University of Arizona’s mascot Wilbur the Wildcat, who made his costumed debut back in 1959, will be celebrating his birthday during this weekend’s homecoming festivities.

Wilbur the Wildcat turns 50/submitted image

UA’s homecoming weekend runs Nov. 5 to 8 and includes the homecoming football game where the Arizona Wildcats face the Washington State Cougars. Click here for full schedule of events.

There was no mention if Wilbur would get a birthday cake – or carcass – but he’ll be dancing in style. That’s what mascots do.

The original UA mascot actually dates back to 1915, according to the UA website, when a real, live bobcat was used. His name was Rufus Arizona, in honor of UA President Rufus von KleinSmid.

Live bobcats were used for some time, until people got wise that the desert denizens may not be enjoying the games much, and the practice was discontinued in the mid-1960s.

But costumed Wilbur, who even has a wife named Wilma, has been prancing about ever since.

While mascots are necessary additions to any team, they can also be pretty creepy.

You never know who may be lurking beneath that costume – or if the person is wearing any clothes.

UA lucked out as Wilbur is actually quite keen, but other college teams are stuck with some disturbing mascots, as listed on Bofa D’s Guide to Strange College Mascots.

Bofa D did note that wildcats in general are lame, since so many teams have them. He said Kansas State and Northwestern both have wildcats, although they are of the purple variety. At least Wilbur isn’t purple.

Some of the creepiest college mascots include:

The bright green mean thing: A boll weevil wobbles around the field at the University of Arkansas Monticello.

The pale yellow fat thing: A banana slug slings its gut at UC Santa Cruz.

The goofy gross grey thing: A malformed elephant named Big Al lumbers about to cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

What do you think?

Is Wilbur the Wildcat the cat’s pajamas or a lame-o feline?

What would be an ideal mascot for any college team?

What is the coolest/creepiest mascot you recall?

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?

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?

Keeping a big black bear as a pet may seem neat-o-keen – but it can also be deadly.

Art and photo by Ryn Gargulinski

Pennsylvania woman Kelly Ann Walz, 37, found that out when she went to feed the family’s 350-pound bear, as she did every Sunday, and the bear decided to skip dinner and maul her to death instead, according to an AP report.

Other pet deaths have included an Ohio guy strangled to death by his pet python, according to a report on Mombu.com.

Ted Dres, 48, was found face down in the snake’s cage with the 13-foot reptile coiled around his neck. No further information was given on how that came to be.

Another fatality was an England lad bitten by his black widow spider named Bettina, according to England’s The Sun.

Mark Voegel, 30, reportedly lived in a flat where his pet reptiles roamed free and the more dangerous species, like Bettina, were kept in tanks. But the tanks’ heating elements exploded, kicking off the tanks’ lids.

Bettina, other spiders, and the termites the spiders eat for lunch, escaped and took over.

“It was like a horror movie. His corpse was over the sofa,” a police spokesman is quoted in the story as saying. “Giant webs draped him, spiders were all over him. They were coming out of his nose and his mouth….

“Larger pieces of flesh torn off by the lizards were scooped up and taken back to the webs of tarantulas and other bird-eating spiders.”

We need no more examples after that one.

So what’s the fascination with keeping pets that can kill you?

Art and photo by Ryn Gargulinski

Some may go for the status thing. Owning a deadly spider and man-mauling bear can be quite cool, no? It may also be a better babe magnet than a puppy.

Others may think they have that special animal connection, a bonding power that surpasses the beast’s wildest desires. “Oh, wild tigers may kill other people, but I have a special way with animals.”

Some pets, like the python, can be kept safely with a lot of caution and knowledge. But others, like the bear, may be a little tougher to contain if he decides he wants you for dinner.

Which brings us to the idiots. Even if keeping an exotic or potentially killer pet is not stupid, the way some people handle them are.

A pet, no matter the species, is still an animal.

Perhaps none of these deaths could have been avoided by smarter moves – but they could have been avoided by not keeping these creatures as pets in the first place.

What do you think?

Have you or someone you know been injured by an exotic pet or wild animal kept as a pet?

What’s the most dangerous pet you’ve ever kept? Yes, a chihuahua can be dangerous.

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?

Some may say the only good rat is a dead rat, but there are many reasons to be fond of the sneaky creatures.

A farmer holds a rat he caught as others march the streets on the first day of a month long rat killing campaign in Dhaka, Bangladesh/AP photo

They are smart, sweet, cuddly – and the domesticated versions make excellent pets. I have two as pets right now and once bred them while I served as New York chapter president of the Northeast Rat and Mouse Club.

As much as some of us may love rats, we would not appreciate thousands of them invading our homes. Heck, most of us wouldn’t stand for even a single rat invading our home. That pack rat that thrives in my backyard even tends to get on my nerves.

The problem is far worse than a single rat in Bangladesh, where throngs of the steely rodents are overtaking – and eating – the crops.

To help encourage people to kill the beasts, the government his kicked-off a month long rat slaying campaign and awarded the current top killer a gorgeous prize, according to an Associated Press report.

Mokhairul Islam, 40, won a first prize of a color television for killing some 83,450 rats in the past nine months in Gazipur district near the South Asian country’s capital, Dhaka. He collected their tails for proof.

“This is an exciting moment. I will continue to kill them,” he told AP in the story.

Although the farmer said he collected their tails for proof of his deed, the article did not say what he was going to do with the tails.

Macrame? Dental floss? Woven rat-tail baskets, anyone?

Fave rat illustration from book RATS INCREDIBLE/Ryn Gargulinski

What do you think?

Should the dude have gotten more than a 14-inch color TV for his stellar efforts?

Have you ever been invaded by rats?

Have you kept the domesticated version as pets?

Do you love them?

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?

As predicted, this weekend’s Tucson Reptile Show made me want to buy a snake. Or a tarantula. Or a skink I was planning to name Wanda.

Kids - and adults - got a kick of petting the croc and pals/Ryn Gargulinski

Common sense – and the desire not to clean another cage – kicked in and I instead opted for non-living souvenirs. These included a business card wallet made out of roadkill and the gift of a magenta, bejeweled chameleon pin (thanks, BB!).

The hundreds of other folks who flocked to Tucson’s Expo Center to saunter through the snakes, spiders and skinks did go home with plenty of living things.

Other highlights of the show included hands-on displays where kids got to romp with a croc and giant tortoises; Tiger Blood snow cones and a vast array of friendly and knowledgeable folks with equally friendly and breath-taking critters.

If you don’t believe me – or even if you do – check out the slide show below.

Slide 1 of 22.
Andrew Lewis makes a friend/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 2 of 22.
Bold and beautiful boa/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 3 of 22.
Pick a snake, any snake/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 4 of 22.
Buffet of snakes/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 5 of 22.
Cool cat/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 6 of 22.
Call on me, me, me/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 7 of 22.
Et tu, tegu?/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 8 of 22.
WHO are you lookin' at?/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 9 of 22.
He seeeeesssss you/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 10 of 22.
Ghostly ghost/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 11 of 22.
Pile o' pancake tortoises/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 12 of 22.
Rollickin' red bearded dragons/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 13 of 22.
Brock the iguana was a hit.../Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 14 of 22.
...and a ham/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 15 of 22.
Oodles of noodles/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 16 of 22.
Captive audience/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 17 of 22.
Hands-on croc and tortoises/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 18 of 22.
Not a reptile but a random kid with a cool hairstyle/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 19 of 22.
Albino beauty/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 20 of 22.
Dishes of scorpions and spiders for sale/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 21 of 22.
Snakes like head scarves, or at least this one did/Ryn Gargulinski
Slide 22 of 22.
The skink that was nearly called Wanda/Photo by L.A.

One more show highlight was the vast array of awesome tattoos, which will be posted as a slide show on Rynski’s Blogski later this week.

Dale Lindnes was selling wallets and other items made from roadkill skin/Ryn Gargulinski

Did you go to the reptile show? What was your highlight?

Did you buy a roadkill wallet?

Do you have a pet snake, skink or spider? What is the biggest joy it brings you?

Your pets can make a vacation truly special – or a living nightmare.

Canines carousing on the bay/Ryn Gargulinski

With proper preparation, you can insure the former, as was the recent San Diego jaunt with Sawyer and Phoebe.

Traveling with the pooches is grand, since you don’t have to worry what kind of trouble they are brewing in your absence. We also don’t have to fret that they will give us the cold shoulder upon our return.

When I went to Mexico last year without the hounds, Phoebe was overjoyed when I got back while Sawyer didn’t talk to me for at least a week.

Make your pet travel trouble-free with the following preparation:

Know their habits. If your dog constantly pukes in the car, even on a simple ride to the vet, you may want to reconsider your road trip. Either that, or get him something to soothe his tummy while he rides. Some dogs will also get antsy, refuse to eat or act strange in new surroundings. Know what is normal for your particular pet so you don’t freak out if he howls at the ocean.

Road warrior Phoebe/Ryn Gargulinski

Break often. Even if you are driving through the armpit of hell, like the rest stop we found near Yuma, get out of the car and let the pooch stretch his legs and do his duty. The bleakest, hottest and most disgusting rest stops, like another hell armpit in the middle of the sand dunes along Interstate 8, just make the dogs appreciate riding in an air-conditioned auto all the more.

Book lodgings in advance. Never show up somewhere and hope – or expect – there will be pet-friendly lodgings. Unless you have a mute dog that fits in your pocket you can’t really sneak dog into a room.

Pooped pooches after a day at the beach/Ryn Gargulinski

Make pet time part of the agenda. The dogs didn’t come along just so they could sit and whine in the hotel room. San Diego has Dog Beach, which ended up a daily destination. This strip of sea speckled with dogs of all shapes, sizes and temperaments was a great way to tire out the pooches so they didn’t mind snoozing indoors all evening while their people counterparts hit the town.

Use the little doorknob placard. Ask the hotel desk to give you that little thing you hang on your door to warn staff dogs are in the room. Make sure to put it with the RIGHT SIDE FACING OUTWARD so the maid doesn’t try to enter the room with Sawyer and Phoebe chomping at her feet, nearly giving her a heart attack (Sorry!).

Bring the necessities. Yes, toys, treats, water bowls, a favorite blanket and a cute bandanna in honor of Lefty may be on the list, but don’t forget your pet’s regular food so he doesn’t get an upset stomach eating something new. Also make sure all tags are current in case he runs off into the beach at sunset or, as Phoebe likes to do, takes off chasing a jackrabbit only to return when and if she’s good and ready. Don’t forget the leashes.

New friend at Dog Beach/Ryn Gargulinski

Know the area’s vets and hazards. Check out how pet friendly your destination city is, researching if pets are generally allowed in stores, outdoor cafes, parks and beaches. San Diego has Dog Beach, but it also has severe restrictions on taking dogs into other public beaches and parks. Note any heinous or poisonous creatures your dogs could encounter, like the rabid San Diego jackrabbits, and always have a number for a local 24-hour vet.

Take lots of photos. This way your pets will have fond memories to pass down to their grandkids. And you’ll also have a fine array of holiday card shots to send off come December.

Sawyer says swimming rocks/Ryn Gargulinski

Have you traveled with your pets? Where?

Was it grotesque or glorious? Did you ever have a pet travel disaster?

What other pet travel tips would you add?