LIFE NEWS: Animals

Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts

17.9.13

Parents with dogs may love their children but when it comes to sharing, pets win — that is if the sharing is of bacteria.

A team led by Associate Professor Rob Knight, a scientist in the ongoing National Institutes of Health Human Microbiome Project, and doctoral student Se Jin Song recently released a study of the types and transfer modes of microbes from the guts, tongues, foreheads and palms of members of 60 American families.

This research was supported by ELIFE, a joint initiative of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Max Planck Society and the Wellcome Trust Fund. The team members are studying bacterial communities to better understand how they can prevent and treat disease.

Knight and his team included 159 people and 36 dogs in the study. Seventeen of the families had children at home, ranging in age from 6 months to 18 years old. 17 of the family had neither dogs nor kids. Each family consisted of at least one couple ranging between 26 and 87. All the children were biologically related to their parents. The team swabbed different parts of the human and dog bodies to get microbial samples. Human samples came from the tongue, forehead, palms and fecal samples. Dogs were sampled from the same areas except that the team swabbed the fur instead of skins and paws instead of hands.

The team was surprised to find such a strong microbial link between the humans and their dogs. In effect, the team noted that there seems to be a stronger microbial link between parents and dogs than humans and children.

Knight has been quoted as saying that one of the biggest surprises is the fact that they could detect such a strong connection between the humans and the pets. Knight says that the microbial connection between humans and pets is much stronger than that between parents and children.

Parents Share More Time With Their Dogs Than Their Children

By: Unknown on: 1:11 AM

16.9.13

As the nation memorializes one of the worst events in our recent history, we take time to honor some canine hero who helped survivors of the tragedy.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, Genelle Guzman-McMillan was working in her office in one of the World Trade Center Buildings. She heard the terrible noise outside, and as she fled down the stairs, the building crumbled around her.

It would be 27 hours before she was pulled from the wreckage – the final living person to have been saved. It wasn’t a firefighter or police officer that found her, but a dog.

“It’s so awesome that the dogs could have this kind of sense, to find people buried under the rubble,” Guzman-McMillan told Animal Planet for their documentary Hero Dogs of 9/11. “I felt total renewed life in me. … That was the most joyful moment.”

Her story was one of many that inspired documentary producer Tanya Kelen to showcase some of the canine heroes of that day. Also honored were the first responders, trainers and veterinarians who helped make the dogs’ dedication possible. The program aired yesterday on Animal Planet, but unfortunately, there are no additional airings for the next two weeks (according to TV Guide).

“We found a number of people who were too shaken up to share their stories,” Kelen said of her meetings with 9/11 survivors. “But Genelle said she had a mission to keep telling her story because she’d been saved.”

Guzman-McMillan was one in a team of about fifteen Port Authority workers all trying to evacuate the building at once.

“I felt the walls cave in,” she said. “It was dark and everything was rumbling.”

Guzman-McMillan was trapped by steel and cement, unable to move until a dog alerted rescuers to her location. She was the only one in her group to survive. She was told by doctors that she would never be able to walk again. She defied them by becoming able to run again. She has since gotten married and had two daughters.

Over 300 specially trained search and rescue dogs scoured the debris in the days following the WTC collapse. They searched for survivors, and when there were no more to be found, they moved on to find remains. They also located jewelry and other personal items of victims that could be returned to mourning loved ones. Others served as therapy dogs to help victims and loved ones cope with the traumas they endured.

Another saved on 9/11 was Michael Hingson, whose seeing-eye dog Roselle led the WTC employee out of the building. Though people aren’t supposed to pet guide dogs while they’re on duty, a firefighter passing by Hingson stopped to pet and cuddle Roselle.

The Hero Dog

By: Unknown on: 5:10 PM

With the recent devastation in Colorado due the destructive rain storms and floods we can only look for signs of hope.

So far there are more than 1,000 people unaccounted for and authorities have begun search and rescue missions. Meteorologists predict rain storms will soon stop and we should start to see the flood waters recede.

Among all the images of destruction we have seen, there are always images of love and hope.

The following image is not from the Colorado floods, but it is from last month’s monsoon rain, and tropical storm Trami, in Paranaque city, metro Manila.

We hope everyone affected in Manila and Colorado is safe and surrounded by their loved ones – including their four-legged family members.

Boy Carries Dog Through Flood Waters

By: Unknown on: 5:00 PM

Beautiful Tatto Pitbull Dog

By: Unknown on: 3:59 PM

So, you want a huge dog to be a part of your family? We're not talking just a big dog here -- say, a slender Golden Retriever that only comes to your knees. We mean really giant dogs, the tallest or most massive around.

Before you add a giant dog to your family, consider that a big dog needs a big space. He's not going to be happy confined to an apartment or small pen most of the day. You'll probably need a large yard with a secure fence and someone willing to walk the dog daily to keep him happy.

Be careful choosing a large breed as a family dog, especially if your "family" includes children. Although big dogs are usually quiet, gentle and slow-moving enough for families with children, avoid large dogs that have strong herding or protective, watchdog instincts. Even though such dogs may be great companions for children they're raised with, they may try to "herd" or be aggressive toward a child's playmates. They also may be aggressive toward other dogs. That said, even the most even-tempered and gentle breeds can knock a child down while playing, so try not to leave large dogs and small children together alone.

One last, unfortunate consideration: The largest dogs tend to have the shortest life expectancies -- many of them only about eight years.

If you really want a gentle giant in your family, there are good choices. Keep reading to meet some.

Best Feelings..Huge Your Dog

By: Unknown on: 1:04 PM

In Manitoba, Canada, an English Bull Mastiff cross Boxer named Ozzy is recovering from injuries sustained while a thief tried robbing James Comeau’s automotive shop. The criminal used a sledge hammer to immobilize the pet, and was later apprehended by police. The robber/animal abuser was charged with multiple felony counts.

Police chased the criminal at high speeds, and after some time, the man exited the vehicle and took off running. The thief hid but was later found by a K-9 officer and taken into custody.According to a CBC News report, the criminal broke into the car shop, attacked Ozzy with a hammer, packed a stolen vehicle with several automotive parts, and drove away.

Comeau, Ozzy’s owner, said his beloved dog suffered minor injuries. The dog has a limp and is recovering from a swollen hip and bruises.

“He’s such a nice dog that all of our customers come in and treat him very well,” said Comeau.

The dog is expected to make a full recovery.

The malicious thief was charge with breaking an entry, trespassing, fleeing a police officer, possession of stolen property and killing or injuring an animal. He will pay for hurting innocent Ozzy.

Dog Recovers After Thief Hit Him

By: Unknown on: 9:05 AM

Three years have passed since Patty Corbat’s dog Olivia went missing. She had given up hope of ever seeing her dog again, but this Saturday the two were reunited after Olivia was found only 8 miles away from her home.

Three years ago Olivia had slipped away from a pet sitter. Corbat had no idea where Olivia had gone and after so many years was giving up hope. Then last week she got a phone call from Pet Haven Rescue informing her they had found Olivia.

It turns out Olivia had been living in a field next to a mall only eight miles away from Corbat’s home in Wellington, Florida. People had pictures of the dog going back at least two years. Olivia had always been too skittish to let anyone get close enough to her and help her.

Pet Haven Pet Rescue heard about Olivia and decided to set a trap to help the stray dog. They were able to successfully catch Olivia and when they cleaned her up and checked her out they found a microchip linking Olivia back to Corbat.

Corbat was emotional to have Olivia back. Corbat was thrilled to be reunited with Olivia who had belonged to her husband. When her husband passed away she had promised him to always take care of his Olivia. Now she can fulfill that promise again.

“I’m so happy to have her back, you have no idea,” said Corbat.

Olivia was just as happy. She clearly remembered Corbat and for the first time since being rescued she seemed truly comforted.