Category Archives: Animals
2.20.12 Fear and Loathing
Sometimes things in life can be very scary. Whether you are a dog or a cat or a human, sometimes you just come upon a place you don’t want to venture into, or hear a sound that makes you jump, or you just feel that something weird is in the air and it makes your hair stand up. I try to respect the ‘scaries.’ Now I know that my animals have a different sense of the scaries than I do. I am afraid of ballons, they do not seem to mind them. They are afraid of the vaccuum, me, no so much. I do find it interesting what makes the ruff on the backs of their necks stand up. I am not sure if that is a response to fear or for protection (or maybe both). I know sometimes the cats will run into a room, jump in the air, and high tail it out of there like something was on fire. Not always sure what spooks these guys, Sofie seems to spook really easy lately. The slightest noise gets her barking her head off. But, I really hate when the animals get the ‘hebbie-gebbies.’ When they get anxious, for what seems like no reason, barking at something I can no see, or Lulu moves away and cowers, then I start to get concern, and wonder what my human sense is missing that their animal sense is zeroing in on. This is making me think about the things that they are afraid of and the why. Louise, is fearful of new people and new animals. Tail will go down, hackles will go up. She will bark and show fearful behaviors so I do my best to be between her and her fear factor until she can get calm. I think it takes a long time to manage fears internally, so I do my best to stay with her through it and make sure she knows she is safe with me. I never force her into situations if she does not want to try it (except the Vet). Sometimes, she is just afraid of something she sees in the shadows (that I just don’t see) and she will jump in the air or bolt (pulling the lease out of my hand kind of bolting) and I do not know why. Sofie loathes white trash bags and will squirm out of the kitchen when I am putting a new one in the garbage can. In general, I have not found Sofie to be afraid of much else except the vacuum monster (or me leaving, but is that fear?). Me, one of my largest fears is the yard gate being open without me knowing and something happening to these 2 silly mutts in the street. The cats are afraid of getting eaten by the dogs (which is unfounded in the house but still a good natural response). Fear is a very health response and keeps us safe if managed. I try really hard to personally embrace my fears and listen to the animals about theirs. Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
2.15.12 Fairy Penguins and Koala Bears
On this cold morning, I thought I would go to somewhere warm. So, let’s go to Australia (where the season is opposite of me: I am north and it is winter and there it is summer). In January 2010 I took a business trip to Australia and I made sure to experience some of the local wildlife (crazy to go that far if you are not going to see those things that you can not see anywhere else.)
On Phillip Island, southeast of Melbourne, I had the opportunity to experience the littlest penguins in the world, the Fairy (or Blue) Penguin, which can only be found in Australia or New Zealand. A viewing area had been set up at the Phillip Island Nature Park to allow visitors to view the nightly “penguin parade.” There were lights and concrete stands for viewing. It was really cold when the sun went down, but after dusk, one my one, and then in small groups, the penguins came on land. Because they are so little, and lots of things want to eat them, they only come on land in the dark (which makes sense to me). They scurried along beside the fenced in area to get to their burrows in the rocky cliffs, and I was told, that some of them walk up to a mile to their little homes. For more info you can go to: http://www.squidoo.com/fairypenguins
I also got to meet some very tired Koala bears. It was the middle of the day, so they were taking their naps. They were very big, so do not let these pictures fool you. Koala’s are not actually bears at all but related to the Kangaroo. If you want to see them in action go here: http://www.koalaexpress.com.au/facts1.htm
I was kind of sad because I did not see any Kangaroos, but just as I was leaving the area, a few 
Wallabies came by and I did get to snap a few shots. It was so excited. They looked like Kangaroos so that was good enough for me.
Can you find the Joeys jumping?
I love to see things that you can not find in your own area. This was such a magical experience. I am hoping at some point to be able to return and maybe get to the Great Barrier Reef. That was on the other side of the country, so there was no time. I am feeling warmer now that I have taken you to the wonderful land of Australia. The dogs would not have liked the Wallabies, I don’t think, since they jump so high, and I hear they kick too. Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo. ❤
DogDaz Zoo 