New URL

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As of
February 20, 2007
the NEW URL and DOMAIN
for this blog is:

http://internet-pets.blogspot.com/

We'll continue to have the same interesting content as before, we're just trying to free up some space and traffic on our server.

Remember us, but we are now

The Pet Blog

Art: Butterfly People

She Hovers in the Air

The anthropomorphic illustration above comes from a 2-volume set: 'Papillons - Metamorphoses Terrestres Des Peuples De L'Air', published by Gabriel de Gonet in 1852.
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Video: Sleepy Baby Sloth

When it comes to tired baby animals, the sloth is king.
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The greatest porkers in pop culture history

Happy Lunar New Year

Pigs may be some of the tastiest animals ever made. No matter how cute some of them may be, you can't deny the mouth watering goodness of bacon. But aside from their culinary contributions to society, it's time we honor their importance as pop culture icons.
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Hip Shot Cartoons by Andy White

The Bad Foods For Dogs List

This page is a list of common foods that are bad or poisonous for your dog. If you suspect that your dog might have eaten any food that might be toxic, contact his/her vet immediately.

Rare white lions on public view

The first white lion cubs to be born at a UK safari park are going on public view in the West Midlands.

The cubs, three females and one male called Kiara, Lara, Toto and Casper, were born in August last year.

They were bred at the West Midland Safari Park near Bewdley, Worcs, to mother Maryn who was brought to the park in 2004 with three others.

White lions are a rare species found in an area of South Africa. There are thought to be 130 left in the world.
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Fear-mongering about wolves not based in science

Despite generations of us raised on "Little Red Riding Hood," wolves are fascinating animals that almost never attack humans. Yes, they'll follow you at a distance across a frozen lake. They'll kill and eat domestic livestock. They'll kill pets and the loose-running dogs of Wisconsin bear hunters.

It's not inconceivable that a healthy, wild wolf would attack a human being. But the few documented cases of attacks on humans nearly always involved either rabid wolves or those habituated to human contact at campgrounds or garbage dumps. In Minnesota, wolves have had hundreds - probably thousands - of chances to attack humans and have not done so.

The only case in Minnesota even resembling a wolf attack occurred many years ago. A man hunting rabbits, wearing a coat well-anointed with buck scent from deer season, was jumped from behind by a wolf. The man fired a shot from his .22-caliber rifle.

"The wolf appeared to come to its senses and fled, leaving the hunter with a long scratch," wrote Minnesota wolf researcher L. David Mech.

Juneau predator catches and releases pet pug

A lone, black wolf that Juneau residents have dubbed "Romeo" appears to have lost its fear of humans, prompting officials to set up signs reminding people to keep their distance from the wild animal.

The wolf has been spotted on several occasions attempting to "play" with dogs and people on and around frozen Mendenhall Lake, one of his haunts, the Juneau Empire reported.

Recent pictures circulating locally by e-mail show Romeo getting acquainted with a few local dogs, including a small, light-colored pug.

In one shot, he's making off with the pug as if it were a rabbit. Subsequent photos show the pug squirming on the ice after he's been released. The little dog suffered no apparent harm.
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Wallaby Captured In SoCal Back Home In Oroville

It was the Wallaby capture seen around the world.

Last week, television helicopter crews hovered as animal control officers in Southern California cornered what looked like a kangaroo in someone's backyard.

Turns out, it's a wallaby and the lost little guy lives in Oroville.

Walter the wallaby is the pet of Oroville resident Banti Baker. "He's the love of my life" Banti told CBS13.

She's been raising wallabies them for 25 years.. But Walter escaped when Baker left him with a friend in Southern California.

And that's when Walter became worldwide news as television crews covered his capture and aired the 911 tapes from worried residents.

Stowaway squirrel grounds jet

An American Airlines flight made an unscheduled landing after pilots heard something skittering about in the wire-laden space over the cockpit.

The airline blamed the emergency landing of the Tokyo-Dallas flight with 202 passengers on a stowaway squirrel.

"You do not want a varmint up in the wiring areas and what-have-you on an airplane. You don't want anything up there," said John Hotard, spokesman for the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline.

He said pilots feared the animal would chew through wiring or cause other problems.

"So, as a precaution, we diverted," Hotard said.

Once on the ground late Friday, the Boeing 777's human passengers were put up in hotel rooms and later rebooked on other flights.

State and federal agriculture and wildlife officials boarded the plane, set traps and captured the eastern gray squirrel.

Red Panda, Ailurus fulgens

The Red Panda, Ailurus fulgens, also known as the Lesser Panda, Bear Cat or Fire Fox, is a mostly herbivorous mammal, slightly larger than a domestic cat.
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Zoos Offer Romantic Sex Tours For Couples

Valentine's Day is the time of year when zoos around the nation seek to woo a new adult audience with risque tours that couple champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and candlelight dining with impressive facts about how animals do the wild thing.

Credit for the concept goes to Jane Tollini, a former penguin keeper at the San Francisco Zoo. Tollini conceived the idea two decades ago while watching her penguins' courtship ritual, which culminates in what she describes as "bowling pins making love."

"The keepers get there early and we see things that other people don't see," Tollini said. "And I went, 'My God, that's fascinating.' You know the old Peter Sellers line, 'I like to watch?' You kind of go, 'Oh my, my, my. How big? How many? How far?' It was unbelievable."

English springer spaniel is America's top dog

An English springer spaniel with a preference for chicken-and-garlic treats prevented America's top dog event from turning into The Cosby Show.

Diamond Jim jumped into handler Kellie Fitzgerald's arms after being picked for best in show Tuesday night at the Westminster Kennel Club.

Dressed in a glittering copper top that perfectly matched her brown-and-white dog, Fitzgerald cuddled her 6-year-old certified therapy dog.

Diamond Jim beat out a Dandie Dinmont terrier co-owned by Bill Cosby, as he did at the big AKC/Eukanuba event in December. The springer was the nation's No. 2 show dog last year behind Cosby's entry – Fitzgerald also repeated, having gone best in show at Westminster in 2000.

Art by Chris Buzelli

Fountain of Health

Mystery Ailment Killing Honeybees

A mysterious illness is killing tens of thousands of honeybee colonies across the U.S., threatening honey production, the livelihood of beekeepers and possibly crops that need bees for pollination.

Researchers are scrambling to find the cause of the ailment, called Colony Collapse Disorder.

Reports of unusual colony deaths have come from at least 22 U.S. states. Some affected commercial beekeepers — who often keep thousands of colonies — have reported losing more than 50 percent of their bees. A colony can have roughly 20,000 bees in the winter, and up to 60,000 in the summer.

"We have seen a lot of things happen in 40 years, but this is the epitome of it all," Dave Hackenberg, of Lewisburg-based Hackenberg Apiaries, said by phone from Fort Meade, Fla., where he was working with his bees.

Kissing bugs (Triatoma) and the skin

Kissing bugs (Family Reduviidae) can be the source of nocturnal dermatologic wounds in the mid to southern latitudes in the United States. The insects are obligate blood feeders and though the bites may be asymptomatic, a variety of dermatologic eruptions or death from anaphylaxis can result. The various dermatologic forms of the bite can be mistaken for herpes zoster, erythema multiforme and the ubiquitous catch-all diagnoses of "spider-bite."

Triatoma are predominantly nocturnal and feed off of a sleeping person's exposed human body parts.

Typically, they position themselves next to the recumbent human, rather than on top of the host, to feed with the proboscis being the only contacting body part. Subjects describe the bite of Triatoma as virtually painless with a slight tingling sensation.

In laboratory observations, the insects fed for 8 to 15 minutes on humans before repletion and interfeeding duration was typically 3 weeks. However, the insects were able to survive 3 to 6 months between meals.

Dancing Jellyfish

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the wurstminster dog show

the wurstminster dog show is a fun show put on by the Wurst where artists are invited to "capture the look and spirit of their chosen breed in their own unique way." Artists were invited to reserve a dog breed on a first come, first served basis.

a portion of the proceeds from this show will be donated to DoveLewis animal hospital in portland, oregon.

Pictured:

elisabeth doherty - chicago, illinois
irish terrier
"finn"
3.5"x7"
acrylic yarn, mixed media soft sculpture

Why do cats have an inner eyelid as well as outer ones?

The third eyelid of cats plays an important role in maintaining the health of their eye surface. In fact, it is so important that among mammals and birds the norm is for a species to have a third eyelid and those lacking one--such as humans and some of our fellow primates--are the true oddities in nature.
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Man's Best Bud

From Europe comes a beer just for dogs. But will they like it?

TIME puts the pooch hooch to a taste test on some of Europe's most favored pooches in Paris's Bois de Boulogne, near the up-scale 16th Arrondissement and a favorite walking spot of the city's finest pedigrees (both four- and two-legged varieties).

Humane Solutions to Urban Wildlife Conflicts...

Whether you've found a bird with a broken wing, an orphaned baby squirrel, or have a wild animal taking up residence in your attic, we can help. Click on the links below for help with your situation.

• Click here if you have found an orphaned animal. Here you will find information to help you determine whether or not the animal you have found is really an orphan, and a listing of wildlife rehabilitators in your area if the animal is indeed in need of assitance.

• Click here if you have found an injured animal. Here you will find information on how to contain an injured wild animal, if it is safe to do so, as well as a full listing of wildlife rehabilitors in your area.

• Click here if you are experiencing a problem with a wild animal at your home or on your property. You will find detailed information on how to permanently and humanely resolve common urban wildlfe conflicts.

funny photos of dogs chewing up the house

Is your dog chewing up the house? You're not alone!

more ...
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California skunk leaves Canada after a long, strange trip to 'Oz'

A California skunk nicknamed Dorothy that hitched a ride aboard a commercial truck to Canada in late December is finally going home after a fantastic whirlwind tour, wildlife officials said.

The four-pound (1.8-kilogram) female had traveled nearly 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) in five days without food or water in a sealed container, arriving in Canada slightly dehydrated but otherwise unharmed.

Canadian wildlife authorities believe it fell asleep in a large rubber pipe that was loaded onto the big rig in Torrance, Calif., in late December.

The animal was dubbed Dorothy after Judy Garland's character in the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz" because it too "fell asleep and woke up in a strange land."

Civil War or Civility: How to Live with Urban Coyotes

If there is a born survivor among the mammals, it must be the coyote. This animal, after all, has thrived and expanded his range despite decades of devoted and remarkably wasteful federal efforts to eradicate him from the west. Once largely restricted to the open rural prairies, the coyote now exists in every state except Hawaii, and has even learned to coexist with humans in ever-expanding cities and towns.

Some people welcome this so-called invasion about as much as Atlanta welcomed Sherman, while others celebrate the ability of coyotes to survive in a hostile environment filled with buildings, fences, concrete, and cars. Community meetings—held when coyotes are observed in a neighborhood or a few cats mysteriously disappear— are usually divided into coyote lovers and coyote haters. Each side is fierce in its conviction that the coyotes must stay or go, although most of the time no one has accurate data on coyote behavior and myths are reported as fact.

Mutts are the new top dogs

Growing numbers of dog lovers are rejecting the pursuit of pedigrees to embrace instead what can only be called mongrels or mutts.

Short-haired or long, tiny or tall, mixed-breed dogs of uncertain background are enjoying unprecedented popularity.

"It's more fashionable to have a standard, old-fashioned mutt," says Michael Mountain of Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, the USA's largest animal shelter. "The 'in' thing is not to have a very well-bred, very expensive dog."

Fashion maven Isaac Mizrahi, smitten owner of Harry, a probable golden retriever/border collie mix adopted from a New York shelter in 2000, says: "Mutts are like real couture. There are no two alike."

Well-heeled folks who 10 years ago would have strolled the streets with nothing less than a perfect, silky Afghan hound or Yorkshire terrier are proudly parading their dogs of indeterminate heritage about. Animal shelters report that mongrels are often adopted as quickly as purebreds these days.

Knoxville Zoo says they have hatched a spider tortoise

The Knoxville Zoo says it has become the first U.S. zoo to successfully breed Northern spider tortoises, a subspecies so rare they can no longer be exported from their native Madagascar off Africa's southeastern coast.

The first young tortoise hatched Dec. 23, and at 18 grams and an inch long is thriving. A second hatched Friday and five more eggs were in incubation.

They are the result of a courtship between a male acquired in 2004 and two females obtained in 1999 and 2005. There are only 12 adult males and 11 adult females in captivity in the United States at four zoos.
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Deer in the news

Doctor collides with a whitetail deer while skiing
A doctor ran into a deer while skiing in Maine during the month of January.

Iowa wildlife experts consider deer contraceptive
Iowa wildlife experts are looking into a new deer contraceptive that could curb the state's multimillion-dollar-a-year overpopulation.

Minesotta deer harvest second highest on record
Minnesota hunters harvested nearly 270,000 deer during 2006, the second highest deer harvest ever recorded, according to a final numbers announced by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Police seek men who beat deer to death
Police and conservation officers are looking for information about a sickening crime where two men beat a young, pregnant deer to death in the driveway of a Lakeview [Canada] home.

8-year-old hunter finds oddity in first deer of career
For Alex Lieb, 8, and his father Nick, a rarity showed up within the range of a crossbow. The four-pointer's antlers were covered in velvet. It was a female.

Deer jumps through a window into home
A deer bounded through a parlor window, hurdling a sofa and scrambling through the home before being wrestled into a bathroom and locked in.

And the bride and groom were smelly pigs

The bride was a real smelly porker and she wore pink.

Two Musk hogs were married in a lavish ceremony in Taiwan, with the blessings of a Catholic priest.

The bride and groom -- Huang Pu-pu and Shu Fu-ko -- wore tailor-made outfits for the nuptials that included wedding cake, portrait photographs, a marriage certificate and were sealed with a kiss.

Keeping these odorous pigs as pets has become all the rage in Taiwan as the country prepares to ring in the new lunar year, which has been dubbed the "Year of the Pig."

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Video: A baby penguin learning to walk

They start off by walking on their parent's feet.
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Crash victim says dog saved her life

A south Georgia woman bloodied in a car wreck says she owes her life to a German shepherd who – thankfully – just wouldn't stay in his yard.

Shannon Lorio says that after her car careened down an embankment, the wayward dog found her bruised and battered on the vehicle's trunk, pulled her by her shirt collar, dragged her about 50 yards through briars to a highway and let her lean against him so she could flag a passing motorist.

His new name: Hero.

''That dog is always going to have a special place in my heart,'' Lorio said Friday. ''He's my hero.''

Hero's previous owners have signed him over to the Thomasville-Thomas County Humane Society since the Jan. 26 accident because he kept wandering off.

He won't be in the shelter long: Not only have at least 50 people offered to adopt him, a dog trainer has agreed to see if he has the right stuff for search and rescue work.

Over 100 fossilised dinosaur eggs found in India

In a remarkable feat, three amateur explorers have stumbled upon more than 100 fossilised eggs of dinosaurs in Madhya Pradesh. The eggs, belonging to the Cretaceous Era (approximately 144 to 65 million years ago), have been discovered in Kukshi-Bagh area of Dhar district, some 150 kms south-west of Indore.

The rare find is a significant step in the study of the pre-historic life in Narmada Valley.

"All the eggs were discovered from a single nesting site in a start to end exploration for 18 hours at the site in Kukshi-Bagh area, 40 kms from Manavar. As many as 6-8 eggs were found per nests," an excited Vishal Verma of the Mangal Panchayatan Parishad, a group of amateur explorers, told Hindustan Times from near the site.

Faith the Dog

Faith is an incredible dog. She was born just before Christmas in 2002, and we were lucky enough to have her in our family just 3 short weeks later. She was born to a mother dog, believed to be nearly full blooded chow, along with several other siblings. Faith wasn't the only puppy born with deformities, but because "Princess", her mother, was not our dog, we are not sure of the exact number of puppies she gave birth to. It is certain, however, that Faith was the only puppy with deformities to live.

Doggy lips

This Christmas your dog will be all smiles (and so will you) when he bites into this cheerful chew toy. Made of durable rubber and doggy tested, it will keep Fido grinning ear to ear as he fetches and funs with it to his heart's content.

Toy Fish

Rainbow Reef™ Magic-Action™ Trigger Fish

Water-Activated! Motorized swimming motion starts as soon as the fish hits the water!

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Huggable Hedgehog CD Case

Choose your desired Sonic Spike color in either Black-Grey or
Cream-Brown.
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Dog Valentine's Day Gifts

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Haute Dog Boutique unveils their first annual Valentine’s Day Gift Guide with the top 10 gift ideas sure to please even the most discerning furry Valentine. “Loving pet parents want to shower their ‘fur babies’ with something truly special on Valentine’s Day,” said Robin Nichols, president of Haute Dog Boutique.

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, pet owners spent an estimated $38.4 billion on their pets in 2006, with treats and toys as the most popular presents.

Cleft Palate Pups Get Surgery

Two puppies born with cleft palates have had their first corrective surgeries and are said to be doing well. The puppies, named Magic and Merlin, are about three months old. Because of their cleft palates, they were unable to eat.

They were rescued from a New York City shelter and taken to the Little Shelter Animal Adoption Center on Long Island. A veterinarian who volunteered at the Little Shelter when she was a teenager performed the surgery for free.

Photography by Sigrid Kleinecke & Kurt Tutschek

Art by Agnes Montgomery

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Video: Japan has baby animal boom

Newborn animals mesmerise visitors at a Tokyo zoo.

An unexpected "baby boom" at a Tokyo zoo attracts hoards of visitors, who have come to see the newborn koala, monkey, chimpanzee, giraffe, tiger and orangutan.

Photography by Helyn Davenport

Digital Art Photography: 'Goldfish Love'