Archive for October, 2008
Last Chance to Win!
If you haven’t already signed up for a free newsletter subscription to PetsWeekly. com, do it now! The drawing ends tonight and winners will be announced in our forum at:
http://Petsweekly. ning. com
($100 value)
Add comment October 31, 2008
Weird, Freaky and True: Lioness Adopts Antelope
Yep, it’s true… There is no accounting for animal nature and just when we think we understand them, we learn that we don’t really have a clue. (Not sure if the video will work – if not, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJYIEk5n6o)
Watch this lioness adopt a baby antelope she finds in the wild. The natives named her Kamenyat (not sure on the spelling, but it means “Blessed One”). When the antelope was later killed by a different lion when the lioness’ back was turned, Kamenyat went on to adopt FIVE more baby antelopes…
Add comment October 30, 2008
Our Favorite Engineers (and their Cats) are Back!
For those of you who loved the Engineer’s Guide to Cats video, we now present to you the Engineer’s Guide to Voting! Join Paul, TJ, Ginger, Zoey and Oscar as they demonstrate the many nuances of voting and explain why Ginger will make the best candidate… This is yet another adorable video from our favorite engineers! Thanks guys… >^..^<
Add comment October 20, 2008
Wolves and Coyotes
As I mentioned yesterday, it’s Wolf Awareness Week and we are doing our best to do a daily update on our blog about little known wolf facts. Today we’re covering the very cool topic of wolves and coyotes.
Did You Know:
- The coyote evolved separately from the wolf over 500,000 years ago.
Now, in the event you have a hard time recognizing the difference between species, there are a lot of great resources out there to help you. Below you can see the differences for yourself:
GRAY WOLF (Canis lupus)
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| Height: | 18″ maximum |
| Length: | 3 feet |
| Weight: | 25 to 45 pounds |
Thanks to the DNR for this very valuable information. Remember, wolves are protected and as far as I’m concerned, coyotes should be as well. But, for those of you who don’t think that’s the case, feel free to argue the point with me. Fair warning – if your “point” is that a coyote recently killed your cat, you’re going to hear me tell you to keep your cats indoors (this is coming from someone who loves cats, so I know what I’m talking about! Also – feral cat day is coming up Oct. 16 so don’t forget! More about that later!). And if your point is that two coyotes were lounging on your patio yesterday, well – hand them a towel and move back to the city. Life’s too short. Humans are the biggest predators in the world and until we start regulating ourselves, we should leave everything else alone and quit infringing on their territory.
Until tomorrow, I bid you happy howls. Remember to visit Defenders of Wildlife and make a donation to help preserve the noble wolves whose ancestors have become our friends and protectors over the years. We must find a way to overcome our impact on them.
1 comment October 15, 2008
It’s Wolf Awareness Week!
Red Wolf - Captive
Well folks, it’s officially Wolf Awareness week and for those of you who don’t know what that means, well – read on…
Wolves have played an integral role in the development of North America and it’s important to preserve this noble animal. We have an entire mythology built around them (some good, some bad) but it’s time to start building awareness about the real nature of these animals. Wolf restoration efforts help to ensure the wolf’s long-term survival, contribute to a healthy ecosystem and provide cultural benefits.
IF you’re interested in learning more about wolves, check out these great fact sheets from the Defenders of Wildlife:
Gray Wolf | Red Wolf | Mexican Wolf
You can also learn more about where wolves come from and how they have influenced history by clicking below.
Biology and Taxonomy
Find answers to commons questions about wolf biology, communication, hunting, taxonomy and evolution.
There are some great “wolf events” coming up in your area, so check this calendar to see what you can attend. It’s important to defend our wildlife, especially our wolves, given that we have an avid wolf destroyer running for VP. Here’s the calendar: http://www.defenders.org/take_action/upcoming_events/index.php
This week, we’re going to be spending some time discussing wolves: learning about their heritage, understanding their behavior and identifying the role they play in our lives – even in our lives today. I hope you’ll join me for this informative series. Check our blog daily for posts on this amazing animal throughout the week!
Add comment October 13, 2008
Change in Status of Wolves in the Southwest
Some changes will be occurring – be sure to stay in the loop!
Arizona Game and Fish Commission provides new guidance for wolf conservation
Oct. 10, 2008
State’s long-term participation contingent on revised approach, interagency cooperation
PHOENIX – The Arizona Game and Fish Commission stated its intentions about Mexican wolf conservation very clearly today, reiterating its support for wolf conservation, but mandating pursuit of Arizona-specific objectives and making continued support contingent upon cooperator progress in several key areas over the next five years.
At its regularly scheduled public meeting today, the commission directed the Arizona Game and Fish Department to pursue the objective of establishing an Arizona population of Mexican wolves that is a component of a larger “metapopulation” capable of sustaining itself in the long term.
It also directed the department to provide continued leadership in collaborative Mexican wolf conservation, but makes that involvement conditional on specific agency and partner actions and fundamental shifts in approach to wolf conservation.
“Achieving success in wolf conservation in Arizona is dependent on a number of factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission and Department. The federal rules of engagement need to be changed,” said Commissioner Jennifer Martin.
The commission directed the department to, within five years, collaborate with the federal government to develop a new Mexican wolf recovery plan, complete National Environmental Policy Act compliance for revision of the nonessential experimental rule governing wolf reintroduction in the Southwest, and develop and deploy an incentives-based approach to Mexican wolf conservation.
“We believe these actions are crucial to wolf conservation, and failure to complete them within the next five years could jeopardize continued participation by the State of Arizona in wolf conservation,” said Commission Chair Bill McLean.
The commission’s directive also included additional actions for the department to take to promote progress in wolf conservation over the next five years.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department’s cumulative contribution from its budget toward Mexican wolf conservation has been approximately $4.5 million from 1991 through 2008. The majority of that amount came from the department’s threatened and endangered species funding.
According to Arizona Game and Fish Department Chief of Staff Gary Hovatter, today’s commission action recognizes that Mexican wolf conservation is a commendable and appropriate pursuit for Arizona, but must be balanced with the potential impact on other resources and the human environment.
“We believe that Arizona’s involvement and leadership are essential to success of Mexican wolf recovery efforts, but the cooperating agencies need to work toward achievable and legally defensible wolf population objectives adequate to justify and sustain delisting,” said Hovatter. “No responsible conservation organization can support species conservation efforts that potentially allow for infinite population growth of a species, regardless of the potential impact on other resources and the human environment. We have studied the recent developments in litigation-driven governance of wolf recovery efforts in the Northern Rockies, and are determined to avoid such a train wreck in the Southwest.”
The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.
Add comment October 11, 2008
Be Noticed Magazine
Fall, 2008
Check out our newest article in Be Noticed magazine. This article profiles the art of Joe Brklacich, a brilliant artist who focuses on “post-modern, deconstructive abstracts of the unique compositional human form.“
Be Noticed Magazine is an Arizona-based publication that uncovers the work of emerging artists and we are proud to be a part of this wonderful publication. You can view the article on Page 19 at:
http://benoticedmag.com/FA08.pdf
Free copies are distributed throughout Arizona or you can subscribe and have it delivered for a small fee.
(Yep – occasionally we write about something other than animals and paranormal creatures!)
Thanks – and stay tuned for our regularly scheduled PetsWeekly update with all new reviews, an interview with the Cog, and lots of new stories, freebies and contests!
1 comment October 8, 2008
NY Times and PetsWeekly
Greetings fellow pack members!
PetsWeekly is proud to announce that they were referenced in a NY Times article from Abby Ellin, entitled “Sorry Fido – It’s a Guy Thing“. (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/fashion/05cats.html).
What a fun article to be included in! The “Guys and Cats” thing is not a new phenomenon as you all know, but many believe that it is. We, of course, advocate guys (and girls) being owned by all manner of creatures, not JUST cats and dogs!
Just to be clear, we also want to state that we do NOT agree with the authors statement that you can “leave cats alone for days at a time.” Cats, like dogs, need lots of time with their families and require a pet sitter if you’re going to be gone for any length of time!
We do, however, agree with the author that the numbers of men who are kept by cats are on the rise and that this phenomenon is just about the coolest (and sexiest) trend that we know of!
So, all you guys out there who think that men and cats don’t belong together, never fear. Run out and adopt a new feline friend. If you’re confident in your masculinity, “evolved” enough to realize that it’s great training for marriage, and secure enough in your life, a new furry feline may be just what you need!
For some more fun, meet a few guys who love cats in our article, “Men and The Cats Who Love Them” published by Cat Fancy (Cat Channel) in early September. And all of you men coming out of the cat closet, definitely take a moment to drop us a note or comment and let us know how much your furry friend contributes to your life!
Related Articles
- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/05/fashion/05cats.html
- http://www.catchannel.com/Magazines/CatFancy/november-2008/men-and-the-cats-who-love-them.aspx
- Cat Fancy, “Through the Years“, November, 2008.
Add comment October 4, 2008
Fixing the Economy..
I just got this forwarded to me and I have to say – it makes one hell of a lot more sense than the current bail out…
Enjoy!
>^..^<
The Birk Economic Recovery Plan
I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend.
To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.
Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family:
1. Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.
2. Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads
3. Put away money for college – it’ll be there
4. Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
5. Buy a new car – create jobs
6. Invest in the market – capital drives growth
7. Pay for your parent’s medical insurance – health care improves
8. Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( ‘vote buy’ ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.
If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bailout every adult U S Citizen 18+! As for AIG – liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here’s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn’t. Sure it’s a crazy idea that can ‘never work.’ But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party! How do you spell Economic Boom? I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC. And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
Ahhh…I feel so much better getting that off my chest.
Kindest personal regards,
Birk T. J. Birkenmeier,
A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic
PS: Feel free to pass this along to your pals as it’s either good for a laugh or a tear or a very sobering thought on how to best use $85 Billion!!
1 comment October 1, 2008
