Feb. 26/2020

Feature:
Dogs, cats, soon need to be fitted with microchips

     "Lost pet posters may soon be a thing of the past. That's the idea behind a new Montreal bylaw stipulating all cats & dogs over 6 months must be microchipped...
                                            
     Cats, dogs, & rabbits must also be sterilized...

     'We think it's wonderful,' said SPCA spokesperson Anita Kapuscinska. 'Microchips are one of the best ways to be able to find your companion animal...
                                                   
     Kapuscinska also emphasized the importance of sterilization, which she said 'helps counter overpopulation issues & is very beneficial to animals for behavioral & medical reasons.'
                                       
     A microchip is a small electronic device the size of a grain of rice, which a veterinarian inserts under the animal's skin, on the back near the shoulder blades. The process is relatively painless- 'it's comparable to having your ears pierced,' said Kapuscinska. The chip remains with the animal for life, & is a direct link to its owner.
                                              
     Chips contain a unique ID number that can be scanned at the SPCA or a veterinary clinic, giving access to owners' contact information.

     The SPCA has been outfitting cats & dogs with microchips for years, the cost of which is included in adoption fees...
                               
     The regulation will save pets & owners a lot of stress, Kapuscinska believes...

     'Animals (with microchips) who come to the shelter as strays are reunited with their owners right away,' she said...'The quicker we're able to reunite a family with a lost animal, the better it is for the animal & the people.'
                                    
     Kapuscinska spoke of animals being reunited with their owners after years apart thanks to microchips...

     Tags are an even quicker way to identify an animal & its owner. For $10, the SPCA engraves tags with the animal's name & owner's phone number. Tags come in various colors, shapes, & sizes.
                                                   
     It's recommended for cats & dogs to be both tagged & microchipped, Kapuscinska said.

     'Tags & collars get lost. Microchips never get lost. The 2 together are the best way to protect the animal.'"

T'cha Dunlevy
The Gazette, Montreal
Dec. 16/2019     

Cute Critter Pic

Weekly Chuckle

Feb. 19/2020

Feature:

Baby rhino born at game reserve on Valentine’s Day

“Visitors to the Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa, about 2 hours drive from Cape Town, might be in for a beautiful safari surprise with the possible sighting of a new rhino calf at the reserve. The anti-poaching unit started their Valentine’s Day with a sighting of the calf with its mother on the reserve…14 February 2020.

Aquila is proud to have been able to bring the first rhino to the Western Cape in 250 years & in February 2005, the reserve announced the birth of the first rhino in the Western Cape in 250 years. Now, 15 years later the reserve conservation teams are absolutely delighted to once again be able to confirm the birth of another baby rhino on the 10,000 hectare Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa…

In May 2014, Aquila acquired a…male rhino bull to continue its breeding programme at the reserve. The new rhino bull was purchased from the Limpopo area after his owners discovered signs of the rhino being tracked.

At the end of 2015 & the beginning of 2016, Aquila was proud to announce the births of 4 rhino calves at the reserve.

This Valentine’s Day birth is once again a proud moment for the conservation teams at this Cape Town Big 5 private game reserve – as they continue to conserve, protect, & preserve these species for future generations.”

Getaway.co.za

Cute Critter Pic:

Weekly Chuckle:

Feb. 12/2020

Feature:
Stitches the Cat Becomes Resident Therapy Animal At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

“It’s no longer uncommon to see Golden Retrievers or Labradors wondering around airports providing busy travelers with a moment of calmness. Therapy dogs have become a part of airport strategies to help people cope with the chaos of travel, but one airport has taken a different approach to therapy animals.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport announced their newest therapy animal on November 8, 2019, Stitches.

Stitches, an 11-year-old, 13-pound tabico cat—mixture of tabby & calico—is currently on duty at the airport. She’s hard to miss as she’s chauffeured around Terminal 1 in her stroller sporting a large “pet me” sign—letting everyone know she’s ready for cuddles.

…the Twin Cities Pioneer Press reports that Stitches is a member of North Star Therapy Animals & has been a therapy cat for the past 3 years. When she’s not at the airport, she can be found helping at nursing homes or relaxing at home watching her favorite show, Law & Order: SVU.

If you’re traveling through the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, you could just be lucky enough to meet her for snuggles…”

 

Kendall Curley   

November 13/ 2019

Petmd.com

Cute Critter Pic

Weekly Chuckle

Feb. 5/2020

Feature:
Pet Projects
     "...a growing trend is to live in tiny homes...let's say you have a furry friend who needs to join you in your personal compact castle. You've got to be sure their well-being is taken care of before making any moving decisions.

     ...Humans usually have designated eating areas in the form of a kitchen table; animals should have something similar. A regular spot for food bowls should be established early. If you have more than one dog, or a combination of critters, try to feed them either at different times or in separate parts of the house to keep them from getting territorial about food.
                                 
     If you have an indoor cat, consider getting a catio...it's a patio for your cat that is screened in so the feline can get some fresh air while not being able to take off after the first robin it lays eyes on. That little bit of freedom makes a big difference when you're just a tiny kitten in a tiny house.

     Make sure your pets are getting enough exercise. Staying inside a tiny home all day isn't good for animals, or humans for that matter. Walk the dogs often, play fetch with them, teach them new tricks out in the yard & let them run to their heart's content.

     ...If you & the cat are willing to be the types who use leaches, then that should take care of all the energy a cat can muster up in one day. If not, then try to find a cat tree that will fit inside so they can jump around indoors on something specifically built to withstand claws, instead of your new couch.

     ...Remember your pets are likely not trained to pick up their own toys, so keep them in one spot & put them back each night. Also, vacuum. A lot. There is nowhere for all that hair to go when you're in a tiny house."
                                                

Chris Arnold
The Gazette, Montreal
Nov. 2/2019
 
Cute Critter Pic

Weekly Chuckle

Jan. 29/2020

Feature:

English Bulldog

“All About Bulldogs

The English Bulldog is a small statured, medium-sized dog, & as its name suggests, it was originally bred for working with bulls… the Bulldog was trained & bred to fight bulls for sport, beginning in England in the 1200s & throughout Europe until the mid 1800s. …This once ferocious & tough dog, through careful & select breeding, has become today's docile & loving pet...

VITAL STATS

Breed Group: Companion Dogs Height: 12 to 15 inches Weight: 40 to 50 pounds Lifespan: 8 to 12 years.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The English Bulldog's low-slung, heavy, thick-set body, along with its broad shoulders, provides a low center of gravity, allowing the Bulldog to crawl close to the ground… The large circumference of the head is equal to the dog’s height at the shoulder, offering sufficient space for strong, developed muscles in the dog's wide jaw…The coat is glossy & fine, with standard colors including, red, white, yellow or a combination of these colors.

                                          

PERSONALITY & TEMPERAMENT

…Devoted, obedient & patient, without fail, the Bulldog has remained a favorite animal companion throughout the years. Always willing to please, the Bulldog yet preserves its own independent brand of stubbornness, keeping its own counsel once making up its mind to do so.

The Bulldog is highly appreciated for its patience & affection with children, making them excellent family pets… the breed is compatible with most household pets… the Bulldog is actually a comical, jovial, & charming animal.

                                

CARE

Many Bulldogs tend to wheeze & snore, while some drool because of their short snouts & outward protruding lower jaw. These are normal physical side-effects of the breed. Because of the compressed nature of the jaw, extra care needs to be taken in keeping the teeth clean…Minimal coat care is needed for this dog, but the folds around the tail & facial wrinkles should be cleaned every day to prevent build up of dirt or rubbish…

Bulldogs love their daily outings, however, do not expect them to walk or jog long distances, or dart from great heights. The short-hair & snout of the Bulldog make it sensitive to extremely hot & humid climates, & most do not enjoy swimming. Using sun screen lotion on the dog's skin if you are going to be spending time in the sun, & making sure your Bulldog has plenty of water is essential for healthy days out.
                                   
HEALTH
The average lifespan for an English Bulldog is between 8 & 12 years. It is a member of the brachycephalic breed class, meaning that is has a short head & snout… The nostrils are narrower, & the soft palate longer in the Bulldog…creating the potential for severe breathing problems, especially when the dog is overheated or over excited. Heat is a special concern with this breed, since it is not able to cool itself efficiently through panting, as other breeds do…
                                            
HISTORY & BACKGROUND
…First bred in England as a cross between the pug & the mastiff, the Bulldog's main purpose was as an entertainment dog in the sport of bull-baiting, a popular game during the Middle Ages -- from the 1200s through the mid 1800s…

After bull baiting was banned in 1835, a new chapter began for the Bulldog. Although the Bulldog lost much of its popularity because of the end of the fighting, there were still those who appreciated the breed for its devotion & fortitude. Ardent Bulldog enthusiasts rescued the breed from what appeared certain extinction, encouraging its most attractive physical & characteristic features, while replacing its ferociousness with a gentle & docile disposition…

Today, with its clownish & amiable personality, it has also become a favorite among American pet owners, & a favorite of institutions throughout the world, who use the Bulldog as a mascot to denote their own strength in the face of adversity & battle…”
                                            
Petmd.com

Cute Critter Pic:

Weekly Chuckle:

Jan. 22/2020

Feature:

5 Clever Critters

“1. Pigs

They have incredibly long term memories & are quick problem-solvers…They also exhibit human-like empathy toward their penmates.

                                   

 2. Dolphins

Dolphins have ‘highly developed spoken language’ skills, with a brain 4-5 times bigger than other animals their body size. They’re hugely social;communicating with personalized sounds known as ‘signature whistles’.

                                            

3. Crows

Craftsmen of their own tools, they can make innovative spears & hooks from any old rubbish. These birds are serious problem-solvers, too, with expert recognition skills & so, unnervingly, can hold grudges…They even develop their own their own dialect.

                                               

4. Elephants

Elephants show human-like traits such as empathy & mourning. African elephants can also distinguish between humans…including gender, age, & ethnicity, by listening to our voices.

                                              

5. Chimps

Since Jane Goodall studied the habits of wild Tanzanian chimpanzees, we’ve discovered they can learn language, use tools, & mourn just like us humans.

                                                

…& the 5 Stupidest

1. Dogs

Looking at more than 300 studies on the intelligence of canines, researchers found several cases of ‘over-interpretation,’ with owners often thinking their dogs was smarter than it really was.

 

2. Kakapos

This New Zealand native is a flightless parrot. Having evolved in an area with no predators & ample food, they have had no reason to develop their brains. When sensing danger, they either hold completely still or jump out of trees, only to land in a heap on the ground.

                                  

3. Pandas

They may tug on our heartstrings, but this ‘vulnerable’ creature is among the least-motivated animals when it comes to mating, raising young & even being carnivores.

4. Turkeys

Their widely spaced eyes & clumsy walking style had led to the turkey’s dim-witted reputation.
                                                      

5. Koalas

Koalas have one of the smallest brain-to-body ratios of any animal. If you presented a koala with a eucalyptus already plucked from a tree, it wouldn’t be able to recognize that it is still edible.”  
                                               

The Gazette, Montreal

Oct. 25/2018

Cute Critter Pic

Weekly Chuckle
                                                      

Jan. 15/2020

Feature:

Swipe Right For Puppy Love

   “VILNIUS, LITHUANIA…Animal lovers in Lithuania have created a mobile application inspired by the popular dating app Tinder to match up dogs in local shelters with new owners.

   Called GetPet, the app was launched last month & is getting hundreds of new users daily & already has made a few matches. It joins a growing market of apps for people looking to adopt a pet, including PawsLikeMe & BarkBuddy.

                                      

   ‘It’s like Tinder but with dogs,’ said Vaidas Gecevicius, one of the app’s creators. ‘You can arrange a meeting with the dog- a date.’

   …The app only features dogs for now but the plan is to eventually include cats & other animals.

   2 friends, Emily & Elena, recently scanned the app & then visited the SOS Gyvunai shelter in Vilnius to meet Piff, a medium black & grey mongrel…

   ‘I think it’s actually a very great idea because in Lithuania we have a lot of stray dogs & a lot of people who want to adopt,’ 24-year-old Elena said…

   Ilona Reklaityte, the shelter’s founder, said she is very happy about the innovative approach to an old problem.

   ‘I really welcome this new app as it gives us more chances to find our pets new owners & a new home & that means we can then help other dogs still on the streets,’ Reklaityte said…” 
                                           

Liudas Dapkus

The Associated Press

The Gazette, Montreal

Feb./2019

Cute Critter Pic

Weekly Chuckle