The bugs who came in from the cold & other animals

It started with a very visible spotted red ladybug, who somehow found her way into my bathroom and hid whenever I tried to catch her and take her back outside.  This went on for a few days till I could gently capture her and place her on a nice bush in front.

She and her kin – some 5,000 “lady beetle” or “ladybird” species in the world -- eat aphids and other plant-eating pests during their lifespan of 2-3 years in the wild.  (I hope she’s hard at work right now!)

Then, 3 identical unidentifiable beetles hung out between screen and window till we could reach and carry them outside.  And finally, various spiders who seem never to tire of visiting.

Take a dog home!

Buster

It’s still Adopt a Shelter Dog (ASDM) month – so please do!  Help the shelter of your choice free up more space by freeing a dog now waiting there for you.  S/he will love you for that, and in doing a merciful thing, you’ll make a friend for life.  You can’t have too many of them.

‘Bleat’ time 

The October issue of ‘Bleat,’ the newsletter all about deer, is out, so you can once again learn more about one of this state’s most threatened animals: our white-tailed deer.

If you don’t know why acorns are the food of choice for deer and other animals; or how to save wildlife from being trapped by soccer nets; or why you should “leave  the leaf litter” when you clean up your garden; or how to decorate pumpkins a la deer . . . and much more, use this link to reach “Bleat," and then, if necessary, scroll for this month's

issue.  (Btw, “bleat” is the sound a baby deer makes to call mom.)  https://conta.cc/3zN8Abg. 

Animal departures

Two sad deaths – one, the last of a species -- were reported in recent news.

·       Ndakasi, a beloved mountain gorilla orphaned at 2 months of age, died at 14 last month in the Democratic republic of Congo.  She was rescued after massacres of gorilla families that killed her mother, and she grew up with Andre Bauma as her caretaker and keeper.  “We shared the same bed, I played with her, I fed her,” he said.  “I can say I am her mother.”  Ndakasi died in his arms.     https://tinyurl.com/rcbame6b

The ivory-billed woodpecker, last seen in 1944, has been officially declared extinct.  It happened after a flurry of worldwide excitement over a 2005 report of a sighting that ultimately proved to be a false alarm. 

This was an example of “existence value,” an “economic term for the satisfaction that people feel from knowing that something important to them continues to exist.”

Ivory-billed woodpecker

But that’s not all: numerous other species have also already been lost in this Anthropocene era, considered to be the Earth’s sixth major extinction. “According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, we are losing plants, birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks and mammals.”

The question is whether humans will resolve to save disappearing species through much more concerted action than has occurred till now. https://tinyurl.com/z3tb3z8x

Friend past the end

There’s one more story to tell about Maggie, the African elephant who died last August at 41.  Yes, she died peacefully “underneath her favorite shady oak tree and near her best loved mudholes” at PAWS, the California sanctuary.

But the most touching part of Maggie’s story is about her closest elephant friend, Lulu.  The 2 refused to be apart; everywhere one went, the other did too.  “In fact,” PAWS reported, “Lulu stayed at Maggie’s side long after she had passed, unwilling to leave her friend until she was ready.”

Lulu & Maggie

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Please comment at 1moreonce.blogspot.com.

 

 

 

 

Giving voice to homeless dogs’ need: adopt!

Trenton Animal Shelter

October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month” —and if Betsy, Marley and Serena could, they would say the same thing.  Shelters are not homes, no matter how good they may be.  They are way stations for homeless animals who need homes . . . like the 3 dogs mentioned above – and about 30 others, all living in the Trenton Animal Shelter (TAS) or under its purview with fosters.

                                                       Betsy                                                   

Dogs in shelters have food and water, and medical attention, toys and walks if they’re lucky.  Staff, volunteers and visitors may even lavish love on them, but that love isn’t permanent.  Shelter dogs simply don’t have the security and comfort of a loving home where they’re part of a caring family.  

“Home is where the heart is” may be a cliché, but at its best, it’s also true.  A stable home gives a dog the chance to be all s/he can be: healthy, playful, energetic, loving, trusting.  Shelter dogs often experience positive personality and behavioral changes once they’re out of the shelter.

Now managed by Trenton Animals Rock, the Trenton Animal Shelter is open to the public by appointment Monday-Friday 11-7 and Saturday 11-3.  Adoptable dogs in shelter and foster can be seen on Petfinder, along with pictures of each one, and info like age, breed, back story, temperament, health, adoption fee.

Marley

Here’s how to reach the Trenton Animals Rock (TAR) gallery of adoptable dogs: Go to tarnj.org, which takes you to Petfinder.  In the top-right corner, click on “View Our Pets,” then click on the image of any dog for additional images.  Finally, scroll down to read about the dog.  

Thanks to a TAR volunteer, here are descriptions of the 3 dogs mentioned above.  

Betsy -- She has had a tough time adjusting to the shelter.  Surrendered by her owner, she’s scared and confused, and cries in her kennel all day.  She had mange when she was surrendered and she has had at least one litter of puppies.  When out of her kennel, Betsy’s whole demeanor changes.  She becomes very playful and even has a favorite ball she likes to chase after!  She’s a very sweet dog who loves to be petted and cuddled.  She loves people and has been gentle with all the volunteers.  Betsy knows basic commands, is housebroken and walks nicely on a leash.  She’s 3 years old, about 45 pounds and dog-friendly.  She’d be fine to be in a home with children and also a great dog for a first-time pet owner. 

Marley -- This poor 8-year old guy lost his home when his owner became ill.  For months, he has been living with the coolest foster parents who adore him, but there is a small problem: CATS!  He likes them just a little too much!  Marley needs a home without cats so he can just be the big loving guy he wants to be.  He has a pretty funny personality -- he LOVES wearing his raincoat on walks!  He’s low-energy and happy with a few short walks a day.  He has moments of playfulness when his foster dad comes home from work, then it's right back to his favorite spot on the couch.  Due to Marley’s size and limited history, we recommend a home with children over 12. 

           Serena                             TAR images

Serena -- This beautiful girl came to the shelter in bad condition.  She was skinny, weak and covered with a skin disease.  After being hospitalized for a few days, she went to a foster home to start a feeding schedule to gain weight.  Now, Serena’s coming out of her shell: she loves cuddles and kisses and TREATS!  She is also just figuring out that she can bark and it's adorable; she’s pretty much learning to be a dog again!  Serena should keep gaining weight till about 50-60 pounds.  We believe she's about 2-5 years old.  In good health now, she’s up to date on all shots, housebroken and spayed. 

Just think: in adopting a shelter dog, you become an animal rescuer, you gain a new best friend and you make room in the shelter for another dog needing a home.  And, adopting this month gives your new family member time to adjust and enjoy being home for the holidays!  

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      The Trenton Animal Shelter is on Escher St. next to the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). 

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Please comment at 1moreonce.blogspot.com – and tell us if you’ve adopted a dog this month, or plan to!