Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 42

Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy.  Today's question involves Therapy Animals.  We usually think of dogs in this role.  Most of us have seen a dog helping a blind person navigate, a dog helping a disabled person in various ways such as reaching a door handle, a dog offering support to children learning to read, and so on.

Nowadays, not only do we see more kinds of animals doing therapy work, such as horses helping developmentally disabled children improve strength, balance and confidence, we are also seeing a curious expansion of the problems eligible to be assuaged by Therapy Animals.  Now we have Comfort Animals and Emotional Support Animals that purportedly offer succor for all sorts of woes.  Indeed, to be permitted to take this animal say, on an airplane,  pretty much all you need is a doctor's note saying you "need" your ferret in your jacket pocket ALL THE TIME because he soothes your angst or whatever.  Thus, people managing their lives without Therapy Animals are bumping up against people with Therapy Animals more and more.

Recently a news article featured a picture of an unusual Comfort Animal accompanying a Delta Airlines passenger.  

What kind of animal was photographed on board an airplane doing therapy?
Fluffy?



A parrot?

 

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.  We parrots are too mercenary for such work.

Bryan?

 

 

 

 

 

 

I read something about a guy

in a restaurant upsetting other

diners with his Boa Constrictor

Comfort Pet...

A snake?

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Cyndi?

 

 

 

 



 





A Meerkat?

 

 

 

 

 

 



For crying out loud! 

Meerkats are wild animals.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

But they're so cute!

 

 

 



 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.  Well, maybe not the cute part.  Ah, who cares if they are cute.  No.  A meerkat was not the Therapy Animal pictured on the Delta flight.

Molly?

 

 

 

  



 A monkey?

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Bryan?

 

 

 

 

 

 

An alpaca?

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.  

Cyndi?

 

 

 

 

 

A hedgehog?

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Fluffy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A rat?

 

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.   This round is taking forever and I have football to watch.  It was a turkey.  Those interested can see the picture here.

 

 

 

So ends another round. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round 42

Fluffy/Molly  18

Bryan/Cyndi    16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

Leonard gets a New Roommate

Leonard and Pearl knew each other at the pet store.  Their bond grew stronger when they came to live with us.  They groomed each other.  They slept nestled each night in their grit cup.  Then Pearl died.

 

 

 Leonard was alone.  Since finches are not loners, I obtained a new roommate for Leonard.  You always worry a little.  Not all roommate situations work out well. 

Happily, this one has.   Indeed, these two may turn out to be more than roommates.  Hudson layed an egg.   Leonard has been seen, er, mounting Hudson.   Can a Spice Finch and a Society Finch produce a brood?   Spociety Finches, perhaps? 

We'll see.

Fluffy Post Holiday

 
 
 

Of course, you know

it was wrong.

Yeah.  I know. Well.  The cat
likes the box.  I don't like the
cat.  I gave in to the impulse. 

What can I say?  Beware the dark side of Boxing Day.

Merry Christmas

You do Luke, I'll take John.                                 OK.

Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you

 good news of a great joy which will

 come to all the people; for to you is
 born this day in the city of David
 a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

 

For God so loved the world that

he gave his only begotten Son, that

whoever believes in him will not

perish, but have eternal life. 

 

 





Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 41

Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy. 

Our question today involves a research study at Hiroshima University in Japan that suggests that pictures of particular things help people focus more clearly on tasks. In the study, participants were asked to perform tasks such as using tweezers to grasp tiny objects and searching for a digit in a numeric table.

The subjects then viewed a set of photographs and performed the tasks a second time.  Their performance was the same after viewing some images.  After viewing other images, they performed with more alacrity.

Name one of these magic performance enhancing images.
Fluffy?

 

Flowers?

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Bryan?

Porn?

Hostmaster:  incorrect. 

Molly?

Santa?

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Cyndi?



 

A photo of themselves?

 

 

 

 



 

People motivated by their own images

 carry mirrors.  Right, Cyndi?

 

 

 

 

 

You are so derisive, Fluffy.

Just because you take no pride in

your appearance doesn't make it wrong.

 

 

 

  

Porn selfies?

 

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.  We've gotten off on an annoying tangent.  Let's get back to the game.

Molly?

 



 

Squirrels?

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect. 

Bryan?

 

 

  Dogs?

 

 

Hostmaster:  close.

Fluffy?

 

 

 

Puppies?

 

 

Hostmaster:  correct.

 

 

 

 

 

 Baby squirrels too?

 

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  yes, yes.  The study participants found pictures of baby animals "cute".  Researchers figure the cuteness of such big eyed critters makes people "feel good" thus improving their performance. 

 

 

 

 This might explain the popularity

of the horrific Hello Kitty

 

 

 

 

 And Pokemon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shame on you.  You

have no respect for

Japanese culture.

 

 Hostmaster, how come baby birds aren't cute?

 

 

 

 

 

 They don't have big eyes, I guess. 

Who cares.  Adult birds are the ultimate

 in strength and beauty.

Just look at me.

 

 

 

 

 

  Baby Godzilla is cute.

 

 

 

 

Round 41

Fluffy/Molly  18

Bryan/Cyndi   16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Dear Readers,

My apologies for the strange drifting words.  I fixed them.  All alignment was in order.  Then the pictures all drifted to the left.  I centered them.  Then some of the words drifted again.  In the interest of keeping from burying my fist in the monitor I have given up "fixing" for now.  Who knows, maybe it will all spontaneously realign.

Sincerely,
LB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monster Update

It's been a few months now since Clover and Lily joined the family here at Bad Dog Ranch.  The Handsome One has dubbed them Monsters.

I often refer to them as The Tall One and The White One. 

 

 

 They're pretty good girls.  Proper elimination habits have been established. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We can leave the bathroom door open now as the thrill of unspooling the toilet paper roll seems to have passed. 

 

 

 

 

 

Their personalities have asserted themselves.  Clover is inclined to whining.   

 

 

 

 

 

Lily displays stealth tendencies.  For example, as we're all heading down the hall together, she'll casually stop and scratch her ear.  Then she'll turn back and grab the coveted small kong.  This toy, at least in theory, belongs to Henry.

 

 

 

Speaking of Henry.  The Monsters have learned to play a bit less strenuously with him.  He fails to appreciate this kindness and is quite pushy with them.  Short Man Syndrome, perhaps?  (Well now.  That's a blog post in itself.)

 

 

 

 

When the Monsters play with each other it's a no holds barred free for all.  The Tall One growls ferociously, seizes The White One's neck scruff and gives it a violent shake.  The White One responds by gleefully throwing herself unto the ground.  (Sigh.  Lately, it has been muddy outside.) 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tall One is able to walk through several inches of snow without getting her tummy wet.  Not only that, she is able to place her chin on the kitchen counter. 

 

 

 

 

The White One has taken over this chair on the back porch.  Notice the expression of smug serenity as she gazes over her domain. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't figure out how to get the video on here but if you follow this link you can hear the song I like to sing to The Monsters.  Lucky for you though, Mel Torme' is singing it.

 

 http://www.famousfix.com/topic/mel-torme-monsters-lead-such-interesting-lives