adoption
Our guide to animal adoption; learn why, where, and how to prepare to adopt a cat, kitten, dog or puppy from an animal shelter or rescue group.
How sea otters can fight climate change
Sea otters are creatures steeped in superlatives. Enhydra lutris is the furriest animal on Earth, with up to 140,000 hairs on every square centimeter of its body – meaning its hairs are 700 times as dense as those on a human head. Unlike many other marine mammals, they lack blubber, so they keep themselves warm by eating a quarter of their body weight in food a day. Sea otters also play a singular role in supporting kelp forests ecosystems in the North Pacific.
By Holy horse3 years ago in Petlife
The mysterious inner life of the octopus
It was a big night for Inky the octopus. The day's visitors had been and gone, and now his room in the aquarium was deserted. In a rare oversight, the lid of his tank had been left ajar. The common New Zealand octopus had been without female company for some time, sharing a tank with only a fellow male, Blotchy. The loose lid provided Inky with an opportunity. With eight strong suckered limbs and, quite possibly, intimate concerns on his mind, Inky hauled himself out of the water, made his way under the loose lid, and off across the aquarium floor.
By Holy horse3 years ago in Petlife
Charlies Story
Seven years ago, on a hot July night around 10:30 p.m., we received a phone call from a buddy, asking us to join him at the local neighborhood bar. Hesisitant because of the time, but we ventured out anyways. Luckily we did because as I was getting in the car, I see this skinny, malnourished tiny soul walking down the sidewalk of a busy street. A little skittish, but nothing a couple of pretzels wouldn't ease. As soon as this sweet fur ball warmed up to me, I convinced him to follow me into the house to cool down and a bowl full of water to quench his thirst, a cozy blanket to relax on knowing he would have a good night's rest. After searching high and low to see if anyone was looking for this sweet soul, as it may be no one was, he was officially part of the family and had my heart for good. From that day forward Charlie has been treated as a king and runs the house and our hearts. I will always cherish this memory of how Charlie maybe rescued me more than I rescued him. You see, I had just moved to a new city, with unfamiliar faces, feeling a little insecure with the unknown and like Charlie, we were both feeling a little lost at that moment. This memory reminds me that fate and timing are of the essence. Whether it is a higher power or the universe that you believe in, these things happen for a reason, we just don't know it yet. Seven years later, Charlie was been by my side through the best of times, the worst of times, and all the in-between. Now as he and I begin a new adventure together, in a new city, with new unfamiliar faces, and a few insecurities, I can think back to seven years ago when I am pretty convinced Charlie rescued me and by fate and timing he is supposed to be on this journey with me. We have made so many memories from that moment seven years ago until now. King Charlie loves to go hear live music on the patio while surrounded by his favorite humans, or snuggled up to his mom on the couch. He is estatic when his best fur friend Blu shows up for sleepovers, or does a million zoomies when he hears the words "do you want to go for a ride". His favorite place to be is at the lake so that he can lay on the front porch and bask in the sun while waiting for his nana and poppa to get there. He loves to lay with his dad for his mid-afternoon nap or late-night snack. Seafood is his snack of choice, and will literally dance on his hind legs for crab legs. This memory has taught me that if you are a little lost, a little unfamiliar, or a little insecure..there is always a tiny or big fur baby with an endless amount of unconditional love to give and at the right timing and by fate they will show up in your life right when you need them to. We will continue on this journey together all because of that one night, when the universe put us right at the same place, same time, and knew we needed each other for wherever our journey may lead and we will brace the new cities, where the unfamiliar will become familiar, become secure in our insecurities, and embark on new adventures and new memories. Because of these reasons, this will always be my favorite memory of Charlie.
By Krystal White3 years ago in Petlife
What's Wrong With Your Dog?
“What is wrong with your dog?” I kind of knew the question was coming. Gideon and I had been standing on the beach, watching a grizzled, sturdy gentleman throw a stick into the lapping waves of Lake Superior, only to have his beautiful white pitbull crash through the waves and swim out to joyfully retrieve it. She shook water in all directions as she reached the sand and dropped the stick, and she would occasionally glance at me and Gideon as if to ask if we wanted to play.
By Izzie Islandheart3 years ago in Petlife
Sarge My Beautiful Boy
I saw this challenge days ago and my instinct was to shut my laptop, let the sadness fester for weeks, and return to it, at a later date. Well, the later date is now and I have two hours to deadline. Procrastination, one of my greatest features. This one has lived up to the word "challenge" as this may be the most difficult and beautiful article I have ever had to write.
By Jamie LeFebvre 3 years ago in Petlife
