Archive for the ‘How We Connect’ Category
A Dangerous and Unusual Hunting Season Opens
March 9th, 2010
A special hunting season opened in Florida this year, python hunting.
From Monday March 8, 2010 until April 17, anyone with a hunting license, who pays for the $26 permit, can take them on state-managed lands around the Everglades in South Florida.
Florida officials have taken a more aggressive stance against the invasive species in the past year, creating the python hunting season and issuing broader permits to experts to kill as many as possible. The state has even held workshops for those inexperienced with pythons on how to identify, stalk and capture the reptiles. In addition to Burmese, Indian and African rock pythons, hunters can also take green anacondas and Nile monitor lizards.
In addition to hunting these snakes, the hunters are being attacked by killer bees. You can learn more about the killer bees, and watch the video, at the end of this post.
Africa’s largest snake—the ill-tempered, 20-foot-long (6.1-meter-long) African rock python—is colonizing the U.S. The Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) is native throughout Southeast Asia including Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, southern China, and Indonesia. While Burmese are being captive bred in the U.S. and Europe, native populations are considered to be “threatened” and are listed on Appendix II of Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species. All the giant pythons (including the Indian, African Rock and Reticulated pythons) have historically been slaughtered to supply the international fashion industry with exotic skins. The exportation of young snakes for the pet trade and for their blood and gall as used in folk medicine has put additional pressures on the wild populations that cannot be sustained.
More dangerous than even Burmese pythons—which are known to eat alligators —the African pythons are so mean, they are known to come out of the egg striking. This is just one vicious animal.
Burmese pythons have already eaten thousands of native animals in the Everglades. With the addition of the rock python, Florida is now an established home-away-from-home for three large alien constricto—including the Burmese species and the boa constrictor.
Steve Irwin
This brings up the topic of having one of these as a pet. Do you really want a snake that may grow more than 20 feet long or weigh 200 pounds, urinate and defecate like a horse, will live more than 25 years and for whom you will have to kill mice, rats and, eventually, rabbits (no chickens any more due to the ever increasing rate of Salmonella in the food industry)?
Many people think that when they decide they don’t want their Burmese any more–when it gets to be 8 or 10 or 15 feet long–it will be easy to find someone who does. Take a look at the animal classifieds – they always have sale ads for big pythons. The zoo doesn’t want any more – they already have one or more giant snakes from other people. The local herpetology societies and reptile veterinarians always have big pythons for whom they are trying to find homes. Burms are increasingly being abandoned at vets and animal shelters and are being euthanized for lack of proper homes for them. Breeders keep breeding them, however, because so many people are willing to buy these ‘cool’ giants…knowing full well that they will be dumped when ‘too’ big. At 10 feet and 40+ pounds, a 3-year old Burmese is already eating rabbits a couple of times a month and is very difficult to handle alone. You have to interact with them constantly to keep them tame – do you want a hungry, cranky 100 pound, 12 foot snake mistaking your face for prey? Who is going to help you clean its enclosure? Take it to the vet when it’s sick? Take care of it when you go away to school or on vacation? No matter how much they love you, there are some things a mother, and your friends, will not do!
Owning a giant snake is NOT COOL – it is a major, long-term, frequently very expensive responsibility. Not only that, but even the nicest, gentlest of burms can become killers, even when not very large. To learn more about these snakes, click here.
Africanized Honey Bees — also called killer bees — are descendants of southern African bees imported in 1956 by Brazilian scientists attempting to breed a honey bee better adapted to the South American tropics.
When some of these bees escaped quarantine in 1957, they began breeding with local Brazilian honey bees, quickly multiplying and extended their range throughout South and Central America at a rate greater than 200 miles per year. In the past decade, AHB began invading North America.
Africanized bees acquired the name killer bees because they will viciously attack people and animals who unwittingly stray into their territory, often resulting in serious injury or death.
It is not necessary to disturb the hive itself to initiate an AHB attack. In fact, Africanized bees have been know to respond viciously to mundane occurrences, including noises or even vibrations from vehicles, equipment and pedestrians.
Though their venom is no more potent than native honey bees, Africanized bees attack in far greater numbers and pursue perceived enemies for greater distances. Once disturbed, colonies may remain agitated for 24 hours, attacking people and animals within a range of a quarter mile from the hive.
Africanized bees proliferate because they are less discriminating in their choice of nests than native bees, utilizing a variety of natural and man-made objects , including hollow trees, walls, porches, sheds, attics, utility boxes, garbage containers and abandoned vehicles. They also tend to swarm more often than other honey bees.
Horses Help A Lot of People, Like Jaycee Dugard
March 5th, 2010
In the news there has been a lot of publicity about Jaycee Dugard and what she is doing to return to a “normal” life. Part of her healing comes from an unexpected source, horses. There is a very deep bond between a horse and a human.
Horses react as a mirror to the person who’s with him. He’s a prey animal so he wants to feel safe and is always on the lookout for predators. A horse will become very fearful if he’s with someone who’s aggressive, noisy, disrespectful or too controlling. On the other hand, if the person makes requests rather than demands the horse will begin to cooperate. They are always looking for a leader.
Heart of a Horse Program
There is clinical evidence that being in the vicinity of horses changes our brainwave patterns. They have a calming effect which helps stop people becoming fixated on past or negative events – giving them a really positive experience.
Research shows that many cognitive disabled, physically disabled and “at risk” youth benefit from a therapeutic riding program. Therapeutic riding is particularly effective in dealing with a variety of disabilities, such as developmental delay, learning disabilities, emotional disturbances, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Multiple Sclerosis, stroke victims, Down Syndrome, and visual or hearing impairments.
A horse is a large, strong animal. It deserves respect while also being guided. The mix can be a very fine line. People can learn how to deal with a variety of emotions from being around horses. Someone might have a lot of hidden anger and hurt inside. From spending time with horses, and learning how to interact with them, people can overcome these very difficult emotional challenges.
There is a fine line between learning trust and getting the certain behavior you want when working with horses. That is no different that dealing with people in this world. Once there is trust, there is a very deep bond between a horse and a human.
There are a number of wonderful organizations that do this kind of training. “Heart of a Horse” as well as “Above and Beyond Ordinary, Inc.” are just two of the many programs.
Many of these organizations are looking for volunteers who can help care for the horses. If you have interest, please contact your local organization.
If you would like to add your program to our “Resource/ Organization” list, please feel free to do so.
Mill Creek Farm, A Retirement Horse Farm in Florida told me: RECORD LOW TEMPERATURES INCREASE FEED COSTS!
An unusually cold Florida winter brought with it below freezing temperatures, several frosts and iced over water troughs.
To help our horses endure, we fed extra grain and hay. Here is what our costs were to keep our horses warm for the whole month of January: 550 bales of hay, 40 rolls of hay and 11.5 tons of senior feed costing a total of $15,713.00. That works out to over $125 per horse for feed alone. To donate, or help, click here.
P.S. Tonight on ABC, 20/20 they will talk about Jaycee Dugard and her horse therapy.
How Animals Fit Into An Ever Changing World
March 4th, 2010
Our world is ever changing. Remember when there were only three networks on TV? Now there are so many choices that people are overwhelmed. You add reality TV networks to the mix and it’s impossible to keep up. A lot of people record, or “Tivo” shows so they can see them “when they have time”. When does that happen? We have become so overwhelmed with keeping up with work and family life that most people don’t have time for TV. When they do watch it I wonder, how many people really take in what they are watching? Are their minds still on something else?
Now, add the internet to the mix. Most people are on their computers for work and play. It’s no wonder TV shows try to direct you to their website. That’s where most people spend their time. It is the place to find love, food, cars, investments, TV shows you missed, coupons and specials, old friends, as well as anything you need regarding animals. That is why I am placing my show on the internet, so I know you will see it!
I wanted to share with you some sites I think you might want to put into your database. You never know when you might need them. You’re already on the computer reading this 
I have posted them below.
There is also a term a lot of people have heard but really don’t understand. It is called “Fostering”. I recently did a report on Greyhounds. The dogs are rescued, sent to prison and trained by the prisoners. After they are trained they are sent to foster homes, or rescues, until they are adopted.
I always thought that fostering meant you HAD to keep the animal until a new home was found. That is not the case. Most of the time animals are only with you for a short time, maybe a week or two. If you have to leave for a trip, the organization will take the animal. If you only want a “friend” for a few weeks or a month, that is fine. There is a HUGE NEED for foster homes everywhere. There are all kinds of animals that need a foster home. It can be fun to learn about a new animal without the long term commitment. The animals come with food. Any medical care is also taken care of for you. All the animal needs is a safe and loving place to stay, temporarily. In addition, think of the love you will get in return.
The other nice thing about fostering is that you just opened up a spot for another animal. If it had not been for you, that animal might have been put down because there was no place for it to go.
If you would like to find out more regarding fostering, I suggest you contact your local shelter, rescue or other animal organization. Ask, “what does takes to be a foster parent”?
If you are looking for animals to adopt:
1.www.petango.com – These are all PetPoint Shelters. They also have a web based store and will make a donation to a selected shelter as a result of the person’s purchase.
2. www.adoptapet.com – People can do a “search saver” which will send them an email when a specific breed they are looking for becomes available.
5. www.akc.org – breed specific rescue groups
If you lost an animal:
4. http://haveyouseenthispet.com
Organizations that will help owners that cannot afford vet care.
Most of them handle serious medical conditions and injury. Some focus on low income, elderly and handicapped owners. A couple of them are for rescue organizations and homeless pets.
3.www.fveap.org/sys-tmple/door
I am sure there are many more organizations that can be added to this list. If you would like to post about one you know of, please submit it under our “Resources/ Organizations” page. Thanks for all you do for animals around the world!
Rescued Dogs are Sent to Prison, Go Behind The Scenes
March 1st, 2010
Donna Paige with Greyhounds
What is your first impression when you hear a rescued dog was sent to prison? Do you conjure up images that are not pleasant? READ THE INFORMATION AND GO BEHIND THE SCENES, WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW. I think you will be pleasantly surprised and your heart will pound, in a good way.
There is an organization called 2nd Chance at Life. They place Greyhounds in prisons once they have been rescued. They have placed over 600 dogs nationwide. These dogs are fostered by the prisoners.
Keira
What Does The Greyhound and Inmate Prison Partnership Do?
Greyhounds
1. Delivers an Obedience Trained Greyhound to the Community
2. Provides a Network of Prison Foster Homes for Greyhounds
3. Gives them a place to live until they can be adopted
4. Allows two 24/7 inmate caretaker’s for each greyhound
5. Saves thousands of retired racing greyhounds
Huney
Prisoners
1. Allows inmates to give something back to the community
2. Allows inmates to experience un-conditional love
3. Relieves inmate idleness in prison facilities
4. Teaches inmates patience and responsibility
5. Establishes vocational jobs for the inmates
ALL OF THE DOGS ON THIS POST ARE UP FOR ADOPTION!
Chief
Who is a typical adoptable Greyhound?
They’re really a 45 mile an hour couch potato!!!!!!
Usually between eighteen months and five years old.
They do not require a great deal of space to run, as many people think, but they do enjoy their daily walks.
These ex-racers are intelligent, quiet, clean, good-natured, adaptable, sensitive, dogs who adjust readily to their new home environment.
They are eager to please and respond positively to any attention.
They provide their new owner with never ending loyalty and affection.
Pebbles
What does Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions do?
Find the best prescreened, match as possible for your family, with current shots, cleaned teeth. Prescreening includes cat testing that would help ensure compatibility with cats and other small animals.
Find loving and qualified homes for the Greyhounds entrusted to our care. We spay/neuter provide vaccinations and make sure all Greys are in excellent health, including teeth.
Provide ongoing support to those who adopt Greyhounds from Gold Coast Greyhound Adoptions, Inc. or any other group.
Educate the public and raise awareness about the availability and suitability of retired racing Greyhounds as pets.
Promote harmony and teamwork among all segments of the worldwide Greyhound community.
Shaye
How can someone adopt a prison trained or even a non-prison trained rescued Grey?
There are a number of organizations where you can adopt these wonderful dogs. One that I know about, in my area, is Gold Coast Greyhound.
ALL OF THE DOGS ON THIS POST ARE UP FOR ADOPTION
You can complete the adoption form from Gold Coast Greyhounds here. You can also call them at 941-312-1750.
Katie
More Foster Homes Are Needed!!
1. They provide extension into the community
2. Conduct reference checks
3. Provide ongoing support to the Grey and his forever home.
4. Great option for snow birds or anyone without a long term commitment.
Tupelo
Everyone asks, “Is it difficult to give up a foster?” Yes and No. It’s very easy to develop an emotional attachment but when you place a happy Grey in his forever home with wonderful & caring families we are very happy! Then we know we can foster another Grey and help them find a loving home. If you cannot foster and cannot adopt, donations help support the cost of caring for our Greyhounds and preparing them for our prison training program.
Sophia
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION….
ALL OF THE DOGS ON THIS POST ARE UP FOR ADOPTION.
Racing Greyhounds spend most of their lives in the company of other dogs, their trainers and handlers. Racing Greyhounds have all the advantage of breeding and training when it comes to being a good pet. Their social ability generally makes them great with other pets. Their temperament makes them wonderful around children and friends. Their intelligence and breed make them perfect house pets. A clean, quiet loving companion, a well-mannered Greyhound could be just the pet for you.
Pay-It-Forward Friday
February 25th, 2010
I want Friday’s to bring awareness to other organizations that are doing wonderful things for animals. If you have information you want to share, send me a paragraph on the topic with a link to the website, by 11am on Thursday. I will do this each Friday. Please pass this link on to bring awareness to these wonderful organizations, thanks!
Enjoy the 6 posts below:
1. A Love Story: A) Here, his wife is injured and the condition is fatal. She was hit by a car as she swooped low across the road.
B) Here he brought her food and attended to her with love and compassion.
C) He brought her food again but was shocked to find her dead. He tried to move her….a rarely-seen effort for swallows!
D) Aware that his sweetheart is dead and will never come back to him again,he cries with adoring love.
E) He stands beside her, saddened by her death.
F) Finally aware that she would never return to him, he stays beside her body with sadness and sorrow.
Millions of people cried after seeing this picture story in America and Europe and even in India . It is said that the photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to the most famous newspaper in France . All copies of that newspaper were sold out on the day these pictures were published. And many people think birds and animals don’t have a brain or feelings!!
- 2. On December 15th, 2009 the SPCA of Texas took custody of 26,000 exotic animals from US Global Exotics in the largest animal seizure in US history. USGE was a major distributor of exotic animals from wallabies to hamsters; warehousing them in horrific conditions until they could be brokered to stores, breeders and retailers. Thousands of reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, arachnids, and many other animals were cruelly confined in filthy conditions, literally crammed into cattle-feeding troughs, boxes, bags, and even pop bottles. They did not have food, water, or veterinary care. According to reports 500 animals a day were dying at USGE, ending up tossed in their dumpster.
Thanks to an undercover PETA investigation the animals were permanently awarded to the SPCA of Texas on Feb 1, 2010. Love or hate PETA you have to give them credit for this one. Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary was proud and honored to be selected as one of 30 rescues in the nation to receive some of the rescued animals from the US Global Exotics animal cruelty and neglect
case. Located in Northern Illinois Critter Camp board member Shary Stelter made the trip to Nashville, TN to meet up with the SPCA of TX transport on Superbowl Sunday where she was interviewed by Nashville Television station WSMV. See the 75 critters from USGE now calling Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary their home, including adorable Texas Spotted Ground Squirrels, short-tailed opossum , Roborovski hamsters and little white mice; and find links to more information on our Global Exotics Rescue Page:
Click Here For More Information.
Critter Camp is the only exotic pet sanctuary of its kind in the U.S. giving a safe, healthy happy home to the elderly, sick, disabled and aggressive un-adoptable exotic pets that have nowhere else to go, currently caring for over 300 animals of 36 different species! Click Here to go to Their Website
3. Pepsi is funding grants in various categories until 2/28. Many Houston dogs are euthanized due to heartworms in a good economy, it is at a horrendous pace currently.
The drug to treat this is very expensive and each bottle only treats 22 lbs. This group is desperate to move up into the funded top ten. More information and pictures of saved dogs are on the site. This could help dogs at many rescue groups and shelter. People can vote every day, until the 28th. PLEASE, CLICK HERE to go to this site to vote today, and everyday until the 28th.
4. TAKE ACTION TODAY!!! 36,000 elephants were killed last year for their ivory. In 16 DAYS 111 tonnes of ivory will be traded at the CITIES* conference if certain countries have their way.
This will pretty much kick-start the ivory trade in a massive way meaning the end for tens or even hundreds of thousands of elephants.
If this bothers you too, please try and stop this happening by signing this petition, CLICK HERE (you’ll need to confirm your signature).
5. A documentary was just completed. It’s about No Kill Pet Rescues and Shelters as well as the challenges they face. In November of 2008 a family adopted a new family member from the Animal Welfare Society and learned about the lack of awareness of the No Kill shelters. They took it upon themselves to finance and create a program about these shelters. They have pledged 60% of all profits to go to the AWS and if they can get great distribution, will split some for other local shelters in the Detroit area.
6. Dachshund Rescue of Bucks County & NJ have on-line workshops. They are hosted by dachshund experts and are designed to help you have a long and happy relationship with your doxie of any size. There is a small donation fee charged for attendance with all proceeds donated to DRBC for the high medical fees incurred in the rescue and rehabilitation of our beloved breed.
This Month’s First Topic: Dental Disease and Your Dog
Those amazing toofers. How to keep them clean, bright and where they belong. Are doxies more prone to dental disease? How often should I clean my dogs teeth. How often should my vet clean my dogs teeth? Dental and cardiac disease,yes, they are related. Did you know there is anew vaccine to eliminate 4 out of 5 of the causes of tartar? You can find out all about it at this session.
Pay-It-Forward Friday
February 18th, 2010
I want Friday’s to bring awareness to other organizations that are doing wonderful things for animals. If you have information you want to share, send me a paragraph on the topic with a link to the website, by 11am on Thursday. I will do this each Friday. Please pass this link on to bring awareness to these wonderful organizations, thanks!
Jake
Urgent: Jake needs a new home today, Friday! This dog is at Suncoast Humane Society in Englewood Florida. Jake is cage stressed and is going to be euthanized on Friday. He is a great dog and loves people and toys. He just doesn’t like being confined in a run and has damaged his tail. A great dog. We can help with transport from englewood to anyone that will take him. He is fully vetted.
If you can help email Michele at doggieresqr@yahoo.com
1. A documentary on the pairing of seniors with seniors was recently completed. The purpose is to raise awareness, and secure more homes, for older shelter pets as well as bring companionship to the elderly. It’s called: Old Friends… Timeless Love. Perfect Pairings.
“Old Friends…Timeless Love” came about when Maureen Kelly realized the beautiful energy of pairing seniors with seniors: bringing companionship to the elderly, saving older pets from shelters, and honoring the magic that animals bring into our lives.
Working with a variety of organizations across the United States, she has had the great joy of meeting not only hard-working, loving people, but remarkable dogs, cats and horses.
This is a film in their honor. Hopefully, it will ignite a spark that will inspire many more such pairings.
View the heartwarming video here.
2. Pattie Roberts has a ranch called Dudette Ranch. Pattie spent years promoting good causes with local radio station KFROG and then with her own agency, MarketingWithACause.com. Through the years she has served on various Board of Directors. She has worked tirelessly to promote organizations such as Exceed, work programs for Adults with Disabilities, Animal Friends of the Valley, the Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s awareness, she supports four school districts Student of the Month programs and many others good causes.
Last year she relocated her horse ranch to Murrieta and retired from advertising to pursue her lifelong passion of horses. She started the Dudette Ranch. The concept is a local take off of the vacation destination Dude Ranch. “Although we aren’t wrangling cattle or sleeping under the stars, this is a working horse ranch and the monthly membership allows members daily access to hang out at the barn and work with the horses as we care for, train and ride.
Here is one great story: Dakota is a tall rangy bay Quarter horse gelding, he was a competitive working cow horse in his younger day. A knee injury took him out of the show ring years ago. Dakota has been totally healed from his injury for years, but he still favored it not out of pain but out of fear. This beautiful horse, with plenty of life left in him, was just standing in a stall. This summer he became the best friend of a troubled teen. She worked with him daily, riding him slow and easy until he got stronger and realized his knee didn’t hurt any more. He thrived on the attention and got strong and muscled up again. Unfortunately, the teenager went back to her old ways and left Dakota alone. Lucky gelding though because he now has a brand new best friend! A really nice lady named Micheal. She has fallen in love with him and signed up to sponsor him. She already takes lessons here and after riding him last Saturday well….no other horse would do she just had to have him!
Individual Sponsorship programs are one way you can have a horse without really owning one, there are horses available for Adoption and Lease and a Sponsorship Program Geared to the whole family! To learn more click here.
3. Small Angels Rescue, a non-profit based in Frederick, MD, finds homes for rescued chinchillas, degus, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats.
They do not have a shelter and use a network of foster homes for these rescued animals until they are permanently adopted. They have very dedicated foster parents involved with this organization. One guinea pig foster mother-in-charge has a wonderful web page (click here) where you can scroll through, looking at pictures and reading very engagingly written bios of rescued guinea pigs awaiting adoption.
Enzo and Eva, a bonded pair of guinea pigs, were adopted. I’ve been told the Small Angels vetting process is very meticulous. The owners of Enzo and Eva had a process to go through before adopting. They were invited to the foster mother-in-charge’s home to meet her and the guinea pigs. This kept Enzo and Eva from being subjected to undue stress by taking them from place to place to show to prospective adopters. Then they had to fill out a detailed, five-page questionnaire containing questions that would really screen the potential owners to be sure they’re responsible. It takes about a week for the application to be approved. The new owners said, “Adopting from Small Angels Rescue has been one of the most satisfying things we’ve have ever done”.
To learn more about Small Angels Rescue, click here.
4. Nature’s Variety Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall
Nature’s Variety has initiated a voluntary recall of their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Bob Peterson (Director) / Glenn Close (Actress) and their Dogs
February 17th, 2010
Bob & His Pups
Bob Peterson is an animator, screenwriter, director and voice actor who, for the past 15 years, has worked for one of the coolest companies in the world—PIXAR Animation Studio. He has stated that he has a special place in his heart for animated features because, as a child, his highly fertile imagination was deeply informed by the now iconic films, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp and, of course, 101 Dalmations. He says that animated features are the fairy tales of today and have as profound an impact on the children who experience them as the stories of Hans Christian Anderson and the Brothers Grimm had on his generation and many generations before him.
He was interviewed by Glenn Close, another animal lover. Having been the voice of Kala, Tarzan’s gorilla mother, in Walt Disney’s animated feature, Tarzan, Glenn Close was particularly interested in how Bob came up with the voice of the lovable Dug. Here is part of that interview with Bob and his three dogs, Rosy, Ava and Dug:
Glenn, Bill, Jake & Sweet Pea
Oh, the LOVE!
Glenn Close: When and how did you become a dog lover?
Bob Peterson: I’ve always loved dogs and have had one since I was three. We bought her from a kid selling puppies out of a cardboard box on the street where we lived in New York City. Great dog. We named her “Marcella” after a Raggedy Ann character. She grew up with us.
GC: Why dogs?
BP: When you look into the eyes of a dog you know someone is there. Plus, DOGS ARE JUST AWESOME!!!
GC: Have you ever rescued a dog?
BP: Yes. After my wife and I were married we obtained a rescue dog from a family that didn’t want her anymore. She was a beautiful Collie/Shepherd mix named “Precious.” It then came to pass that our first marital “debate” was whether we should change the dog’s name away from the same name used by the wacky villain in Silence of the Lambs. Yes, that dog was also named “Precious.” Whenever we were out walking the dog in public we would chicken out from using her real name and refer to her as “Vicious.” But she wasn’t vicious, so we gave that up. Finally, we decided, that, darn it, “Precious” was her name, and what right did we have to change it? After a while we grew to know that she was a precious dog. She became part of our family and our children’s lives. Now that she’s gone we miss her a lot. Great. I’m crying. Thanks, Glenn Close!
GC: Is Dug based on a specific dog? If so, how did the animators translate a real dog’s behavior into an animated dog’s behavior?
BP: I wrote Dug as a combination of all the dogs I’ve owned. Marcella, Precious, Rosy, and Ava are all in there. The distractibility of Dug (SQUIRREL!!) is based on a game I’d play with my dogs. On a hot day the dogs would be panting to cool themselves down. So, I’d jump in and pant along with them. Then I’d stop abruptly and pretend I’d seen something important. The dogs would do the same and go to attention along with me. Long pause. Then, everyone back to panting. It was hilarious. Also I’ve noticed that dogs have an amazing capacity to give love immediately to people that they meet for the first time. Hence the line “I have just met you and I love you.” Dug says this to our old man character, Carl, when they first meet. It’s a challenge to Carl accept his new “family” who loves him and needs his attention. That line was also born out of something a camper said to me when I was a camp counselor in college. The kid had just met me but his first words were “you are my counselor and I love you.” This phrase has been tucked away for 20 years but it felt so right for the instantaneous love a dog gives that I put it in the film. The wonderful thing about the talking dog collars in UP is that we were able to hear the thoughts of the dogs without moving their mouths or emoting like a human. The dogs could pant, scratch, and move the way dogs truly do. The animators studied the movements of many dogs, and we had a dog specialist come in and talk to us about dog behavior.
GC: How did you come by your Dug voice?
BP: I never know exactly how I’ll do a voice for a character until I step up to the mic. Since I had written his dialogue, I knew that his dog collar would mishandle English a bit in a charming dog-like way, but I didn’t know just what he’d sound like. And then, Dug’s voice just started coming out. It was like that with Roz too. In analyzing it, I realized that Dug’s voice sounds a lot how I talk to my dogs. I use overly sincere elongated words: “Hiii You Dawwgs.” That pattern of speech feels dog-like somehow and they love it.
All In the Family
To read more of this interview, and others, click on this link.
Do You Want To Be In Pictures?
February 10th, 2010
Become a bird. World-famous bird photographer and writer, Arthur Morris, takes plenty of pictures of birds. He recently visited Sarasota. He came to make a presentation to the Sarasota Audubon Society.
Arthur Morris & Donna Paige
More than 11,000 of Arthur Morris’s photographs have been published in national publications including American Birds, Audubon, Birder’s World, Florida Wildlife and Nature, National Geographic, Natural History, Nature Photographer, Outdoor Photographer, Ranger Rick, Wildbird, and other magazines, as well as in hundreds of books and calendars.
He taught elementary school in New York City for twenty-three years. For eight years he conducted the shorebird survey at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge for The International Shorebird Surveys. Mr. Morris became a Canon contract photographer and has been featured in six episodes of the “Canon Photo Safari” television show. Two of his images were awarded prizes in the 1997 BG plc Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. He is also a popular lecturer, having presented more than 250 slide programs during the past 15 years. Arthur now photographs, travels, speaks, and teaches extensively in North America.
The Audubon Society, where Arthur Morris made his presentation, is dedicated to the protection, conservation and enjoyment of birds, wildlife and the environment. I am learning so many things about birds and how important they are to our existence and the world as a whole by being a volunteer. All of the Audubon Societies need more volunteers.
One thing I’ve learned has to do with climate change. The heat-trapping gasses, especially carbon dioxide have been known to cause climate change. This change includes melting glaciers and polar icecaps, acidifying the oceans, increasing extreme temperatures and desertification in many areas. This reduces habitats and numbers of numerous species of wildlife. The fifteen hottest years on record since modern global temperatures have been kept, have all occurred since 1991. We have lost a third of our Arctic sea ice in the past thirty years.
Another subject I was not aware of, several species of birds nest on beaches each year. The volunteers with the Audubon Societies watch over these nests to be sure they are not disturbed and the birds survive. Many people visit beaches and don’t realize that the nests need to be left alone. Motor craft also affect the nests when they come to close to shore.
To learn more about the Audubon Society click here.
They are always looking for volunteers.
Endangered Animals and their DNA
January 22nd, 2010
What do you think about cloning the DNA from an endangered animal to keep it from going extinct? Dr. Betsy Dresser, senior vice president of research for the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, is doing just that. She takes the DNA from an endangered animal and uses it with a non-endangered relative. An example is the typical house cat and the African Wildcat.
She takes the egg of the house cat and sucks out the DNA. She then takes DNA from the skin cells of the African Wildcat and places it inside the egg. She uses electrodes to spit the eggs. If everything goes well she places the egg inside the house cat so it can mature and product a new kitten. It has been going so well, the cloned cats are mating and giving birth to very healthy kittens on their own.
This procedure might sound easy but it’s not. There is a lot of scientific research that goes into this. Take the Woolly Mammoth. They don’t know the gestation period for an animal like that so they would have guess. The goal is to keep endangered species from going extinct, not to bring back the Woolly Mammoth. She would like to do work on the Lynx to keep it from going extinct, or the bongo, cousin to the antelope.
The Audubon Nature Institute is located on 1,200 acres of land. It seems part Serengeti, part high-tech medical facility. She knows there is a lot of controversy on this topic. Her opinion, she doesn’t want our next generation of kids to only know an elephant from a text book. She wants the kids to be able to see these animals alive, in their own environment. If she doesn’t do this now, then we will be losing a lot of animals for future generations.
She is known as the lady with the “frozen zoo”. She collects tiny skin samples from thousands of different animals, representing hundreds of species, and is storing them at 343 degrees below zero in tiny canisters inside tanks filled with liquid nitrogen. She has samples from tigers, bears, frogs, rhinos and many more animals. She feels there is no reason not to save DNA from every species since the cells can survive for hundreds, if not thousands of years in these tanks.
The Woolly Mammoth is her poster animal because the thought of it is inspiring. Imagine the face of a 9 year old child. This child sees a picture of the Woolly Mammoth and knows that there might be the possibility of brining that animal back to life. Talk about inspiring for a kid to want to get involved in science that way. If not, there is the message to do something to improve our environment NOW so we are not impacting and affecting animals is such a negative way. We all live on the same planet and are connected to each other.
No one has yet found the intact cell it would take to resurrect that Woolly Mammoth, but in Siberia, two years ago, a reindeer herder discovered a remarkably well-preserved one month old baby mammoth that had lain frozen in permafrost for 40,000 years.
Its DNA was in better shape than any previously found, raising hopes that between new finds and new technology, it may just be a matter of time.
K9 Dogs Used in Haiti
January 14th, 2010
Your typical dog may not be so typical. There are a number of dogs that have been flown to Haiti to help in the search and rescue of missing people. These dogs are the last chance for most of these people. This is a serious situation but to the dog, it’s a game, like hide and seek. If they find the hidden treasure they get a prize.
I’ve been luck enough to see a number of dogs get adopted from shelters and rescues specifically for the purpose of using them in situations like this. They have a certain personality and quality that is noticed. Once they are adopted, then trained, they go to work and are very happy animals. See, you never know what you will find at your local animal shelter or rescue.
Here is a video clip on some of these dogs.
There are ways you can help the people of Haiti. Please review the list below.
The U.S. State Department says Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti should call 1-888-407-4747 or or 202-647-5225.
Due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording. “Our embassy is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens through our Warden Network,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement. “Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time.”
The FBI is cautioning Americans who want to donate to Haiti relief funds to be careful. If past tragedies are any indication, not all of them are legitimate.
Text Donations
To make an automatic $10 donation to the Red Cross, text “HAITI” to 90999; the money will be charged directly to your cell phone bill.
To donate $5 via your cellphone to Wyclef Jean’s grassroots organization: text “Yele” to 501501.
What’s Needed
Experts say whatever you do, don’t donate anything but money. Under no circumstances should you mail care packages, toys, food or clothes. Read more on this from GlobalPost.
Special Report: Haiti Earthquake
Charitable organizations that offer aid to Haiti:
• American Red Cross: Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation’s premier emergency response organization.
• Habitat for Humanity: A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry.
• Salvation Army: an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
• Action Against Hunger: Named for the original member of the International Network, Action contre la Faim, or ACF, the ACF International Network shares an overall vision of a world without hunger, collaborating closely and sharing human resources, logistics, and technical capacity.
• AmeriCares: a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization which provides immediate response to emergency medical needs – and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs – for all people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion.
• American Jewish World Service: American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is an international development organization motivated by Judaism’s imperative to pursue justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community.
• Beyond Borders: Beyond Borders is a registered tax-exempt (501c3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax-deductible. We are certified by the state of Pennsylvania as a charitable organization.
• CARE: CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty.
• Catholic Relief Services: Help CRS rush humanitarian relief to survivors within hours of man-made and natural disasters around the world.
• ConcernUSA.org: a non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.
• Childcare Worldwide: At Childcare Worldwide, our unique programs not only help feed hungry children and their families, they also help children receive an education that leads to employment. Our goal is to help children survive and succeed.
• Direct Relief International: Since 1948, Direct Relief International has worked to help people who confront enormous hardship to improve the quality of their lives.
• Doctors Without Borders: Doctors Without Borders provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters.
• Episcopal Relief & Development : In the aftermath of a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, Episcopal Relief & Development is providing critical emergency funds to Haiti.
• Food for the Poor: Food For The Poor ministers to spiritually renew impoverished people throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Food For The Poor raises funds and provides direct relief assistance to the poor, usually by purchasing specifically requested materials and distributing them through the churches and charity organizations already operating in areas of need.
• Feed My Starving Children: Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit.
• Friends of WFP : Friends of WFP is a U.S.-based, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that focuses on building support in the United States for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and other hunger relief operations.
• Haitian Health Foundation: The Haitian Health Foundation provides health care, development, relief, and the hope of a future to more than 225,000 of the poorest people in over 100 rural mountain villages in southwestern Haiti.
• Hope for Haiti: Hope for Haiti has held the vision from the very beginning that the people of Haiti are the ones who take control of their future and we are here to lend a needed hand along the difficult path.
• International Medical Corps: International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.
• International Relief Teams: International Relief Teams is a nonprofit, international relief organization dedicated to organizing volunteer teams to provide medical and non-medical assistance to the victims of disaster and profound poverty worldwide.
• The Jewish Federations of North America : The Jewish Federations of North America represents 157 Jewish Federations and 400 Network communities, which raise and distribute more than $3 billion annually for social welfare, social services and educational needs.
• Lutheran World Relief : Lutheran World Relief is responding to the affected communities through its partners on the ground in Haiti. LWR anticipates a large response. Every dollar donated to this life-saving effort is critical to providing the necessary emergency support to the people of Haiti.
• Medical Teams International: Since 1979, Medical Teams International has shipped more than $1.3 billion in antibiotics, surgical kits and
lifesaving medicines to care for 35 million people in 100 countries around the world. More than 2000 volunteers meet the needs of people worldwide each year.
• Meds and Food for Kids: Meds & Food for Kids is dedicated to saving the lives of Haiti’s malnourished children and other nutritionally vulnerable people.
• Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is a team of 3,700 professionals helping turn crisis into opportunity for millions around the world. By trade, we are engineers, financial analysts, drivers, community organizers, project managers, public health experts, administrators, social entrepreneurs and logisticians. In spirit, we are activists, optimists, innovators and proud partners of the people we serve.
• Operation Blessing International: Operation Blessing International Relief and Development Corporation (OBI) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) humanitarian organization based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.
• Oxfam: Oxfam International is a confederation of 14 like-minded organizations working together and with partners and allies around the world to bring about lasting change.
• Operation USA: Operation USA helps communities alleviate the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty throughout the world by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid.
• Partners in Health: Our mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care.
• Samaritan’s Purse: Samaritan’s Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.
• Save the Children: Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world.
• UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) : Humanitarian fund established by the United Nations to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to areas affected by natural disasters. CERF will assure that the funds for the relief effort in Haiti will go where they are most needed in the network of international aid organizations.
• UNICEF: UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential.
• World Concern: World Concern works in 24 of the poorest countries on Earth, giving hope and opportunities to vulnerable people in great need.
• World Vision: World Vision helps transform the lives of the world’s poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries, including the United States. Our non-profit work extends assistance to all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, gender, race, or ethnic background.
• Yele Haiti: Yéle Haiti is a Wyclef Jean’s grassroots movement that builds global awareness for Haiti while helping to transform the country through programs in education, sports, the arts and environment.