Posts tagged "dna"

Deceased Pets Find Eternal Life in Diamonds

by Eliot Glazer (Subscribe to Eliot Glazer's posts): Jun 25th 2009 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Small Pets, Pet Clothes, Loss of a Pet

It seems so logical. Dog is man's best friend, diamonds are a girl's best friend, so combine the two and you have DNA2Diamonds.

DNA2Diamonds is a service that extracts "the unique DNA carbon from a lock of hair (or cremated ashes)" to build a personalized diamond that's said to be identical to a traditional earth-mined stone. Hey, in these days of recycling it makes sense to bring your beloved pet to life within a precious stone, albeit it's a bit creepy like owners who stuff their deceased pets.

To be fair, DNA2Diamonds mostly caters to couples who want to create diamonds out of their partner's living locks.

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Doggy DNA Tests for the Canine Curious

by Helena Sung (Subscribe to Helena Sung's posts): Apr 29th 2009 9:30AM Filed Under: Dogs, Pet Health

What kind of dog is Jasper? My guess is as good as yours. Photo: Helena Sung

"What kind of dog is that?"

For some dog owners, that's a simple question requiring a one or two-word answer. But for those of us with mixed-breed dogs, affectionately called "mutts," the answer is essentially, "I dunno."

"Our best guess is that he's some of kind of Yorkie mix," I'll reply when asked about my 8-pound dog, Jasper, who I adopted from a shelter through Petfinder. People will squint at my dog as if he were a Rorschach ink blot, then offer their opinions. "He looks like he's got some Schnauzer in him," they might say. I've -- or rather, Jasper has --- also been told that he's likely part poodle, Maltese, Havanese, Shih Tzu, broken-haired Jack Russell terrier or Chinese crested.

The questions have stoked my curiosity to the point that I'm dying to give my dog a DNA test, but is it worth it?

The Canine Heritage Breed Test kit sells for $119.95 on their website and will test for over 100 different breeds. It requires that I swab my dog's cheek and mail in the sample.

Another option is the Wisdom Panel Mixed-Breed Analysis, which costs $124.99, requires a veterinarian to draw a blood sample from my dog, and will test for 157 different breeds. It boasts a 90% accuracy rate.

"Don't waste your money," warns New York City-based veterinarian Dr. Matthew Cooper -- not the answer I want to hear. I'm certain one of the tests will reveal a secret even my dog doesn't know. What about the health-related benefits of ascertaining a dog's breed or breeds? "There could be some benefit in that," he says. "But only if the test results are accurate."

Tell us! Have you given your dog a DNA test? What did you think of the results?

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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.

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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