Tag: phoebe
by Rynski on Nov.17, 2009, under animals, cats, dogs, events, life, pet events, pet products, pets
Tucson’s biggest pet party needs your help
Tucson’s – and Arizona’s – biggest pet party is heading our way in February, but now is the time to get on the bandwagon.
Sawyer and Phoebe discuss if they want to volunteer or rent a booth/Ryn Gargulinski
The Arizona Animal Fair, an annual free event for people and pets, is hitting Reid Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20.
Hosted by SAFE, or Saving Animals From Euthanasia, the fair is billed as the largest event of its kind in the state and one of the largest in the whole Southwest.
Demonstrations, doggie dancing, pet psychics and photography meet with food, live music, low-cost vaccinations and mircochipping for a festive and fabulous event.
Don’t miss the petting area, which will feature horses, burros, llamas and even potbellied pigs. I want to pet a llama.
Want to do more than just show up?
Volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors and vendors are wanted.
Volunteer – More than 100 big-hearted animal lovers are needed to help make the fair happen. Volunteering can be as simple as helping to set up or as elaborate as helping to coordinate the event in progress.
Sponsor – Spend as little as $25 – or as much as $10,000 – to sponsor the event. Sponsorship will not only give you a cozy feeling that you are helping the fair happen, but you’ll also get your business’s name out in front of some 8,000 folks expected to attend the event.
Exhibitor/vendors – Got art? Food? Schmancy collars and leashes? A non-profit that caters to animals? Booths are available for a variety of prices, depending on the organization, and grants from SAFE are even available for qualifying non-profits. Application deadline is Jan. 23, space permitting, and a host of folks have already signed up. These include Doggie Diva Pet Care, Protect Police K-9s, Cause for Paws and dozens of others.
All proceeds from the event go to help the animal rescue community.
For more information or to download vendor and other applications, visit AZAnimalFair.com.
Folks can also call Roxanne at CatScratch Events 275-0445 or e-mail roxanne@azanimalfair.com.
Have you been this annual event?
What’s your favorite part of it?
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?
by Rynski on Nov.10, 2009, under animals, dogs, events, life, pet events, pets
VIDEO, slide show: Greyhound fundraiser gives every dog his day
Local canine celebrity Scout ran away with part of the show, but every dog had his or her day at Saturday’s Arizona Greyhound Rescue’s Greyhounds & Friends Fall Festival Fundraiser.
Photo Ryn Gargulinski
Deb Ross’s dog Scout sauntered away with top honors in the best trick and human/pet lookalike contests, but others were not far behind with their howling good looks and feisty antics.
Alexis Pate, 6, also proved herself quite the dog biscuit baker with her prize-winning doggie quiche.
Folks had a chance to schmooze with the gentle greyhounds, many of which were up for adoption. Contact AGR if you can give one these fabulous pooches an equally fabulous home.
Also enjoy the slide show below and the video of Scout’s winning trick, where he dies after being shot, but gets CPR from Ross in the hopes to revive him.
Please note: Video quality suffers due to the high compression necessary to currently view videos on this site.
A big thank you to everyone who dedicated time, effort and resources to make this event possible. And thanks again for asking me to be a judge. Now I’ve got one more honor on my resume.
Are you a greyhound fan?
What’s your favorite breed of dog?
Do you and your pooch have matching Hawaiian shirts?
by Rynski on Oct.22, 2009, under animals, birds, dogs, life, pets, terrible twosome wacky habits, wildlife
Phoebe and the grass seed
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?
by Rynski on Oct.21, 2009, under animals, birds, events, life, wildlife
Behold the beauteous blackbirds – and free bird event Saturday
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.
by Rynski on Oct.20, 2009, under animals, birds, cats, dogs, events, life, lizards, pet dangers, pet events, pet products, pets
Pet costume contest comes with haunting question
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?
by Rynski on Oct.07, 2009, under animals, birds, cats, dogs, health, pet dangers, terrible twosome wacky habits
The strange things our pets will eat
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?
by Rynski on Sep.28, 2009, under animals, life, lizards
The horrific plight of the ugly green caterpillar
Those fat, green caterpillars that squirm all over Tucson yards really have it bad.
Phoebe torturing a hornworm/Ryn Garguilnski
Also known as tomato hornworms, these creepy creatures grow up to 4 inches long and about the width of a thick piece of ziti, making it tough for them to hide.
Hence they are preyed upon by parasitic wasps, hungry lizards and my dog Phoebe.
Phoebe likes to puncture them with her teeth then leave them to ooze and die.
As if all this is not horrific enough, I accidentally found a way to make these creatures’ lives even more miserable.
Before I continue, I must warn you this story is gross – even for me.
In fact, I won’t be able to eat thick pasta for quite some time, thanks to one of these hornworms that had a really bad morning.
Since I am decidedly not a fan of these squirmy beasts, I was ecstatic to see a lizard in my backyard trying to shove one of these fat things down his teeny lizard throat.
I ran to get a camera to record this hilarious scene, but my sudden movement scared the lizard off to behind some backyard artwork.
The caterpillar still lay there, writhing, so I thought I’d do the lizard a favor and throw the thing over to the artwork where I saw the scaly critter was hiding.
I couldn’t have asked for a worse shot.
The murderous agave spike/Ryn Gargulinski
Rather than landing gently at the lizard’s toes, the worm made a perfect arc in the air – only to plop down on the spike of one of my agave plants.
The agave spike sliced cleanly through the center of the fatty beast, sticking out the other side, as the worm wriggled and writhed with his guts bubbling and dripping down the side of the plant.
It reminded me of those scenes in horror movies where people fall several floors out the side of a building only to plunk down on a spiked fence.
Since I couldn’t leave that monstrosity spiked to the agave, I knocked it asunder with a hand trowel in the general direction of the lizard. Miraculously, the lizard was still interested and began to dine anew.
Until Phoebe came charging out her doggie door and scared him away for good.
The tomato hornworm/caterpillar lived for a few more milliseconds then rolled up and died.
Although dead, the worm was gone the next morning. And I really don’t care where it went. As long as it’s not suspended and oozing down my agave.
Hornworm after the spike/Ryn Gargulinski
Have you had a run in with these tomato hornworms/caterpillars?
What happened?
Do you see any redeeming qualities in these things?
by Rynski on Sep.24, 2009, under animal cruelty, animals, birds, cats, dogs, frogs, goats, life, lizards, pet dangers, pets, reptiles
Pet dangers A to Z
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?
by Rynski on Sep.23, 2009, under animals, dogs, life
Is your dog one of the top 10 smartest breeds in the world?
All dog owners think their own pooch is the coolest, finest and most gorgeous dog in the world – but are they the smartest?
Sawyer, Phoebe and I took a gander at the top 10 smartest dogs in the world, as listed by PetMedsOnline.com, and I would say it sounds good to me.
Sawyer is smart enough to steal my slippers/Ryn Gargulinski
Sawyer and Phoebe, however, think the smartest dogs are those that are mixed breeds, like themselves, but they said I could post the list anyway.
Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds in the World
1. Border Collie – Tops other breeds in agility and obedience (unless yours chews up your carpet pads). Very active, fun and so gosh darn cute. Hi, Cooper!
2. Poodle – Easy to train, pleasant demeanor. I recall one owned by a Brooklyn magician named Champ the Wonderdog.
3. German Shepherd – Rin Tin Tin!
4. Golden Retriever – This dog gets on every top 10 list: most affectionate, best family dog, most popular, etc., etc., etc.
5. Doberman Pinscher – Protective, fearless, gorgeous as a fashion model.
5 ½. The Sawyer – I’m kidding. Just seeing if you’re paying attention.
6. Shetland Sheepdog – Sometimes wary of strangers but devoted to their masters.
7. Labrador Retriever – One of the top family dogs (after the Golden Retriever, of course).
Cute, cool and o-so-friendly.
8. The Papillon – Easy to train, affectionate, awesome puffy ears which leads to them being named the French word for butterfly.
9. Rottweiler – Courageous, reliable and fun to scare neighbors with. If I didn’t have a Sawyer/Phoebe I’d love to have a Rottweiler.
10. Australian Cattle Dog – Love to herd, play and be very active, both physically and mentally.
What do you think? Do you agree with the list?
Have you ever met a dumb Doberman or idiot Poodle?
Is your dog smarter than all these combined? Please explain.
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