurance based on dog breed. The insurer believes a dog's propensity to bite is based on several factors including heredity, obedience training, socialization, health, and the behavior of the bite victim.  The company warns that under the right circumstances, any dog might bite.”     More at:  http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/08/18/preventing-dog-bites.aspx    and: http://www.doggonesafe.com/dog_bite_prevention

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New Diseases, Toxins Harming Marine Life

A sea otter eats a clam in Monterey Bay, California.

“Dolphins and other marine mammals weakened by pollution, scientists say.

The dead sea otters arrived at Melissa Miller's Santa Cruz, California, lab with bright-yellow eyes and gums, their livers destroyed.   One by one, Miller, a marine-wildlife veterinarian, eliminated the potential causes of death until "the last thing I was left with seemed so implausible that I thought I was going crazy."  The otters had been poisoned by a "nasty toxin" called microcystin, which is produced by cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. Such toxins can appear when human sewage and fertilizers run into lakes and rivers, adding nutrients that spur the growth of algae "superblooms," Miller said.

But sea otters stick to the ocean, never entering the polluted lakes and rivers where these blooms occur.  "I said, OK, we have to figure out how the otters are getting into this," said Miller, of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the University of California, Davis.  Miller's sleuthing led her to California's Pinto Lake (map), a water body about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) from the ocean and so prone to superblooms that Miller said "it'll blow your mind—it looks like fluorescent green paint."  Sure enough, she found that Pinto Lake eventually drains into the Pacific Ocean—close to where the dead otters were found in 2007.

An algae bloom in Pinto Lake, California. Photograph courtesy Robert Ketley

Later experiments revealed the algae's toxins can live for long periods of time in shellfish—otters' main diet. Toxins from the polluted lake were traveling downstream into the ocean, Miller concluded, where they were getting into shellfish and killing otters.”  More at: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/04/130412-diseases-health-animals-science-environment-oceans/

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Tama: Station Master Extraordinaire

“Kishi station in Kinokawa is at the end of the line – the Kishigawa line in Japan.  Financial troubles and a lack of passengers almost shut the station down.  Then, a whimsical informal station manager made friends with the stray cats in the area.  One of them was a friendly little calico named Tama.

In January of 2007, the title of station master was officially conferred on Tama, and she became the first of the feline persuasion to become an executive of a railroad corporation.  Tama rocketed the little town of Kinokawa to stardom.  Now, Kisha station is a destination for hundreds who want to see the adorable celebrity in her home station, which has been remodeled just for her. Watch the video: http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/article/Tama-Station-Master-Extraordinaire402

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Why Do We Love Cats So Much?

“Humans have been obsessed with cats basically since the beginning of time. Egyptians thought they warded off evil and, in the Middle Ages, they were considered evil themselves. Today... we think they're hilarious. So, why do we love cats so much?”  Read all about it here: http://www.bestsociologyprograms.com/love/

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How to Feed Your Cat What She Wants - and Needs

“A recent study on nutrition and pet cats shows your kitty has the ability to select and combine different types of foods to meet his daily nutritional requirement for protein, fat and carbohydrates.  The study was conducted at the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition in collaboration with scientists from two universities. It was rather elaborate, involving three phases within four separate experiments, six different types of wet and dry commercial cat foods, and 18 domestic cats.

The study cats consistently selected combinations of food that provided about 52 percent protein, 36 percent fat, and 12 percent carbohydrates. These proportions are in line with the results of a 2011 study that represents the most extensive analysis of macronutrient regulation ever conducted on a carnivore.

One of the Waltham scientists recommends cat owners offer a combination of wet and dry foods so their pets can mix their own diet and sample different foods. We agree dietary variety is good, but recommend other types of foods in place of dry kibble, which doesn’t provide the moisture cats require.

We also recommend portion-controlled meals, typically a morning and evening meal, rather than free feeding, since most house cats will overeat given the opportunity.”  Complete article at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/02/27/cats-select-best-foods.aspx

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Court Dismisses Fur Industry Attempt to Overturn EU Ban on Cruel Seal Products

Humane Society International applauds ruling

The European General Court's ruling only ratifies the EU's brave stance against the shameful and dying Canadian sealing industry. Katie Carrus/The HSUS

MONTREAL — “The European General Court has wisely decided to uphold the European Union’s ban on commercial trade in seal products. The court rejected a spurious attempt by the sealing and fur trade industries and some Inuit representatives to undermine the ban, which plays a key role in curbing the cruel global trade.

“We are thrilled that the European General Court has rejected this shameful attempt by the commercial sealing industry to overturn the EU ban on seal product trade,” said Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International/Canada. “Hundreds of thousands of baby seals have survived the seal hunt in recent years because Europeans have said no to the products of this cruel slaughter. Eighty-six percent of Canadians support the EU’s right to ban seal products, and the sealing industry’s constant efforts to force their products onto an unwilling international market is a true embarrassment to Canada.”” More at: http://www.hsi.org/world/canada/news/releases/2013/04/eu_general_court_upholds_seal_ban_042513.html

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Harvard Medical School Plans to Close Primate Research Lab

Tom Landers/Globe

“Harvard University announced on Wednesday that it would shut down its primate research center. The facility has been cited for animal welfare violations in recent years, but the university said the closing stemmed from a tough economic climate and shifting strategies.

About 2,000 monkeys at a Harvard Medical School research center will be moved to other laboratories around the country as the school shuts down the troubled center, an official with the National Institutes of Health said Wednesday.

April D. Truitt, executive director of the Primate Rescue Center, a private sanctuary in Nicholasville, KY., that is home to more than 50 monkeys and apes, said she was “a little skeptical” of Harvard’s claim that the closing had nothing to do with the animal-welfare violations. If the school wanted to put some or all of the monkeys in private sanctuaries, she said, there was plenty of room at facilities around the country. “It’s just a question of money,” she said.”  More at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/science/earth/harvard-medical-school-to-close-primate-research-center.html

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Dolphin Deaths in the Gulf Three Years After Oil Spill

“In August 2011, scientists did a comprehensive examination of a 16-year-old male bottlenose dolphin. This dolphin — dubbed Y12 for research purposes — was found near Grand Isle, a Louisiana barrier island that was hit hard during the Gulf oil disaster.  Like many of the 31 other dolphins examined in a recent study, Y12 was found to be severely ill: underweight, anemic and with signs of liver and lung disease. The dolphins’ symptoms were consistent with those seen in other mammals exposed to oil; researchers feared many of the dolphins studied were so ill they would not survive.  Seven months later, Y12’s emaciated carcass washed up on the beach at Grand Isle.

More than 650 dolphins have been found stranded in the oil spill area since the Gulf oil disaster began. This is more than four times the historical average.

More at: http://blog.nwf.org/2013/04/dolphin-deaths-in-the-gulf-three-years-after-oil-spill/

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On This Day:

Joan of Arc relieves Orleans, Apr 29, 1429:

“During the Hundred Years' War, the 17-year-old French peasant Joan of Arc leads a French force in relieving the city of Orleans, besieged by the English since October.

During the next five weeks, Joan led French forces into a number of stunning victories over the English, and Reims, the traditional city of coronation, was captured in July. Later that month, Charles VII was crowned king of France, with Joan of Arc kneeling at his feet.

In May 1430, while leading another military expedition against the English occupiers of France, Bourguignon soldiers captured Joan and sold her to the English, who tried her for heresy. She was tried as a heretic and witch, convicted, and on May 30, 1431, burned at the stake at Rouen. In 1920, Joan of Arc, already one of the great heroes of French history, was recognized as a Christian saint by the Roman Catholic Church.”

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Operation Frequent Wind begins, Apr 29, 1975:

“Operation Frequent Wind, the largest helicopter evacuation on record, begins removing the last Americans from Saigon.

The North Vietnamese had launched their final offensive in March 1975 and the South Vietnamese forces had fallen back before their rapid advance, losing Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Qui Nhon, Tuy Hoa, Nha Trang, and Xuan Loc in quick succession. With the North Vietnamese attacking the outskirts of Saigon, U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin ordered the commencement of Frequent Wind.

In 19 hours, 81 helicopters carried more than 1,000 Americans and almost 6,000 Vietnamese to aircraft carriers offshore. Cpl. Charles McMahon, Jr. and Lance Cpl. Darwin Judge, USMC, were the last U.S. military personnel killed in action in Vietnam, when shrapnel from a North Vietnamese rocket struck them as they were guarding Tan Son Nhut Airbase during the evacuation. At 7:53 a.m. on April 30, the last helicopter lifted off the rook of the embassy and headed out to sea. Later that morning, North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace. North Vietnamese Col. Bui Tin accepted the surrender from Gen. Duong Van Minh, who had taken over from Tran Van Huong (who only spent one day in power after President Nguyen Van Thieu fled). The Vietnam War was over.”

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Apr 29, 2011:

Britain's Prince William weds Kate Middleton

“On this day in 2011, Great Britain’s Prince William marries his longtime girlfriend Catherine Elizabeth “Kate” Middleton at Westminster Abbey in London. Some 1,900 guests attended the ceremony, while another 1 million spectators lined the streets of London and an estimated 2 billion people around the world watched on television.”

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Yesterday:

My daughter, Wendy slept in my bed as it is a memory foam, and she wanted to try it out.  She said that it was great, as she didn’t wake up with a back ache like she usually does.  I slept on the couch, and I'll never do that again. It is fine for taking a nap, but not wide enough for all night.  I didn’t get much sleep. Until I get my Grooming Room made into a second bedroom, any time there needs to be an extra bed, it will be the airbed that is stored in my attic.  It’s time to find it and check it out for leaks.

After our coffee, Wendy took off to visit the patient in the hospital, and then go to their lake house at Somerville.

Pierre, the poodle visiting my neighbors across the street, was coming for me to groom him, so I got ready for that.  Poor Pierre, I told them that he had something really wrong with his left ear last time I groomed him, and now it is getting very serious. He can’t stand to be touched any where near that side of his head and it has even affected his left eye now. 

He wasn’t mean about it, but he kept on whining and shaking his head, and it was very difficult to groom him.  I called his ‘Mom’, so she came over to try to help me, and now she says that she will have her vet look at it.  Why would anyone let their beloved pet go through that for so long?

Jay came up here and worked on one of two 12’ x 6’ driveway gates that he is making for someone.  I have the work tables and tools for doing that here, but we don’t know how he will get it to the site.

The weather was mild and not too hot, so Jay screwed a temporary piece of plywood over the hole at the top side of my screen porch.  That hole will be covered up when we get the extension over my front porch done.   Now, Gumdrop can go out there on the nice days.

Toxic Plants. Ditch Corn Pet Food NOW. Wayne State’s Cruelty. Dog Fighting. Saved Prairie Dogs. Cats and Dry Food. Pottenger's Cats. Mink Farm. Wildlife on the Range. WPA. Hank Aaron.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

6 Toxic Springtime Plants

“Many gardeners who are also pet owners are surprised to learn that certain beautiful, traditional spring flowers are potentially deadly for the family dog or cat.

#1: Tulips and Hyacinths. Tulips contain allergenic lactones. Lactones are derived from chemical compounds and taste a bit like whiskey. Hyacinths contain similar compounds. It's the bulbs of these two plants, not the leaves or flowers, that are toxic.
Symptoms of poisoning by one of these plants can include mouth and esophageal irritation, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, increase in heart rate, and changes in breathing.  There's no antidote if your pup is poisoned by eating a tulip or hyacinth bulb, and severe symptoms need immediate treatment.

#2: Daffodils. If your pet licks or eats any part of a daffodil — the bulb, plant or flower — she will ingest an alkaloid called lycorine that can irritate the tissues of her mouth and throat and cause excessive drooling.
Lycorine can also trigger a gastrointestinal response like vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. In more serious cases, heart and respiratory problems can occur. Severe symptoms such as these require immediate attention by a veterinarian.

 

#3: Lilies.  The variety of lily determines whether it is a relatively harmless or potentially deadly plant. Non-toxic varieties of lilies include the Calla, Peace and Peruvian. If your pet samples one of these plants, his upper digestive tract may become irritated and he may drool.
Types of poisonous lilies include the Tiger, Asiatic, Stargazer, Casablanca, Rubrum, Day, Japanese Show and Easter lily. These toxic lilies can prove deadly for your cat. If kitty swallows even a tiny amount of any portion of these plants, including the pollen, kidney failure can result.  If you suspect your cat has ingested any part of a lily, you should get both your pet and the plant to a veterinary clinic right away. Time is of the essence, so don't delay.

#4: Crocuses.  The variety of crocus plants that blooms in the spring is a member of the Iridaceae family. Spring crocuses can cause gastrointestinal upset in your pet, typically vomiting and diarrhea.
The crocus that blooms in autumn is known as the Meadow Saffron, and this plant is highly poisonous to companion animals.  If your dog or cat tastes a Meadow Saffron crocus, she can experience severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure. Symptoms of toxicity from this plant can appear immediately upon ingestion up to several days later.  If your pet shows signs of poisoning by an autumn blooming crocus, take her for veterinary treatment right away, and bring along the plant.

 

#5: Lily of the Valley.  Signs your dog or cat has eaten a lily of the valley plant can include vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in heart rate or severe cardiac arrhythmia, and seizures.
The substance in lilies of the valley that is toxic to your pet is called cardiac glycosides. If you think your pet has ingested a lily of the valley, you should get him to your vet for evaluation.

 

#6: Fertilized Plants.  The fertilizer you use on your plants can be just as dangerous, or more so, than the plants themselves. If you fertilize your lawn and garden in the spring, you should be aware of which types of fertilizer compounds are potentially fatal if swallowed by your pet.
Most fertilizers cause only mild gastrointestinal symptoms if eaten, but there are a few watch-outs including fertilizers containing blood meal, bone meal, disulfoton or another type of organophosphate, and iron.”  From:  http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/04/05/toxic-spring-plants.aspx

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Ditch This Pet Food Now - Can Be Deadly to Your Pets

“As we predicted in November of last year, dry dog foods containing corn and corn products harvested from last summer’s crop could present a significant risk of aflatoxin contamination.  The summer of 2012 across the Midwest was very dry and very hot, creating an environment in which certain types of plant mold proliferate. These molds produce metabolites called aflatoxins, which are mycotoxins known to cause acute lethal illness in both animals and humans.

Voluntary recalls of dry dog food due to high levels of aflatoxin contamination have already begun across states in the Midwest. Unfortunately, because of the behavior of the molds involved, it has proved difficult to control, minimize or even accurately assess levels of contamination.

If you feed dry dog food to your pet, we are repeating our recommendations to transition to another type of diet and/or carefully avoid any pet food containing corn or corn products.”    More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/04/03/aflatoxin-contaminated-dog-food.aspx

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Court Says Wayne State Must Provide Records of Dog Heart Failure Experiments

“A Michigan court has rejected a Wayne State University lawsuit that attempted to stop the Physicians Committee from accessing public records showing the details of its heart failure experiments on dogs.

“Now that the facts can finally be made public, it will be clear that the experiments are cruel, and that there is no shortage of better research methods,” said Leslie Rudloff, senior counsel for the Physicians Committee.

According to medical records obtained previously by the Physicians Committee, Charlie, a hound-Labrador mix, experienced two major surgeries to place medical devices in her body and had weeping wounds where catheters protruded. Jessie, a husky, didn’t suffer as long as Charlie. She died suddenly just six days after her first surgery. The Physicians Committee has obtained a photo of Queenie, a Dalmatian mix, who died in Wayne State’s laboratory in 2010.

Wasted Money, Wasted Lives,  Queenie, Charlie, and Jessie are three of the hundreds of dogs used in Wayne State’s heart experiments funded with millions of dollars from the National Institutes of Health.”     Please read this:  Queenie's Story: From Home to Laboratory     More at: http://www.pcrm.org/media/online/apr2013/wayne-state-records-dog-heart-failure-experiments

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Dog Fighting Is Not Entertainment!

Tell YouTube to remove all videos containing any form of dog fighting

“The ASPCA recently assisted federal, state, and local agencies in a massive investigation that culminated in a multi-state dog-fighting raid. The dogs involved were rescued and transported to an emergency temporary shelter in an undisclosed location, where they will receive much needed veterinary care and treatment from the ASPCA.”

“Dog fighting, in and of itself is a heinous crime. What may be surprising to find out, however, is the idea that others are encouraging dog fighting by offering instructional videos about the activity. YouTube.com, the world's largest video sharing website, features videos depicting dog fights and material related to it.

Dog fighting is an abhorrent "sport" in which owners pit two dogs against each other in the ring and have them fight until one collapses or dies. The other dog is most often injured as well.  YouTube should not allow these videos to be featured on anywhere on the site as they only promote violence and carnage.

Write to YouTube's CEO asking him to prohibit these videos and stand up for dogs here: http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/petition/YoutubeDogfighting?Origin=ETA_040413_YoutubeDogfighting_3 "

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Prairie Dog Coalition Works With Colorado Highway Department

“The Humane Society of the United States Prairie Dog Coalition's latest project is advising the Colorado Department of Transportation on how to safely remove a prairie dog colony from a construction site near Boulder.

"We’re thrilled CDOT is using nonlethal means to relocate this keystone species," said Ghia Speakman, program manager for The HSUS’ Prairie Dog Coalition. "This effort demonstrates that we can protect imperiled prairie dogs at construction sites. We support CDOT with their humane and supported approach to prairie dog management and are excited to see these animals relocated."

To move the prairie dogs away from the heavy equipment, CDOT is catching them and actively relocating each one to a safer environment.”

“Business mogul and philanthropist Ted Turner talks about why it's so important to protect this country's prairie dogs. The Prairie Dog Coalition is thrilled to honor Turner with the 2011 Prairie Dog Protector award.”  From: http://thehungersite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ths/article/Prairie-Dog-Coalition-Works-With-Colorado-Highway-Department397

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Cat Feeding Mistakes: Feeding Only Dry Food

“The biggest mistake people make is feeding cats dry food,” says Lisa A. Pierson, DVM, a California veterinarian focused on feline medicine and nutrition, and creator of CatInfo.org.

As it turns out, today’s domestic tabby evolved from desert-dwelling ancestors, a heritage that no doubt left our furry felines with their grace, hunting prowess -- and low thirst drive.

“We know that a cat’s sensitivity to thirst is blunted compared to a dog,” Case says. “They don't voluntarily drink water like a dog would.” And because cats naturally produce highly concentrated urine “we're setting them up for urinary tract problems when their diet is low in liquids.”

“When cats present with urinary tract problems, the recommendation is to get them on a water-rich diet,” Pierson says. “However, why are we closing the barn door after the horse is a mile down the road? Why not practice preventive nutrition by feeding them [moisture-rich] canned food before they end up with urinary tract problems?”

Cats are designed to get their water with their food, Pierson says. Although mice, a cat's normal food, are about 70% water, and canned food about 78%, dry food is between 5%-10% water. That's why “canned food does a much better job of keeping your cat well-hydrated,” Pierson tells WebMD. “Think of canned food as hosing down your cat's bladder several times a day.”  More at: http://pets.webmd.com/cats/guide/mistakes-people-make-feeding-cats

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Proper Feeding from Pottenger's Cats

“Between 1932 and 1942, Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., M.D. researched the use of adrenal hormones in respiratory complaints such as asthma. Because cats cannot live without their adrenal glands they were used as laboratory animals to standardize the extracts. Pottenger maintained his cats on what was considered to be a high quality, nutritionally complete feline diet. The cats were fed cooked meat scraps, consisting of liver, tripe, sweetbreads, brains, heart and muscle, from a local sanatorium, raw milk and cod liver oil. Commercial cat food did not appear on the markets until the 1960's. In Pottenger's time, domestic cats either hunted for their food or were fed table scraps.

Compared to the stainless steel cages laboratory cats live in today, Pottenger's cats dwelt in agreeable quarters. They lived in large outdoor pens overlooking the San Gabriel Valley. The outdoor area was covered with chicken wire for adequate sun exposure. They had a trench filled with clean sand for a litter box. The back of the pens was sheltered and contained a wooden floor and bedding. Caretakers removed the cats' uneaten meat and bones and cleaned and refilled the water containers daily.

Even though they received such good care, Pottenger could not understand why the cats were such poor operative risks. Many died in surgery or recovered slowly.

When the cats donated to Pottenger's study outnumbered the food available from the sanatorium, Pottenger placed an order at a local meat packing plant for raw meat scraps, again including the viscera, muscle and bone.

Pottenger fed the raw meat scraps (including raw milk and cod liver oil) to a segregated group of cats, keeping the remainder of his cats on the cooked meat diet. Within a few months the differences between the cats fed raw meat and those fed cooked meat became evident. The raw meat fed cats and kittens were more vigorous and survived surgery better than the cooked meat fed cats.”   More at: http://feline-nutrition.org/nutrition/proper-feeding-from-pottengers-cats

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Mink farm fined $48,000 for discharging manure into creeks

BELLINGHAM – “The owner of two Deming area mink farms is being fined $48,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology for discharging water contaminated with manure into nearby salmon-bearing creeks and spawning habitat in eastern Whatcom County.  The farms operate as Marr’s Black Plush Ranch, Inc. at 9471 and 9580 Mount Baker Highway.

On Dec. 10, 2012, Ecology inspectors found water contaminated with mink manure and feed draining directly into ditches that flow to Cornell and Hedrick creeks.  Both creeks are home to five species of salmon and two to three species of trout, and have prime spawning habitat. Two of the species of fish – steelhead trout and chinook salmon – are listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act.

Water samples taken from the properties show the fecal coliform bacteria count was up to 240 times greater than the state limit. State law allows 100 fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water. The ranch was discharging 24,000 fecal coliform bacteria per 100 milliliters of water.

Ecology fined the owner $24,000 for similar violations and issued a compliance order in 1999. During the most recent investigation, inspectors found contamination coming from sources documented in the previous case. Also, past improvements made to the ranch had not been maintained. 

This time inspectors discovered thick layers of bacteria on the property and in the ditches – a sign of ongoing contamination. Bacteria from manure pollution can create a human health risk, and can harm fish and other aquatic life by depleting needed oxygen from the water.”  More at: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2013/098.html

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From me:  I cannot understand why people would want to hang a dead animal around their neck.  Something that died of old age in the Arctic makes good warm clothing, but to deliberately breed and make animals suffer for a useless adornment, beats me.

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Protecting a Home for Wildlife on the Range: Ode to a Fenceless Landscape

“Several years ago, I was driving along a snaking bend of State Highway 22 that bisects Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and encountered the body of massive bull elk hanging from a fence that paralleled the road, its back legs hamstrung by four unyielding strands of barbed wire. His antlers were partially buried in a deep, windswept trough of snow and his lifeless eyes fixed on some distant point on the horizon. I wondered how long he had been hanging there, (and how long it took him to die.)

Since that time, I have become more aware of man’s heavy hand on the landscape, and a deep desire has grown in my heart to change things—really fix the problems, beyond the ebb and flow of politics. Last year, Nature Valley generously granted my wish.

Grand Teton still permits some cattle grazing in the park—a grandfathered use from its historic ranching past. The fences in the North Elk Ranch allotment have been kept in good condition, but still block wildlife movement in the northern part of the park, where many species of animals migrate through. In the spring, we met with the manager of the Pinto Ranch to discuss how to make the fences in this area safer for wildlife, while still providing a reliable enclosure for his cows. We collectively agreed upon a modification of a five-mile fence that would raise the bottom wire to allow pronghorn to crawl under it, and then add a top rail to prevent wildlife from becoming ensnared as they jumped the fence.”  More at: http://www.parkadvocate.org/protecting-a-home-for-wildlife-on-the-range-ode-to-a-fenceless-landscape/

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On This Day:

WPA established by Congress, Apr 8, 1935:

“On April 8, 1935, Congress votes to approve the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a central part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal."

In November 1932, at the height of the Great Depression, Governor Roosevelt of New York was elected the 32nd president of the United States. In his inaugural address on March 4, 1933, Roosevelt promised Americans that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" and outlined his New Deal--an expansion of the federal government as an instrument of employment opportunity and welfare.

In April 1935, the WPA was established under the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act, as a means of creating government jobs for some of the nation's many unemployed. Under the direction of Harry L. Hopkins, the WPA employed more than 8.5 million persons on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in 1943. The program chose work that would not interfere with private enterprise, especially vast public building projects like the construction of highways, bridges, and dams. However, the WPA also provided federal funding for students, who were given work under the National Youth Administration. The careers of several important American artists, including Jackson Pollack and Willem de Kooning, were also launched thanks to WPA endowments. Although its scale was unprecedented, the WPA never managed to serve more than a quarter of the nation's unemployed. Its programs were extremely popular, though, and contributed significantly to Roosevelt's landslide reelection in 1936.”

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Aaron sets new home run record, Apr 8, 1974:

“On this day in 1974, Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hits his 715th career home run, breaking Babe Ruth's legendary record of 714 homers. A crowd of 53,775 people, the largest in the history of Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, was with Aaron that night to cheer when he hit a 4th inning pitch off the Los Angeles Dodgers' Al Downing.

Although "Hammerin' Hank" specialized in home runs, he was also an extremely dependable batter, and by the end of his career he held baseball's career record for most runs batted in: 2,297.

Aaron's playing career spanned three teams and 23 years. He was with the Milwaukee Braves from 1954 to 1965, the Atlanta Braves from 1966 to 1974 and the Milwaukee Brewers from 1975 to 1976. He hung up his cleats in 1976 with 755 career home runs and went on to become one of baseball's first African-American executives, with the Atlanta Braves, and a leading spokesperson for minority hiring. Hank Aaron was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.”

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Yesterday:

It was lovely weather, not too hot and not cold, so I was hoping that I would hear from Jay, as we need to start digging again, and find that survey stake. But he must have had other things to do.

I gave Terry-cat several breathing treatments, and it seems like it is breaking up the mucous in his nose.  But all I could get down him was a thimble full of beef baby food from a jar, so he is getting dehydrated again.  He just spits everything out, so I can see another trip to the vet coming up.

As it was a doors-and-windows-open day, Terry spent several hours basking in the sun on the screen porch.  That should help him get his strength up, and give him his Vitamin D dose for the day.

Wildlife. Bat Babies. 400 Chimps Free. Gorillas. Bison. Smart Husky. Sonoran Desert Toads. Conservation Canines. Animal Prosthetics. Pet Seat Belts. Sugar Ray. MLK’s March. Passover.

 

For “Mammal Monday”:

“We do not inherit the world from our Ancestors----We borrow it from our Children.”

Wildlife Gardening: Don’t Forget the Neighbors

Defined beds of native plants, along with benches and a patio, made this Washington, D.C., wildlife garden more appealing to neighbors. Photo by Laura Tangley.

“When I bought a house on a large corner lot a decade ago, I was in a hurry to convert the lawn as quickly as possible to a lush, plant-filled haven for wildlife. Too much of a hurry, it turned out.

Not only did I make some early bad decisions about cultivating nonnative plants—later corrected—I did not plan ahead to consider how my neighbors might react to the unconventional landscape. It’s too bad I couldn’t have read “Gardening With a Good-Neighbor Policy,” an article by Doreen Cubie published in the February/March 2013 issue of National Wildlife magazine. In the article, Cubie shares 10 “suggestions for redesigning your yard to attract wildlife while at the same time keeping neighbors and local authorities happy.”    Here are three of her tips at: http://blog.nwf.org/2013/02/wildlife-gardening-dont-forget-the-neighbors/   From Wildlife Promise

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Caring for baby wild animals is no joke!

Check out these adorable baby bats from the Australian Bat Clinic & Wildlife Trauma Centre. For more info on their work:  

“Trish Wimberley looks after hundreds of orphaned baby bats and rears them until they can be released into the wild. It's a tireless, never ending job which keeps her awake all hours (she apparently went 3 nights without sleeping once). A typical day may include feeding (the food is about $1000 a week), health checks, doing their laundry (the dryer and washing machine electricity bill costs up to $8000 every 3 or 4 months!), bat transportation for release -- everything they need in order to survive. You'd think she'd need an army of people to help but she makes do with only a few loyal volunteers. It just goes to show, motherhood can transcend between all species and Trish is happy playing that role to assist a creature that is vital to the Australian ecosystem.”    More at: http://australianbatclinic.com.au/

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Bats are Mammals

“A long time ago, people used to think bats were birds without feathers.  But now we know that there is no such thing as a featherless bird.  We know that bats are MAMMALS, just like people.

Some of the things that tell us bats are mammals: Bats are warm blooded,  bats nurse their babies with milk, bats have fur. 

But bats are very special mammals.  They are the only mammals that can fly (without an airplane!)  Flying squirrels are mammals too, but they don't really fly.  They jump from high in a tree glide through the air like a kite.  Bats flap their wings and fly like a bird.  Scientific Information:  Bats make up the order Chiroptera.”  More about bats at: http://science.howstuffworks.com/zoology/mammals/bat.htm

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400 Research Chimpanzees to Be Retired

“In late January, wrapping up a two-year assessment of the need to continue use of chimpanzees in research studies, a recommendation was made to the National Institutes of Health to retire 400 of its approximately 450 chimps. According to the recommendation, the remaining chimps would be maintained for possible future use, but with changes to their housing to be implemented over the next five years.

Advances in alternate research tools have rendered chimpanzees essentially unnecessary as research subjects. Future use of chimps for biomedical, genomics or behavioral research must meet stringent criteria in compliance with the Institute of Medicine’s guiding principles.

According to Dr. John Pippin of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, “… we are inexorably moving toward the end of invasive chimpanzee research in the U.S.”  More at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/03/18/research-chimpanzees.aspx

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Lowland Gorillas, Protected in a Green Abyss.       

“The locals said it could not be done. It was 1999, and the hardheaded ecologist J. Michael Fay was determined to tromp across 2,000 miles of the Congo Basin. In a northeastern patch, he ran into a swampy tangle so thick that he struggled to advance by a single mile in under 12 hours.

“He later said it was one of the most difficult things he had ever attempted in his life,” said Paul Telfer, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Congo program. When Dr. Fay, also a staff member at the conservation society, emerged from his journey 455 days later, he referred to that wild forested place as “the green abyss.”

Now the government of the Republic of Congo has declared the area a national park, ensuring that the green abyss remains just that. Gorillas, it turns out, do not mind the forests’ tangle.

In 2008, the Wildlife Conservation Society discovered that an estimated 15,000 western lowland gorillas were living there, which helped spur the government to make a decision to protect the forest. “The density of gorillas in this area turned out to be surprisingly high,” Dr. Telfer said. “As big as gorillas are, it’s surprising how nimble they are in these dense understories — it’s their preferred habitat.”  More at: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/31/lowland-gorillas-protected-in-a-green-abyss/

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Bison:  Genus: Bison, Species: bison

“This animal's true name is the American bison, but most people call them buffalo. They are the largest terrestrial animal in North America.

Bison once dominated the grassland and prairie ecosystems of the United States.  When the first explorers came to the Great Plains, it is estimated that over 40 million bison roamed the land.  By 1900, a little over 1,000 bison could be found with only a handful of wild bison left in Yellowstone National Park.  What happened to the bison?”  More at: http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/wildlife-library/mammals/bison.aspx

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Heroic Husky Saves Himself and His Fellow Four-Legged Pals

“In the midst of the 2012 holidays, a clever and tenacious Siberian Husky in London, Ontario gave his fellow four-legged friends the gift of safety and freedom.

13-year-old Kiki had been muzzled by his owners and left in an abandoned moving van along with two cats and two other dogs. Despite having his ability to bark suppressed by the muzzle, he remained determined to find a way to call for help: he honked the vehicle’s horn repeatedly until members of the Police Department arrived.

Human Society’s Judy Foster said she thinks it’s possible Kikki acquired the knowledge that saved her by watching humans. “Dogs are very smart; they watch us all the time.”

Kiki’s desperate plea for help finally caught the attention of a concerned citizen on Monday, December 10.  Police Department found the moving van in a crowded parking lot with its horn still blaring and Kiki in the driver’s seat. Upon investigating the vehicle, the officers discovered two dogs, “Buddy” and “Six Toes,” as well as two cats.  “It was evident that they required medical attention.”

The pet owners have been charged with five counts of cruelty to animals. If convicted, they face possible fines of up to $10,000 or as much as 18 months in prison.  Officials have estimated that Kiki and his friends had likely been left in the moving van for a week. Foster is certain the five animals would not have survived for much longer if it weren’t for Kiki’s efforts.  “We’ve received numerous calls from people asking us to find a hero award for this dog,” Foster told Today.com.

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Beware of Sonoran Desert Toad

“Sonoran Desert toads are big fellows —  as long as 7 1/2 inches. They are slow-moving and depend to some degree on a poison they store behind their eyes. The secretions can disrupt nerve and muscle function in a mammal.

Dogs are often killed by the poison. Some stupid humans believe they will get high by licking the toads. They don't, but they will get sick and maybe even die. The toads are found in the Sonoran Desert of the Southwest, and are sometimes called Colorado River toads.

Dogs often get sick after drinking from their water bowl after a Sonoran Desert Toad has rested in it overnight. Anyone who suspects their dog has been drinking toad tea should call a vet.”

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Nature Helping Nature: Conservation Canines

A team of four-legged researchers sniff out critical conservation data to help New Mexico's forests adapt to a changing climate.

Rescue dogs sniff out endangered species

“By training shelter dogs to find the scat of threatened species, Conservation Canines is saving the lives of both dogs and wildlife.

Max, a 5-year-old Australian cattle dog, is trained to find the scat of wolverines, grizzly bears, barred owls, tigers, leopards and many other animals. (Photo: Center for Conservation Biology)

Dogs like Sadie, a 10-year-old Labrador pointer mix (pictured right), board boats and lead scientists toward the whales’ scat. By leaning a certain direction or twitching their ears, these dogs serve as the research vessels’ four-legged navigators.”  More at: http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/rescue-dogs-sniff-out-endangered-species

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Bionic animals

“Prosthetics have changed the lives of disabled and handicapped people since the Egyptians first pioneered the idea, but only recently have prosthetic limbs and other artificial devices been used to assist other animals. Pets and farm animals are common recipients, but scientists have also created prosthetics for endangered species to ensure their survival.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Common causes include accident, abuse, untreated fractures that become septic, and neurological disorders, and congenital birth defects. Typically, an animal with a painful leg injury will become lethargic and depressed. Once the leg is removed, the pain is gone and their relief is almost immediate.”

Tripaws are very happy animals.  Let’s take care of our pets, and stop them from getting injured by using seat belts.

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Pet Seat Belts

Solvit Pet Vehicle Safety Harness  left

Kurgo Leash and Zip Line Combo   right

“Pet seat belts are essential when traveling with your pet to protect not only your furry friend, but you and your passengers as well. Pet vehicle harnesses are available in a variety of sizes and styles and many have been crash tested to ensure they will do the job in case of a sudden stop or accident.

A 25-pound, unrestrained dog can become a deadly, 1000-pound projectile in the event of a 40 mph crash. Vehicle pet restraints also prohibit your dog from distracting you while driving. Travel safely with your pet by using proper pet seat belts or pet vehicle harnesses. Bark Buckle UP, the safety advocate, rates our PetBuckle Seat Belt Harness as one of their approved 7 Car Safety Products for Pets.”

PetBuckle Truck Tether will stop your dog from being thrown out of the truck, cause an accident, or run over.

More at: http://www.pettravelcenter.com/products/productlist/22

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From me: Outside of this subdivision, no animal is loose in my van.  Cats are in carriers, dogs are in carriers or in padded safety harnesses, but either way they are secured by my seat belts.

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On This Day:

Sugar Ray defeats Basilio for middleweight title, Mar 25, 1958:

“On March 25, 1958, Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Carmen Basilio to regain the middleweight championship. It was the fifth and final title of his career. Robinson is considered by many to be the greatest prizefighter in history. No less an authority than heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali has said, "My idol will always be Sugar Ray Robinson, who was, and remains, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters to have ever lived in this century."

Robinson retired in 1952, and went on to try his hand as a dancer and bandleader in his adopted hometown of Harlem. He returned to the ring in 1955, out of shape and sluggish, but still good enough to regain the middleweight title. He lost the title in 1957 to Gene Fullmer, who knocked him down for the first time since LaMotta sent him to the floor six years earlier. Robinson defeated Fullmer in their rematch, but then lost the title to Carmen Basilio, a steady puncher whose claim to fame was that he had never been knocked down. Going into their championship rematch, held this day in 1958, the once-indomitable Sugar Ray was a 2-to-1 underdog.

Robinson and Basilio traded punches for the majority of the match, with Robinson closing Basilio’s left eye completely by the seventh round. (Basilio later said that he could not see after the fourth round.) In the ninth round, Basilio came out attacking, and Robinson stopped slugging and started to box, dancing and jabbing at Basilio. This was the last great fight of Robinson’s career, and he showcased all of his veteran skills, avoiding Basilio’s punches and delivering a stunner in the 15th that nearly knocked Basilio down. In the end, the three judges awarded Robinson the victory and his fifth middleweight title, a record for any men’s division.”

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Martin Luther King leads march against the war, Mar 25, 1967:

“The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., leads a march of 5,000 antiwar demonstrators in Chicago. In an address to the demonstrators, King declared that the Vietnam War  was "a blasphemy against all that America stands for." King first began speaking out against American involvement in Vietnam in the summer of 1965. In addition to his moral objections to the war, he argued that the war diverted money and attention from domestic programs to aid the black poor. He was strongly criticized by other prominent civil rights leaders for attempting to link civil rights and the antiwar movement.”

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Upcoming 2013 Holy Days
Passover: March 25 (observed evening before)

Feast of Unleavened Bread: March 26-April 1

http://www.ucg.org/passover/do-remembrance-me/

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Yesterday:

Ray didn’t have any plans, so he offered to come over and help me.  He said was up to helping me get the repaired washing machine out of my van, and so that is what we did. We found an easier way to do it than when we had Jay helping us.

When I had picked it up from Call-Mark’s repair shop I nearly had a hissy-fit, my brand new stainless-steel clad hoses were not on it.  The rubber washer hoses are not safe if you don’t turn them off when you are not using the machine, as they can flood a house. My shut-offs are too difficult to manage.  Mark jokingly told me he had sold them, just to get me going.  They were inside the machine.  So we re-installed them, and had to re-level the machine again.  We tried it out by washing some rags to make sure it didn’t rock and roll.

We wanted to work on an AC that is outside, but there was too chillier a wind.  So we put the crevice tool on the shop vac, extended it with a taped-on paper towel core, and cleaned out the crud from where the dryer lint trap goes.   There were still some little rubber pieces that had come off a non-slip bathroom rug in there, so I went to reach for ‘the little fingers”, but they weren't there. 

I went out to the motor home to get the ‘little fingers’ out of there, but the porch light didn’t come on automatically when I opened the door.  Oh, oh, that means the back battery is dead. So I had to move extra blankets and stuff that was stored under the dinette bench to attach the battery charger, and we ran a cord to the house through the passenger window.  I tried to just plug the motor home in, to plug the charger in an inside outlet, but both my adapters had disappeared.  I swear there must be gremlins here, as a box of donated cat food, and the timer for the water hose have vanished from the face of my world.

It is great to have a washer again, so it was running all afternoon, while I cooked and de-boned an organic chicken, re-made my bed,  and watched listened to “The Bible”.  I even washed the bedspread, pillow shams, Misty’s blankies and other things in my bedroom, as my sinuses are worse at night.  For a while I thought I might be allergic to Terry, this orange cat, so I let him sleep in the living room for a couple of nights, but it didn’t make any difference.  Orange cats genetic make-up is different.

“Since males only need to have the orange gene on one chromosome to become ginger cats, and females have to have it on two, ginger males outnumber females 3 to 1.”

“Female cats produce a lower level of allergens than males, and neutered males produce a lower level of allergens than unaltered males.”   From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergy_to_cats  and Terry doesn’t get neutered until the 14th. April.

Terry went out on the screen porch, but didn’t stay there long, the cool wind was ruffling his coat.   I even had to turn the heat on yesterday.