When employees at a West African animal sanctuary buried chimpanzee Dorothy, they figured it would be a solemn occasion with some mourning.

Illustration Ryn Gargulinski

But they didn’t necessarily expect the mourning to come from the other chimpanzees.

The chimps, who live in the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, not only remained absolutely silent, but they leaned on and embraced each other, according to a report in our fave Big Apple paper, the New York Post.

Dorothy was in her late 40s, a good age for a chimp, and died of heart failure.

While the tribute may have been touching, it’s not all that surprising.

Even our pets who live together definitely know when a family member – human or animal – dies.

Birds sit stoic on their perches. Cats slump next to their best friend’s cubby hole. Dogs appear morose, staring at the pillow where their beloved used to sleep.

Phoebe in glee/Ryn Gargulinski

On the flip side, animals are also known to express sheer joy. Anyone who has seen a pet bird perk up, a cat dance or a dog break out with a giant grin will attest to this one.

Pets can also sense our moods and often act accordingly. High stress time for me means extra scuffling between Sawyer and Phoebe. When I’m down in the dumps, Sawyer cuddles while Phoebe will invariably butt my head with her rock-hard skull.

Some pets could surely use a few lessons in compassion, but they certainly share our emotions.

Animals are also much more like us than we may think – or perhaps we are much more like them than we care to admit.

What do you think?

Have you seen an animal in mourning? In glee?

Do you think animals have emotions that are comparable to humans or the reactions are just a coincidence?

Yes, we are all sick of the swine flu, especially those who have become sick from it.

Art by Ryn Gargulinski/Photo by Emily

But we can get an even bigger headache if we believe some of the swine flu myths or spend our life savings on products that make false claims for treating, curing or preventing against the H1N1 virus.

Myth – Pigs don’t get it.

Pigs can indeed get the H1N1 virus, and it’s not just your neglected and marginal alley pigs. In fact, six show pigs who were waddling their stuff at the Minnesota State Fair tested positive for the virus, according to a Reuters report posted on the ABC news website.

The first pig to test positive from the batch got honors on Oct. 19 as the first pig known to have the swine flu in the United States.

“The new strain of H1N1 virus, which has genetics from humans, birds and swine, likely circulated undetected in pigs for at least a decade before jumping to humans, according to an expert at the University of Arizona,” the story said.

Myth – Great swine flu cures and preventions can be found from overpriced items sold online.

Sham products include: “phony prescription drugs, ‘sterilizers,’ fake food supplements, magic shampoos, facemasks, a ‘silver spray’ claiming to protect against the flu virus and a phony ‘photon’ machine marketed with the false claim that it boosts the immune system,” according to a news release from Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard’s office.

Also be wary of products or even natural remedies that have been around for years that are all of a sudden claiming to calm, prevent or treat the flu. Be especially cautioned against products that boast about curing swine flu while they increase your sex drive, make you lose weight without dieting, or whiten your teeth overnight.

Myth – Folks can get swine flu from eating bacon, pork chops and other pig products.

While some pig products, like those pig feet you see floating in a milky liquid, may not be at the top of your appetizer list, none pose a threat of giving you the flu from simply ingesting them, according to the Reuters story.

Nevertheless, the story added, the U.S. hog market has been affected, with China banning U.S. pork products since May and Mexico hoping to instill such a ban.

Myth – Older people are most at risk for swine flu.

It’s actually the younger set that is more likely to fall prey to H1N1. Some older folks have a strengthened immune system, said the Gulf Daily News, thanks to living through pandemics that previously killed off millions. These include 1918’s Spanish flu; 1957’s Asian flu and 1968’s Hong Kong flu.

Those are some tough elders who may still be thriving today after suffering through the Spanish flu of 1918.

Myth – Piglet is the butt of jokes.

Unfortunately, this myth is true, as Winnie the Pooh’s little pink pal has become somewhat of an outcast. Don’t fret too much, as reports have indicated that Eeyore, at least, has remained on speaking terms with him.

What do you think?

What are some other swine flu myths and scares that you’ve heard?

Do you care Piglet has become an outcast?

Many of us have heard the warnings – keep your pets inside on Halloween or they could end up as satanic sacrifices.

Illustration Ryn Gargulinski

Actually, the standard line in Halloween pet safety lists reads something like: There are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, even killed pets on this night.

The warnings, especially the cult-related, focus on black cats, which throughout history have been considered the dark embodiment of evil.

Over the years, according to our favorite myth-busting website Snopes.com, the rumors have expanded to include white cats, the symbol of virginity and purity; black dogs, especially Doberman pinchers and Damien-esque Rottweilers; and then to all pets of all sorts.

Goats, of course, are on the list year-round. And you better hide that rabbit.

While these rumors may or may not be true, some shelters across the nation actually curtail adoptions of black cats – or any animal – during the Halloween season.

Others relay creepy stories, like two Brooklyn, N.Y., shelter workers who swear a woman came in for a black cat on Halloween dressed as a witch.

“We told her no,” Snopes quotes a worker. “We know she only wanted the cat for a Halloween ritual.”

Another shelter owner points out that cults are not going to traipse on down to a shelter, go through a background check and pay good money they could instead use for a new cauldron or something just to adopt an animal they intend to slaughter.

They’re going to take it from the streets or someone’s backyard.

Even if our pets are not likely to end up kidnapped by a satanic cult on Halloween night, it is a good idea to keep them inside.

You don’t need the headache of wondering if Fido will bolt out the gate or Fifi will attack a kid dressed as a goblin.

And even if a cult is not going to gather up your animal for slaughter, you don’t need those same yahoos who think it’s funny to throw eggs at your window to have unlimited access to your beloved pet.

After all, There are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, even killed pets on this night.

What do you think?

Have you heard rumors of Halloween pet abuse or sacrifices?

Have you seen it in action?

The terrible twosome’s wacky habits

Phoebe the barking machine/Ryn Gargulinski

Phoebe is a barking machine.

She barks – incessantly – at everything from thunder to lightning, fireworks to car doors slamming, the doorbell to a passing motorcycle.

She especially has a field day with unseen people walking behind the backyard wall. And she’s nearly breaking the sound barrier while the folks next door have workers installing and standing atop their new patio roof.

Phoebe is the reason man invented earplugs. But you can’t complain about her being a good watchdog.

Sort of.

While her barking may have deterred a few unbeknownst robbers, vacuum salesmen and serial killers who were lurking about the property, it is falling short when I need it the most.

Bird feasting on new seed/Ryn Gargulinski

My latest deployment in my war against Bermuda grass has been gouging out still more sections of the lawn and adding five bags of topsoil coupled with two bags of grass seed. Quite pricey grass seed, I may add, as it’s billed as “Miracle Grass – as seen on TV.”

I need an alert watchdog to deter the birds that have been merrily stuffing their beaks with this all-you-can-eat seed buffet.

Bird feasting on seed/Ryn Gargulinski

And where can we find our fine Phoebe the barking machine?

Phoebe "protecting" the grass seed/Ryn Gargulinski

The terrible twosome’s wacky habits is a feature that highlights the strange habits of Ryn’s dogs Sawyer and Phoebe. If you have a strange pet habit to share, please e-mail to rynski@tucsoncitizen.com

What do you think?

Should I fire her from watchdog duty?

Does your pet protect your grass seed or similarly fall short on certain duties?

Blackbirds singing in the dead of night may not happen much, but they are sure flitting about at all times of the day.

Gasquet, Calif., dumpster/Ryn Gargulinski

Southern Arizona has its fair share of the dark beauties, from the black-chinned hummingbird to the gloomy and doomy turkey vulture.

Blackbirds will be highlighted at the Free Fun Fest for Feathered Friends this Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Loft Cinema. The event is geared towards kids, but adults are more than welcome. See details below.

An awesome array of blackbirds around Tucson and Arizona can also be found at FireflyForest.net.

Some of my faves don’t live around here, but that doesn’t make them any less amazing.

Five best blackbirds (in no particular order):

Grackle – Loud, obnoxious and shriekingly annoying, these dudes are known for making a commotion. Males are black while females are a boring old brown and not quite as noisy. Some think the grackle is far more evil than the raven, but grackles prefer sitting on garbage cans rather than tombstones.

Raven – Nevermore. Ravens are associated with tombstones, death, ill omen and Edgar Allan Poe. I love them.

Sign o' the times/Ryn Gargulinski

Turkey vulture – Turkey vultures win your heart with their large, black, lush feathers, red-topped head and penchant for eating dead rotting things.

Crow – Crows have had a reverent place in my soul ever since throngs of them attacked our elementary school playground. One girl fell, screaming, and covered her head as if a tornado were coming. The crows commenced to stand around her in a circle and peck at any exposed flesh.

Black Phoebe – Never knew such a bird existed until I checked out the Arizona birds at the FireflyForest site. I adore the name, of course, which is the same as one of my dogs. Also bet this cute little feathered critter with a black head and white body barks a lot at a lot of nothing.

Freedom/Ryn Gargulinski

What: Free Fun Fest with Feathered Friends
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 – open 9:30 a.m.
Where: Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
More info: 309-5858
The event is presented by Opening Minds through the Arts Foundation and the Loft.
More on OMA: www.omafoundation.org

Event features free bird movies (no, not Alfred Hitchcock), free popcorn and free drawing lessons, to boot. Come early to see live birds on hand. Kids get to follow along the reading of Two Arizona Black Birds, written by the late Tucson veterinarian Milton Lipson and illustrated by David Fitzsimmons. Lispon’s wife, author and pediatrician Marilyn Heins, will be on hand as will Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons will show kids how to draw blackbirds. Ask him specifically how to draw a carrion-eating turkey vulture with extra carrion.

P.S. If you don’t eat the free popcorn, you can always smuggle it out to feed to the birds.

What do you think?

Do you adore blackbirds or find them evil?

Which blackbirds are your favorites? Your least favorite? Please explain.

Have you ever had your eyes gouged out by crows? Please send photos.

Since Halloween costumes are a hot and timely topic, let’s bring up the big question that may haunt some animal lovers every year:

Should pets don costumes for Halloween?

Dogs in drag?/Ryn Gargulinski

On the plus side, it’s cute as heck. Downright hilarious, in some cases. Anyone who has seen a daschund dressed as a hotdog, even though it’s cliché, or a kitty cat donning scuba gear knows what I mean.

Some pets actually revel in dressing up. We’ve all been amused by the fine duds donned by handsome pooch Scout and the tutu worn by Gidget, and the photos sent by owners who say their pets enjoy the attention. AZMouse’s dog Barnaby struts when he dresses sweaters.

Pets who dig donning duds will love the annual PetSmart Howl-o-ween costume contest. Contestants can show up from 6 to 8 p.m. at any PetSmart Tuesday, Oct. 20 (today!) for the pet parade and in store contest. Top winner gets a $20 gift card.

Pets who can’t make the in store contest have until Oct. 27 to submit a photo online by clicking here. Online winner gets a $150 PetSmart gift card.

Other pets are clearly miserable in costume. Those pets should be left alone. Folks should also consider the dark side of dressing up your pets before pulling them into a tutu.

Scout the biker/submitted photo

Dressing a pet in costume can confuse their fragile psyches. You can really screw up a cat by dressing him as a dog or a dog by dressing him as a cat. The latter may ignore you and stop following commands. The former may begin to chew on table legs and poop in the carpet.

It can also be hazardous. Please do not encase a pet’s head in a rubber mask. That’s like tying a plastic bag around the head of a baby. Also refrain from sequins, small buttons, rip-able ribbons and other tiny novelties that the pet can chew off and choke on.

Finally, it can stink. What happens when your costumed dog or cat decides he has to pee? Go for costumes that don’t impede the pet’s bodily functions.

Neither of my dogs is big on costumes, although Sawyer will tolerate hats, wigs and even the muumuu that ended up on my scarecrow if he knows he’ll be getting a treat.

Gidget does Swan Lake/submitted photo

What do you think?

Do your pets revel in costumes or run for the hills?

What’s the most ridiculous pet costume you’ve seen?

The terrible twosome’s wacky habits

Sawyer and his pet chicken (sorry, Lefty!)/Ryn Gargulinski

Sawyer’s latest fascination is with the stinky little woodchips around one of my backyard trees.

Well, he’s more than fascinated with them. He eats them.

He’s also been known to chow down on my grass seedlings, a raw chicken breast he snatched off the counter and a blackened piece of something that could have been a flattened lizard out on our dog walk.

Some may also remember the post about the missing cucumber and how it was found mutilated in Sawyer’s possession.

The worst, by far, were the river rocks in Oregon.

Sawyer scarfed down three of the things, one of which was about 3 inches long and lodged sideways blocking his intestine. The operation to remove it cost some $800.

Another dog needed surgery after eating 22 pounds of Astroturf. The pooch apparently liked the way it unraveled at the edges and ended up with a hunk of it in his stomach.

No operation – but plenty of prayers – were needed for the canine who knocked a peanut butter jar off the counter then proceeded to wolf it down, busted glass and all. Somehow it all passed through without a hitch.

Since the river rocks, I’d like to say Sawyer has been pickier about his eating habits. But he still mauled and digested part of a pair of shoes, one of my former cell phones, and has now moved on to the stinky little woodchips.

The terrible twosome’s wacky habits is a new feature that will highlight the strange habits of Ryn’s dogs Sawyer and Phoebe. If you have a strange pet habit to share, please e-mail to rynski@tucsoncitizen.com

Sawyer eating something that's actually edible/Ryn Gargulinski

What’s the weirdest thing your pet ever ate?

Did he or she need surgery to remove it?

We all know not to let the puppy play with the electrical cords – but there are many other dangers lurking around our homes that can really wreak havoc on our pets.

Below please find an A to Z list of some household pet dangers. While some may be obvious, others have only come to my attention through unpleasant experience, like Sawyer’s bout with rocks or Phoebe’s struggle with the dresser drawer pull.

Illustration Ryn Gargulinski

Astroturf – Since this stuff likes to unravel at the edges, it’s a great thing for pets to chew on, bat around or otherwise play with. That is until they get a great big ball of it in their stomach.

Bologna – Not sure if the actual meat substance of bologna can harm a pet, but that plastic rim that comes on many lunch meats can be a massive choking hazard.

Chocolate – Keep dogs, cats and ferrets away from those Hershey bars.

Dresser draw pulls – Phoebe found out the dangers of these firsthand when she got her collar caught on the pointy 1970s wooden pulls in the bedroom. Not to fret, she simply pulled and pulled until the handle ripped off and the drawer was left with two screw bottoms sticking out and no way to open it. Good doggie.

Elastic – Rubber bands, hair ties and other small pieces of the stuff may look like a great toy for your furry friend – until it’s ingested or choked on.

Floss – Cats, dogs and other critters may be fascinated by that fine stringy stuff you are supposed to rub between your teeth, but it can also choke them.

Grapes and raisins – Both contain a toxin that can be lethal to dogs.

Glue – Polyurethane glue especially can cause great damage to your furry friends. If they happen to chew into a bottle of it and swallow some, the stuff absorbs water, expands and forms a giant, hard lump in their stomachs that may require surgery to remove. Ouch.

Household garbage – Or any garbage. Filled with stuff ranging from moldy foods to bologna plastic, only bad things can result in your pet getting into the garbage.

Illustration Ryn Gargulinski

Isopropyl alcohol and its friends – Ethanol, methanol and even alcohol found in beverages can really do a doozy on your pet. And no, it’s not funny to get your puppy drunk.

Jack-in-the-Box – Steer clear of feeding fast food to your pets. Please.

Kalanchoe – Just one of a long list of household plants that can be toxic to pets – and even small children. See full list by clicking here.

Lilies, lily-of-the-valley and lily bulbs – When kitty eats a lily, kitty gets a damaged kidney.

Macadamia Nuts – Learned about this danger from a guy at Home Depot whose pit bull got sick from them. Ends up these nuts contain a toxin that can mess up a pet’s muscles and digestive system.

Microwave oven – Yes, this can be deadly. But only if you put Fluffy inside to dry her fur.

Nice smelling potpourri - Liquid potpourri, especially, can make a pet sick. Since some potpourri smells good enough for your pet to eat, he’ll try to. Some of these contain oils that can breed ulcers in an animal’s mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract. Stick to incense – just don’t let Sawyer chew the burning stick or leave the stick burning unattended so pets can knock it awry.

Onions and garlic – One pooch was rushed to an emergency vet during Passover, Good Housekeeping reports. Ends up the dog ate too much of grandma’s chopped liver that was rife with onions and garlic. Both can upset the digestive system and harm red blood cells.

Pennies – Most coins are just the right size to choke on, but pennies also contain zinc. Zinc in a pet’s stomach can end up with anemia and kidney problems. Pennies minted after 1982 are made almost entirely of zinc.

Quilts – These, and other cozy, wraparounds, may seem like the most harmless thing around. But if your pet rips one open and decides to chew up and swallow the stuffing, you’ve got yourself a sick friend. My former puppy Lulu did a number on all the living room pillows one day. Thankfully they were cheap pillows with stuffing chunks too big and hefty for her to swallow – that was also too big and hefty to be vacuumed.

Rocks – Sawyer’s rock experiment involved stomach surgery. He ate a handful of them, one of which was about three inches long that went down his throat OK but then lodged sideways and blocked the opening to his intestine.

Illustration Ryn Gargulinski

Sugar substitutes – Diet sodas, chewing gum, toothpaste and other foodstuffs that contain the sweetener Xylitol can cause liver damage and low blood sugar in dogs.

Toilet – Close that lid. In addition to the germs pets can pick up from licking the bowl, pet birds can fall in and drown. It’s bad feng shui to leave the lid open, anyway.

Ultra-fresh cleaners – Any cleaner poses a potential pet hazard, but those with pine oil are especially hazardous. Even a small amount of the fresh-smelling stuff can cause liver damage in cats.

Vacuum cleaners – Do not – repeat – do not use a vacuum to clean your pet’s fur.

Washing machine/dryer – See Microwave oven.

Walnuts – No chocolate-walnut Christmas cookies for Fido, please.

Xtermination supplies – These include insecticides, rat poison and rodent, roach and other traps of any sort. Ever see what happens when your cat gets into the glue trap? Hopefully you never will.

Yeast dough – At the very least, secure the yeast.

Zippers, thread, needles, sewing machines and other stitching items.

Sources: GoodHousekeeping.com, HealthyPet.com, Humane Society of the United States, past reading materials and experience, guy with pit bull at Home Depot.

Has your pet had a run in with any of the above?

What other pet hazards have you run across?

You can invest in tons of specialized equipment, tour guides and ghost finders to catch a glimpse of an otherworldly spirit.

Scaredy cat/Ryn Gargulinski

Or you can just get a pet.

No matter how domesticated our pets may be, they never lose their sense of being one with the energy around them, according to the site GlobalPsychics.com. Animals also lack all our distracting brain clutter.

Some ghosts also have a very strong odor that is easily picked up by our furry friends, the site adds.

Hence cats, dogs and other animals have the acute ability to see or sense things we may miss.

Just ask Sawyer.

When I first adopted him we lived in a haunted farmhouse that doubled as the oldest structure in Curry County, Oregon.

It had served as a wagon station, post office and home to many before it was rented to us.

Haunted farmhouse, Brookings Ore./Ryn Gargulinski

It also had a dead man in the attic. No, not rotting about, but in the form of his discontent and frustrated ghost.

The man had reportedly hung himself or was murdered.

The man screeched on our second day in the house, just as I was trying to nail a picture hook near the kitchen ceiling, right below the attic.

From that point on, Sawyer refused to leave the bedroom. He’d sit on the bed all day and had to go in and out through the bedroom window. No way would he walk through the house. He could jump out the window just fine, but I had to lift him up to hoist him back in.

He was still slender then, only about 65 pounds (he’s now up to 85).

Creepy bed in creepy attic/Ryn Gargulinski

Sawyer would also stare incessantly at the closet, which had no door. We would both cringe at the heavy footsteps we often heard from above.

Although he sorely misses the ocean, Sawyer was quite relieved when we moved to Tucson. He’s since taken over every home, thinking it absurd to remain only in the bedroom.

Sawyer has not spotted any ghosts in Tucson, at least none that I know of, although he does get weird sometimes. But I think that’s just because, ghosts or not, he is weird.

There are plenty of haunted areas in Tucson, with some ghost tours coming up from my favorite Tucson Ghost Girl, Rebecca Petithory-Hayes. Next one up is 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 18. Meet at Jacome Plaza. Click HERE for more details on her Facebook page.

Not sure if she allows pets, but I know Sawyer would not be happy on one of those things.

Pets were not allowed in the Whaley House, the most haunted house in America and inspiration for this post, and probably with good reason. Sawyer would have chewed up the antiques in terror. Phoebe would have just barked at anything, no matter what it was.

But I’m not sure what either would have done if they spied the ghost dog that roams the Whaley House, the family pet terrier that’s been spotted on the Whaley couple’s bed.

Maybe they’d try to chew it’s leg off and only get a mouthful of air.

Creepy window in creepy attic/Ryn Gargulinski

Has your pet ever spotted a ghost?

Where? What happened?

Did the animal want to learn more or cower in terror as Sawyer does?

Deserts and pets don’t mix, one of my friends would always say.

Sawyer after a day in the desert/Ryn Gargulinski

This same friend did happen to have a big, sweaty dog with fur so thick your hand would disappear when you pet him.

But my pal did have a point with the desert’s sweltering temperatures, blaring sun and poisonous critters as just some of the hazards.

Regardless, Tucson is still stocked with thousands of happy pets who enjoy a number of dog parks, pet-friendly stores and plenty of pet shops and services.

But we still missed the boat of the top 10 list of pet-friendly cities compiled by Rent.com. Maybe because we don’t really have boats, as some of their picks did.

In addition to boats, the gave other reasons behind its choices. Many made sense, but I will have to disagree with its number one pick.

Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities from Rent.com

New York City – What? Sure, it has dog parks – if you consider little fenced areas about the size of a nickel a dog park. But it also has loud, scary noises, cramped living quarters and way too much concrete.
The site put NYC as number one for Central Park and the huge amount of pet daycare centers. NYC is also rumored to have the most psychiatrists.

Chicago – The site liked the Windy City for its canine cruises and pet-friendly patio restaurants.

Boston – More pet cruises and the big Freedom Trail gave this city a top slot, as do dogs and cat allowed on the subway.

Houston – Grand selection of pet-friendly hotels and restaurants gave Houston a boost.

San Francisco – More pet-friendly restaurants and plenty of off-leash areas put San Fran up there, although the site didn’t mention anything about rollerblading down Lombard Street with your dog or cat.

Tucson ain't no San Francisco/Ryn Gargulinski

Austin – More cafes, off-leash parks and even doggie hotspots, like the Zilker Botanical Gardens and Congress Street Bats, helped Austin make the grade.

Washington, D.C. and suburban Alexandria, Va. – More stinkin’ restaurants and outdoor parks gave this area a slot.

Portland – A restaurant chain called Lucky Labrador and some outdoor attractions put this Oregon city with the cream of the crop.

Charleston – Pets are welcome on a number of historic tours, including ghost tours. Sawyer hates ghosts, especially the ones he’d spy on our haunted farmhouse, but the city gets a top slot anyway.

Ann Arbor – This home of the University of Michigan offer dog-friendly canoeing and other outdoor stuff, like a 123-acre botanical garden where dogs can romp (most likely on leash).

Water!/Ryn Gargulinski

What do you think?

Have you visited or lived in any of these places?

Would you agree they rate as the top 10 pet cities?

What other cities should rate in the top slots?