The Domestic Goose

The domestic goose, as history would note, is one the earliest domesticated animals in the world, with evidence of their domestication dating back to the glory days of ancient Egypt some 4000 years in the past.

Typically kept for the same reasons why chickens are kept – for their food commodity value – they are also kept as alternatives to guard dogs, given their overly territorial inclinations on the presence of intruders and strangers, though this reason for their keeping isn’t as popular as their “function” in grand dinner celebrations.

The 1995 released Babe, which centered around a pig as its main protagonist, featured an interesting domestic goose character, one who was inclined to “offer” an extra service to avoid becoming the dinner table’s main feature: to double as the farm’s rooster, crowing early in the morning.

Though crowing early in the morning is not something all domestic geese are liable to do, domestic geese can be quite loud, and with their long necks and beaks, they can actually attack people, individually or in a group.

Apart from their value as food commodities, domestic geese are also kept for their feathers and for their eggs, with their feathers used and valued as fiber fillings or fillers. The eggs of geese, as the classic “golden goose” myth would tell, are also considered to be economically valuable, though the myth of the “golden goose” is one that tells of the dangers of greed and laziness.

As mainstay farm animals, the domestic goose stands to be one the most commonly encountered, bunched together with pigs, cows, chickens and farm dogs. Though they don’t always bear particular operational roles in the farm, they are often valued for their poultry-food-commodity aspects, as well as for their extended guarding instincts.

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The Barn Spider

The Barn Spider is one of the most common types of spiders encountered by many, defined by its yellow and black-striped or streaked body.

Nocturnal, they usually build their symmetrically designed webs in dark areas, thus the origin of its name since they’re often found building their webs inside the cool interiors of barns located in the Northern areas of the United States and in Canada.

Charlotte’s Web, a children’s novel released in 1952 and authored by EB White, with illustrations by Garth Williams, is hailed for popularizing the barn spider in mainstream media, telling the story of Charlotte, a barn spider, and how she had helped her friend pig, Wilbur.

The story proved to be quite popular as children’s story focusing on the value of friendship, so popular that is had inspired the release of a feature live-action film in 2006.

Though Charlotte’s Web defined Charlotte as a barn spider with friendly inclinations, the thing about real barn spiders is that they’re not exactly the most friendly creatures, known for keeping some distance from other barn spiders in the vicinity.

However, this doesn’t mean that they are likely to attack other spiders or attack anything or anyone that bothers them, as their natural nocturnal inclinations pegs them (somewhat) as loners, creatures who are at their best when left alone.

When talking about keeping them as pets, different exotic pet circles don’t particularly find them all that “interesting”, in the sense that they thrive best outside dedicated enclosures which are typically used in keeping pet spiders, plus the fact that they aren’t as active and exciting to view compared to other known exotic spider pet types.

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Midlife Crisis in Apes

Are you feeling anxious, forlorn, tired and washed-up lately? Do you want to quit your job due to boredom, dump your spouse for someone else or perhaps buy a red convertible to make up for those lost years? Maybe you are experiencing midlife crisis – a state or a time in one’s life where there is emotional transformation between the ages 40 to 60 years old. Although not all people go through midlife crisis, some really have difficulty coping with such a stressor. There comes a point that comes in the way of personal relationships, careers and even health.

Well, you are not alone. Chimps and apes experience midlife crisis, too. What do they usually do when they experience this kind of emotional crisis? Too bad apes cannot buy a red sports car to ease their anxiety and kiss those emotional stressors goodbye. If they can only buy a red Ferrari, they surely will but of course, it would not be possible. So how these have researches proven this state of midlife crisis among apes just like humans?

Studies have shown that captive chimps do experience the same low emotional state during midlife in the same way it has also discovered in people. Midlife crisis and discontent has been proven to be true and has been experienced in the universal sense. Some may not go through with this, but others virtually try to live with it and take matters into their own hands resulting to depression, divorce, job loss, health problems and many more negative effects. This need not be the case. This event need not be a crisis. This should be a time of reflection and an opportunity to discover new things and embrace changes for the better.

Now, let’s go back to midlife crisis in apes. Though most humans do go through midlife crisis brought about by social, cultural and emotional concerns, the midlife crisis in apes may be a result of biology that can be traced back to its evolutionary roots and not culture.

Or maybe it’s the other way around. Is the midlife crisis of humans caused too by biology and evolutionary roots since apes and humans basically come from the same Homonidae which forms the taxonomy of primates?

According to the study revealed in Yahoo News, “It suggests the human tendency toward midlife discontent may have been passed on through evolution, rather than resulting simply from the hassles of modern life, said Oswald, a professor of economics at the University of Warwick in England who presented his work Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Real Wolves at Twilight Premiere

Edward Cullen and Bella Swan should better be careful next time around since PETA lashed at them while partying with wolves. Yes, not men in wolves clothing but real wolves to create a more monstrous and wild impact to mark the last film premier of the movie, “Twilight”.

It was not Edward and Bella’s fault though since party planners just want the guests to have a taste and feel of the real thing. Since they could not find vampires, these four-legged wolves may be the best performing act of the night.

The three wolves that were in a safely enclosed cage nearing the entrance wowed the guests and some were in aghast. The presence of the wolves brought the party to the max but there were people who were not at all pleased, their spirit not lifted up a bit! Animal rights organization PETA which stands for

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has this to say on the presence of the wolves at the Twilight premiere through Yahoo News, “Didn't it dawn on the 'Twilight' event organizers that real wolves do not belong at a party with blaring music and flashing lights?"

"The wolves were provided by Hollywood Animals, a notorious exhibitor that has been cited for numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act for repeatedly failing to provide the animals it exploits with basic veterinary care, proper shelter, food, and water," the statement continued. "We hope the rest of the promotional events surrounding 'Breaking Dawn' celebrates the brilliant work of the cast and crew and shows enough respect for wildlife to leave animals out of it.”

To all producers and party planners out there, there is a lesson to learn. In the light of the observance and respect to animal rights, it is best to keep animals away from the limelight especially when animals from the wild are concerned.couldn't find any, and the team doesn't know how long

Wolves Video

 

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Bringing a Squirrel Monkey Home

Humans always share a special bond with animals, more so with primates because they are the closest to our kind. Its anatomy, physical make-up, characteristics and behavior undoubtedly is similar to ours. We are related in more ways than one, humans as Homosapiens coming from the family where monkeys, chimpanzees and apes belong.

Perhaps, this is the main reason why we are so intrigued to keep exotic pets most especially monkeys. One of the most sought after monkey to bring home as pet is the Squirrel Monkey. Also called the “Death Head Monkey”, they are yellowish orange in color with white ears and white throat, accentuated by a black mouth. These colors on specific body parts (coat, ears and throat) have earned them such moniker. These monkeys are usually found in the rainforest’s of Central America. Their average size reaches to about 25 to 35 centimeters with a tail of 35 to 42 cm, making its tail longer than its body. Unlike other monkeys, the Squirrel monkey’s tail is not used for climbing and hanging on a tree but rather on balancing and working its way around the rainforest.

A Squirrel monkey is a bit shy, quiet and do not seem to socialize but are active most of the day while they sleep profoundly at night. It hangs and thrives on trees most of the time, an arboreal special but occasionally stays on the ground. Its thighs are shorter compared to their lower legs making them more capable in jumping from one tree to another. Fruits, insects, spiders, frogs and small birds are their regular meals and are at time picky.

If you want to keep a squirrel monkey as a pet, be ready! Yes, they look so cute and adorable and may be mistaken to be cuddly pets, but they are actually wild animals and love to stay outdoors, in the forest where it belongs. Bringing it home takes great responsibility. You will need a big enclosure where it can jump around. Taking care of a Squirrel monkey demands some time and attention. Most monkeys are mischievous, you know, so this means having one is liking have a teenager at home with some qualms. One has to understand that having a Squirrel monkey is no joke. They are free and high spirited in the wild, so be ready to cope with their energies and unpredictable behavior.

 Squirrel Monkey Video

 

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Stress Relief in Pets

The hustle and bustle of our everyday lives keeps us in a state of anxiety and constant stress. What are the common stress-busters that you can possibly think of? Immediately, exercise, meditation, yoga comes to your mind. Some might think of shopping, a walk at the park or an indulgent feast of your favorite foods.

While friends and family can keep you happy and cheer you up in the midst of a stressful day, studies have shown that pets can apparently become stress busters and a long-time social support. Nothing beats the comforts of home when after a long day at work you are being greeted by a pet that has nothing but undying and unconditional love and attention, just ready to snuggle and keep warm.

It is now fairly well known that having pets is a stress buster; that having a warm, loving furry friend to care for and who cares for you in turn can be very good for lowering your stress levels. Even the loneliest of people can find refuge in some dependable and loving companions. We hear about blind men and women being led by their guide dogs for a walk. Mostly, they are called seeing-eye dogs that virtually act as the eye for their blind and disabled master.

Why do people find stress relief in dogs? Here are the several reasons why:

Pets do not give conditions. No matter what they will be there for you through thick or thin. They do not have demands, no ‘ifs’, ‘ors’ and ‘buts’. A pet provides unconditional love that builds you up in every way possible especially your self-esteem and self-confidence. Loneliness can be easily eradicated with a pet dog or cat or any pet for that matter. The stress of being alone can no longer be felt when you are with your pet. In fact, when you have a pet, there is someone you can talk to anytime. Pets give the sense of responsibility and reinforce the nurturing instinct. Human beings have the innate capacity to love, nurture and care. When you have a pet, you become aware of your responsibility to nurture your pet, making yourself preoccupied with the idea of nurture, thus overcoming loneliness, stress and anxiety. Pets require you to walk making exercise an everyday routine. Exercise releases stress and a simple walk can easy some troubles away. Pets are therapeutic. Just watching at a koi pond for a long time rejuvenates tiredness and stress. Even those goldfish in d aquarium are stress relievers. According to an article from Grimshaw, “While stronger pet-owner bonds usually lead to the greatest stress relief, even brief encounters can create improvements. In one study, patients who spent a short amount of time with a dog before upcoming treatment operation experienced a 37 percent reduction in their anxiety levels, perhaps because the animal's presence helped distract them from their concerns.”

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The Border Collie German Shepherd Mix

The Border Collie German Shepherd mix is typically mistaken for being full breed German Shepherds, with experts and dog lovers generally being those who are familiar in spotting the difference between the mix and full bred German Shepherds.

Considered to be a very energetic and intelligent dog, Border Collie German Shepherd mixes are actually quite notorious for being “workaholics”, with different dog and pet circles dubbing them as the most industrious working dog breed out there.

One of the most famous Border Collie German Shepherd breeds would be Charlie B. Barkin, the protagonist in the 1989 classic animated feature, All Dogs Go To Heaven.

With Charlie’s character depicted as a “shady con man”, his portrayal as a Border Collie German Shepherd mix is defined by his tenacity to get this done, just as any real life workaholic is adamant in accomplishing his or her day to day tasks, chores and obligations.

As a breed the Border Collie German Shepherd mix is notorious for its “herding instinct”, and is also considered to be ideal companions for mature children. Their “eye contact factor” is also considered to be one of the breed’s more notorious characteristics, with many who’ve come upon their stares admitting that they’ve felt like they’ve been thoroughly probed.

Also, apart from their intelligence and highly companionable personalities, shedding is also one notorious Border Collie German Shepherd mix “trait”, something which prospective mix owners should consider knowing about before getting one in the house.

Those in search of a well mannered household dog can certainly find a lot of positive traits in the Border Collie German Shepherd mix.

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The Grey Wolf

The grey wolf, though far from being animals symbolizing Christmas, plays different roles in Christmas-themed stories and movies, typically depicted as villains of different plots and sub-plots.

The direct-to-video feature, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, released in 1997, featured grey wolves as pivotal character-plot elements, with the movie revisiting a short time which took place within the original Beauty and the Beast story, in between the time the beast had saved Belle from a grey wolf attack.

Though grey wolves are far from being naturally villainous as Christmas movies and stories would depict them, their notoriety for being pack hunters have made them “convenient” in successfully establishing a certain mood or feel.

Known for their efficient and effective hunting tactics, grey wolves are known for being the biggest of the wolf species, bearing similar physical characteristics of sled dogs and German Shepherds.

With physiques built to withstand the cold winds of winter, the coats of grey wolves are predominantly grey hued, though variations of deeper shades of grey are known to come up once in a while.

As a species, they are the most well documented and most well researched of wolf types, wit countless stories and myths revolving around them. Considered to be the ancestors of the domestic dog, research would prove that they were first domesticated in the Middle East, with grey wolves known to be found in different parts of North America, Eurasia and in the northern areas of Africa.

Cunning, their characteristics have made them perfect as “villainous” animals, but their status as villains is actually no different than other predatory mammals, only that their pack hunting tendencies make them truly dark creatures who implement strategies in catching their prey.

 Grey Wolf Video

 

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Should You Dress your Dog Up?

Halloween came and went, and with it we saw thousands of photos of adorable dogs in costumes showing up in almost all the different social networking sites on the Web. Thankfully, our pets don’t know what embarrassment is, remaining oblivious to the fact that people find it cute to see dogs in wacky and ridiculous clothes.

However, some dog owners are dressing their dogs up even if it’s not Halloween. This raises the question, “Is it ok to dress up my dog?” After all, many of our pet dogs sleep in the same bed with us, eat the same food and are treated the same manner as we treat ourselves, so why not go the extra mile for them as well?

Why dress them up

There are many reasons why people dress their dogs up. Like humans, clothing is used as protection. Rain coats and sweaters are useful during rainy and cold days to help keep them warm, especially if they don’t have naturally thick fur or if they’re paralyzed like in cases of DM in dogs.

But besides this, people dress their dogs up because of the attention and their own enjoyment. Walking your dog while it’s wearing a shirt or dress will definitely make people look at it. Dressing them up also gives you more time to bond and play with your dog.

Why not to dress them up

Dressing them up can cause them to become uncomfortable when moving around. Some clothes could be too tight for them and they could have difficulty breathing. Dogs that have physical disorders like DM in dogs will find these clothes as a hassle. These could even cause injury to their backs or hips.

It’s also possible that the dog could get a rash or get some kind of allergic reaction to the fabric. Although it’s not common, it’s definitely a possibility. Small accessories and designs can also poke them and cause discomfort. Left over detergent after cleaning the clothes might also cause damage to their fur.

To dress or not to dress them?
Overall, it’s fine to dress your dog up. It’s always nice to see something cute on your pet and the clothes will help keep them warm and cozy. However, never assume that your dog actually likes wearing these cloths. If you notice that your dog wants to take the clothes off or shows signs of discomfort, take the clothes off.

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American Quarter Horse

The American Quarter Horse stands to be one of the, if not THE, most popular horse breed in the world, with an estimated more than 5 million American Quarter Horses populating the breed’s registry.

Known for its capacity for short-distance speed bursts, the American Quarter Horse is essentially an American horse breed, as its name would already imply, with its name taken from the fact that it could easily outrace any other horse breed within a quarter mile or less gap.

The 1994 released movie, Black Beauty, featured an American Quarter Horse as its main character, with the story bringing viewers to the life experiences a horse is subjected to during its lifetime. An American Quarter breed named Docs Keepin Time played the character of Black Beauty in the film, with his voice narrated by Alan Cumming, resulting to a beautiful movie that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.

As a horse breed, the American Quarter Horse can be best described as powerful, with a strong physique and large body that exudes and says volumes about its physical prowess and capabilities as a horse.

Its regal and majestic stance have led many in basing the ideal visuals of proud race horses after American Quarter Horses, whose color coats come in almost all known color varieties of horses and horse breeds, though the browning hued “sorrel” is the most commonly encountered color type of American Quarter Horses.

Bearing the largest number in breed population, the American Quarter Horse is truly a popular breed, one whose physical attributes and speed stands to be the more evident reasons why it is so loved by horse owners based in different parts of the world.

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