Ancient sea monsters & continuing beagle rescue

“Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James 

                                                                                          AMNH pic

For many of us, a summer afternoon is even better when an ocean is part of the picture too. But of course, oceans come with hazards way more serious than too many other people on the beach. For starters, think: sharks and other large marine creatures with variable attitudes toward humans.

And that suggests this question: which are you more scared of when you’re in the ocean: sharks or orcas (aka “killer whales”)? Or . . . (fill in the blank – if you can!) The answer will surprise you. https://tinyurl.com/4ym6x5nu

However, since sharks get the most “credit” for biting people, this clarification seems in order: Surprisingly enough, juvenile white sharks are responsible for most bites of humans, and that’s thought to happen because their eyesight is so comparatively bad, along with suspected color blindness! They can’t easily distinguish between “a swimming person, a paddling surfer or a meandering seal or sea lion.” https://tinyurl.com/yckncvht

However, if we were (admittedly very rare and short-lived) humans millions of years ago, we’d have a truly colossal reason to be terrified: megalodons, now described as “prehistoric megatooth sharks,” “the biggest sharks that ever lived” and “the biggest predatory fish of all time,” according to New York’s American Natural History Museum (amnh.org/exhibitions/sharks) and other sources.  

But we’re lucky today to be able to see enough of the fearful megalodon to feel a proper awe because the “Shark” exhibition at AMNH for the next year includes “dozens of life-size models [of ancient and modern sharks] ranging from 33 feet (you read it right!) to 5.5 inches long.”  https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/sharks (don’t miss the short video) and https://tinyurl.com/3sckhw9u

The second site above reports new findings based on 3-D computer modeling that suggest megalodons were in fact even bigger, faster and hungrier than believed till now. 

Two Princeton University researchers offer their take on megalodons in this video that provides the sea-setting for the prehistoric marine terrors – and a couple chuckles. https://tinyurl.com/2p82tmt5

Megalodon and shark fans in general still have more than a year to get to the museum for the shark exhibit.  https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit

To the rescue of 4,000 beagles

Simply watch this video about beagles being rescued from a hideous laboratory situation (one of many such sites in the US) and fall in love.  https://tinyurl.com/57bxth3x

Some 4,000 beagles – a breed widely known for friendly and trusting animals – are being removed from the site, tested and treated, and eventually adopted out to people eager to give them love, a home and a chance to be beagles.

No longer are they living in cages and destined to be subjects in animal experimentation.  Till now, they had neither toys nor names – just a number tattooed inside an ear – and no familiarity with sun, grass. . . or love.   

The Humane Society of the US was charged by the Dept. of Justice to free and care for the helpless dogs, with rescue groups and shelters around the country joining the effort.  Here are a few more links to some of those pitching in on the rescue.    

https://tinyurl.com/5c4ux2dr

https://tinyurl.com/2fy5wsy6

https://tinyurl.com/63tk3w9s

https://tinyurl.com/y6pp8wn5

One warning: Be careful! After seeing such beagle videos, you may go to great lengths to adopt one of these dear dogs! 

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