Petopia

Birding in the 21st Century: Report Your Bird Sightings Online

Birdpost.com is a new site where avid bird watchers from around the globe post bird sightings and can seek out the bird sightings of others on satellite maps. Birdpost users can tag and categorize their sightings and share information about birding excursions and their photos and knowledge with others. There is a rare bird alert section, forums, lifelists, regional checklists -- and much more that bird lovers are sure to love.

Although this site is still in Beta, TechCrunch has declared it to be one of the top startups of 2008. The developers are very interested in feedback from users -- read the Birdpost Blog for more information on upcoming features and give them your ideas. Birdpost was also featured in the recent bestselling book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder. This book makes a strong case for giving children an awareness and appreciation for the natural world. So perhaps you'll take your children with you on your next birding venture?
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An indispensable book for bird watchers: The Sibley Guide to Bird Life & Behavior.

Jewelry Gifts for Cat and Dog Lovers: Hidalgo Rings

These rings, made by the skilled artisans at Hidalgo, would be cherished by any cat or dog lover. The Hidalgo signature style is unique and unmistakable. The available designs include the cats, dachshunds, paw prints and dog bones shown here as well as many others. The rings are crafted of 18k white or yellow gold, diamonds and various colors of enamel. They range in price from about $1,100 to $1,400 and, though beautiful and precious, are meant to be worn everyday. If you are lucky enough to have more than one, they can easily be stacked.

If you love the designs but not the 4 figure price range you can look for "designer inspired" replica versions. For example, Jewels of Denial offers a paw print silver band for only $8.99. These replicas won't take the breath away of the recipient but they also won't leave the giver gasping.

Mexican Ex-Voto Paintings that Feature Animals

My sister blog, Madam Lichtenstein's Cosmic World, recently wrote a post on Mexican Votive Paintings. In brief:

Votive offerings have been around for ages, often as part of a Christian prayer. In Mexico, the results of answered prayers often included the commissioning of a special painting called Ex-Voto which depicted saints and interesting misen scenes. They are beautiful, sacred and in some cases bizarre.

This post got an interesting response from a reader who noted, in part:

I love these -- have purchased several on visits to Mexico. One of my favorites, though, is a funny one I bought off ebay -- thanking the virgin for saving her from having too many cats.

The link to the ebay store that she refers to is: Madreselvas Mexican Folk Art. and I couldn't wait to take a look at the offerings. The artwork shown above is the one that caught my eye. It is titled: Mexican Exvoto ex voto retablo Very peculiar pets. The description given is:

My sisters Carlota and Clara came back to the town after living a lot of time in another countries and they acquired very strange customs but the worst thing was their pets . I didn't care very much because I love them a lot but I felt a little ashame to go with them by the street when they took out their animals to go for a walk. I thank to San Francisco because people of town already habituate to their peculiar pets and they no longer laugh of us when we take out the animals for a walk.

There are many to choose from: elephants, pigs, birds, cats, dogs, goats -- take a look! Think of what unusual gifts these would make. Thank you M Lichtenstein and Heidi for the information.

Puppy Cam: Six Shiba Inu Puppies, Internet Sensation

Sometimes it just doesn't pay to try to resist -- cute seems to always win out. Sure Shiba Inu puppies are cute, very cute -- but do you really want to watch them 24/7 (with brief time outs for nature calls)? Just what do you expect puppies to do other than suckle, yawn, sleep, nap, play and roll over -- is this really entertainment? Well it seems that this puppy cam has racked up about two and half million viewers, so who am I argue to with the masses?

Take a look at the Shiba Inu puppy cam and let me know what you think. There's mom, Kika and 3 boys and 3 girls: Aki, Akoni, Ando, Autumn, Ayumi, and Amaya. Puppies should be leaving home early to mid December, so don't delay. WARNING: puppy peeping is highly addictive. If you decide you must have one, consider adopting a rescue Shiba.

World Wildlife Fund: Animal Adoptions, a Lifelong Gift for Children

Here's a great gift idea for a child: adopt (symbolically speaking) one of 91 species of wildlife through the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Choose the animal that you think the child would most like and then choose the amount of donation you'd like to make.

For example if the child loves pandas, you could make a $25 contribution and the gift would be a formal adoption certificate and a photo of a panda. For a contribution of $100, the gift would also have a frame for the photo and certificate and a plush panda, all in a gift box. Despite being one of the most popular animals in the world, pandas are a threatened species. It is estimated that as few as 1,600 pandas remain in the wild today. WWF remains the primary international conservation organization protecting pandas in the wild. What child wouldn't love to help save the lovable pandas?

If you don't know which of the animals to choose, send a gift adoption card. The recipient can use the card to select whichever animal he'd like to adopt. Either way the child will be delighted and will take great pride in knowing that he is helping protect and care for these animals.

This is a gift that can help lead a child to a lifetime of caring about and loving animals. It's a gift that helps instill a reverence for nature and an interest in conserving wildlife. And isn't that a wonderful lifelong gift?
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Related posts: Adopt a Giraffe and Adopt a Manatee (But Don't Take Him Home).
Other resources: Sharing Nature With Children (20th Anniversary Edition, Revised) and Nature in a Nutshell for Kids: Over 100 Activities You Can Do in Ten Minutes or Less

Brian Griffin, of Family Guy, My Favorite Sitcom Pet

I recently read The 20 Best Sitcom Pets In Television History and, while I was not surprised that Brian Griffin made the list, I was surprised he only ranked at number 17. On my list, I would put Brian at the top -- I love this dog.

Sick, twisted and politcially incorrect, Family Guy features the adventures of the Griffin family. Peter and Lois have three kids - the youngest, Stewie, is a genius baby bent on killing his mother and destroying the world. Their talking dog, Brian, keeps baby Stewie in check while sipping martinis and sorting through his own life issues.

Brian was born in a puppy mill (that may explain some of the "issues" he faces) and engages in typical dog behaviors like barking and licking himself while at times he acts more human, even dating young women. He is more intelligent than his "owners" and is often the voice of reason among the other family members. He attended university and is a member of Mensa, loves opera and jazz but also enjoys eating dog food.

Brian is conflicted, complex, intelligent, lovable, a character of many talents. He is at his funniest, I think, when interacting with baby Stewie. Though they seem to have some dislike for each other, their mutual intelligence and sophistication makes them kindred spirits. In the most recent episode that I viewed, Brian failed to rescue Peter who was drowning. Although Brian made a heroic, valiant attempt at saving Peter, he got fatigued by the effort and would have drowned too except that their wheelchair-bound friend saved them both. After that incident, Peter decided it was time to get a younger dog and he brought home "New Brian." Brian left home rather than deal with his replacement and it was through the efforts of Stewie that New Brian was "eliminated" (you see Stewie dragging a bloody bag out to the curb with the garbage. Yeah -- Brian is back -- it would not have been the same without him.
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Love all things Family Guy? Here's where you can find all the Family Guy episodes and much more.

Bird Mourns Death of Mate: True Love Story from the Ukraine

I received an email with this story and accompanying photos and tried to find the source online. I could not find the original source, but did find some variations of the details of the story and sequence of events. But I think you'd agree that these photos speak for themselves.

The basic story goes something like this: A flock of birds had stopped on a highway (somewhere in the Ukraine) perhaps just taking a rest or maybe they had spotted a bit of food. A vehicle passed by and (1) one of the birds was injured and unable to move from the roadway. Her mate lingers nearby offering solace and eventually (2) he brings food to her. On one of his return trips he finds his mate dead and (3) seems to try to shake her awake. Aware that she is lost to him (4) he cries out in obvious anguish. Every time a car passes, the bird flies off for a moment but then returns to mourn, his heart clearly broken. Eventually the photographer, concerned for the safety of the living bird, put down his camera, picked up the bird and removed it from the road. The grieving bird lingered in a nearby tree, "crying" and reluctant to move on. I don't know what species of bird this is, but I think it could truly be considered a "love bird."

The complete set of photos was supposedly published in a French newspaper and was so popular that the edition sold out (or so the "story" goes). I guess everyone loves a love story -- even one with a sad ending.
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Related reading: Birds in Love: The Secret Courting & Mating Rituals of Extraordinary Birds

Finnegan the Squirrel, Adopted by Dog

Someone recently sent me the story of Finnegan, the Squirrel. It was such a cute story that I was a bit suspicious. So I looked at the snopes site to check its veracity and was pleased to see that snopes gave it a rating of "true." I was a bit surprised however to see that the story dates from 2005. I guess the most popular stories get circulated for years and I think this is a good one.

Debby Cantlon is known to care for animals in need and so was given a newborn squirrel that someone had found abandoned. She named the little squirrel Finnegan and started bottle feeding him. Her pregnant Papillon must have been feeling maternal instincts because she kept dragging Finnegan's cage over next to her wicker bed. Cantlon cautiously allowed Finnegan out of the cage and the two bonded. Once the puppies were born, Finnegan became just another litter mate, curling up with the puppies for sleeping and even suckling along with the others.

When Finnegan was 8 weeks old, Cantlon began letting him outside to get re-acclimated to his natural habitat. He'd run around all day, then scratch at the back door to be let in for the night. One day Finnegan went out for the day and then disappeared for a few weeks. He reappeared for a brief visit -- no touching allowed anymore -- a goodbye visit of sorts. He was in the company of four squirrels so it seems he found a new, more appropriate home. Oh, the stories Finnegan must tell his new friends! And what a sweet, generous mother he had.
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Related Posts: Squirrel Runs Obstacle Course and Naked Squirrel Problem? Here's Squirrel Underpants.
Learn more about squirrels: Squirrels: The Animal Answer Guide. Introduce your children to these cute little creatures with this very highly rated book: Scaredy Squirrel.

A Homeless Man and His Dog

I have seen this photo several times before and I am sharing it here in case you have not yet seen it.

This photo always causes me to pause and reflect. I think of how important these two are to each other, it seems to be a mutually caring relationship. It is touching that the man, who obviously has little to share, takes care to wrap his dog up for protection from the cold. This image is a reminder that we should all take note of those who may need our help -- both people and pets -- and do something to help those less fortunate. And in these days leading up to Thanksgiving, this photo should remind us of all we have thankful for having. I don't have a credit for the photo, but this is the source.

Here's a book that offers a deeply affecting portrait of an unlikely hero, educates us on the plight of millions of stray dogs in our country, and an illustration that one person can make a difference: The Man Who Talks to Dogs: The Story of Randy Grim and His Fight to Save America's Abandoned Dogs.

How do you know if your dog is a Scorpio?

Scorpio dogs (Oct 24 - Nov 22) like to quietly bury their bones in secretive places (like in the back of your closet...) They are strategists and will always be nicest to the ones who feed them. They are not especially good with children but will protect them in a pinch. The Scorpio Pet Archetype: Wile E. Coyote. Apt Names for Scorpio Dogs: Mephisto, Gekko, Holmes.
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If you want to gain astrological insight into your dog's thoughts, moods and behavior you should read Dog Stars: Astrology for Dog Lovers.