Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Remembering Allie


On the morning of Sunday, January 24, 2010, two men suspected of at least six home invasions on the east side of Columbus came to Allie's house to attempt yet another one.

When the men approached the door, Allie started barking.

One of the men fired 3 shots through the door, killing Allie.

But Allie's barking woke the only person in the house, who was able to get a look at the men and also get away, unharmed.

Later that evening the two men were arrested with not only the items they took that night, but items from other home invasions they committed.

Allie did exactly what she was supposed to do, protect her home under any circumstances. Her unselfish actions are directly responsible for the person in the house getting away un-harmed.

On the Monday after this tragedy, Allie's family contacted HSDC, writing:

"Please help us memorialize Allie by donating a small gift in her name to the Humane Society of Delaware County. Lets take something bad and do something good!!"

To make a donation in Allie's memory, please visit:
http://www.hsdcohio.org/

Lion, Tiger and Bear - an Unlikely Trio

They make an unlikely trio, but Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger have forged an unusually strong bond.

Considering that they would be mortal enemies if they ever were to meet in the wild, it is stunning to see their unique and genuine friendship in these intimate pictures. Rescued eight years ago during a police drugs raid in Atlanta, Georgia, the three friends were only cubs at the time at barely two months old.


Jungle japes: Shere Khan the tiger, Leo the lion and Baloo the bear all live together in a specially-built enclosure at Noah's Ark Animal Rescue Centre, in Georgia, USA

They had been kept as status symbol pets by the drug barons.

Delivered to the Noah's Ark Animal Rescue Centre in Locust Grove, Georgia, the decision was made to keep the youngsters together, because of their budding rapport.

'We could have separated them, but since they came as a kind of family, the zoo decided to keep them together,' said Diane Smith, assistant director of Noah's Ark.

'To our knowledge, this is the only place where you'll find this combination of animals together.'

Living with the zoo's founders for the past eight years, Shere Khan, Baloo and Leo have now moved to a purpose-built habitat were the US public can now witness first hand their touching relationships.


Best friends: The three beasts have been kept together since they were rescued from drug barons when they were just two months old

'We didn't have the money to move them at first,' said Diane.

'Now their habitat is sorted and they have been moved away from the children's zoo areas where the public couldn't really get a good look.

'It is possible to see Baloo, who is a 1000 lb bear, Shere Khan, a 350 lb tiger and Leo, who is also 350 lbs, messing around like brothers.

'They are totally oblivious to the fact that in any other circumstance they would not be friends.'

Handled by Charles and Jama Hedgecoth, the zoo's owners and founders, the three friendly giants appear to have have no comprehension of their animal differences.

'Baloo and Shere Khan are very close,' says Diane.

'That is because they rise early, and as Leo is a lion, he likes to spend most of the day sleeping.

'It is wonderful and magical to see a giant American Black Bear put his arm around a Bengal and then to see the tiger nuzzle up to the bear like a domestic cat.

'When Leo wakes up the three of them mess around for most of the day before they settle down to some food.'


Larking about: Noah's Ark owner Charles Hedgecoth enjoys a visit with Baloo and Shere Khan

Surprisingly for three apex predators with the power to kill with a single bite or swipe of their paw, they are very relaxed around each other.

They eat, sleep and play together,' said Jama.

'As they treat each other as siblings they will lie on top of each other for heat and simply for affection.

'At the moment they are getting used to their new habitat.

'Shere Khan is being quite reticent about the move, but Baloo, the bear is very good at leading him on and making him feel comfortable and safe.'

Explaining that the three 'brothers' have always seemed to share a unique bond, Charles said: 'Noah's Ark is their home and they could not possibly be separated from each other.

'You just have to remember who you're dealing with when you are with them though. It's when you forget that these fellows are wild animals that you get yourself in trouble.'

The trio's new habitat cost an estimated $15,000 and had to be constructed carefully, in order to accommodate its occupants.

Jama said: 'The clubhouse had to be very sturdy for the guys, because they all sleep in it together.' She added: 'We had to include a creek, because the tiger and the bear both like to be in water.'


The animals treat each other as siblings and even lie on top of each other to share warmth and affection.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Hospice Fosters Offers Dogs, Cats a Peaceful Death

I thought that was an awesome article. So many animals are put down prematurely in shelters and pounds when it's discovered that they have a serious illness. Even the ones who are terminal can, and often do, have a few weeks or months left with some quality of life. How wonderful that they can spend what time they have left in the loving care of a foster home instead of dying by cruel means of euthanization ... gassing, heartstick. Even if they are humanely injected, it's better for them to be in the loving arms of someone they feel safe with than dying with a total stranger, alone and abandoned.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2010-01-19-pet-talk-hospice_N.htm

Wednesday, January 6, 2010