In Memoriam: Socks, the Former WhiteHouse Cat

February 21, 2009 at 3:13 pm · Filed under Animal Stories, Animal news ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Socks, the WhiteHouse cat / Photo from CNN

Socks, the WhiteHouse cat / Photo from CNN

I read in the news that Socks, the former WhiteHouse cat during the Clinton period has passed away due to cancer in his mouth and jaw. Apparently, because of the spread of the disease and the terminal nature of it, Socks the cat was euthanized in  a veterinary clinic in Maryland.

From the CNN article:

Socks, the cat who won international fame during his years in the Clinton White House, was euthanized Friday after months of treatment for cancer.

Socks, who was born in 1989, was put to sleep about 10 a.m. at Three Notch Veterinary Clinic in Hollywood, Maryland, said veterinary assistant Rae Dera. Veterinarians say he was probably either 19 or 20 years old.

The cat had been losing weight since November and had been treated at the clinic, Dera said. He had been suffering from a cancer in his mouth and jaw.

Since the Clintons left the White House in 2001, Socks had lived with Betty Currie, former President Bill Clinton’s secretary. The Clintons were known to have visited Socks, and Currie, when in Washington.

He had been a stray and was adopted by Chelsea Clinton, the Clintons’ daughter, when Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas.

To Socks,

Wherever you are right now, may your soul rest in peace. Thank you for bringing  joy to the family you are with and to the rest of the world. The whole world will surely miss you.

*tears*

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Street Dogs Being Killed in Iraq

February 18, 2009 at 3:43 am · Filed under Animal welfare, SPCA ·Tagged , , , ,

Last Monday, I received this email from SPCA citing the issue of killing of street dogs in Iraq. Here is the video clip that I have found in CNN.

Stray dogs in Baghdad / Photo from CNN

Stray dogs in Baghdad / Photo from CNN

I find this kind of method, inhumane. Why resorting to poisoning and killing dogs, while you can trap them, euthanize them properly (if they have diseases) or have them neutered to stop their population?? They say that they dont have tranquilizer guns, then why they have not cooperated with SPCA to help them?

Stupid.Stupid.Stupid.

Has the Iraqi government gone nuts?

They cant and they will be unable to control the population of stray dogs by using these crude methods. And yeah, it only shows their inhumane side. WTF.

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Stranded Dolphins in the Philippines

February 10, 2009 at 3:53 pm · Filed under Animal Stories, Animal news ·Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

About more than 300 melon-head dolphins were found stranded in the shallow outskirts of the Manila Bay, surrounded by the localities of Pilar and Orion, Bataan, Philippines. It is one of the unusual sights that amazed and worried the locals and authorities in the said area.

In an article from CNN :

“This is the first time as far as I can remember that so many dolphins are inside Manila Bay and acting so erratically,” said Malcolm Sarmiento, director of the Philippines’ Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The dolphins were spotted about a mile offshore near the townships of Pilar and Orion in Bataan province, he said.

Stranded Dolphins in the Philippines / Photo by Philippine Daily Inquirer

Stranded Dolphins in the Philippines / Photo by Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine locals and authorities contributed their efforts to save the dolphins from certain death due to mass stranding and refloated them to the deeper waters. Fortunately, they are able to guide the dolphins towards the deeper waters with only few casualties. 3 dolphins composed of 2 adult females and 1 dolphin calf were found dead on the beach in Abucay, Bataan while a 4th and ailing dolphin was found in the beach of Balanga, Bataan. Authorities and experts from the Ocean Adventure in SBMA, Clark, Pampanga were able to give proper medications to the ailing dolphin and is now transporting the creature to their headquarters in Pampanga for further care.

From Wikipedia :

The Melon-headed Whale has a body shape rather like a torpedo – its head shaped like a rounded cone giving the animal its common name. The body is more or less uniformly light grey except for a dark grey face – sometimes called the “mask”. The flippers are long and pointed. The dorsal fin is tall with a pointed tip – reminiscent of its cousin the Orca. When viewed in profile the head is not as rounded as the Pygmy Killer and this may be an aid to identification.

This whale is capable of swimming very quickly, particularly when startled. When doing so it often makes short low jumps clear of the sea surface, causing lots of splash. Melon-heads usually gather in large numbers (at least 100 and possible as many as 1000 on rare occasions) and sometimes strand together.

The Melon-head weighs about 10-15 kilograms (22-33 lb) at birth and is 1 meter (3 ft) long. An adult grows up to 3 meters (10 ft) long and weighs in excess of 200 kilograms (440 lb). The whales’ lifespan is at least 20 years and probably more than 30 years for females.

Their primary diet is squid.

Note: Six species in the family Delphinidae (includes the melon-headed whale) are commonly called “whales” but are strictly speaking dolphins. They are sometimes called blackfish.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melon-headed_Whale

http://www.inquirer.net/

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02/10/philippines.doplhins/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphins

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World’s Biggest Snake Discovered!

February 5, 2009 at 1:29 pm · Filed under Animal Stories, Animal news ·Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Artists impression of Titanoboa cerrejonesis / Photo from National Geographic.com

Artist's impression of Titanoboa cerrejonesis / Photo from National Geographic.com

Everybody is afraid of snakes (including me). But I cant imagine seeing this newly discovered snake, Titanoboa cerrejonesis, an ancient kind of anaconda to be longer than a bus and weighing more than a ton. Now that would really freak me out. But dont worry, what they have discovered is only the fossil. And the remains are discovered in Colombia, which makes me wonder more – Why are animals are larger in Latin America than from the rest of the world?

From the article in National Geographic.com:

Fossils found in northeastern Colombia’s Cerrejon coal mine indicate the reptile, dubbed Titanoboa cerrejonesis, was at least 42 feet (13 meters) long and weighed 2,500 pounds (1,135 kilograms).

“That’s longer than a city bus and … heavier than a car,” said lead study author Jason Head, a fossil-snake expert at the University of Toronto Mississauga in Canada and a research associate with the Smithsonian Institution.

Source:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/02/090204-biggest-snake-fossil.html

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Puppy Accidentally Nicked Host’s Chin

January 24, 2009 at 4:24 pm · Filed under Animal Stories, Fun Pet moments ·Tagged , , , ,

I found this video over Digg.com about a puppy that accidentally nicked the host’s chin, namely Lester Holts during a live broadcast of Today’s show. The puppy also ripped the female host’s pantyhose.

Here is the video:

Nothing aggressive about the puppy. Doesnt seem to have the intention to nick the host’s chin. It could have been he forgot to have a manicure before the show begun. Sharp claws you know…

Well, our score: Puppy 1 vs. Host’s O.

LOL.

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The Fantastic Lyre Bird

January 17, 2009 at 7:14 pm · Filed under Animal Stories ·Tagged , , , ,

Sir David Attenborough is one of my favorites in Animal Planet. I have found one of this fantastic video clips of his show over YouTube.

The bird in this clip is called  a  lyre bird. Here are some of the information about this fantastic bird from South Australia (courtesy of Wikipedia):

A Lyrebird is either of two species of ground-dwelling Australian birds, most notable for their superb ability to mimic natural and artificial sounds from their environment. Lyrebirds have extraordinary plumes of neutral coloured tailfeathers.

Lyrebirds are among Australia’s best-known native birds, even though they are rarely seen in their natural habitat. As well as their extraordinary mimicking ability, lyrebirds are notable because of the striking beauty of the male bird’s huge tail when it is fanned out in display; and also because of their courtship display.

There are two species of Lyre bird: the superb lyre bird and the Albert’s lyre bird. In the video clip shown above, the lyre bird there is the superb lyre bird. These birds are known for their superb mimicry. What I found ironic or perhaps, saddening in the clip is that the male lyre bird imitates the sound of car alarm, camera shutter and chainsaw – an indication of human encroachment into his habitat. According to Sir David Attenborough, the lyre bird in the video imitated the sounds that he had found in his already vanishing habitat. Well, you can hear chainsaws in the parts of the forest where trees are felled right? Tsk.

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Fun Cats

January 5, 2009 at 4:47 pm · Filed under Fun Pet moments ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Cats, by nature, are sweet and curious animals. They have been the subject of animations and all sorts of cartoons. Garfield is one such famous and funny cat. We can remember his funny antics with John and Odie. Today, I will share to you this funny cat video that I have found over Digg.com.

Click here for the video.

After seeing the video, you might want to see this one. This is another funny cat video that I have found over YouTube, entitled, Simon’s Cat: Cat Man Do. Check the video below:

Well, just like dogs, cats are also fun to be with and sometimes, may appear funnier than the dogs.

Have a great day folks. Till my next post!

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Pets Abandoned in the Midst of Recession

December 23, 2008 at 5:01 pm · Filed under Animal Stories, Animal news, Animal welfare ·Tagged , , , , ,

I have read so many articles about pets being abandoned in the midst of recession. This can be due to their owner have moved to a new home or cant afford to sustain them. The number of abandoned pets in animal shelters have increased in a dramatic rate. I suppose it has even doubled or tripled than the last year. The animal shelters could be facing a problem in the long run – how can they sustain the animals if the numbers continue to spike during the recession?

The central issue here is all about pet responsibility. It is a simple fact that most people ignore. If you cant afford to take care a pet, then dont get it. Otherwise, you are just harming the pet’s life. I want to share this article snippet from Care2.com:

But this financial turmoil isn’t only affecting the family house, it’s also affecting the dog house. Shelters are reporting that pet owners are abandoning their pet dogs at alarming rates.

Therefore kennels are becoming grossly overcrowded. Secondly, these charities rely on donations to sustain their efforts. And with money so tight for everyone, they expect a huge decrease in donations this year.
For full Care2.com article, click here.
Sad to say that animals suffer the same fate as ours, and its even worse for them. Some people may say that they are just animals but that doesnt stand in the case. It is not a reason why you should leave your pets. The core here is pet responsibility and how you will accept that kind of responsibility, just like accepting your own responsibility in your family.
I find it disheartening for owners to abandon their pets. They may have their own reasons but still, they are not enough to abandon their pets and let them die, in the road, in the abandoned houses. What a sad day for those pets.  A life is still life, no matter what form they are. And it is our duty as the species granted with intelligence to look over the other species and work towards their own preservation – in the case of the pets, taking care of them is an accepted responsibility.
I also found this picture from Flickr (from a user named “crows to burnaby’s”). Click to this flickr link.

I cannot say any word whenever I see that pic.

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Call for Aid: The Heroic Pitbull from Oklahoma City

December 11, 2008 at 3:50 pm · Filed under Animal Stories, Animal news ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Oklahoma City – A heroic pitbull named D-boy made a life-saving move to save his dear family from a man who just busted into their house. In retaliation, the man shot D-boy thrice (including one in the head) but miraculously, the heroic pitbull survived. Even if he was shot, he still continued charging towards the man which made the guy freak out and runaway. Up until now, police in Oklahoma City is still in search of the man who busted in into the house of the pitbull’s family.

D-boy is owned by the Trawick family, living in Oklahoma City. I found this article from News9.com which tells their story.


The pit bull is more than a friend, even more than a companion and family members said he’s the reason they’re alive.

The family’s hero is their pit bull, D-boy.

Roberta Trawick was sitting on the couch when a man busted in, through the front door.

“He came in, pointed a gun at me and said, ‘Get down on the ground’,” Trawick said.

The next thing Roberta knew, D-boy ran in from another room, ready to attack.

“I was too scared to move, I didn’t know what to think,” Trawick said.

But before D-boy could get a hold of the intruder, the man started shooting.

“I seen him shoot the dog twice,” Trawick said. “He shot him once in the head and he was still going after him and the guy shot him again.”

D-boy was shot three times, altogether. The intruder, apparently spooked, took off out the front door.

For full News9.com article, click here.

I also found this CNN video that also tells the story of the heroic pitbull. Please click on this link to watch the video.

The heroic pitbull deserved an accolade from all of us. D-boy showed the utmost quality of dogs: their ability to defend the family they loved and loyal to. I am glad that D-boy has survived the ordeal. However, I read also from the news that the Trawick family is also facing tough times and they are needing money to shoulder D-boy’s vet expenses.  That is why, in the title of my blog post today, I put “Call for Aid”.

I encourage you my dear readers to pitch in for D-boy’s vet expenses. If you have a dollar or two (no matter what the amount is), you can send your donations to this address:

To donate to D-boy, you can send a check to:

Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Hospital
1800 W. Memorial Road
Oklahoma City, OK 73134

* Checks can be made out to VECCA and please add D-boy to the memo line.

If you are living around the area and may have information about the man who broke into the Trawick residence (and obviously the person who shot D-boy thrice), you can contact Crimestoppers at 405-235-7300.

There have been people who already made donations to D-boy but still, through this blog, I am encouraging more to help the heroic pitbull shoulder his vet expenses.

Here are some of the snippets of the people who already donated:

Patty Morse is an animal lover, and that love inspired her to take special notice of D-Boy, the pit bull. When Morse saw our story about D-Boy, how he took three bullets and saved his family, she said she wanted to pay for part of the dog’s more than $1,500 medical bill.

“I’m a waitress. I make cash everyday so I’ll be getting a money order in the mail by Friday for sure,” Morse said. “The dog’s a hero.”

And once the story aired on CNN, NEWS 9 received an influx of people who also wanted to help.

“You really need to support things like this, I think,” Chuck from Arizona said.

He’s sending $100 toward D-boy’s medical bills.

“When I can, I like to help out and I like to help out animals,” Sue Westhead in New Mexico said.

In an email, Michael Hughes in California said: “It’s just something we need to do to be able to help that family.”

Click here for the full second article about D-boy’s plight.

Donations are welcome. Please refer to the contact details that I have mentioned above. Thanks!

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Bias in Adopting Black Dogs

December 9, 2008 at 5:33 pm · Filed under Animal Stories, Animal news, Animal welfare ·Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

I came across an article from LA Times about an ongoing bias against black dogs. The article mentions that some of the dark-colored dogs are being passed in the adoption – it takes a while before they can get adopted. This kind of bias may have started from an urban legend. Nonetheless, the color of a dog’s coat has no direct influence in its temperament and personality. Here is a snippet of the article that I have read:

Shelter officials have dubbed it black dog syndrome — the propensity of dark-coated animals to be passed over for adoption in favor of their lighter counterparts.

Skeptics say the syndrome is an urban legend, but shelter and rescue leaders insist the phenomenon is very, very real.

“It definitely exists,” said Madeline Bernstein, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles. She cited many causes, not the least of which is a misperception that black dogs are mean. “It’s that old thing of light is good and dark is evil. The light-versus-dark thing is so ingrained in our consciousness in books and movies. It transfers subliminally in picking out a dog.”

For full LA Times article, click here.

To help out spread the word about dog adoptions, I will include here some of the black dogs that are available for adoption. (All of their images and information are from LA Times too.) If you are looking for dogs to be adopted, take a look into these colored dogs. Maybe one of them will eventually land in your warm home.

Ace, Labrador retriever mix

Ace, Labrador retriever mix

Ace, Labrador retriever mix

Where to find him: Agoura animal shelter, 29525 Agoura Road.

More info: Ace was surrendered to the Agoura shelter because of “owner problems” and is looking for a new home. He’s 7 months old and neutered.

Meet him in person at the Agoura shelter or call (818) 991-0071 with his ID number (A3897822) for more information.

Dora, Labrador retriever/Rottweiler mix

Dora, Labrador retriever/Rottweiler mix

Dora, Labrador retriever/Rottweiler mix

Where to find her: Paw’d Squad’s adoption events, held every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centinela Feed & Pet, 7600 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester.

More info: Dora was rescued from a backyard breeder by Paw’d Squad Animal Rescue when she was 5 weeks old. She’s now 7 months and is ready for a new home. She loves people (although she’s a little shy at first), other dogs and cats — but her best friends at her current foster home are a pair of chickens. Dora has already been to obedience and socialization classes and, as one might guess from her name, loves to explore.

Get more information by e-mailing pawdsquad@yahoo.com.

Spoon, Labrador Retriever/Rottweiler mix

Spoon, Labrador Retriever/Rottweiler mix

Where to find her: Paw’d Squad’s adoption events, held every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centinela Feed & Pet, 7600 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester.

More info: Like her sister Dora, Spoon is a 7-month-old who was rescued from a backyard breeder. She’s a little shy with new people (but warms up quickly) and gets along well with children, other dogs and cats. She walks well on a leash, knows many commands and, like her sister, has already attended obedience and socialization classes. Both are expected to grow to about 65-70 pounds. Asked about Spoon and Dora, Carole Pearson of Paw’d Squad says, “They are overlooked constantly because they are black, and it’s so sad. They are such perfect puppies.”

Get more information by e-mailing pawdsquad@yahoo.com.

Shadow, Labrador retriever mix

Shadow, Labrador retriever mix

Where to find her: Agoura animal shelter, 29525 Agoura Road.

More info: Shadow found herself without a home when her owner moved away. She’s been at the Agoura shelter for more than a month and has watched many of her cohorts find new homes since then. Shelter staff hopes it will soon be her turn! She’s been temperment-tested and passed with flying colors, and since she’s already spayed, she can go home with her new owner immediately.

Meet her in person at the Agoura shelter, or call (818) 991-0071 with her ID number (A3902315)for more information.

Name unknown, Labrador retriever mix

Name unknown, Labrador retriever mix

Where to find him: Downey animal shelter, 11258 S. Garfield Ave., Downey.

More info: Believed by the L.A. County animal control staff to be a victim of the housing crisis, this sweet Lab mix was surrendered to the shelter by his owners. “He is so skinny, it looks like [they] were really having a tough time caring for him,” says Patricia Learned of the Department of Animal Care and Control. “He really needs some good food and a warm home.” Although he’s malnourished, shelter staff say he’s surprisingly energetic (and for that reason might do best in a home without small children).

Meet him in person at the Downey shelter or call (562) 940-6898 with his ID number (A3910970) for more information.

Kobe, smooth-coated Chihuahua

Kobe, smooth-coated Chihuahua

Where to find him: North Central animal shelter, 3201 Lacy St., Los Angeles.

More info: Kobe is a smooth-coated Chihuahua (an unneutered male) who’s about 2 years old.

Meet Kobe in person at the North Central shelter, or call (888) 4LAPET1 with his ID number (A0998786)for more information.

Jamie, German shepherd mix

Jamie, German shepherd mix

Where to find her: Baldwin Park animal shelter, 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin Park.

More info: Jamie was dropped off at the Baldwin Park shelter — and her owner didn’t even give a reason! She’s a little slow to warm to new people but is very sweet once she does, shelter staff says. She’s about 1 year old.

Meet her in person at the Baldwin Park shelter, or call (626) 962-3577 with her ID number (A3910853)for more information.

Blogger’s note: All pictures and information came from Los Angeles Times.

My dear readers, if you happen to live in the Los Angeles area or know someone living there and maybe needing a pet companion, try looking for this pets. Coat color has nothing to do with temperament. What matters most is the dog’s temperament and personality. Check this guys out. They all deserve a warm and loving home as well as be included into your family.

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