My Favourite Stray

Last September, I wrote about a stray cat that I took to the OSPCA. While volunteering at the centre for the past few months, Wesley (as he now named) and I have become pretty close. Although I'll miss him terribly, I'm happy to report that he is now available for adoption. You can read the update on Wesley here, on my other blog, Take Me Home.

Update: On Monday (the 2nd), my Wesley, along with 15 other cats, was moved to a shelter that's low on cats ... in another city ... I'm sad ... and, obviously, getting far too attached to the animals at the OSPCA.

Crafty Roadkill

Yes, the animals are dead, on the side of the road, but harvesting their body parts for jewelry, clothing and art is just wrong -- who buys this stuff? Please check out this story, and tell me what you think.

Worms in the Compost

I've posted briefly about worms in my compost before, but am really interested in finding out the answer to this question:

Why do they congregate under the lid and around the rim when it rains? Are they escaping the moisture-laden compost, or are they trying to get in? When I discover them there, I'll leave the lid off for half an hour, and when I return, they've all magically disappeared (though I have been known to encourage them into the bin by lifting them over the edge with a leaf or small twig).

I wrote an email to Worm Digest in October, but they never responded. Darn worm people -- don't they understand how important this is?

Does anyone know the answer?

On My Way to Starbucks ...

Every day, at 6:00 a.m., I drive to the local Starbucks to grab a coffee. I've been doing this for well over eight years, so am missing my morning routine while Starbucks undergoes renovations. In those wee hours, the town is quiet and the houses are dark -- the only movements are a few drivers making their way to work, and the wildlife making their way back home for the day.

One morning, as I drove along the road in front of the grocery store, a deer dashed out in front of me. I slammed on my brakes, and skidded to a halt only a few feet from him. He did a bit of a slip slide dance before racing off toward the parking lot. I kept thinking about him all day because I knew there was fencing all along the back of the store, barring his way to the forest.

Another morning, I noticed that the garbage can I'd put out front the night before was missing. I stood on the driveway for a moment, wondering who the heck would want to rip off a full can of garbage. It was a mystery that would be best solved after a coffee, so I hopped into my car and headed toward Starbucks. About ten houses down, I spotted my garbage can -- overturned, with bags ripped open and garbage strewn across the road. I picked up the slimy mess, shoved the can into my trunk, then took it back to my house. I envy the determination of the raccoon who rolled that garbage can down the street, and can only hope that the rewards were worth it.

Vacationing and Pets

I can never truly enjoy my vacations to their fullest because I'm always stressed out about what to do with my cat, Meeko. The kennel didn't provide the human contact she needs, nor did staying home with daily visits from a neighbour (after arriving home after that particular trip, my cat peed in our luggage while I was removing the clothes, making her thoughts about being home alone pretty clear). Last year, my sister and her husband took care of Meeko. Although a near-perfect solution, it meant they couldn't go up to their cottage while we were away. This weekend, I had a great idea -- hire one of my friend's older daughters to live at our house when we go away next time. I hope she isn't allergic to cats.

Anyway, this got me thinking about vacationing and pets, and I found this wonderful website that lists pet friendly top ten lists. Here's just a a few:

Top Ten Pet Friendly Hotels

1) La Quinta Inns & Suites
2) Holiday Inn
3) Red Roof Inns
4) Candlewood Suites Hotels & Resorts
5) Motel 6
6) Studio 6
7) Howard Johnsons
8) Novotel
9) Sheraton Hotels & Resorts
10) Westin Hotels and Resorts


Top Ten Pet-Friendly Beaches

1) Fort DeSoto Beach, Florida
2) Dog Beach, California - Pet Friendly Rentals
3) Del Mar Beach San Diego, California
4) Cape San Blas, Florida
5) Carmel City Beach, California
6) Hunting Island, South Carolina
7) Fort Funston State Park, California
8) Pistol River State Scenic Viewpoint, Oregon
9) Ft. Fisher State Recreation Area, North Carolina
10) St. George Island, Florida


What do you do with your pet(s) when you go away? Do you stress as much as I do?

Sundance and Belle

I'm sure you've already heard about Sundance and Belle -- two trapped horses rescued from the side of a mountain near McBride, British Columbia. The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

Last September, the owner lost/misplaced/neglected Sundance and Belle (there was a third horse that was never found). The starving animals were found by snowmobilers, and soon a rescue mission was set in motion. For a week, volunteers dug a kilometer-long trench through the snow in order to bring the horses out. They are now housed in a barn, safe, warm and filling their bellies with food. Both are expected to survive. I am so thankful that there are people out there who care so much for the welfare of animals. Please check out this site for photos, updates and stories about Sundance, Belle and the wonderul people who rescued them.

Happy Holidays

I'm taking a break for a week or two -- it's a hectic time of year for us all. I hope you have a great holiday, and a safe and happy New Year.

Lynn

The Lifespan of Animals

Last month, I read about the death of Debby, a 42-year-old polar bear at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Polar bears normally live to about 20 years of age in the wild, so Debby did all right. Though you do have to wonder if 42 years of captivity is better than 20 years of freedom.

So ... how long do animals live? How long does a grizzly bear live? Or a tiger? Or a hummingbird? Apparently, a bit longer than I expected. It's difficult to track just how old an animal can get in the wild, but here's some statistics gathered about those in zoos:

Grizzly bear - 32 years

Horse - 50 years

Chipmunk - 12 years

Tiger - 25 years

Swan - 102 years

Hummingbird - 8 years

I'm surprised at the possible life span of horses, chipmunks and swans. Does this mean the chipmunk that lives in my backyard will be relying on me for peanuts for another ten years? What will happen to him if I move?


If you're interested in reading about Debby, check this out.

Gorillas, Puppy Mills, and Blogs

Just a few things:

The United Nations has launched 2009 as the Year of the Gorilla -- a campaign designed to raise money for primates threatened with extinction.

On Tuesday, the OSPCA rescued almost 100 dogs from a puppy mill in Meaford, Ontario. The story is here. I hope they throw the book at these idiots.

I've started a new blog, featuring some of the animals available for adoption at the OSPCA where I volunteer. You can check it out here. Above is one of the kittens waiting for a new home.

Now, I'm off to catch up on your blogs!

Gift Ideas for Your Dog

As promised, here are the latest (though not alway greatest) Christmas gift ideas for your dog:

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Okay, this is just wrong. I'm sure the designer of these chew toys is headed for a special place in wildlife hell:

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You know how I feel about clothes for a dog, so I won't even comment on this nail polish:

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This little backpack just reminded me of something -- people who tie a plastic poop bag around their dog's collar -- after the dog has pooped. That's just mean.

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Dogs love to chase balls, but if you're anything like me, tossing them can get tiresome. Here's a great gift idea that benefits everyone involved:

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How smart is your dog? With the Interactive Brick Dog Toy, you hide the treats, then let your pet find them by moving the sliding "bricks" with his paw or nose. Where treats are involved, I think most dogs are pretty darn smart:

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And finally, after a hard day of chasing balls, what dog doesn't want to kick back and have a few?

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Don't forget all the animals at your local Humane Society or SPCA -- they would love some new toys, and now is the perfect time to buy in bulk. During the Christmas season, many stores sell "stockings" filled with dog or cat toys at a very reasonable price. The animals would also be happy to receive your old (clean) flannel sheets, towels and blankets. I've found that bathroom rugs with a deeper pile go over well -- they're soft and keep the animals warm.

Gift Ideas for Your Cat

Ah, catnip ... over-the-counter drugs for your pet. But just how many different ways can you package the stuff?

Do cats really care? I'll tell you what I do: I buy a package of loose catnip, toss some in an old sock, tie a string or ribbon tightly around the opening, and present it to my cat. She'll play with it for weeks.

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At first, I thought: Oh yeah, buy this toy and watch your cat's eyes go up in flames when she looks into the light, but apparently it's the green pocket laser lights that can damage one's eyes.

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I'm thinking photoshopped because there is no way they got a cat to sit inside this cardboard "Cat Play House". Yet it looks so realistic.

In this particular case, they really should have photoshopped a cat who didn't look quite so terrified:

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And finally, for the cat who always seems to be getting underfoot:

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Next up, gift ideas for dogs.

Christmas Gifts for Animal Lovers

Last year, I wrote about Christmas gifts for dogs and cats. I thought it was time for some useless gifts for the animal lovers in your lives:

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This doormat is so cute, but it's almost book-length so all your guests will most likely get frostbite while reading it:

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In an effort to appeal to every taste and interest, Monopoly games have gone wild :

Of course, there's one for cat lovers too:

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I make my own cards and tags, and these would be great to add to those I make for animal lovers:

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I do not for a moment believe this item will stop my cat from lounging on my mouse, desk or keyboard:

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While searching for these nifty items, I came across some more wonderfully useless stuff for cats and dogs, so I'm going to post those some time soon.