Worlds Smallest Snake Discovered
The Worlds Smallest Snake, a species of thread snake that is thin as a spaghetti noodle and small enough to snuggle up on top of a quarter has been discovered in Barbados. C’mon, no matter how scared you are of them, you’ve got to admit this little guy is kinda cute.
Filed under animals in the news, reptiles, wildlife | Comment (0)Requiem for Sweet Pea
Sweet Pea
19?? - July 30, 2008
My beloved Sweet Pea passed away during the night and was gone by yesterday morning. I honestly don’t know what was wrong with her - something internal. She had an appointment at the vets, but went down before we could get her there. We buried her with appropriate ceremony out past the second Mesquite bush on the left, here on the ranch. She is survived by her daughter, Cinnamon, her human Summer Foovay, and various other friends in more than one species.
When I originally bought Sweet Pea and her daughter, Cinnamon, everyone assumed it was because of Cinnamon. Silly girl is the ditzy blond of goat-dom, and just knows that everyone is her friend. But as time went on, Sweet Pea became “my favorite goat”.
She was savvy. When the water spigot made rattlesnake noises, she pushed her way between it and Cinnamon, and shoved Cinnamon to the other side of the pen. When dogs loomed on her horizon she took immediate and aggressive action. When allowed to choose between grazing free or being fed, she always headed for the pastures. She took her job as head goat seriously, never wandering far from Cinnamon or the other goats when we had some goat company and always keeping a close eye on how they were doing - even though she found “those boy goats” very annoying. She quickly took the boys, twice her size, in hand (hoof? horn?) and taught them who was boss goat.
She loved to be near me, and if I was outside and she was not confined, could be counted on to be within sight. She really only wandered for two reasons. She thought she still belonged on the big ranch next door. And she had to keep an eye on that ditz, Cinnamon - who believes the whole world is her home. Left to herself, I suspect she would have slept on the back porch as long as she could see me through the window.
One of our favorite Kodak moments (when no one had a video camera, of course) was the day the goats followed me over here - before we moved here - and strolled onto the porch. Of course, the dogs went crazy and went after them. Around and around the house they went - but it would be one round with the dogs chasing the goats, and then a round with the goats chasing the dogs!
Sweet Pea and Harry had an ongoing relationship that I can only explain as that one between the little girl and the boy who pulls her pigtails. Every time she saw him, she went after him. Every time he saw her, he’d run right at her. The day she was so ill, her last day, Harry would not come into the house at all. I had moved her up into the yard so I could keep an eye on her. He lay in the shade beneath the back porch, not close enough to bother her, but close enough to be able to see her. He refused to leave that spot, even when it got quite hot in the afternoon, and his buddy Klyde retreated inside. I think he knew, and was just keeping her company.
We buried her yesterday morning, and then I had to go to town - my biweekly food buying trip. We simply were not able to put it off. I did the bare minimum, and that did not include much in the way of Twitter, Plurk, email, or blogs. Don’t expect much above the minimum from me for the rest of the week, please. I don’t have anything with a hard deadline that I can think of, but if there is something you must have, remind me.
And if you’d like to do a little something in memory of an old goat - hug your critters today and go by and donate some free kibbles here, and here. Or if you know of a goat rescue who could use a few bucks, donate to them or to your favorite charity.
Sweet Pea probably arrived at the bridge, ran crazy for a few minutes, then settled down to graze until I arrive.
Blessedbe
Summer Fey Foovay
Filed under goats, updates and announcements | Comment (0)Hippos love Crocs
Or something like that. Hippos apparently love to LICK crocs - when they are feeding! This sounds like one of those “hey guys watch this” stunts that ends unhappily.
Okaaaaay. If it were any less of an authority than National Geographic, I don’t think I’d believe it!
Have a great day and don’t forget to lick your croc!
Weiner Nationals! Run Dachshunds Run!
Friday Quote:
“I once decided not to date a guy because he wasn’t excited
to meet my dog. I mean, this was like not wanting to meet my
mother.”
–Bonnie Schacter
You just can’t miss this - tomorrow the Weiner Nationals are going to be on TV! For a little preview of what all the excitement is about, check out these dog videos - dachshunds on the run!
I was rolling on the floor laughing with delight by the time I was done watching these! You can find out more about the Weiner Nationals here. It’s all in fun and all for a good cause!
I couldn’t resist adding some Dachshund coloring pages to my coloring pages website to celebrate! Go Doxies!
Summer Fey Foovay
Filed under Friday update and quote, animals in the news, dogs, funny humor, other fun stuff | Comment (0)Be ready to cry with joy
If you can watch this video with a dry eye - I’m not sure you’re really an Animal Nerd.
I feel I do have to say - notice they had to give Christian up.
I am very against exotic animals as pets. Most people are not equipped to provide for an exotic for their entire life. Large animals such as lions, tigers, bears (oh my) as well as snakes and other reptiles that grow to be exceptionally large (anacondas, burmese pythons, alligators, caimans) almost always outgrow their owners ability to keep them.
When it comes to owning an animal and giving them the care they need, love does not conquer all. And it is so very clear the strong and abiding love these people and this lion shared. They made a responsible decision, that I know must have been very hard for them. I applaud them for it.
Blessedbe
Summer Fey Foovay
Filed under animals in the news, editorial rant, heartwarming, unusual pets, wildlife | Comment (0)
