From the monthly archives:

September 2008

Dog Escapes from Shark’s Jaws

by Myke on September 30, 2008

via Chris Kliemt

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Horse among finalists of the Third International Art Prize Arte Laguna

by Myke on September 29, 2008

The Arte Laguna organization has the pleasure to announce the 30 finalist artists of the Third International Art Prize Arte Laguna

• Baldini Manuel – Italy
Title: Senza Titolo

• Barazzutti Alberto – Italy
Title: EVOLUZIONISMO

• Bidoli Luca – Italy
Title: Straziami ma di baci saziami (n.6)

• Bettega Marta – Italy
Title: La messa della domenica

• Bolcato Stefano – Italy
Title: Un posto sicuro

• Chambers Cholla – United States
Title: The Big Red Buck…

painting by horse


Chambers Cholla is a horse!

Chambers Cholla

via Renee Chambers at the Artist is a Horse website

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Greyhound and owl are buddies

by Myke on September 26, 2008

The Sun newspaper reports that a greyhound and an owl have formed a bizarre friendship at an animal centre.

Six-month-old pup Torque adopted tiny baby owl Shrek when she was taken from her mother for her own protection aged just three days.

Keepers feared Shrek’s mum would eat her first offspring if she became stressed.

Adoptive dad Torque is now guarding the rare long-eared owl at the home of head falconer John Picton.

Torque and ShrekBuddies … Torque and Shrek

Shrek is free to roam the lounge as she strengthens her legs and often snuggles up to Torque on the sofa.

John said: “Their relationship is so unusual but also rather sweet.

“Torque seems to have adopted Shrek as his daughter and is now very protective. He follows her around at home and keeps his eye on her.

“They play with each other in the evenings while I’m watching television and it is an opportunity for Shrek to wander and strengthen her legs.”

Outdoors at the Ringwood Raptor and Reptile Centre in Hampshire’s New Forest, they often sit together, with the greyhound guarding his feathered friend.

Their friendship started slowly as John introduced the unlikely pair gradually – first by feeding three-inch-high Shrek her meals of marsh rats and quail in the same room, and then holding them close so Torque could smell her.

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Puppy Lullaby

by Ann on September 23, 2008

Now how cute is this???

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A Pet’s Ten Commandments

by Ann on September 6, 2008

enchanting gaze
A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life span may be 10 – 15 years. Any of that time away from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I am not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You, too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there because I love you so. ALWAYS!

Enjoy and take good care of your pets.

Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without them.

We do not have to wait for Heaven to be surrounded by hope, love and joyfulness. It is here on earth, and has four legs!

From Stan Rawlinson, the Dog Listener

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River Dogs

by Ann on September 5, 2008

The dog days of summer are here and these guys have it made. Truly a dog’s life.

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The Old Man and the Dog by Catherine Moore

by Myke on September 2, 2008

The Old Man and the Dog
by Catherine Moore

“Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!” My father yelled at me.

“Can’t you do anything right?”
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn’t prepared for another battle.

“I saw the car, Dad. Please don’t yell at me when I’m driving.” My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.

Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.

What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to
his prowess.

The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn’t lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn’t do something he had done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived.
[continue reading about Great Pets…]

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