fact or fiction
Is it fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the myths and beliefs we hold about our pets, like why dogs wag their tails and cats purr.
The Wrong Choice
What do I do now? Can I be as happy as I once was? I lie in my bed, fixated on a small photograph that I possessed in my purse. This was no stereotypical photograph.. you know, a lover, a child, a mother or father. No, this was far from any of those.
By Lucy Robinson6 years ago in Petlife
Economics Gone Wild
Economics seems like a man-made concept beyond the comprehension of other intellectually inferior animals. Economists jokingly gave man the name Homo economicus due to man’s unique rational self-interest. Adam Smith once said, “Nobody ever saw a dog make a fair and deliberate exchange of one bone for another with another dog”. As it turns out, economic theories are present in the animal kingdom and it’s more the rule than the exception.
By Mohammed Paliwala6 years ago in Petlife
The Eagle and the Gauntlet
A razor winged aerialist effortlessly soars deep across the bleak horizon, talons pointing fierce as the winged death stalks his prey. A glimmer of light caught the mighty birds’ attention as a mature male Salmon crests the water top anticipating to mate with a willing partner in hopes of a successful propagation of this ichthyic species. But it is not to be on this day, as the ever present Eagle soars overhead confidently surveying his territory. An equal not found, a true majesty unsurpassed, the Eagle makes another sweeping pass, planning his assault on the unsuspecting Salmon below. For this is what this species was designed for, mighty talons of steel and a scalpel sharp beak designed for tearing and ripping flesh from bone and cartilage, the Eagle is in his true splendor today and every day that the sun sets splendidly in the East. For the Eagle can sense its prey, unsurpassed vision, acute hearing and a deathly touch, no prey stands a chance once the Eagle makes up his mind and focuses all his efforts on the task at hand. Far off in the distance, the rider appears. Gauntlet firmly affixed, the Eagle suddenly has new purpose, new focus and renewed energy. The juicy Salmon waits just below but the Eagle will have none of it on this day as the Gauntlet’s pull is far too much, too alluring to waste, too tempting to pass up. Shinning off the setting sun with a glimmering repose, the Gauntlet calls to the Eagle, bending his will and changing his determined focus, the Eagle changes course and makes a dead line straight for his new target. For the Gauntlet’s calling cannot be resisted or ignored, it must be made center of attention, paramount of focus, intrinsic decider of fate and nobility, the Gauntlet has power unsurpassed over the Eagle and today is the day of reckoning for the mighty one. A final tempt of flight, willing fate to bend his will, the Eagle forgets the juicy mating Salmon splashing surreptitiously below in the silky stream and follows his natural lead and mastery of the talon to recoup his final mission, his final journey. The Eagle, pierces the twilight with a primordial scream heard from the heavens, nails his target front and center. Landing with a penetrating thump, the Eagle realizes now he is home, safe and secure content with his mission, the Eagle accepts his fate and settles in for winters slumber. The Gauntlet, full with purpose and responsibility, allows the Eagle to roost—confident in the future and reassuring in the essence, the Eagle realizes he has arrived, he has chosen correctly, the Salmon be damned, the Eagle now realizes the truth of the situation, he is right where is meant to be, doing exactly what needs be done, the Eagle and the Gauntlet can now be one.
By Patrick Roberts6 years ago in Petlife
Of Whales and Man: A Reflection
It was just another hot, humid, and sunny day at SeaWorld San Antonio in August of 2010 when my counselor led our camp group to Shamu Stadium to watch an afternoon presentation of the show, Believe. Although the trainers were no longer doing any water works with the orcas at that point, they were still interacting with them during the show, and doing the regular behaviors they would often do during the show, regardless if there were waterworks, or not. After the show ended, and everyone left to see the other animals at the park, our group stayed behind at the stadium to watch baby orca Sakari interact with her mother Takara, and paternal half-sister, and “foster” aunt Unna, and talk to the trainers about their experience working with the orcas. This is where John Hargrove arrived on the scene.
By Jenna Deedy7 years ago in Petlife
