The Owl and the Pussycat who really are the best of friends

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Fum the cat leaps into the air to join his friend Gerba the owl


Watch out mice! This owl and pussycat really have become the best of friends and they're attracting thousands of fans with a hit youtube video.

The amazing footage shows Fum the cat and Gebra the owl playing together in the open countryside.


Best of friends: Fum and Gebra enjoy a tender moment


A peck on the cheek: The two animals are believed to have been friends from an early age


The pair clearly enjoy each others' company - every time Gerba comes in to land it's next to her four-legged friend who trots up to greet her with a friendly rub and purr.

It is believed the animals get on so well together because they have been pals since they were young.

It is also likely that they have bonded over a mutual instinct to hunt rodents.
Clearly Gerba is the boss in this relationship - when Tum gets a little too excited she gives him a friendly little peck to calm him down.


Did someone mention a mouse? Tum the cat and Gerba the owl share a hunting instinct


But most of the time the pair get on amazingly well. They play-fight and give each other kisses on the cheek.

It is unclear where the video is from but the poster is based in Spain.

In the famous Edward Lear poem, opposite, the Owl and the Pussycat went to sea in a beautiful pea green boat.

But this pair are clearly more interested in taking to the skies.

Unfortunately for the furry Fum all he can do is leap into the air when his feathery pal swoops back and forth over his head or climb up into a tree.





Showing off: Feather and fur in purr-fect harmony


Cat and owl playing



source: dailymail

After the Big Freeze... the Big Thaw: Britain basks in balmy blast from the West

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Braving the cold: Clyde the seal pup with frozen whiskers copes with extreme temperatures at Hessilhead Rescue centre in Beith, Ayrshire


- Overnight lows of -15C in Scotland and -13C in England

- Experts say cold snap is 'once in a lifetime'

- Army called in to help councils clear away ice and snow


The whole of Britain was today enjoying a thaw - with all parts of the country above freezing for the first time since the cold spell struck last month.

Temperatures will even reach double figures in places as shivering Britons get a balmy blast of weather from the West.


And there's more good news for the weekend, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of up to 8c (46f) - although temperatures are set to plummet again by the middle of next week.


Two women pull a pushchair down a road near the Royal Hospital for sick Children, Edinburgh


Gemma Plumb, a MeteoGroup weather forecaster said: 'It is going to be a lot less cold. We will probably see a maximum temperature of between 7C (44.6F) and 10C (50F) today.

'It will be warmest in the North and West of Scotland, but the warmer front will spread all over the country.

'We'll see some of the snow starting to melt, but it is going to start getting cold again on Saturday night, with the possibility of more snow towards the end of next week.'

The Met Office has warned that, despite the temperature increases, people should still look out for ice.

A spokesman said: 'With surfaces remaining very cold, there is a risk of icy conditions developing almost anywhere, particularly where skies clear overnight and during the first part of the morning.

'The highest risk is in parts of central and eastern Scotland and northeast England.'

Scotland, much of which ground to a halt this week in the worst snow since the 1960s, was on thaw alert after a spate of flood-related incidents from melting ice and snow.


A man uses a shovel to remove snow from the roof of a house in Edinburgh


Christmas lamb: The freezing conditions didn't stop the birth of Snowy the lamb in Llangibby, north Wales


Western areas of the UK will be warmest today, with 10c (50f) expected in the South West, north Wales and western Scotland.

Northern parts of Britain will feel slightly chillier in a brisk north west breeze.
It will stay above freezing all day and through the night, dipping to 1c in the coldest parts of the Highlands.

Colder conditions are then set to return on Sunday and into next week, with more snow and ice expected up until Christmas.

Britain has seen temperatures as low as minus 20c (-4f) since the country was gripped by the cold spell on November 23.

The weather started improving yesterday, with Strathclyde Fire & Rescue attending more than 120 flood-related incidents due to melting ice and burst pipes.

The thaw also means that pedestrians run the risk of being hit by icicles and snow falling from buildings.

And emergency services warned that rising temperatures were weakening already dangerous ice cover on frozen lochs and ponds.


Polar bears enjoying Scotland's big freeze







source: dailymail

Meet Einstein, the world's smallest horse who weighs less than a newborn baby

By Daily Mail Reporter

Pint-sized: Einstein the pinto stallion weighed just 6lbs when he was born on Friday in Barnstead, New Hampshire


This pint-sized stallion could be a record breaker as the world's smallest foal.

The three-day old pinto stallion, called Einstein, is just 14 inches high and weighs only an incredible 6lbs.

The diminutive horse was born in Barnstead, New Hampshire, on Friday at Tiz Miniature Horse Farm.


*** Scroll down to watch video ***


His tiny proportions may be more suitable for a human baby, but they are tiny for a horse, even a miniature breed like Einstein.


Horsing about: The three-day-old foal, which could be the smallest horse ever born, is petted by a visitor at the miniature horse farm


Dr Rachel Wagner, Einstein's co-owner, claims the Guinness Book of Records lists the smallest newborn horse as weighing just 9lbs.

Breeders say that unlike the current record holder, Thumbelina, Einstein shows no signs of dwarfism - he is just a tiny horse.


Measuring up: Co-owner Dr Rachel Wagner holds a ruler up next to the tiny horse as he plays in a field




source :dailymail

Elephants' legs propel them around just like a 4x4, study finds

By Daily Mail Reporter

All terrain: Scientists have discovered that elephants are able to accelerate and brake with all four of their legs independently


Elephants have legs that work just like the wheels of a Land Rover, scientists have found.

The elephant's unique 'four-leg-drive' systems means power and braking is applied independently to each limb.

All other quadrupeds are thought to have 'rear-leg-drive', which means they tend to accelerate with their hind limbs while using their forelegs more for braking

Dr John Hutchinson, who lead the study at the Royal Veterinary College in London, said: 'We have developed some new techniques for looking at animals movements that may change the way we view the locomotion of other animals.

'We have shown that elephant legs function in very strange and probably unique ways.
'We even overturned some of our own previous ideas about elephants, which is always initially disheartening but ultimately exhilarating for a scientist.

'Our measurements have also provided basic data that will be useful in clinical studies of elephants, such as common lameness problems.'

Measurements of forces on the animals' legs at walking and running speeds showed that each limb was used for both accelerating and braking.

Elephants' legs were also shown to be slightly compliant or 'bouncy', especially when running at faster speeds.


Four-wheel-drive: Reflective markers were put on the elephants and they were recorded with infra-red cameras to see what their muscles did as they moved


Experts had previously assumed that elephants would need rigid 'pillar-like' legs to support their weight.

Bounciness made their legs two or three times less mechanically efficient than expected, putting them on a par with humans.

Just as in humans, muscle forces in elephants have to increase as their limbs become more flexed.

Consequently, running is 50 per cent more costly than walking, which is why elephants are slower than many other animals.

The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, said: 'Surprisingly, elephants use their forelimbs and hind limbs in similar braking and propulsive roles, not dividing these functions among limbs as was previously assumed or as in other quadrupeds.

'Thus, their limb function is analogous to four-wheel-drive vehicles.

'To achieve the observed limb compliance and low peak forces, elephants synchronise their limb dynamics in the vertical direction, but incur considerable mechanical costs from limbs working against each other horizontally.'

The researchers analysed the movements of six juvenile Asian elephants using an advanced 3D motion-capture technique.

Reflective markers placed at strategic points on the elephants' bodies were filmed by seven infra-red cameras and their changes in position fed into a computer.

The elephants were ridden or guided by their 'mahouts' across their whole range of speeds along a walkway rigged with force-sensitive platforms.


source: dailymail

A spot of bother: Dalmatian is hit by a bus, then gets stuck under its front wheels... but emerges unscathed

By Daily Mail Reporter

Trapped: Chloe is comforted by a firefighter after becoming wedged under the bus's front axle

When Chloe the Dalmatian got hit by a double-decker bus running across a busy road to see another dog, her owner feared the worst.

But Brian Levy was amazed to discover she had survived the impact but was stuck under the vehicle's front wheels.

The 70-year-old's amazement turned to incredulity when firemen eventually lifted the 7.5 ton bus to free his pet - and she emerged completely unscathed.
Mr Levy said: 'It's a miracle.'

The drama began as he took four-year-old Chloe for her daily walk near his home in Swiss Cottage, north London.

When Mr Levy wasn't looking she slipped her leash and dashed across the road after spotting another dog.

To his horror, Chloe was hit by the No.31 First bus as she ran back across the road.
Firefighters were on the scene in a matter of minutes. They used a hydraulic jack to lift the bus and dragged Chloe to safety.

Mr Levy said: ‘Chloe's had a check-up at the vet’s and it’s amazing - she is in shock but doesn’t have any injuries at all.


Rescue mission: Firefighters position a heavy jack under the front of the bus as they prepare to free Chloe


‘She was trapped under the front axle, between the two front wheels.’

He added: ‘They lifted the side of the bus up with hydraulics and tilted the bus over until one fireman could get under and bring her out.

‘Chloe’s very shaken, very shocked, but it’s a miracle that she doesn’t have any broken bones.

‘She was literally trapped and how she didn’t get killed or break any bones is amazing.
‘She’s a lively, very fit dog and quite tough so that probably helped.’


Miracle escape: Chloe says hello to her very relieved owner, Brian Levy, after being freed yesterday


source: dailymail

Scientists say polar bears have survived climate change before

Survivor: A fossil has been found that indicates polar bears evolved from brown bears during an ice age


A fossil find suggests that polar bears may only have come into existence during an ice age 150,000 years ago as part of the brown bears' battle for survival against climate change.

Scientists discovered the jawbone of an animal that died up to 130,000 years ago at Poolepynten on the Arctic island of Svalbard. It is oldest polar bear fossil ever found and has given an intriguing insight into the origins of the planet's largest predator.

Professors Olafur Ingolfsson, of the University of Iceland, and Oystein Wiig, of the University of Oslo, who made the discovery believe it reveals polar bears may have survived at least one long period of global warming.

The research paper, as reported in The Sunday Times newspaper, concluded: 'The Poolepynten subfossil mandible, which we argue is from a fully grown male, is probably the oldest polar bear find discovered so far. Its true age is interpreted to be 110,000-130,000 years old.'

Academics have long been divided over the evolution of the the great animal, with some believing they first appeared 50,000 years ago, and others suggesting it was closer to one million years ago.

Anatomical and DNA evidence from the fossil suggests polar bears might have emerged when the brown bear was being forced to adapt to cold and ice an ice age in the northern hemisphere that lasted from 190,000 to 130,000 years ago.

Furthermore, in a paper published by a research group connected to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. said: 'Brown bears found on the Alaskan islands of Admiralty, Baranof and Chichagof may be descendants of ancient ursids [bears] that diverged from other lineages of brown bears and subsequently founded the polar bear lineage


Evolution: Brown bears that became trapped on islands during an ice age some 150,000 years ago were forced to adapt

It means polar bears have already survived a global warming that affected the northern hemisphere from 130,000 to 115,000 years ago, when the Greenland ice sheet and the Arctic ice cap were smaller than now.

But Professor Chris Stringer, of the Natural History Museum in London, said: 'Living through a warm period back then does not mean polar bears are resilient to climate change now.'


source: dailymail

Dolphins could hold the key to curing diabetes (because they can switch condition on and off)

By David Derbyshire

Diabetes appears to have evolved in dolphins as a useful way of coping with food shortages


Dolphins could hold the key to curing most diabetes, scientists say.

Researchers have discovered that the friendly sea mammals have a form of adult onset diabetes, but have the ability to turn the condition on and off.

The discovery opens the door to revolutionary new treatments for the disease in humans, and possibly even a cure.

Yesterday scientists described the findings as exciting, but stressed they had no plans to use live dolphins in medical experiments. Instead, DNA samples would be taken from routine blood tests already carried out on dolphins in captivity.

Around 2.6million people in the UK suffer from diabetes, the vast majority affected by type 2 which usually strikes in middle and old age.

The disease occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin - the hormone that regulates blood sugar - or when its insulin does not work properly.

In humans, diabetes can trigger major health problems including heart disease.
But in bottlenose dolphins, the condition appears to have evolved as a useful way of coping with food shortages.


There continues to be controversy surrounding keeping dolphins in captivity


When they are fasting, they make themselves-insulin resistant. Glucose is not removed from the blood and their brains continue to be supplied with vital energy.

When food is available, they switch off their insulin resistance and blood sugar levels are controlled again.

Dr Stephanie Venn-Watson of National Marine Mammal Association in San Diego, California, believes diabetes may have evolved in our prehistoric ancestors to cope with famines in a similar way, but the switch has been lost over the millennia.

Understanding how the switch works and learning to control it could be the solution to type 2 diabetes.

Dr Venn-Watson made it clear her team would never carry out experiments that caused dolphins any harm or suffering and that DNA samples would be taken from blood tests already performed on captive animals. The DNA would then be compared with human DNA.

'No one has any desire that I'm aware of to make a dolphin a lab animal,' she said.

However animal welfare campaigners said dolphins should not be used for medical research - and that even keeping them in captivity was cruel.

A spokesman for the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society said: 'Dolphins are intelligent and sophisticated animals which are vulnerable to stress and suffering when confined and removed from their natural environment and societies.'

source: dailymail

Like shooting fish in a barrel: How a photographer coaxed a kingfisher to pose for the camera

I'm coming in..This stunning close-up shows the kingfisher diving into the tank to get at the fish

Perched in a tree by the side of the pool, the kingfisher's beady eye is focused on just one thing - her lunch.

In a blinding flash of cobalt-blue and orange-chestnut she launches herself like a torpedo into the water to seize one of the minnows that are swimming there.

Then she beats it against the side of her perch before swallowing it whole and turning her attention on the second course - another minnow.


Gotcha! Perched on a branch by the side of the pool, the kingfisher's beady eye is focused on just one thing - lunch


Normally this blur of activity is almost impossible to capture on film because of its incredible speed and the sometimes murky nature of the water.

But in a remarkable relationship between man and bird, amateur naturalist Adrian Groves has managed to coax one of his local kingfishers to dive into a glass tank of minnows he has set on the riverbank so that he can record the action in fine detail.

'Ninety-nine per cent of people never get this close,' he said yesterday. 'But I am so fascinated by the birds, their beauty and their behaviour that I was determined to make a proper study.

'Kingfishers have a very poor survival rate, especially in winter, and this one gets to look very scrawny. I like to think that I'm not only ensuring her survival but drawing attention to the species as a whole.'

Mr Groves, 44, a coach driver, first spotted the kingfisher when he was out looking for buzzards and peregrine falcons near his home in South Dorset.

'It was about two years ago and I fell in love with the colours and the quick movements,' he said. 'The trouble is that they are such shy birds that it is difficult to get close which is why I hit on my plan.'

After getting permission from a landowner to carry out his experiment, Mr Groves set up his camouflaged tank of minnows at the water's edge which he knew was kingfisher territory.

He built a perch for the birds to sit on and operated his cameras remotely from some distance away.

He said: 'It took time for them to get used to it, but now they sometimes appear within minutes although I have sat there for four hours. I will wait all day because they are so fascinating.

'One comes and sits very close to me, almost like a robin. There's always something different happening and it is just fantastic to sit there and watch. I never get tired of it. There are so many different things about the kingfisher to learn.'


Pictured: Ady sets up to wait for the kingfisher.


source: dailymail

Pictured: The amazing moment a diver swims alongside one of nature's most lethal killing machines ... an 11ft crocodile

Nerves of steel: Diver Israel Gonzalez got close enough to be tolerated for over two hours by an American crocodile off the coast of Cuba

Just off the coast of Cuba, a diver displays nerves of steel as he swims alongside an 11ft, 1,000lb crocodile.

Risking his life for the potentially deadly experience, diver Israel Gonzalez, 31, got close enough to be tolerated for over two hours by one of nature's most lethal killing machines.

Swimming in an area known as The Queen's Gardens, the lone female crocodile was returning to her nest on one of the 50 or so tiny islands that make up the offshore paradise

Around 60miles from the south coast of Cuba, Mr Gonzalez and underwater photographer David Doubilet matched the enormous crocodile for pace during their encounter.

'This crocodile exhibited very benign behaviour for such a notorious predator,' said Mr Doubilet.

'As a wildlife photography opportunity this was extremely exciting to capture not only the rare and overlooked American crocodile, but also to run the gauntlet with the animal.

'Honestly after the initial rush when we encountered the crocodile, our levels of fear dropped down quite considerably.'


Best friends: Mr Gonzalez had trawled the area searching for the rare reptile, who proved remarkably 'benign'


Photographer: David Doubilet


Travelling to The Queen's Gardens with a diving team, which also included local Cuban fishermen familiar with the area, the pair trawled the island chain for the elusive American crocodile.

'Most people don't know that there are crocodiles which live in the Americas,' explained Mr Doubilet.

'They assume that they live only in Egypt, in sub-Saharan Africa and Australia.

'However, there are around 1,500 American crocodiles living in Florida and the same number across Central America and South America.

'They are classed as a threatened species.'

Gliding alongside the croc, Mr Doubilet and Mr Gonzalez were aware that at any minute the situation could turn life threatening.

'Unfortunately we had no protection on us. No sticks, no harpoons, nothing that would have saved our lives had the crocodiles turned nasty,' said David.

'But we were not unduly worried. We were careful to know our limits and not to stress the creature.

'We were there to observe this rare occurrence


source: dailymail

The annual stocktaking at London Zoo, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010

Mammal keeper Lucy Smith counts coatis (Nasua nasua) during the annual stocktaking at London Zoo, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010. More than 750 different species are tallied up in the count.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Sebastian Grant rests on Dirk the Tortoise while making a record of the number of all the Tortoises in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Tim Savage makes a record of the number of Rock Hopper Penguins in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Tim Savage makes a record of the number of Rock Hopper Penguins in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



Insect keeper Laura Childs looks at a spiny stick insect during the annual stocktaking at London Zoo, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010. More than 750 different species are tallied up in the count.



Insect keeper Laura Childs looks up at a spiny stick insect during the annual stocktaking at London Zoo, Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010. More than 750 different species are tallied up in the count.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: A Zoo employee makes a record of the number of Jellyfish in their tank at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Lucy Smith makes a record of the number of Coati's in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Lucy Hawley makes a record of the number of Meerkats in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Lucy Hawley makes a record of the number of Meerkats in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Lucy Hawley makes a record of the number of Meerkats in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.


LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Lucy Hawley makes a record of the number of Meerkats in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Lucy Smith makes a record of the number of Coati's in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.



LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: Zoo keeper Lucy Smith makes a record of the number of Coati's in their enclosure at London Zoo as part of the zoo's annual stocktake on January 5, 2010 in London, England. ZSL London Zoo is home to over 650 different species which all need to be cataloged in their annual stocktake which is a compulsory requirement for their zoo license.


photo: Gettyimages

The dog that WAS just for Christmas ... thousands of pets abandoned as festive season ends

By Ryan Kisiel

Unloved: This seven-week-old Dachshund cross puppy is waiting to be rehomed

Looking into his sheepish eyes it's hard to imagine why anyone wouldn't want him after Christmas.

But this seven-week-old Dachshund puppy is just one of thousands of pets who have been abandoned by their owners after the festive period.

Held by Kennel assistant Maxine Elson, he is waiting along with dozens of his canine friends for a new owner at the Cheshire Dogs Home in Warrington.


Pick me: Kennel assistant Maxine Elson holds the puppy. There has been a surge in the number of abandoned pets over the Christmas period


Record numbers of pets have been handed over to kennels and local councils this December.

It comes as animal charities say fewer people are adopting cats and dogs this year because of the recession - leaving them with little space to take on more strays.

The recent surge of abandoned pets is being put down to people changing their minds about keeping their Christmas presents when they realise the cost involved.


Max a two year old Border Collie is one of the many dogs that were abandoned pets over the festive period


Manchester Dogs Home took in 108 dogs in December, while in Worcestershire, 60 cats and 35 dogs were abandoned across the county during the same period.

The RSPCA received across the south-west of England 22 dogs and 11 cats on Christmas Day alone.

Animal charity PDSA, which helps families struggling to pay their veterinary bills, said it has seen a sharp rise in the number of people needing their help and animals abandoned.


The recession has led to a rise in abandoned dogs, like this cross Labrador, as families struggle with vet bills


PDSA spokesman Deryck Wilson said: 'We've seen a real surge in the number of people needing help or who are unable to keep their pet financially.

'As incomes have fallen, families have had to make tough decisions and pets have lost out. But there is help out there and they don't have to abandon these animals.'


source: dailymail

Dog charity refuses to rehouse animals over the festive period to stop New Year returns

By Andy Whelan

The country’s largest dog welfare charity is refusing to rehouse animals over the Christmas period to prevent unwanted pets being returned in the New Year.

The Dogs Trust said animals can be viewed and reserved but not taken away – despite all its 18 rehousing centres nationwide being full.

The ban started on December 20 and ends on January 2, giving potential dog owners time to consider whether they really want the animal.

In the 31 years since the charity dreamed up the slogan ‘A dog is for life, not just for Christmas’, there has been a 90 per cent reduction in the number of dogs given
as gifts. Last year the figure was down to 131,400.

But Adam Levy, assistant manager of the Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Harefield, West London, said thousands are still abandoned over Christmas. He added: ‘The weeks after Christmas are traditionally one of our busiest periods because lots of people are given puppies as unwanted presents, or people who wanted a dog soon realise they require a lot of time and effort which they are not prepared to give.

‘Some of the excuses we hear from dog owners abandoning their newly acquired pets are truly ludicrous.

‘A woman once said she was giving up her dog because the colour of its fur clashed with her living room furniture. Another irresponsible owner complained the dog had to be given up because it urinated on her favourite rug.


Four-month-old puppy Toby will join a loving family after Christmas.


‘And a set of owners wanted to give up their new puppy because it was not house-trained when they took it home.’

Mr Levy added: ‘We have 150 dogs at our centre and are completely full. At present there is a four-month waiting list for a place at the centre but in the next few weeks we will be contacted by lots of owners wanting to give us their unwanted pet.’

Centre manager Richard Moore said: ‘A dog is a long-term commitment, not a fashion accessory or disposable item that can be upgraded or discarded after just a few months.’


source: dailymail

Farewell to Panda Tai Shan

Giant
Officials at Washington, DC's National Zoo have announced that Tai Shan, the wildly popular four-year-old Giant Panda, will return to his parents' Chinese homeland in early 2010.



Bye Tai
"It's hard to say goodbye," said acting National Zoo Director Steve Monfort, "but we are so thankful for the many memories and huge opportunities Tai has provided to the National Zoo." Tai will move to the Wolong's Beifengxia Base in Ya'an, Sichuan, where he will enter the breeding program.



Yum!
The zoo celebrated Tai Shan's fourth birthday with a three layer cake made from water, bamboo, shredded beets and beet juice.



Souvenirs
Giant Panda stuffed dolls for sale in Washington demonstrate the public's affection.



Fans
Millions of visitors have queued up to see Tai Shan since he was born.



Big and Slow
Having grown to over 200 pounds in weight, the name "Tai Shan" fits: it means "peaceful mountain."



Well-Liked
Only a few months old when he was debuted to the public, Tai Shan created a frenzy amongst the public. Some 13,000 timed tickets to see him disappeared within two hours; some showed up on eBay trading for up to $200 a pair.



Rules
As part of the loan agreement with the Chinese government, any pups born to Mei Xiang (pronounced may-SHONG and appearing upside-down in the photo above) and her mate must be returned to China. The parents are on a 10-year, $10 million loan to the zoo that expires next year.



Cutey-Pie
Tai Shan (pronounced tie-SHON) was born to two Chinese-born pandas on loan to the National Zoo. This photo was taken when the cub was around five months old.


source: Time.com