My friend Mike is a morning show producer here in town. He told me once that he leaves for work around 4 a.m. and he’s always surprised at the number of birds chirping at the hour of the morning. In total darkness. I think he used the word “eerie” to describe it. Back when Scout was sick and we were up every hour or so all night long, I got to hear what he was talking about. Three in the... Read more
I love being able to shine light on my wonderful hometown of Rochester, NY and today there’s super news that makes animal history: The Seneca Park Zoo, in partnership with the Cincinnati Zoo’s Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW), is celebrating the first successful artificial insemination of polar bears in the world. Aurora and Zero, the Seneca Park Zoo’s polar bear couple, have been together for two years without any cubs to show for it. And while the bears are older... Read more
It’s Monday, and to be quite frank, I’m feeling a little cranky, animal-wise. It’s 10:30 AM and I’ve already been out to clean and feed the chickens, who are raising such a ruckus the neighbors must think I’ve been plucking them bald. The dogs are engaged in their daily in and out and in and out, and considering that Bailey and Bandit still can’t be in the same room, it’s a little exhausting. So when I read this article at... Read more
On Wednesday, the AP reports that a 30-pound Rhodesian Ridgeback named Byrdie escaped from her crate while being loaded onto a Delta flight. The pup ran around the runway until authorities, unable to catch the dog and leash her, could find her owner on the Memphis-bound flight. The owner called, and the 14-month-old pup came running. This is one reason why I refuse to travel by air with my dog: he’d have to fly with the luggage, and there’s no... Read more
This picture shared by a Facebook pal was just too doggone cute to not share with readers: this is Mabel, Misha and Tessie, taking time out for a snuggly snooze. Who needs pillows when you have best friends? The photo was snapped by Sarah Anderson – Mabel is her dog, and Misha and Tessie are foster dogs she’s caring for while they find their furever homes. Sarah fosters through Pitty Love Rescue in Rochester, NY; the rescue is dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating pit... Read more
I wanted to share a non-animal story with you today, because it’s so important to me – and if you’re the compassionate reader I think you are, it will be important to you, too. This year, International Justice Mission celebrates 15 years of seeking justice around the world on behalf of the oppressed, the abused and the forgotten. Their team not only rescues people from oppression and slavery, but uses the legal systems in their countries to bring the perpetrators to... Read more
I was out in the yard this morning and found a tiny, delicate half of a bird egg resting on the ground. My first instinct was to look up to the tree branches overhead, knowing that up there somewhere is a nest with at least one newly hatched baby being cared for by his mother. The small egg, recently occupied and now emptied. The shell shed and left behind, the new life taking its first breath under the glorious morning sunshine. What... Read more
When the news came out this week that researchers now believe that pesticides are causing what is commonly referred to at Colony Collapse Disorder, my guess is that most people scanned the headline and moved on. But I read the story with interest, because ever since I watched two documentaries on bees I’ve been more and more intrigued with how our food supply – and the overall health of the nation – is tied to those buzzing little insects we... Read more
The Humane Society of the United States has released a 30-second video public service announcement featuring Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick (see below). In the video, Vick urges viewers to report animal cruelty and fighting activities in their communities via the HSUS toll-free animal fighting tip line. Vick is also featured in a two-minute video for the HSUS Pets For Life program, which “brings critical resources such as vaccinations, spaying and neutering, dog training, and other animal care and wellness tools to under-served... Read more
Tomorrow night, the Humane Society of the United States and Hollywood will honor the major news and entertainment media who over the last year have produced “outstanding works that raise public awareness about animal issues” with the 26th Annual Genesis Awards. The list of nominees includes (full list at the end) features films like “Dolphin Tale,” “Rio,” “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” and “War Horse” as well as talk shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show. “Dancing With The Stars” judge Carrie... Read more
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