A Case for Animal Shelter Redesign
Image you’re in a small room, hands tied to your side, and several chainsaws are blasting all around you.
That’s what it can be like for many dogs in animal shelters. According to the Livescience article below, the compounding noise from dog barking can lead to sound levels well in excess of 110 decibels.
Having been around heavy industry and construction, I know what the headache inducing effects of noises in this range are like. I don’t know, however, what it’s like not to be able to do anything about it. Dogs cannot cover their ears nor do they have access to hearing protection.
The article points to the need for redesign of animal shelters — allowing individual rooms for individual dogs to mitigate the exposure of barking noise as well as shared playrooms to allow for the much needed socialization of the dogs.
While this is a very lofty goal, it may be something we should consider in the future for the well-being of these animals.
Click below for the Livescience article on Yahoo News:
Constant Barking Drives Dogs Nuts, Too
Cute Kitten Falling Asleep
This kitten is determined to fall asleep. Apparently he’s not a racing fan either. Just let the little kitty fall asleep, you jerk!!
Hamster du Soleil
Many of us have had the pleasure of being entertained by the awe-inspiring acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil.
This video comes to us from our friends in the Far East:
Stunning backflips. Could it be a sneak preview of things to come with the traveling acrcobatics show? Perhaps another number added to their repertoire? Only time will tell.
Summer Health Tips for Dogs
As the peak of the summer months roll around, it’s important to take special precautions with your pets. The following article has some great tips on keeping your dog healthy during in the hot summer weather.
http://cbs3.com/pets/local_story_201174436.html
There’s a lot of great tips in there, but the most important part is to keep your dog cool and hydrated. How about some meat flavored water?
A Hero of a Beagle
Beagles are known for their sharp sense of smell. Abnormalities in blood sugar levels in humans will cause a distinct odor (detectable by dogs such as beagles).
This particular beagle named Belle was trained to dial 911 in the event of a collapse of her owner.
When the situation arose, Belle did that very thing. Now she’s a hero among beagles.
Click on the link below of the article from MSNBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13439261/
Talking Cats Part 2 – The Art of Conversation
A clip from one of the most skilled feline orators of this generation:
Octopus Attacks Man
Here is a frightening video of a man encountering a very angry octopus:
This man is lucky to be alive.
Meat Flavored Water for Dogs
This will go down as one of the greatest innovations in Australian History.
(AFP/File/Torsten Blackwood)
Aqua Dog (which sells for over $2 per bottle) comes in beef, chicken and of course…
BACONNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!! flavors. Packed with electrolytes and vitamins, the water is like a sports drink for dogs. With pet spending reaching almost $40 billion in the U.S. alone, it’s hard to believe that it took this long for meat-flavored water to hit the shelves.
Click on the link below for the complete article on Yahoo News:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060713/lf_afp/afplifestyleaustralia_060713142715;_ylt=Alekuc4CzP7Xvi_D4aS401kmWccF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGVna3NhBHNlYwNzc3JlbA–
Celebrity Dogs
Today I ran across a photo slideshow of celebrities and their dogs.
And this is a real-cream of the crop, A-list group including:
- Britney Spears
- President Bush and Laura Bush
- Paris Hilton
- Martha Stewart
- Venus Williams
- Isaac Mizrahi
- Anna Nicole Smith
- Gisele Bundchen
- Elton John
- Lucy Lui
- Pamela Anderson
- Fran Drescher
- Nicolette Sheridan and
- Melissa Joan Hart
You’ve always wondered about these celebrities, now find out about their dogs!
Click on the link below from MSNBC for the slideshow:
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/interactive.aspx?type=ss&launch=7847256,4602461&pg=1
GPS Data Confirms that Elephants are Lazy
There’s an ambitious research project underway in Northern Kenya.
Some 5400 elephants were tagged with GPS locators and their movements tracked. The findings?
1. Elephants avoid hills
2. Why? Elephants are big
Earth Shattering!
I completely know how they feel though. After a really big meal and feeling a bit elephantesque, the last thing I want to do is go up an incline.
Click on the link below for the full article from Live Science:
http://www.livescience.com/animalworld/060724_elephant_climbing.html
Random Animal Pictures
