Malcom the Tortoise

It's summertime.  Malcom's favorite time of year.  In summer, Malcom enjoys snippets of freedom and glimpses of the outside. He basks in the sun.  Does laps.  Eats grass.  Explores the vastness of the backyard.

 

 

 

 

Then there are those times that we can't watch out for rouge Eagles or marauding Raccoons, so we put  Malcom in his bricked enclosure.

 

 

 

 

 

For more on Malcom see here, here and here. 

Herbal Fresh Butts

It's happened before here at Pets and Other Critters:  the emergence of spontaneous themes.  There was the Cicada theme, the Greyhound theme and now, Poop theme.  Come to think of it, the Poop theme has emerged before.  Must be that some themes are just plain popular.  After all, poop is a constant presence, therefore always a timely topic.


Let's face it, after the business of pooping is concluded there remains unsavory residue on the outlet.  People usually make use of toilet paper.  Dogs, on the other hand, don't wipe.

Here's a handy tip for removing unwanted material and leaving the dog's butt clean and fragrant.  Utilize some of those herbs growing in your yard.  Grab a handful!  Fresh herbs are disposal doggy wipes approved by even the greenest of greenies!  And your dog's butt is not only clean; it's clean and piquant. 

Zippy Basil butts and vibrant Pineapple Sage butts, perky Oregano butts and sensational Thyme butts are but a swipe away!

 

Fluffy and the G-Man

Rock Pigeons

Rock Pigeons are descended from Rock Doves, a coastal cliff dwelling bird.  The Rock Pigeon does not participate in migration, he remains in his territory throughout the year.  Territories include all of the US and southern Canada as well as other areas throughout the world.  The Pigeon is most commonly seen where people live.  Thus, a large percentage of the Rock Pigeon's diet is that which people feed him. 

As Pigeons go, the Rock Pigeon is medium sized, 13-14 inches long.  For comparison, Mourning Doves are 11-13 inches long.  In the above picture: a Mourning Dove is on the top left, two Pigeons are on the right.  Pigeons are stouter than doves as well as more colorful.  Both Rock Pigeons and Mourning Doves have pretty red-orange colored feet.


Pairing off

Rock Pigeons mate for life.  It all begins when their eyes meet across a crowded flock.  He makes his way toward her, presenting his chest in a most virile way.  She simpers.  He Bows and does a Tail-drag.  She pecks at the ground with increasing intensity.  He draws closer.  She coquettishly walks away.  He pursues her (Driving) employing his most manly gait.  This continues until eventually she stops and gives in to the romance.

He opens his beak, she places her beak inside his.  They bob their heads up and down.  He regurgitates into her throat.



They choose a nest site above ground, usually in dark nooks such as in a building facade or under a bridge.  The nest is made out of stiff twigs.  During the nest construction phase, the male can be observed seizing a twig and giving it a shake before adding it to the nest.


The female lays 2 eggs.  Both parents incubate the eggs for 18 days.  (This is quite a bit longer than other birds,  for example the Red Winged Black Bird incubates for 10 days, the Grackle for 11 days).  When the babies hatch, the parents feed them regurgitated food.  Soon, the youngsters are also given solid food such as fruit and caterpillars.  Once the baby Pigeons leave the nest they are nearly as large as their parents.  The adolescent birds are identifiable by a less vibrant iridescence of their feathers and less brightly colored feet than the adults.



Some Rock Pigeon Facts

- life span: 3-5 years in the wild, up to 15 years in captivity
- predators:  Peregrine Falcon, hawks, cats
- feather colors:  iridescent blue-grey, black, blue, red, white
- diet:  grains, seeds, bugs, stuff people feed them such as hamburger buns
- red eyes and reddish feet








See a nice picture of a Rock Pigeon.


Listen to Rock Pigeons.

Big and Small Dogs Together

Do you ever worry that your big dog might inadvertently injure your little dog?

Sure, most little dogs are savvy about keeping clear of tails that can do as much damage as a mace.  Little dogs learn to avoid a flattened foot by scampering out of range when a lumbering pack member high steps in his direction.  Most creatures intuitively look out for their own safety.  We like to think they do.  We hope they do.  The thing is, sometimes we have to act to reduce the risks.

We've all heard horror stories.  Small Dog Slammed in Sliding Door.  Little Mutt Folded Up in Sofa Bed.  The truth is, some small dogs don't seem to know they are small.  They run headlong into the teeth of a big dog as they both go after the same crumb on the floor. 

By the same token, there are big dogs who are not aware of the harm their bigness can pose.

In real life, no amount of instinct, easy going demeanor, or cleverness guarantees safety.

(First we'll state the obvious, don't slam the door without checking that the little dog is out of the way.  Check under the covers for sleeping pets before you fold up the sofa bed.  Don't allow your dogs to pick up stuff off the floor unless they clear it with you first).  Now, let's talk about some ways you can mitigate the danger when big and small dogs live together.

First things first: training.  If you have trained your dogs to obey simple commands like come and sit, you can teach them just about anything.  For example, if your big dog uses body blocks (this is like a pick in basketball.  The dog puts his body between you and another dog or person for gain.  Gain, such as first to be petted, first out the door etc).  You must let the big dog know he can't pull a pick on the small dog.  Tell him no when he tries it.  Reinforce the command by body blocking him.  He'll quit using body blocks once he realizes they earn him nothing but censure.

Another good thing to teach your dogs is the "watch where you're going" command.  When Mable the Mastiff was a puppy she often flung herself around heedless of other's feet.  This command taught her to pause; to pay attention to what she was doing.  How do you teach this, you ask?  Say the command while interrupting the dog's action.  Thus, when Mable was running willy nilly through the living room, she heard, "watch where you're going" and there I was blocking her path, forcing her to stop.  This command also works when dogs are playing together and things get a little rough.  If your dog knows how to pause he is less likely to accidentally hurt somebody.  There is no reason small dogs can't be taught this command too.

The most helpful strategy for avoiding mishaps between big and small dogs is basic awareness on your part.  If the 10 pound dog and the 100 pound dog both enjoy chasing tennis balls, play with them separately!  If they both want the couch to themselves and they don't peacefully work it out by sharing the couch- don't let either one of them have the couch.  An important caveat:  if anybody snarls or snaps, consult an expert. 

Usually big and small dogs can live together in harmony.  Sometimes you just have to micro manage a little.

Fluffy at Home

Breed Profile: Greyhound

Greyhounds are sight hounds.  They see a little scurrying critter and are driven to chase it.  Designed  for speed; the Greyhound is muscular yet lean, powerful yet agile. Greyhounds have a deep chest for maximum oxygen intake, long legs, and a body design that enables the dog to contract and stretch his back to add extra propulsion to a double legged gallop.  The long tail works both as a rudder and a brake.

Some Greyhound Facts

- weight:  60-70 pounds
- height at shoulder:  26-30 inches
- lifespan:  10-13 years
- short hair:  solid, brindle and spotted in lots of colors: red, fawn, white, black, brown, blue

The origin of the Greyhound is often described as ancient.  Egyptian tomb carvings, circa 2900 BC display Greyhounds.  The Roman, Ovid wrote about Greyhounds in 43 BC. 

Greyhounds were plentiful in Britain during Saxon times.  Both nobility and commoners used Greyhounds to hunt game such as deer, fox and rabbit.  In 1014 Forest Laws prohibited all but nobility to chase game with dogs unless "lamed".  Commoners poached of course, but by the time the Forest Laws were repealed, some 400 years later, most commoners had turned to farming and were eating domestic meat.  Therefore, the commoners were now working farm and herding dogs.  Greyhounds were kept mostly by nobility for hunting and by the 1800's for the sport of lure coursing.

Lure coursing made it's way to the New World where formal tracks were developed and the live hare was replaced by a mechanical lure.

Greyhound Manifesto

- I'm a sprinter, not an endurance runner.  If you are training for a marathon and need a running buddy, get a Dalmatian

- sure I'm sweet and easy going.  I'm also a hound, so I've got an independent streak I plan to keep

- I need a coat in cold weather not for fashion but because I feel chilly






Greyhounds are affectionate with their people and with other dogs.  Interestingly, they get along well with little pets as long as they are raised with them.  Non family members who are small are considered game to be chased. 

Greyhounds come in two types:  show and racing.  The two types are not typically interbred.  The racers are smaller and faster than the show dogs.  Both types are sweet, reserved with strangers and occasionally timid.




See some nice pics


Next Breed Profile:  Weimaraner!

Fluffy and the Retired Racer