Sadie & Sydney

Posted by Tammy at 09:53 PM | Permalink

Orphaned squirrel monkey Loki clings to his toy duck at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2006. Loki, who lost his mother shortly after birth eight weeks ago, has been hand raised by zoo staff and will be introduced to the rest of the Squirrel Monkey's when once he is weaned and learns to regulate his body temperature. (AP Photo/Paul Miller)

Posted by Tammy at 11:48 PM | Permalink

GIANT OCTOPUS ATTACKS SUBMARINE (HT Glenn)

Rare video footage shows a giant octopus attacking a small submarine off the west coast of Vancouver Island. Salmon researchers working on the Brooks Peninsula were shocked last November when an octopus attacked their expensive and sensitive equipment.

Sadie Says: All I keep thinking is, "Sashimi...sashimi..." Get me my chopsticks!

Posted by Tammy at 12:34 PM | Permalink

Humuhumunukunukuapuaa

Via ABC:

HONOLULU - Everyone thought the humuhumunukunukuapuaa was Hawaii's state fish. As it turns out, the brightly colored fish with the excessively long name has been dethroned. The news shook the world of Rep. Blake Oshiro, who found out the designation was no longer official from Joel Itomura, a 6-year-old fish-loving son of a friend and constituent.

Sadie Says: Quick, get me my fork!

Posted by Tammy at 11:48 AM | Permalink

Posted by Tammy at 05:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

FRONT ROYAL, Virginia (Reuters) - Zoe purrs and grunts when she hears women talking. Just like any house cat wanting her ears scratched, she rubs against the chain-link fence invitingly.

But Zoe, who lives at the Smithsonian National Zoo's Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia, is no kitty cat; she's a rare clouded leopard. And the specialists at the center are among the few animal experts in the world who have been able to get clouded leopards to breed without literally killing one another.

Sadie says: Can't we all just get along?

Posted by Tammy at 03:55 PM | Permalink

Sydney says: Did you hear something? Hmmmm, I think I'll sleep near Tammy.

Posted by Tammy at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

London stunned by rare whale in River Thames

LONDON (AFP) - Bemused Londoners watched as a northern bottle-nosed whale swam past the Houses of Parliament in the River Thames, the only such sighting of the endangered species since records began nearly a century ago

The 15- to 20-foot (4.5- to six-metre) long mammal swam upstream through the heart of the British capital past landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye ferris wheel as amazed onlookers crowded the riverbanks.

Sadie says: Is our mammal friend going to London with a porpoise? : )

Posted by Tammy at 05:35 PM | Permalink

Aochan, the snake 'seems to enjoy' being with Gohan, the hamster

Snake 'befriends' snack hamster

A rodent-eating snake and a hamster have developed an unusual bond at a zoo in the Japanese capital, Tokyo. Their relationship began in October last year, when zookeepers presented the hamster to the snake as a meal. The rat snake, however, refused to eat the rodent. The two now share a cage, and the hamster sometimes falls asleep sitting on top of his natural foe.

Posted by Tammy at 06:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Cat Interrupts Catnap, Possibly Saving Two

A cat interrupted a catnap, possibly saving two lives. Jean Poole and her 9-month-old granddaughter were dozing Tuesday in Poole's home in the Newberry Estates mobile home park. Poole's 7-year-old cat, Princess, woke them up, meowing loudly.

Poole got up, smelled smoke and heard crackling flames. She went to check the wood burning stove in the living room, and saw flames at the picture window. With fire blocking the front door, Poole grabbed the baby and went out the rear door. Then she returned to get Princess.

Sydney says: And you're surprised? Now please bring me my breakfast.

Posted by Tammy at 08:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dog Ticks - How To Spot Them and What To Do

Ticks on a dog (or any animal or human) can be a serious problem. These wingless Parasites are not insects, but are actually related to mites and spiders. Many people are suprised to learn that there are over 850 tick species, about 100 of which are capable of transmitting potentially serious diseases.

The tick’s sole mission is to wait for some human or animal to brush against them so they have a wonderful new host to feed from. Because ticks can feed on many hosts, they can easily spread diseases between animals and humans. This is why it is very important for you to check your dog periodically, especially during the summer months, for any ticks that have decided to hitch a ride with your favorite canine.

Posted by Tammy at 07:57 AM | Permalink

Denver Zoo lioness adopts girl cub

In a rare phenomenon, a baby lion rejected by her mother has been adopted by another Denver Zoo lioness and is thriving under her care, with some help from handlers.

Sadie Says: Awwww! Even though I have issues with animals being in cages, it's nice to know this cub has found a new mom.

Posted by Tammy at 12:23 AM | Permalink

Sadie & Sydney's Pic of the Day

A priest blesses a horse during the traditional feast of San Anton in Palma de Mallorca, at the Spanish Balearic Island of Mallorca January 17, 2006. Hundreds of pet owners bring their animals to be blessed every year on the day of San Anton, Spain's patron saint of animals.REUTERS/Dani Cardona

Related Link:

Feast of San Anton Photo Slideshow

Posted by Tammy at 10:10 PM | Permalink

Shark Disrupts Attempt At Underwater Juggling Record

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- A man's attempt at setting a new world record for juggling underwater was foiled by a shark.

Ashrita Furman was trying to break his own world record of 48 minutes and 36 seconds at an aquarium in Malaysia. But a pesky shark brought the attempt to a halt.

Posted by Tammy at 07:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Pet Parrot Bites Alleged Burglar

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. - Polly want a burglar? A pet parrot attacked a man who broke into its owner's apartment, and the bite and blood marks helped police identify a suspect.

The blue and gold macaw hybrid named Sunshine attacked Michael L. Deeter, 44, after he broke into the apartment, police said. Sunshine had blood on its beak and Deeter had marks on his hand consistent with those made by a parrot.

Sadie says: Sunshine is very brave and protective like my buddy Sydney!

Posted by Tammy at 05:59 PM | Permalink

Making a bad impression frees cat

A Cornish firefighter has managed to free a kitten stuck up a chimney for five days - by impersonating a dog. Hours after going to her new home in Penzance kitten Smirnoff got stuck and refused to budge, despite efforts by RSPCA officers and the fire brigade.

Then Charlie Jamieson hit on the idea of making dog noises and Smirnoff came down far enough to be pulled out...

Sydney Says: A dog saves the day once again. Woof!

Posted by Tammy at 02:46 AM | Permalink

What would you call this cat?

Brave? Oblivious? Lunch?

Posted by Tammy at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Most popular pet names

BREA, Calif., PRNewswire -- As the holidays and the New Year quickly approach, animal lovers may plan on adding a new pet to their family. Veterinarians suggest that new pet owners take time to get to know their new fuzzy family member before deciding on a permanent name.

Below are the most popular names for dogs and cats for 2005:

Dogs / Cats

1. Max 1. Max

2. Baily 2. Tigger

3. Buddy 3. Smokey

4. Molly 4. Tiger

5. Maggie 5. Chloe

6. Lucy 6. Shadow

7. Daisy 7. Lucy

8. Bella 8. Angel

9. Jake 9. Oliver

10. Rocky 10. Simba

For the third year in a row, Max is the nation's most popular pet name.

"Many pet owners consider their pets to be members of their family. As such, they give them human names like Max, Molly or Maggie, which underscores the fact that the human-animal bond is stronger than ever," says Dr. Carol McConnell. "New pet owners should spend quality time with their pets, especially in the first week, to establish daily patterns of behavior and to recognize unique traits in the pet that translate into a name, such as 'Happy' or 'Diva'."

Other suggestions for naming a new pet, says Dr. McConnell, include selecting a name that is short and easy to pronounce, and to be careful not to choose a name that is too similar to a command, such as Neil or Joe, which might be confused with "heal" or "no."

Posted by Tammy at 04:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Tammy at 02:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Cat's NJ Turnpike Trip Less Miraculous Than Previously Reported

CHERRY HILL, N.J. -- There may still be good reason to call the kitten Miracle, but some animal welfare officials got some key details wrong in recounting the tale of the tabby who hitched a harrowing ride on the New Jersey Turnpike. Initially, the group said a cat clung to the underside of a sport utility vehicle that traveled about 70 miles on the highway in late December. It turns out it was more like 30 miles, a Ford Taurus rather than an SUV and the cat was tucked in an engine compartment rather than hanging onto the bottom of the vehicle.

Sadie Says: Now just one minute! It's now not a miracle to survive being in an engine compartment going 30 mph? Are the Cat Standards that high? You humans try it. But no, you demand heated leather seats, seat belts, stereo systems and airbags. Ha! I realize we're incredible, but give us a little credit

Posted by Tammy at 02:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sadie's Pic of the Day

In this photo taken Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, and released Monday, Jan. 9, 2006, by the Smithsonian National Zoo, Tai Shan, the giant panda cub at the Smithsonian's National Zoo, turns 6-months-old today. The 27-lb. cub spends most mornings exploring his outdoor yard, but is captivated by his indoor toys as well. (AP Photo/Smithsonian National Zoo, Ann Batdorf)

Posted by Tammy at 07:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Hunters Find Calf Buried Up to Its Nose

WHEELING, W.Va. - A group of rabbit hunters stumbled onto a first last week in Tyler County when they found a cow in distress and one of her newborn calves buried up to the tip of its nose in the ground. "She was pacing and walking in circles," said hunter Bill Bassett. "We didn't know what was wrong with her."

Additional Link for more information:

The Intelligencer: Calf Rescued in Tyler County

Sydney Says: Whew! Everything turns out okay, but it sure sounds like that little calf has a good mom. I know that if I ever fell in a hole up to my nose Tammy would get me out. After she stopped laughing.

Posted by Tammy at 04:09 PM | Permalink

Jackson sued for unpaid vet bills

Singer Michael Jackson is being sued by a California veterinarian for alleged unpaid bills. Martin Dinnes, owner of Dinnes Memorial Veterinary Hospital, claims Mr Jackson owes him $91,602 (£51,729). Mr Dinnes helped Mr Jackson acquire animals for his Neverland Ranch, which he has not occupied since being cleared of child molestation charges last June.

Sadie & Sydney Say: We're glad we live in Tammyland and not Neverland. Fellow creatures, this is a story that reminds us to be grateful for our regular (and normal), good-hearted humans.

Posted by Tammy at 09:35 PM | Permalink

Sydney's Pic of the Day

A female husky dog in Taipei saved the life of a Taiwanese newborn by snatching him from the toilet after his mother gave birth alone at home and collapsed(AFP/File)

Dog saves Taiwanese newborn after mother collapses

"The dog approached her owner, who was lying on the ground in a pool of blood, and saw the infant... she snatched up the baby's leg with her mouth and rescued him from drowning," she said.

When the boy finally breathed and cried out after the dog licked him on the face, Huang managed to call for help, said the social worker, who withheld her name. The mother declined to speak to the press.

Sydney Says: This is such a good role model for all us young dogs. In some ways I hope I can be a hero some day, but then again, I hope nothing happens that would make me have to be a hero. In the meantime, I will think mostly about getting another chicken strip snack.

Posted by Tammy at 05:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Dog Deaths Surpass 100 Despite Toxic Pet Food Recall

At least 100 dogs in the United States have been killed in recent weeks by toxic pet food despite a recall of the products, scientists said today. Some 19 brands of Diamond, Country Value and Professional dog foods have been recalled. But many pet owners are not aware of the recall, researchers at Cornell University said Friday. Dogs have refused to eat the food and, in some cases, their owners have enticed them with gravy and other lures without knowing they were killing the animals.

Sydney Says: If your pooch does not want to eat, trust him or her. We know if we're hungry or if something's bad.

Posted by Tammy at 05:10 PM | Permalink

Study: Cats have more than 9 lives, and plenty of cousins

Never mind that scratching post. Your kitty now has her own family tree.
A study found lineage of domestic cats, such as this one in Ankara, Turkey, developed 6.2 million years ago. By studying DNA mutations that have developed over time, a team of researchers has traced the American domestic cat and its cousins — including the lion, leopard and panther — to a common ancestor that lived in Central Asia more than 10 million years ago.

Sadie Says: Thank you for the research. The more you understand us, the better. Now please bring me my smoking jacket.

Posted by Tammy at 06:54 PM | Permalink

Fish flock to Christmas tree reefs in U.S. lakes

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Stripped of tinsel and ornaments, thousands of Christmas trees across the United States are becoming reefs for fish in fresh-water lakes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers collects discarded trees to create an underwater forest near fishing piers in man-made lakes that lack natural habitats. "The little fish will go in there for cover and to feed and the big fish will follow them," said Eric Lemons, a park ranger at Wappapello Lake in southeast Missouri, which gets about 200 Christmas trees a year.

Sadie and Sydney Say: Hmmm, may we visit the reef please? While the big fish follow the little fish we will follow the big fish, wearing our scuba gear, of course.

Posted by Tammy at 06:41 PM | Permalink

A puppy boom rises in Katrina's ruins
'I've never seen so many puppies in my life'

GULFPORT, Mississippi (AP) -- Puppies are popping up everywhere amid the rubble left by Hurricane Katrina -- and animal welfare workers on the northern Gulf Coast fear it is only the start of a big boom in dog births.

Sydney Says: if you're looking for a puppy or dog, always adopt from the pound. That's where the best dogs are. I should know, that's where Tammy found me.

Posted by Tammy at 08:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sydney's Pic of the Day

An African giraffe, Mas Sura, licks its four-day-old baby at Malaysia's National Zoo in Kuala Lumpur January 3, 2006. Standing at 1.2 metres (four feet) and weighing 40kg (90 lb) at birth the baby giraffe was born on Friday, becoming the 11th African giraffe in the zoo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad

Posted by Tammy at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Animals know stupid when they see it

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A South African mugger fleeing the scene of his crime hides in a tiger enclosure. On the country's coast, a woman attempts to be a good Samaritan by pushing a young seal into the sea, believing the poor thing is stranded. Both people paid heavily for their stupidity, underscoring one of nature's truisms: humans do dumb things around wild animals.

Posted by Tammy at 02:07 AM | Permalink

Many Trying Mini-Cattle for Backyards

TRAPPE, Md. — If you're a suburban cowboy hankering to raise a herd and short on ranch land, mini-cattle may be for you. New breeds of pint-sized heifers and bulls are making it easier for small farmers to raise cattle for milk, meat or just fun.

Posted by Tammy at 07:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sadie's Pic of the Day

A lion cub caresses a domestic cat as another lion rests in a private house in Kharkov, about 450 km (279.4 miles) northeast of Kiev December 15, 2005. The three-month-old lions live in the house of Tatyana Efremova who also keeps a number of other exotic animals. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Posted by Tammy at 01:52 AM | Permalink

Cat Calls 911 to Help Owner, Police Say

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Police aren't sure how else to explain it. But when an officer walked into an apartment Thursday night to answer a 911 call, an orange-and-tan striped cat was lying by a telephone on the living room floor. The cat's owner, Gary Rosheisen, was on the ground near his bed having fallen out of his wheelchair.

Sadie Says: And? You're surprised? Amazed? Please bring me my slippers...

Posted by Tammy at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)