Posts tagged "Thanksgiving"

Turkey Day Treats; Puppy Puritans

by Evan Jacobs (Subscribe to Evan Jacobs's posts): Nov 27th 2009 3:00PM Filed Under: Chew on This

Rounding up our favorite animal stories, photos, and videos on the web each week!

Holiday Pet Spoiling

He wants that turkey. You know it; he knows it; the turkey knows it. So, instead of holding out and feeling guilty, throw him a few bones with this helpful guide from Petsugar. [via PetSugar]
Pilgrim Pets

They've come on the Meowflower to land at Plymutt Rock, ready to share some Science Diet maize with the Indians. As with all dressed pets, cuteness levels are dangerously high. [via People Pets]
Owl Odd Couple

Remember the movie "Twins" with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito? This is that in owl form. [via People Pets]
Squirrel Punishes Pooch

Your baby is so cute. I just want to play with him and maybe bite him and eat him, but just a little bit. Ow! Why are you plunging your claws into me? Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Wait, where did you go? [via Dailymail.co.uk]
Black Friday Buy

This Black Friday, there's going to be a huge rush on reindeer-poop jewelry. Oh, you didn't know reindeer-poop jewelry existed? Read this. [via AP]

Thanksgiving Tips for Pet Owners

by Elizabeth Brady (Subscribe to Elizabeth Brady's posts): Nov 26th 2009 3:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Pet Health

Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and giving, but when it comes to including your pets in the festivities, you should share with caution. Turkey Day celebrations can lead to animal dangers or discomforts, especially when owners attempt to treat their pets too much like "one of the family."

Keep Human Food on the Table
According to the ASPCA, feeding your pet table-scraps is the biggest Thanksgiving Day hazard. They recommend avoiding problems altogether by leaving your pet in the kitchen, yard or elsewhere with a chew toy or snack while the humans eat the good stuff. If you feel an uncontrollable urge to let Fido sample your meal, scale it back to a small amount and avoid food with lots of seasoning, onions, raisins, garlic or chocolate (all of which can cause abdominal pain, complications or even death).

Meats and Doughs
Be sure to not feed your pets any uncooked dough or meat. Salmonella is present in raw eggs and meat, and the ASPCA notes that "when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency requiring surgery." Even cooked meat can be harmful if it is coated in gravy or grease. If you are going to allow your dog to scarf down turkey, make sure there are no bones that could splinter and be harmful to the pet.

The Brains Behind The National Dog Show

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Nov 25th 2009 4:00PM Filed Under: Dogs

"Charmin," a Sealyham Terrier shown by owner Margery Good. Kennel Club of Philadelphia

Every Thanksgiving Day since 2002, 20 million Americans have tuned in to watch the National Dog Show on NBC, and the man they have to thank for it is Jon Miller, executive vice president of NBC Sports. It was his idea to air the Kennel Club of Philadelphia's annual Best in Show -- right after the Macy's Day Parade and right before football. He spoke with Paw Nation about how the show came to be.

How did you know that Americans wanted to watch a dog show on Thanksgiving day? When did the light-bulb go off?
On a Saturday night in January -- it was a nasty night. My wife rented [the movie] "Best in Show." We watched it with some friends, then I stayed up watching it a second time and just loved it. I thought it was so much fun.

How did that one spark lead to the show?
I came to work on Monday and grabbed one of our interns and said, "Find out what the second oldest dog show in America is," thinking that the Westminster was the oldest dog show in America. He came back about an hour later and said, "Well, the second oldest dog show in America is Westminster." I said, "Well, what's the oldest dog show?" and he said, "Philadelphia." He then got me in touch with [KCP president] Wayne Ferguson, and we had a great conversation. I asked, "Have you ever been on television?" He said no, but he'd be very interested. Then I went to Michael Crawford, who is a friend at Purina, to see if he had any interest. I said, "Michael, if we could get a dog show on NBC --" He said, "In a heartbeat, we'd support it."

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Camouflage Animals

Madagascar Day Gecko
The green Madagascar Day Gecko lives in the dry regions of forests in Madagascar and neighboring islands. They usually grow to be between four to six inches long. Their tail makes up almost half of their length.

Getty Images

Camouflage Animals

Argentine Horned Frog Reptiles
The Argentine Horned Frog, also known as the Horned Frog or Pacman Frog, originated in South America. The green and black amphibian, which can grow up to six inches long, is a popular pets and can live for as long as 10 years.

Camouflage Animals

Walkingstick
The Walkingstick takes its camouflage abilities to the next level by creating the appearance of a stick or twig to hide from predators. While they normally stand still, these insects are able to walk around as though they were a twig caught in the wind. They can be found in tropical forests or woodlands all across the world.

Camouflage Animals

Dwarf Puff Adder
Found in Nambia, the venomous Dwarf Puff Adder hides from the hot desert sun by burying itself in the sand, where only its eyes show.

Camouflage Animals

Stonefish
Often resembling a rock, the brown colored Stonefish camouflages itself perfectly in the ocean. With 13 venomous dorsal spines on its back, the Stonefish can cause tissue damage and respiratory distress, which can lead to cardiovascular shock if left untreated.

Camouflage Animals

Chameleons
Chameleons, the quintessential color-changers, can transform their skin color when their mood, temperature or the amount of light around them is altered. Their hue, which can vary from yellow and pink to brown and black, is also altered when they communicate.

Camouflage Animals

Green Anole
Often confused with chameleons, Green Anoles turn brown when they're stressed or sick. Found in the trees and shrubs of the Southeastern United States, these lizards are popular pets.

Camouflage Animals

The Eastern Wood Frog
The Eastern Wood Frog tricks competitors by changing colors to match its surroundings. Found in North American woodlands, the frog also has a dark black patch from its eye to the base of its front limb that can change colors.

Camouflage Animals