
I LOVE YOU










Chicks in Hats
Hats and photographs made by Julie Persons, prints (but not the hats) available here.
Via Incredible Things.
The American Heart Association’s got some news. Wanna hear?
Quoting their release: “Owning a pet, particularly a dog, could reduce your risk of heart disease.” #WIN.

“Dog ownership in particular may help reduce cardiovascular risk. People with dogs may engage in more physical activity because they walk them.” #DOUBLEWIN.

“Pets can have a positive effect on the body’s reactions to stress.” #TRIPLEWIN.

~The Creditos~
Video #1 from the Pet Collective.
Photo 1: “This is my moms Shorkie (Shih tzu/yorkie) puppy Georgie. She named him Georgie after George Strait after she tried to get tickets to his concert and they sold out immediately, so she used her ticket money to buy Georgie. I think she got the better bargain!” -Amy S.
Photo 2: From Reddit.
Photo 3: “This is Millie, my sweet foster doggie, telling me that SHE rescued me…isn’t that the truth?” -Jenn K.
LeahgatesConcerned Baby Birds
For the first time in over a decade, the Phoenix Zoo has a Spectacled Owl chick. The chick was born on February 10th to the zoo's pair of Spectacled Owls. The pair is quite experienced in rearing young having done so six times in the past, albeit not for some time. After over ten years without a baby, and with the female being 20 years old and the male 15, keepers were not sure if the lone egg laid would be fertile.
To the keepers' excitement, on the 10th of February they heard faint vocalizations coming from the nest box and realized they had a chick! However, it would be over a month until they were first able to peer into the nest box when the chick's protective parents were distracted and finally get a glimpse of the newborn. It was not until April 14th, just over two months after hatching, that the chick would fledge and give keepers a good look at their newest addition.
Photo credits: Amanda Donagi / Phoenix Zoo
The chick has continued to grow since fledging just over a month ago. It is slowly losing its natal fluffy down, replacing it with feathers. It has been observed flying around its exhibit and exploring all of the perches it has to offer. The chick's gender is still unknown and will be determined at its first health examination.
Native to Mexico, Central America and South America, Spectacled Owls live primarily in tropical rain forests. Although they weight in at just around a pound and a half when full grown, they have been known to take down prey much larger such as opossums and sloths. However, their diet normally consists of smaller prey such as crabs, large insects and other birds such as jays. They nest is tree cavities where they typically lay clutches of two eggs. Eggs are incubated by both the mother and father for around five weeks before the chick hatches.
Related articles
U. LEEDS (UK) — Very young children appear to reject storybook characters who are overweight as potential friends, a study shows.
Researchers asked children in the UK to rate their choices between characters that were drawn as overweight, normal weight, or disabled. They found that children voiced more negative views about the fictional book character “fat Alfie”.

UC BERKELEY (US) — Researchers are testing a helmet-like device that uses wireless signals to instantly diagnose brain swelling and bleeding.
The device analyzes data from low energy electromagnetic waves that are similar to those used to transmit radio and mobile signals.
LeahgatesEven better
…then “Elephant Jumping On Trampoline” should be right up your alley. Thanks to Commenter Baileysgrandmomb for the teep!
PS -For the folks on Facebook who thought the giraffes were real (face palm,) say it with me. “THIS. IS. COMPUTER. GENERATED.”
LeahgatesKristian do you like it
That would be what’s usually known as a “Non sequitur.”
Non sequitur (pron.: /nɒnˈsɛkwɪtər/) is Latin for “it does not follow.” It is most often used as a noun to describe illogical statements.
And that’s just what this video is. “High Diving” + “Giraffes” aren’t generally used together in sentences. But here we go!
“This is not mine but I came across it today and I thought of you. High-diving giraffes! (I mean, really, where else but up high would giraffes dive from, anyway?) Make sure you watch all the way to the end of the credits.” -Cuteporter Allein S.
Codename, … “Mr. P.”

Any resemblance between Mr. P. and a miniature horse is purely coincidence.

OK little girl, just pretend you don’t notice.

Wait, isn’t that a …. NO! ha ha ha.

After a long day workin’ his halter ego, Mr. P. can finally relax.

Pony Therapy with Molly & Mr. P., photos and cute article via The Daily Mail

Yesterday Ali, his boss and I set out mid morning to go to one of the lakes north west of Berlin. Unfortunately the weather turned and so we had to revise our plans. These plans ended up including a stop at Florida Eis for ice cream, so I didn’t mind.
The whole time we were out Ali insisted on carrying my handbag and only letting me walk on the right hand side of him. And I think he got a bit offended when I tried to pay for the ice cream!
I really need some red shoes





This picture of Nigel Bear in a box is one of the first that really resonated with you all - and here is the fun day behind it!
Mother’s Day, 2012. John made me a lovely breakfast to enjoy in bread (Ezekiel muffin, crushed raspberry jam, eggs, and a bowl of berries). Nigel Bear stood by the bed for a good five minutes, reminding me that without him, I would be celebrating FurChild Mother’s Day.
So obviously, he was invited onto the bed and I shared my berries and eggs with him. John got to spend the entire day with us and since one of Nigel’s favorite things to do is playing with cardboard boxes, we saved an extra large one for him. :)
This year Nigel got three boxes. :D

RICE (US) — Engineering students have designed a belt that monitors signs of epileptic seizures and sends information via Bluetooth to a caregiver’s computer or smart phone.
The belt detects increased electrical conductance in the skin and changes in respiration rate, both signs that a seizure is under way. Though children or adults can wear the belt, the students designed it with kids in mind. They want parents to be aware of when a child is having a seizure, especially during the night.


My garden assistant/gnome is not too impressed with my veggie patch. I think he’s blowing raspberries at me.
w hat do snakes use for protection
ANACONDOMS!!!!!
LeahgatesI'm in

Hi friends, Nigel Bear here.
It’s Friday. And this is how I preparty. Ladies welcome.