California Cows Fail Latest Emissions Test

This month government regulators issued a report identifying dairy cows as the main source of smog-forming pollutants in the San Joaquin Valley, California.

A dairy cow annually emits almost 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of smog-forming gases known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—more than a car or light truck, according to the San Joaquin Valley United Air Pollution Control District.

amazing cat collection . com

Apple Snails

In the 1980's, the Apple Snail was introduced in Taiwan to start an escargot industry. Such food culture can provided protein for the local population, especially useful for the farmers, who primary live on a rice diet, low in proteins. However, the snails didn't become a culinary success. It also became quickly clear that the imported species were able to transfer the Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm) parasite just like the native apple snail population (Pila). This parasite spends a part of its life cycle in apple snails and can infect humans when the snail isn't cooked long enough before consumption.

Instead of becoming a food source they escaped, and became a serious pest, posing a real threat to the rice production and the environment. During the 1980's the introduced snails rapidly spread to Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Hong Kong, southern China, Japan and the Philippines and there are indications that they are currently invading Australia.

Racetrack Fish Bowl

The Racetrack Fish Bowl is the perfect solution if your fish suffers from claustrophobia, or if you're simply looking for a tabletop conversation piece for your home or office. The Racetrack Fish Bowl is designed to give small fish, which are said to have a memory of 7 seconds, the sensation of long distance swimming.
Found at Post Modern Pets

Cow Racing

In 2000, Pete Ondrus and his wife, Barb Lambert, of North Shade Township, Gratiot County, Michigan founded the Mid-Michigan Cow Racing Association (MMCRA) and the World-Wide Cow Racing Association (WWCRA), their motto is "Don't milk them, race them."

The Mid-Michigan Cow Racing Association was formed in the effort to find the world's fastest cow. No bull. Besides, they're not allowed. Only female cows are permitted in the one-mile Udder Race.

paintings from the Costa Rican rainforest

Original Art and Prints From Costa Rica
by Carlos Galli

Puppy love in South Korea

At the Bau House Cafe, dogs show up on the couches, on the tables, on the windowsills _ but not on the menu.

Though dog still is a delicacy for some South Koreans, pets are pampered here in ways that top even the United States.

The pets were living out every naughty-dog fantasy, lapping from bowls of shaved ice and barking nonstop. On a typical weekend, the cafe serves 50 to 60 tables of customers each day in this trendy university neighborhood. The humans sip pricey fruit shakes and slurp noodles while the dogs nibble on treats handed out by cafe workers for free.

As South Koreans have become more affluent in the past decade, they have been able not only to afford pets but also to spoil them.

related: Bau Haus Cafe

Eugen Teuber Papers, American Philosophical Society

As a young graduate student at the University of Berlin in 1912, Eugen Teuber (1889-1958) was hired to help establish the Anthropoiden Station auf Teneriffa (Tenerife Primate Station) for the Prussian Academy of Sciences, the first field station devoted to behavioral research on primates.

The papers of Eugen Teuber document the founding and earliest years of the Anthropoiden Station auf Teneriffa. A small, tightly focused collection, it contains a series of official documents relating to the establishment of the Station, approximately 20 letters between Teuber and officials in Berlin, including Wilhelm Waldeyer and Max Rothmann, some research notes, and over 100 photographs of the chimpanzees and facilities.

The Mows

Daily cat cartoons.

Stuff On My Cat

Wedding Attire for Dogs

When your dog decides to get married, it will want to look its best. As its owner, you have a duty to make a trip to the Wedding Day department at Classy Cats and Canines.
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WildFinder

WildFinder is a map-driven, searchable database of more than 30,000 species worldwide, with a powerful search tool that allows users to discover where species live or explore wild places to find out what species live there. Containing information on birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, WildFinder is a valuable resource for scientists, students, educators, travelers, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
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Wag Bags

Colorful, eco-friendly doggie clean-up bags. The cheerful design and fresh lemon scent are a definite pick-me-up when picking up.

•Bright, lemon-scented plastic
•Mitt shaped; one size fits nearly anyone
•Biodegradable
•Yellow, green and orange

Riding the Underdog Railroad

Working in relays, volunteers haul rescued canines long distances to new homes. The trips aren't easy, and some say they're unnecessary.

"If you can get a picture of a dog online, there's a 90% chance you'll get a home for it. People see a certain face, and they can't resist," said Elizabeth Sescilla, 27, a cheerful North Carolina pharmacist who is a coordinator of a loose-knit movement known to animal rescuers as the "canine underground railroad." Linked by the Internet, cellphones and fervid love of animals, thousands of volunteers across the U.S., Canada and Europe go to enormous lengths to save strays.

Semenzoo Italy

Semenzoo Italy was established in 1989 as a Consortium of Italian AI Centers, with the mission of marketing the semen of Italian Proven Bulls throughout the world.



Finally! A reliable source for Italian bull semen!

Dog Condoms - Product Recall

Why?, you ask...

Because

"The success of these veterinary trials did not carry over into their use by dog owners in test markets."

and

"Consumers reported choking incidents resulting from animals attempting to ingest Dog Condoms® meat-scented condoms."

k9 Kalmer

The K9 Kalmer plays an irresistible, proprietary composition of music, which your dog can hear but is otherwise inaudible to humans. This melody will lure attention away from anxiety producing stimuli and result in a dog's version of tranquility. When used in a systematic way, the K9 Kalmer will make this tranquil behavior a permanent part of a dog's life.

Humans strip bare for zoo exhibit

Eight people have been chosen to spend the August Bank Holiday weekend almost naked and on display at London Zoo.

Visitors will see the humans, who will be treated like animals, kept amused with games, music and art.

But after each day in the open Bear Mountain enclosure the bunch - naked except for well-placed fig leaves - will be allowed home for the night.

Friday Cat Blog

7:00 a.m. Status Report

It's 7 o'clock on Friday morning. What are the kitties doing?

Bandit has returned to bed for a small nap.

Grace is cleaning up after breakfast.

Smoke checks the weather . . .





and decides it's a great day to watch birds and squirrels.








If you're in the mood for more pet stories and photos, visit Friday Ark.
Also, please visit the Carnival of the Cats which will be hosted this Sunday at Annoying Little Twerp.

Cats in sinks

Lions for sale on the Internet

Lions are doing a roaring trade, with baboons, giraffes, zebras and chimps also on sale on the Internet, a report said.

Among the animals for sale were chimpanzees dressed as dolls for 60,000 dollars , a "sweet-natured" giraffe in need of a loving, caring home (15,000 dollars), and a London gorilla needing a new home as its owner is relocating -- yours for 4,500 pounds (8,100 dollars).

A live, "hand-reared" two-year old Siberian tiger, came with a 70,000-dollar price tag.

Two arrested for dumping alligator into L.A. lake

Two men have been arrested for releasing a man-sized alligator into a Los Angeles lake, where the big reptile has eluded increasingly frustrated authorities for two weeks, police said on Wednesday.

Anthony Brewer, 36, was taken into custody on Tuesday night at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of San Pedro, where police said they found remnants of a make-shift alligator habitat, two snapping turtles and drugs.

Evidence seized there led officers to the nearby home of Todd Natow, 42, who was also arrested. A Los Angeles police spokesman said officers discovered three alligators, four piranhas, three desert tortoises, six tortoise eggs, one rattlesnake, a scorpion and marijuana.

Hartz Flea and Tick Drops for Cats and Kittens to be Phased Out

At EPA’s insistence, Hartz Mountain Corp. has agreed to cancel uses of several flea and tick products that may be associated with a range of adverse reactions, including hair loss, salivation, tremors, and numerous deaths in cats and kittens.

In the short term, the agreement calls for new labeling of the products. The new labeling will state that the products of concern are not to be used on the most vulnerable animals, including cats and kittens that weigh less than 6 pounds, cats older than 13 years, or kittens less than 5 months old.

The art of pig tattoos

A tattoo artist works on a live pig at an organic art center outside Beijing Friday Aug. 19, 2005. Artists at the Art Farm, set up by Belgian artist Wim Delvoye, tattoo anesthetized pigs to create works which are expected to be displayed in galleries once the pigs eventually die. The pigs, which are tattooed with designs ranging from the Louis Vuitton logo to Russian prison tattoos, are expected to live a longer than normal life since their increased value protects them from being killed for food.

Old-fashioned methods best for treating head lice

Old-fashioned methods of getting rid of head lice in children are far more effective than current chemical treatments, researchers revealed.

Using a fine-tooth comb and conditioner on wet hair was four times more effective than popular chemical-based treatments like lotions and shampoo.

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) researcher Dr Nigel Hill said: “Millions of pounds are spent each year by desperate parents or through NHS prescriptions on lice treatments and many seem to be virtually useless"

UK Ladybird Survey - homepage

Ladybirds belong to the scientific family Coccinellidae. In Britain, some 46 species belong to this family, although only 26 of these are recognisably ladybirds.

The Ladybird Survey aims to facilitate the recording of all the UK's ladybirds.

On this website, you will find lot sof information to help you find and identify species, and online forms so that you can record your observations.

This Little Piggy Didn't Go To Market

This 30-pound piglet has been named Rueben and is about to be adopted.

He was most likely heading to a farm to be fattened up before being turned into bacon. But an Indiana pig is living high on the hog -- at least for now.

www.alleycatphotos.com // Alley Cats...Urban Tails

Behind too many office buildings, theaters, restaurants, or shopping malls lives one or more families of stray cats. A similar scene unfolds near any dumpster or natural source of water. Our parents called them alley cats. "Strays," we mutter, although the correct term may actually be feral. A stray cat is one that has had contact with people at some point in its life, while a feral cat has been completely alone and wild since birth.

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Famous Cats Quiz

Do you know these famous felines?

video: karate monkey

This chimp is very good at martial arts.

Camels, camels and more camels

Pull up a camel, put your feet up, sit back and relax while you enjoy magnificent photos and stories about camels. Most people don't realize how beautiful and fun loving camels are.
Warning: After viewing this site, you may be inclined to get a camel.

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Wildcats born from cloned parents

Researchers at the Audubon Nature Institute of New Orleans have announced the birth of eight wildcat kittens from three cloned parents.

The births at the institute's Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species are said to mark the first time two unrelated clones of a wild species have bred naturally to produce healthy babies.

Officials said the births advance the science of high-tech reproduction for endangered species by confirming clones of wild animals can breed naturally, making critically important contributions to shrinking gene pools of animals near extinction.

Israel to rescue cats, dogs from Gaza settlements

Israeli animal rescuers will enter Gaza's Jewish settlements after they have been evacuated to round up stray dogs and cats, an animal welfare group said.

Unarmed troops have begun forced evacuations of settlers under Israel's plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip after nearly four decades of occupation. About half the 8,500 residents had already left by themselves.

Animal rescuer Avi Kuzi, who heads the Society to Protect Animals group, said that after the 21 Gaza settlements are declared empty, the pet catchers will move in.

Boy Survives Bump From Killer Whale

Whale researchers say it was highly unusual for a killer whale to bump a 12-year-old boy splashing in shallow water near Ketchikan.

Ellis Miller found himself face-to-face with an orca charging at him in 4 feet of water Saturday in Helm Bay. The animal, estimated to be more than 25 feet long, bumped but did not bite him.

"I looked underwater and there was this huge head right in front of me," Ellis told the Ketchikan Daily News.

Dogs Dressed Like Bees

Baby Hedgehogs

5 day-old baby hedgehogs found at The International Hedgehog Association

Cures for humans in crocodile blood?

Scientists in Australia's tropical north are collecting blood from crocodiles in the hope of developing a powerful antibiotic for humans, after tests showed that the reptile's immune system kills the HIV virus.

The crocodile's immune system is much more powerful than that of humans, preventing life-threatening infections after savage territorial fights which often leave the animals with gaping wounds and missing limbs.

Lions kill Zimbabwe park visitor

A pride of lions attacked and killed a Japanese visitor at a Zimbabwe wildlife park last week, state media reported Sunday.

The attack -- thought to be the first of its kind in Zimbabwe -- happened Thursday at the Lion and Cheetah Park at Norton as a 50-year-old woman was about to leave the park's 20-hectare (49-acre) lion enclosure on foot with five other people from the Japanese Embassy.

It was not immediately clear what the group was doing on foot inside the enclosure. Previously, visitors have been under strict instructions not to exit their vehicles.

Australia's Thylacine Project

The Thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus, dog-headed pouched-dog) is a large carnivorous marsupial now believed to be extinct.

The last known wild Thylacine was captured in 1933 and died in 1936. Reports of the occurrence of the Thylacine have continued over the years. These reports have been documented but despite the irregular sightings by a number of credible persons, no live or dead Thylacine has been displayed in over 50 years.

The Australian Museum has a small Thylacine pup preserved in alcohol in 1866. Its cells could be used for cloning. By chance this Thylacine was stored in a jar of alcohol rather than formalin, which would have destroyed the DNA.

In 1999 the Australian Museum decided to explore the possibilitiy of cloning the Thylacine using the specimen in their possession.

Prairie dog plague in Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. -- Bubonic plague has struck a second Boulder County prairie dog colony in what could be the early stage of a massive die-off, officials and biologists say.

Joe Malinowski, a county health official, said his office received confirmation from a state lab Tuesday night that fleas taken from a prairie dog colony on private property near Table Mountain, northeast of Boulder, had tested positive for plague.

Two weeks ago, plague turned up in a colony near Wonderland Lake, in northwest Boulder. Malinowski said it is likely to keep spreading.

Snakeheads eat their way to New York

The snakehead, a forever-hungry critter that tends to devour most everything in its path, is considered one of the least desirable aquatic guests imaginable.

The snakehead is a non-native, air-breathing freshwater fish, long and cylindrical with a large mouth, protruding lower jaw and canine-like teeth. It makes lunch out of whatever other fish happen to be in the neighborhood.

New York is the latest state to fall victim to the snakehead with researchers pulling four from Meadow Lake in Flushing, not too far from Shea Stadium, last month. Ten other states, from Maine to California, have reported infestations. Snakeheads, which come in a variety of species, have been captured in the Delaware and Potomac Rivers. Florida has given up trying to deal with them in some areas. ... more
related story

video: Surfing Mice

Shane Willmott of Australia's Gold Coast has been training a family of mice to ride the waves.

After some time in the bathtub, it's off to the beach with a mini-surfboard.
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Desparate Housedog

Desparate Housedog Tee ... Suspiciously digging holes at night, carrying on with neighbor canines - the secret lives of housedogs aren’t always what they seem. Let your star shine in a glittering red hot and humorous tank.

Friday Cat Blog

Glamorous Grace



"I'm ready for my close-up!"




If you're in the mood for more pet stories and photos, visit Friday Ark.
Also, please visit the Carnival of the Cats which will be hosted this Sunday at Running Scared.

Beast Blender

Blend part of one animal with a part of another and another to create a being that has never existed.

Civil War Dog Saluted After 7 score, 4 years

Dog Jack, a mixed-breed warrior, conducted himself with such valor during the Civil War that the men of the 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment exchanged a Confederate prisoner for him when he was captured and then commissioned a portrait of him at war's end.

The portrait hangs in Soldiers & Sailors National Military Museum & Memorial in Oakland, Pa.

A plaque hanging by the large oil portrait of Dog Jack tells much of what is known about him. He was the mascot of the Niagara Volunteer Fire Co., which was headquartered in Pittsburgh. He went with the firefighters when they enlisted in the 102nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment in 1861 "and fought in most of their battles except during his period of captivity when he was a prisoner of war," reads the plaque.

Hippo Sweat for Skin Care?

Some day, you might smear gooey hippo sweat all over your body, and it won't be for a bizarre ritual or a television reality show.

You'll be using a sunscreen with the chemically manufactured sweat of a hippopotamus. Not only will it prevent sunburn, but it will ward off bugs and protect you from skin infection.

As creepy as it sounds, slippery hippo sweat could become the toast of the skin-care industry.

The Owl Pages

Owls have fascinated man from time immemorial - to some cultures they are symbols of wisdom, while to others they are harbingers of doom and death. The Owl Pages sheds some light on these mysterious creatures.

Predator Pee

Website says "Due to a recent legal ruling, we no longer sell predator urine as an animal repellent."

But you can still purchase all kinds of animal urine & use it for a variety of reasons.

USOC forces new name for ferret competition

After nine years of slippery, slinky competition, the Ferret Olympics is being forced to change its name — the U.S. Olympic Committee has threatened to sue.

An estimated 75 ferrets will vie for medals at the Ferret Agility Trials on Sunday in events including the tube run and the paper bag escape. Only "they are not Olympians anymore," organizer Melanee Ellis said with a laugh.

Ellis started the Ferret Olympics in 1996, the year of the Atlanta games, as a fundraiser for a local ferret shelter.

Gary Parker Photography

Wonderful photos of cats, dogs, and their people by Gary Parker.

Twelve Tips for a Well Behaved Dog

From the American Dog Trainers Network, how to train your dog effectively.

Paris gives Tinkerbell the ol' heave-ho

You'd better sit down for this one.

In a shocking scandal that would not be news any other month but August — when frankly nothing else is going on — Paris Hilton has split with her teacup Chihuahua, Tinkerbell.

The miniature mutt has been callously replaced with a smaller version called Bambi.

"[Paris] only likes them when they're very small, and Tinkerbell got too big," a pal told New York magazine.

Thousands of Toads Hop Into Montana Town

BIG SANDY, Mont. -- Thousands of quarter-sized toads have invaded this north-central Montana farming community, causing slippery streets and raising the entrepreneurial spirits of some.

The toads started showing up in the southeast portion of town in the past couple of weeks.


"I have no idea how many thousands of toads are in town," said Charlie Foussard. "At times, you just about can't take a step."

Karen Jesperson said some lawns in town are filled with so many toads, it looks like the grass is moving.

Pigeon Kam

What if pigeons had cameras?

Nail Caps for Cats

Developed by a veterinarian, Soft Paws are vinyl nail caps that glue on to your cat's claws. This amazing product effectively covers the claws so no damage occurs when your cat scratches.

"Grizzly Man" Movie Spurs New Looks at a Grisly Death

A new movie, Grizzly Man, documents the life and death of bear activist Timothy Treadwell, who was mauled to death by a grizzly. Many experts say he invited trouble by getting too close to the wild animals.

Two years ago activist Treadwell was mauled to death by a bear he considered a brother. Was he to blame for his own killing?

Animals Going Awry as Earth Warms

The world on average is about 1ºF (0.6ºC) warmer today than it was a century ago. That may not sound like a lot, but it's enough to concern some scientists.

The temperature rise has put feathered, furry, and scaly animals alike in a state of flux. Some are seeking higher ground, others are breeding earlier, and many can't find enough to eat.

Scientists expect the current bout of global warming to cause animals—as during past climate changes—to shift their habitat ranges and to alter the timing of events like breeding and hibernation.

Purr Detector Lighted Cat Collar

A California company has developed a cat collar that glows whenever the cat purrs.

The Sound Guy, Inc., of Seaside, California, has developed the Purr Detector lighted cat collar. In addition to providing family fun, the Purr Detector can also flash when the cat is outside at night, for improved safety and visibility.
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Cat Cocoon - Postmodern Pets

The Cat Cocoon is a multifunctional piece of feline furniture (patent pending) with a playful, organic shape.

Pet A Rock - Painted Rocks, Stones, Pet Memorials

Your pet's picture on a rock.

Early dinosaurs crawled before they ran

The oldest embryos ever discovered reveal that some early dinosaurs crawled on four legs before learning to stand on two later in life.

A 190-million-year-old batch of perfectly preserved prosauropod eggs also provides some of the earliest and most compelling evidence that adult dinosaurs nurtured their young, providing food and protection until they could fend for themselves.

Turkish Van Cat Association

It was in 1955 that Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday were travelling through Turkey, and noticed that the cats particularly around the area of Van in Eastern Turkey bore a remarkable resemblence to the traditional Angora type. The most noticeable difference however was that the coat was not pure white, but had auburn head markings and a faintly ringed auburn tail. Laura brought two unrelated cats back to Britain, and when they were mated they produced kittens bearing the same auburn markings. It was at this point that Laura realised that this was a natural breed, and not man-made. She registered the Van prefix and the Turkish Van Cat had since become an established breed.

Exotic Species of San Francisco Bay

The bays and estuaries of the Pacific Coast contain some of the most invaded marine habitats in the world, with additional species arriving every year.
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No More Hemp for Lichtenstein cows

They are the most chilled-out, laid-back, carefree cattle in the world, and happy cows produce better milk.

What is it that keeps the cash cows calm? Hemp, which is related to cannabis. And that's why Liechtenstein has banned its use.

This has in turn enraged the country's dairy farmers, who say that the hemp relaxes those jangly bovine nerves.

CBC News: Teens operate on dead cat, saving kittens

Two teenagers performed a caesarean section on a dead cat they found along a New Brunswick road, saving two of four kittens.

After discovering that the cat's body was still warm, they decided to try to save its kittens – even though neither of them knew how to do a caesarean section or had studied biology.

Many Cats Unaffected By Catnip

Catnip sensitivity is inherited, says Carolyn M. McDaniel, a veterinarian at the Feline Health Center at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. A kitten with only one catnip-sensitive parent has a one-in-two chance of developing the sensitivity; if both parents have the sensitivity, the chances rise to at least three in four, she says.

There is a chemical cause for the response to catnip (Nepeta cataria), available in pet shops as a raw herb or essential oil, says McDaniel. Nepetalactone is one of several compounds known to set off the characteristic set of behaviors associated with exposure to catnip. These behaviors generally start with sniffing, licking and chewing, followed by head shaking, body and head rubbing, and then repeated head-over-heels rolling.

Boston's Same-Sex Swan Couple

Boston's beloved pair of swans -- feted by city leaders, residents, and tourists alike as one of the Hub's most celebrated summer attractions -- are a same-sex couple. Yes, scientific tests have shown that the pair, named Romeo and Juliet, are really Juliet and Juliet.

Friday Cat Blog

Laurence, at This Blog is Full of Crap, makes it a habit to Ask the Cats what they think about pertinent issues.

"Yes," I thought, "We have cats! Let's ask our cats what they think."

Cats,

What do you think about violins on television?

What do you think about the deaf penalty?

What do you think about endangered feces?

Maybe I didn't ask the right questions.

Oh, well, never mind.


If you're in the mood for more pet stories, visit Friday Ark.
Also, please visit the Carnival of the Cats which will be hosted this Sunday at Mind of Mog.

Goat crowned King of Ireland at ancient festival

A wild mountain goat was crowned King of Ireland on Wednesday in an ancient annual ritual whose origins are lost in the mists of history.

For three days, Charlie, a grey male goat with brown trimmings, will reign over this year's Puck Fair -- one of Ireland's oldest and best-loved street festivals -- in Killorglin, in the southwestern county of Kerry.

"Nobody really knows how it came about or when," said Jean Kearney, a spokeswoman for the festival, which is expected this year to attract more than 100,000 visitors for a marathon of music, drinking and dancing.

Waves of jellyfish invade beaches

Unusually high concentrations of jellyfish have appeared along Spain's Mediterranean coast this summer, to the discomfort of thousands of tourists, officials said Wednesday.

The Red Cross said its lifeguards had treated almost 11,000 people for stings on beaches so far this season in the northeastern region of Catalonia alone, twice the number from the same period last year, when the jellyfish count had already begun to rise.

Dogs sniff out medical problems before they occur

Bob Maher's diabetes was shutting his body down. He no longer got the shakes or the sweats to warn him that his blood sugar was plummeting. Instead, he would just pass out.

It made him scared to drive, to be alone, even to sleep.

Chewie's going to change all that. The two-year-old dog, an auburn Labrador mix named after the Star Wars character Chewbacca, has the ability to detect changes in Mr. Maher's blood sugar that are unrecognizable to Mr. Maher himself. Chewie then alerts Mr. Maher to correct it. ... more

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Baby Bunny Pictures

Cute pictures of baby bunnies from all over the world.

Where are the storks?

With 40,900 breeding pairs, Poland is home to about one-quarter of the world's stork population, according to the most recent stork census. Neighboring Belarus is next, with about 10,000 nesting couples.

Each spring, after wintering in Central Africa, the stork pairs return to their nests in Poland. Same storks, same nests, like some feathered variation of the Midwestern retirees who drive the RV back up to Wisconsin or Minnesota after spending the cold months in Florida.

But this year something is alarmingly amiss in the stork world. Thousands of couples have gone AWOL, and those that return are not producing enough chicks. Ornithologists are at a loss to explain why. ... more

Dogs of war

U.S. forces rely on dogs to detect bombs in Iraq. Insurgents rig them with explosives.

These are the dogs of war:

At a checkpoint leading to the U.S.-protected Green Zone, Gordy stands sentry. The affable Belgian Malinois has a nose finely tuned to detect the nitrates, plastic explosives, gunpowder and detonation cords that suicide bombers use to blow up people.

On a barren stretch of road in northern Iraq, a dog rigged with explosives approaches a group of Iraqi police officers. Detonated by remote control, the bomb tears the dog apart but doesn't harm the cops. ... more

New lemur species identified in Madagascar

When scientists working in Madagascar discovered a new species of mouse lemur--with rounded ears, bright maroon fur and a creamy white patch on its abdomen--they decided to name it after Chicago's Field Museum biologist Steven M. Goodman.

Primate Photo Gallery: chimpanzees, gorillas, orang-utans, monkeys, lemurs

Primate Photo Gallery: chimpanzees, gorillas, orang-utans, monkeys, lemurs

Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust

Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust is the first organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates. They are actively engaged in saving Britain's rarest bugs, slugs, snails, bees, wasps, ants, spiders, beetles and many more fascinating invertebrates.

Sam & Susie's Blog

Sam, the world's ugliest dog, has his own blog.

The Cats of Venice

A recent cat census of Venice and the Lido has counted nearly 450 colonies of stray cats, for a total population of almost 5000.

The Dingo Foundation of Venice concerns itself with the city's stray animal population, and is asking for help in the way of donations or adoptions.

For more information, or to contribute, or to order their official Venice cat calendar, you can contact Dingo at...

Mailing Address: Associazione Dingo, CP45, 30124 Venice ITALY
Email: dingove@innocent.com
Tel.: (Country Code 39) 041 715219

The official website of the city's cat refuge on the Venetian Lido (and automatically translated here)

In addition, there's another webpage in Italian and you can read its literal "engrish" translation
here.

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Organization for Bat Conservation

The Organization for Bat Conservation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of bats and their habitats.

The Fairest Fowl: Portraits of Championship Chickens

In her new book, "The Fairest Fowl: Portraits of Champion Chickens," New York photographer Tamara Staples takes an unconventional look at some unusual prize-winning chickens.

see exhibit
read book review
photographer's website

Bounty-hunters snarl Delhi traffic catching cows

A cash reward on the heads of New Delhi's stray cows has triggered road chaos in the Indian capital as bounty hunters on motorbikes compete to round up cattle roaming the streets, The Hindustan Times said on Saturday.

The Delhi High Court passed an order on Thursday instructing authorities to offer 2,000 rupees per cow -- an average Indian's monthly salary -- to rid the city of the traffic menace.

With cows sacred to Hindus, who make up the bulk of India's billion-plus population, an estimated 35,000 cows and buffalo roam free in the capital, sharing space with hordes of monkeys, camels and stray dogs.

Bad cats?

I guess not all cats are nice.


Mitzi
found at MeanKitty Gallery








Tiggers
found at My Cat Hates You

Robert J. Lang Origami

Robert J. Lang has been an avid student of origami for over thirty years and is now recognized as one of the world’s leading masters of the art, with over 400 designs catalogued and diagrammed.

Bark & Sparkle

Indulge your precious puppies in the elegance and pure glamour of custom, handwoven Swarovski crystal collars ... maybe even get a matching bracelet or choker for yourself.

Cats should not wear clothes!

This cat will get revenge! You wait and see.

Hummer Nest '05

Watch as hummingbird eggs hatch and the chicks develop.

Snouts Bakery

Offers a variety of home-made treats your dog, horse or cat can enjoy anytime. From no-crumble training treats to fancy after-dinner desserts, your pal will be begging for more!

Blogathon for pets

Blogathon 2005 started Saturday, August 6th at 9:00 AM EST.

During the Blogathon, people update their websites every 30 minutes for 24 hours straight. For this, they collect sponsorships. Pledges can be a flat donation, or a certain amount for every hour the blogger manages to stay awake.

Blogathon entrants are collecting pledges to many worthy charities.

Some Blogathon entrants are collecting pledges to animal related charities.

This Blog is Full of Crap for The Cat Society of Israel

Eclectic Mind for Alley Cat Allies

Parade Of Animals for Anti-Cruelty Society

shattering.org for Pit Bull Rescue Central

TinyHiney for Bluegrass Shih Tzu Rescue

Sunidesus Speaks for Sweet Binks Rabbit Rescue

For the Love of Greys for Grey Haven

Dementia for the Lullis M. Ritter Animal Shelter

Bark 'N' Blog for International Fund for Animal Welfare

Nasubionna's Livejournal for The Elephant Sanctuary

What a great way to raise money for some great causes!

Just a little froggy in my backyard

The My Backyard group at Flickr has posted a photo of our little froggie in their blog.

Awww, thank you!

Oops I Pooped

Biodegradable waste bags for easy clean-up when you're walking your dog.

I just like the name!

Friday Cat Blog

Remembering Saucer

During his last two years away at college, Mike lived in an ancient former farmhouse with several roommates. One freezing cold winter night, in the garage which was once the stables, Mike found a tiny kitten with its neck stuck through the top of a domed plastic Slurpee lid. He rescued the kitten and named him Saucer.

When the time came to move back home, of course Mike would bring Saucer home with him. There was a problem though, Saucer had claws; we had new furniture. We took Saucer in for declawing to a very reputable vet, one we had great confidence in. Tragically, while under anesthetic, Saucer died.

The whole family was shocked, stunned, and grieving. I was horrified because I was the one who raised the "declawing" issue. We had a necropsy performed at a different animal hospital, to see what could possibly have gone wrong. The diagnosis was that Saucer had a defective heart valve which could have caused him to die at any time. It was just an unfortunate coincidence that his death happened when it did. That allayed my guilt a bit, but not totally.

Mike still misses Saucer, I'm sure, and so does the rest of our family.

If you're in the mood for more pet stories, visit Friday Ark.
Also, please visit the Carnival of the Cats in its natural habitat at This Blog is Full of Crap. Laurence will be blogging to raise funds for The Cat Society of Israel in The Blogathon in memory of Edloe.

Cats and toxoplasmosis: what are the risks?

Toxoplasmosis is the most publicised of the zoonotic diseases which people can get from contact with cats. Recently toxoplasmosis has been in the headlines with articles indicating that infection with this agent may affect human behaviour and implicating cats as the major source of infection. This article will explore the known facts on transmission and disease caused by this agent and reassure cat owners that they have little to fear from their cat!

Tardigrades

Tardigrades are strange microscopic, multi-cellular animals. About 750 species are known to the scientific world. They always live in water: in the oceans and in ponds but most typically in small droplets of water bound by mosses or lichens.

Even after the invention of the microscope it took some time until the first tardigrade was found - in the 18th century, by a German pastor, an early microscope amateur.

The evolution of man and woman

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video: Kitty Kat Stomp

Let's all do the Kitty-Kat Stomp!
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Pawbreakers - The Candy for Cats!

Pawbreakers are a unique, solid ball of top quality catnip specially combined with a food-grade binder. This makes for a tasty toy that can be chased and eaten by your pet with almost no mess.

Scientists clone man's best friend

Scientists for the first time have cloned a dog. But don't count on a better world populated by identical, well-behaved canines just yet.

That's because the dog duplicated by South Korea's cloning pioneer, Hwang Woo-suk, is an Afghan hound, a resplendent supermodel in a world of mutts, but ranked by dog trainers as the least companionable and most indifferent among the hundreds of canine breeds.

video: cat tease

A little kitten teases a much bigger cat.

Worm Farming Gains Recognition in Oregon

Worm rancher Dan Holcombe is finally getting some respect, along with his squiggly, slithering livestock. Worm wrangling is right up there with cattle ranching and wheat farming, at least in Oregon. A bill signed last week by Oregon's governor will add worms to the state's list of tax-exempt farm products.

Dog Competes in Alcatraz Swim

Jake, a 4-year-old golden retriever was the first dog ever to compete in the Annual South End Rowing Club Alcatraz Invitational on Saturday, July 30, 2005.

Jake finished 72nd out of 500 swimmers.

International Dog Signs

Dog signs from around the world.
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Phodography

Kittens survive 2-day shipping

A worker in the returns department at Country Home Products got a surprise when he opened a brush trimmer sent back from South Carolina.

Inside the box was the trimmer — and five kittens.

The three-week-old kittens survived the two-day trip to Vermont and are doing fine.

Baby Panda Bear Photos

A Chinese researcher feeds one of the twin giant panda cubs with panda milk at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Wolong in southwest China's Sichuan province.

Big Cats on Line

Discover how the wild cats 'earn their living' – from raising their young, establishing territory, hunting technique and social grouping – Big Cats Online caries many articles on behaviour and species history.