Skilled squirrels, beloved elephant, cosmetic ‘testers’ & a cat hearing aide

             Acrobatic fox squirrel           Judy Jinn pic

It’s the dog days of summer – had you guessed it? – and periodicals are filled with advice for  “how to beat the heat” and “how to motivate yourself to work” . . . when you feel much more like napping or reading a novel by the pool.  Here’s a “dog days collection” of animal stories: oldies but goodies, happy and sad.  

Let’s start with a favorite (for me, anyway) neighborhood animal: squirrels.  It turns out that besides all their other sterling qualities, squirrels are notably acrobatic. 

Researchers at a California university studied wild fox squirrels to understand decision making, learning and creativity in the context of physical challenges.  Their being just as smart as they are athletic had made squirrels the easy choice.

They handily showed their adaptive ability to jump along varied perches (artificial branches, sometimes secretly changed by researchers for greater challenge), to adjust their leaps at midpoint for more or less speed and to learn from their mistakes, self-correcting on their landings.

It quickly became clear that squirrels consider the stiffness of the launching branch (for a stable takeoff) of greatest importance.   https://tinyurl.com/9vmd8jtc

Maggie: RIP

                                   Maggie                     PAWS pic          

Around 15 years ago, I started hearing about an African elephant confined in an Alaskan zoo.  On top of that climate, ridiculous for any elephant, Maggie had also lived alone there for the last 10 years.  (Let’s see, how many humane principles have already been violated here. . . ).

Born and captured as a calf in Zimbabwe, she then spent 24 years in the zoo.  Her plight came to the attention of caring and persistent people who worked to get her out of there.  It took them years to do so.  I know because I did what little I could to persuade “the powers that be” to free Maggie.

Finally, she was flown to a California sanctuary where she lived for nearly 14 years with other elephants (and bears and big cats) who had also been rescued from inhumane living conditions.  Her move introduced me to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), an organization easy to admire because of Maggie and all the other animals it had saved.

Since then, PAWS communications have often included news of Maggie settling in, making elephant friends and – finally – living the good life in an appropriate “wide open spaces” habitat, with medical care as needed and love all the time.

Maggie died earlier this week, with special elephant friend Lulu at her side.  She was 41. https://tinyurl.com/2hkfv8x6

It seems fitting that next Thursday, Aug. 12, is World Elephant Day.  

Ralph: 1 of many

                                              Ralph                     HSI pic                     

Animals suffering and in need include their myriad numbers used in testing cosmetics for humans. That’s right: needless, frivolous cosmetics!  Rabbits are among the animals who are involuntarily involved in this cruel “science,” and they suffer mightily, often dying from their “life style.”  

Recent efforts to remind people about this horrific practice took the form of a short film about “Ralph,” a “tester” rabbit who describes his “job.”  I had missed it till now – but I don’t want you to miss it: https://www.hsi.org/saveralphmovie/

Ahoy, matey!  

Cats have long been common on ships, often serving as “mousers” and diverting company for the crew. But one nautical feline in the news is a handsome polydactyl who serves as ears for his deaf captain, Paul Thompson.

                         Scatty's fancy footwork                       Thompson pic              

“Scatty,” a young Maine Coon – the breed Thompson long aspired to sail with on “La Chica,” the 32-foot sailboat he built – has earned his sea legs atop his wide, extra-toed paws.  So far, there’s been only one “Cat overboard!” which Thompson handled with the fishing net he keeps on hand for that purpose.

To get his captain’s attention, Scatty has only to put a paw on Thompson’s knee for Thompson to rise and follow his crew member to the visitor at the door or the boat pulling up alongside.  

Thompson plans a round-the-world sail with Scatty.  What a team.    https://tinyurl.com/3accprws

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