Dog Breed of the Month: The Whippet

Pictures can be found here. Whippets are affectionate, lively, and sweet. They are calm, quiet, and devoted. They are also sensitive, so they should not be roughly treated. They are good with children as long as there is no roughhousing. As always, to avoid small dog syndrome, whippets need a firm and consistent pack leader.

They are good with other dogs, but will chase (and kill) cats and other small animals if given the chance. Household cats that they know and are accustomed to will, however, be left alone.

Whippets are very fast and agile. They need regular opportunities to run on open ground (in a safe area) and need a daily walk. As said before, they love to chase small animals so a fenced yard and a leash is essential.

They are prone to stomach and skin problems, but have a life expectancy of about 12-15 years. They have a short, smooth coat so they are easy to groom. They are average shedders, and their coats are virtually free of "doggie smell".

Whippets are sensitive to the cold, so dog sweaters are advised. They are calm indoors so they will do okay in an apartment as long as they get a lot of exercise.




info source: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/whippet.htm

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is the day to give thanks for everything.
Thanks for food,
family,
friends,
possessions,
everything!

Plus, you get to eat mounds of food.

:D

And the mascot of Thanksgiving is, of course, the turkey.


Pictures of turkeys can be found here.

Turkeys are native of the forests in North America. The domestic turkeys are decedents of the wild ones. Domestics are the kind we eat on Thanksgiving.

Females lay about 18 eggs at a time, and they hatch after a 1 month incubation period. Turkeys eat seeds, berries, acorns, and small insects.



Happy Thanksgiving, and try not to "gobble" your food too fast!


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_turkey
http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/turkey.htm

Dog Breed of the Month: Mastiff

Pictures can be found here. These big, powerful, (slobbery) dogs are gentle giants. They are guard dogs, though they rarely bark. They need to be socialized well, and also need a calm and confidant owner.

Mastiffs are one of the heaviest breeds of dogs; their weight can exceed 200 pounds. They live about 10-12 years. Mastiffs are prone to bloating, and their owners must watch out for hip displysia among other ailments.

These dogs like to be lazy, but they do need a daily walk at least. They will do okay in apartments since they are pretty inactive indoors. Their short, smooth coat is easy to groom, and Mastiffs are average shedders.

Overall, Mastiffs are sweet, intelligent dogs that are very affectionate.


info source: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/mastiff.htm

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! (and a monkey to boot)

A man named Terry Thompson, owner of a wild animal farm, released 56 exotic animals into the Zanesville, Ohio area, after which he killed himself. Authorities have killed or captured all the animals except a macaque monkey who is still at large. It is possible that the monkey has been eaten, however.
Schools all over were closed, and people advised to stay inside while the round up happened. Signs appeared that read "Caution Exotic Animals". One lion got hit by a car (that would have been one colossal road kill), but was only injured.


Source:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-10-18/exotic-animals-loose-ohio/50821092/1

Catch up: September's Breed of the Month

Hello, dear readers. Due to a busy life, I had no time to do much posting in September. Very sorry about that! So to make up for it, here's September's Breed of the Month:

Pictures can be found here. Chihuahuas are very tiny, very adorable dogs who love affection. They are very brave, and they are intelligent and loyal. But like all small dogs, they need a firm "alpha" to show them who's boss. If a dog thinks it can run the show, it can develop aggression.

Though it is tempting to carry these cute little dogs around, they need exercise just as much as a larger breed does. A nice long daily walk is perfect for this. Also, an off-leash romp in a fenced area is good for their stimulation.

Chihuahuas are very susceptible to poison, so owners need to be careful around things harmful to dogs, like chocolate. Chihuahuas are also prone to rheumatism, colds, and injury. They can, however, live about 15 years.

They are very good for apartment life, but need their space just as much as any other dog. They also prefer warm weather over the cold.

Chihuahuas are average shedders, and they need a gentle brushing every day. Regular checking of the ears, clipping of the nails, and a nice bath will top off grooming.

These proud and adventurous canines are not only cute, but they are smart and brave too; a perfect pet for people!



NOTE: Don't forget to email me your pictures of animals so I can feature them!! ffpandc@gmail.com



Info source: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/chihuahua.htm

9/11

We will always remember what happened on 9/11. My thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center.

Hundreds of rescuers went to Ground Zero to find those who had survived. And with those amazing people, were rescue dogs. Rescue dogs were instrumental at Ground Zero, sniffing out survivors.

There is only about a dozen of 9/11's rescue dogs still alive now. Moxie, Orion, Guinness, Red, Bailey, and Bretagne are among those canines. These and other unsung heroes will be featured in the book Retrieved, by Charlotte Dumas.

Search and rescue dogs (SAR) sniff out missing people using airsenting (sniffing airborne scents), trailing (looking for someone specific), or tracking (working on a lead, with nose to the ground). What these dogs are able to accomplish with just their noses is another reminder how amazing God's creation is!

God Bless America!!



sources: http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/retrieved-a-new-photo-book-honors-9-11-search-and-rescue-dogs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_and_rescue_dog

Dog Breed Of the Month: The Tibetan Spaniel

The Tibetan Spaniel is cheerful, independent, clever, trusting, and a good watchdog. They are not yappy, but will bark at strange noises or intruders. They get along well with other dogs and animals, but can be difficult to train. As with all small dogs, the Tibetan Spaniel needs a strong pack leader to show them who's boss.

Tibetan Spaniels can be prone to respiratory problems and heat stroke, with an average life span of 12-15 years. Females Tibetans, unlike many other breeds, go into heat only once a year. They have an average litter size of 3-6 puppies.

They are good for apartment life, and do okay without a yard as they are relatively active indoors, but they do need a nice long walk each day.

Their coat needs a regular brushing. Tibetan Spaniels are average shedders all year round, but in comes out in clumps (poor vacuum!) once a year.

So if your looking for a sweet family companion who's good for apartment life, consider the Tibetan Spaniel!



Sources:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/tibetanspaniel.htm

The Tiger

Tigers are found in north and east Asia. They live in grasslands, tropical forests, evergreen forests, woodlands, swamps, and savannas. Tigers are solitary animals, and will defend their territory strongly against any strange tiger that dares intrude. Female tigers have a territory of 10-618 sq. miles, and male tigers have territories that are much larger, and connected to that of several female tigers.

Tigers are carnivores, which means they eat meat exclusively. They will prey on a variety of medium to large sized animals, including water buffalo, elk, wild boar, and several types of deer. They also eat smaller animals such as fish, reptiles, and monkeys sometimes. Tigers hunt alone, and will ambush their prey from any angle, using brute weight and force to knock larger prey off their feet.

Tigers have a gestation period of about 104 days, after which 2-4 cubs are born. The babies are born with their eyes closed, and are approximately 2.2 pounds (Aww!). When the cubs reach 8 weeks old, they start to accompany their mother out of the den, and start to eat meat. Cubs become independent at around 10 months, but will not completely leave their mother until they are around 2 years old.


Thanks to David D. for taking and editing the photo.
source: http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/carnivores/tiger.html

Email me your pictures!!

Hello readers! Due to a shocking lack of having my camera with me, I am running out of pictures of animals, and I need your help to have "blog fodder" for FFPandC.

So email me your pictures of animals!

ffpandc@gmail.com

Note: always tell me who took the picture, so I know who to site as the photographer.

Thanks!

Wild Things: The fainting fawn

Yes, fainting fawn!

So, I know that I just did a post on Wild Things, but this video just has to be posted:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xi563h5-iNs

The beginning has the fawn's back story, and if you fast forward to 3:28, that's when he faints, the poor baby.