Just Call Me Your Travel Guide

A few weeks ago, Hubby and I traveled with Son and Daughter-In-Law to spend a few days in a tropical paradise. And we didn't even need to leave the United States to do it.

On a dreary, chilly St. Louis Thursday morning, we hopped on a plane and flew to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Then we took off our jackets and rented a car, driving 3 and one half hours to arrive at our destination...Key West. At first I wasn't thrilled about such a long ride from the airport to our hotel, but then I realized the obvious. We were driving through the beautiful Florida Keys! A tough job, but we soldiered through it anyway.

What a place. Our hotel was a stone's throw from the ocean. It had stunning views with palm trees everywhere, a long boardwalk from which to view the sights, and best of all it was totally pet friendly. Each day an artist sculpted something interesting from sand for the guests to enjoy. This guy was my favorite:

Speaking of pet friendly, I think it's fair to say that pretty much all of Key West is pet friendly. People brought their pups to restaurants, bars, and shopping. In one restaurant I saw a cat napping in a comfy chair while the bartender's dog sat politely next to a bar stool and a customer's pup lounged beneath his table, perhaps waiting for a handout.

How about these cute boxer pups I discovered sitting outside a bar on Duval Street?

Nothing like a puppy fix to make a good day even better. But wait, there's more. Key West has chickens that roam pretty much wherever they want. Apparently the chickens belong to no one in particular, but everyone seems to love them. Unfortunately the chickens are a wee bit camera shy. You can see them fleeing from the photographer (aka me) below.

A huge boat race was going on that weekend and one night some of the enormous million-dollar boats were lined up on Duval Street for the fans to take a look. The streets were packed with people. I pointed out a man carrying a parrot and cockatoo. The next thing I knew...

What can I say? Proof that anything can happen.

This is your travel guide signing off until next time when I'll bring you more salty tales of Key West.

Thoughts on the Fourth

It's almost that time...bombs bursting in air, critters crying, No fair!

It's true I've gotten old, slightly neurotic and  more than a little cranky, but in my opinion, Fourth of July festivities are better observed from afar.

Unfortunately, my neighbors don't share that opinion. I've heard firecrackers and bottle rockets go off for several days now and expect the hoop-la-la to continue (with varying degrees of intensity) well beyond the upcoming weekend. Why is this a problem?

For one, Indy would rather sneak a pee on the floor than go outside in the middle of World War III. Though his hearing is now quite limited, it's apparently good enough to pick up the sounds of nearby explosions. He is not amused.

Bogey is less fireworks-challenged than Indy, although he does resent losing the entertainment provided by the birds and squirrels. You have to wonder what they must be thinking as they pack up their nests and skedaddle from the area huffing, "There go those humans again, blowing up the neighborhood. They sure can make property values go down in a hurry."

Fortunately, once things settle down they'll be back. And probably bring their friends, too.

Yes, we all have our methods of handling the Fourth. It looks like mine will include a bottle of professional strength Resolve and a great big sponge.

A Small Christmas "Tail"-Final

Alas, all things must come to an end. And so it is with this Small Christmas Tail...

A Small Christmas "Tail"-Final

When the Man opened the door to let him inside, Casey discovered a surprise. The living room was full of people. And since there wasn't a stranger among them, he didn't even need to bark once. He wagged his stubby tail and went from person to person, greeting each one in turn. Even the most insatiable attention seeker would be satisfied with the number of  pats and ear scratches he received. 


Then the Lady appeared carrying a huge tray filled with delicious smelling food. The air around it made his mouth water with the aroma of ham, turkey, sausage, and cheese. Casey sat as close to to the tray as possible, but knew better than to sneak a nibble. As usual, his patience paid off. He received a juicy morsel of ham from the Man which was so tasty, he swallowed it whole.

The entire room seemed filled with smiling faces. But contentment soon turned to excitement once the people began to exchange wrapped packages of all sizes and shapes. Casey watched paper drift to the floor as treasures were uncovered amidst exclamations of delight.

And then, the Lady held out a package for him!

She held it while Casey's teeth eagerly ripped paper off in bits and pieces until he discovered a fine new fleece toy. He mouthed it and was rewarded by a thrilling squeak. This prompted him to prance around the room, making it squeak with every step. The people laughed, so he ran three more laps before dropping the toy and smiling a doggy smile of his own. He couldn't remember when he'd had such a marvelous time.

Much later, after each guest had bundled up and left, Casey rested his muzzle on his new toy. The Lady and the Man sat close together, talking quietly while the fireplace snapped and crackled with warmth. Suddenly Casey lifted his head.

How silly to look for a single word to describe the meaning of Christmas. No doubt Christmas did include fun, sharing, home, and peace. But there was something else, too. He abandoned his toy and jumped on the couch to snuggle between the Man and the Lady. Casey pondered the evening's events until just the right word came to mind. And in his opinion, it was the best one of all.

Love.

Love is the meaning of Christmas. It's the thread that sews all the pieces together, neatly as his new fleece toy. He watched as Sasha stalked to the tree and batted an ornament. Yes, he decided, even love for a cantankerous cat is part of the magic of Christmas. And wouldn't it be perfect if that same magic filled every day of the year?

Casey yawned. He knew that to be a question for another day. And then, as the Lady gently stroked his head, the little dog fell asleep in the flickering light of the fire.

###

From all of us at Critter Alley, may this holiday season grant you fun, shared blessings, a happy home, peace, and love.

A Small Christmas "Tail"-5

Thanks again for the wonderful comments. We're approaching the end...

A Small Christmas "Tail"

The doe saw Casey and her eyes grew wide. She didn't move a muscle, as though frozen in place. Casey feared she might flee at any moment and tried to reassure her.


"Hello, ma'am. Don't worry. I'm only an ordinary little pup. I don't chase deer."

She seemed to relax a bit, yet prudently kept her distance as she spoke.

"Sorry. I'm still pretty skittish. Things have been so frightening in the woods. Thank heaven it's better now."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's finally Christmas. We look forward to it all year. Christmas is the time when the men with guns leave the woods and peace finally returns for us."

Casey's ears pricked forward.

"Are you saying that Christmas means peace?"

"For us it does. No more guns blazing. No more running for our lives. No more beloved friends that disappear forever."

The doe's eyes sparkled with liquid. Casey shook his head.

"That sounds terrible."

"Yes, indeed it is. That's why we're so fond of Christmas. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get home so my family doesn't worry."

And with that, the doe turned and bounded away through the trees. Casey listened until he could no longer hear the sound of her hooves drumming along the ground.

Puzzled, he tried to sort out his thoughts. So many different opinions. Did Christmas mean fun, sharing, home, or peace? It certainly wasn't an easy concept to pin down. A northern breeze ruffled his fur and Casey shivered. The sun had sunk low enough to make the air feel cooler even without the wind.  He longed for the warmth of home and the dinner that he knew awaited him.

A full stomach never failed to inspire. Perhaps he could figure out the meaning of Christmas later.

A Small Christmas "Tail"-4

Onward to Part 4...

A Small Christmas "Tail"

Casey loped out the door and felt only a little guilty at scattering the yard full of birds. No matter. He knew they'd be back just as soon as he went inside. Birds never let anything bother them for long.

As was his custom, Casey carefully marked the perimeter of the yard, which served to warn strangers not to trespass on his territory. He felt it only proper to avoid any unpleasantness by letting them know who was in charge. Once he finished that task, Casey raced to the farthest point of the yard which bordered a small lake. The water sparkled with golden pink sunlight.


Casey licked his lips. After so much hard work, a cool drink would certainly hit the spot. And as an added bonus, he didn't even need to worry about his feet getting muddy. The ground had been hard for weeks. Casey touched his muzzle to the surface and began to lap until he noticed a large gray fish swimming just beneath the surface. He lifted his head and nodded an amiable greeting.

The fish regarded him cautiously and then nodded in reply. Casey recalled how his people once talked about fish being brain food. That must mean fish were smart. As long as such an intelligent creature was handy, why not ask him about Christmas?

"Sir, do you happen to know anything about Christmas?"

The fish pursed his mouth and bubbles traveled from it to the surface. With each bursting bubble, Casey heard words that sloshed with every syllable.

"Of course I do. That's the time when humans drag green trees to the water and throw them in for us."

Casey pricked his ears forward and tilted his head to the side.

"But why would they do that?"

More bubbles drifted upward.

"It gives us a safe place to bring our young ones into the world. Christmas is about home."

Then the fish turned smoothly and with a flip of his tail glided away. Casey scratched a tickle behind his ear while he thought. Could Christmas be about home? The idea made him long for the warmth of the house, so he turned to trot back to the door.

But before he'd taken more than three steps, he noticed a beautiful doe move from the cover of trees to the lake.

A Small Christmas "Tail"-3

Thanks for all the kind comments. On to Part 3!

A Small Christmas "Tail"

The next afternoon, Casey jumped on the chair that his people kept by the window. He saw dozens of birds in the backyard. They hopped and scrabbled in the dirt, chattering merrily at each other. Soon a large Cardinal glided toward the window and perched on a feeder that sat nearby. He looked like a wise old bird, so Casey tapped the window politely with his paw.


"Excuse me, sir. I don't know anything about Christmas. Can you tell me what it means?"

The bird preened his brilliant red feathers and cocked his head to the side.

"Why certainly I can. The first thing to know about Christmas, is that when it arrives, so does cold weather. And for birds, cold weather means hunger. It's very hard to get food when the temperature drops."

The thought was alarming. Casey always looked forward to mealtimes, and certainly didn't like the idea of an empty bowl.

"So Christmas means going hungry?"

"Oh, no. Actually, quite the opposite."

The bird fixed his dark little eyes on Casey as he continued.

"At Christmas kind people remember us and put good things outside. Seeds, bread crumbs, corn...all sorts of delicious treats. And even after Christmas, most of them don't forget us, especially during the coldest times. Why, I don't know what we'd do without Christmas and the food people share with us."

The Cardinal fluffed himself up into a feathery ball and then flew away to join the other birds. Casey sat back on his haunches. Perhaps the Cardinal was right. Christmas must be about sharing. He jumped from the chair down to the floor and trotted toward the door. Though he wasn't looking forward to braving the cold, he barked obediently and waited. Nothing made a trip outside more urgent than lapping up a bowl full of water. And the Lady had no sense of humor about accidents.

A Small Christmas "Tail"-2

It was suggested that I modify the title slightly, lest someone determine Santa needs to bring me a dictionary!
Thanks for your comments...here comes Part 2.


A Small Christmas "Tail"

Sasha the cat had lived with the Man and the Lady for years. Due to her senior status, she considered herself the Queen of the house, and ruler over all less important beings. A mistress of slyness, the big calico liked to pester Casey by pouncing on his back while he napped. She also loved to swat him unmercifully until he finally chased her. Casey always tried to resist the chase, because whenever he gave in to temptation and ran after her, she'd swiftly jump on the countertop out of his reach and laugh. Though exceptionally annoying, Casey knew Sasha was also very smart.

He pattered over to where she slept on top of a thickly pillowed rocking chair, and growled a little to clear his throat. 

"Sasha, I have a question for you. Can you tell me what Christmas means?"

Sasha's tail twitched back and forth and she lazily opened one eye.

"Tsk, tsk. Pups don't know anything. Christmas is specifically created for cats. We get all sorts of special treats and catnip surprises. But best of all is the entertainment. That tree in the living room the Man and the Lady just put up belongs to me. I get to climb it, play with the hanging toys, and tunnel under the tree skirt. Oh, every year it's a complete delight.  And that, young man, is what Christmas is all about. It's about having fun."

Sasha closed the one eye she'd opened and promptly went back to sleep. Casey thought about what she said. His people certainly did seem to enjoy putting up the tree. Maybe Sasha was right. Maybe Christmas meant having fun. He glanced at the deceptively peaceful looking cat and then remembered how his face stung yesterday when she batted him with her front claws.

Perhaps it would be wise to get another opinion.

A Small Christmas Tail-Part 1

I penned a Christmas story as a way to celebrate the season.  Hope you enjoy!

A Small Christmas Tail


The front door swung open and the voices of the Lady and the Man filled the house. They spoke fast in a high-pitched way that brought a small brown rag-tag dog racing to discover what had happened. His ears perked to attention while his entire back end wriggled with the effort of wagging a stubby tail as hard as he could make it go. Crisp air whooshed inside as though seeking the room's cozy warmth. A strange object followed.

"Look out, Casey. We're coming through."

With the Man's words, the little dog did a stiff-legged dance backward without once taking his eyes off the sight of an enormous bristled stick that pushed into the room. A few needles fell softly to the floor, making an awful mess. Such things usually upset the Lady. But today, she only laughed.

The stick smelled of pine and dirt and outdoor scents that pulled Casey in closer for a more thorough inspection.

The Man inhaled deeply.

"Smells good, doesn't it?"

The Lady and the Man got the stick inside and then pushed it into a metal bowl that helped it stand upright. The top nearly reached the ceiling. Casey watched as the Man cut away a net that freed branches which dropped to the side. The stick began to look more and more like one of Casey's favorite outside trees. He buried his snout in one of the lowest branches. The Man was right. It smelled wonderful.

Then another strange thing happened. The Man and the Lady began to wrap wires around the tree. Then they plugged it into the wall and the whole thing began to glow brighter than the living room reading lamps. Even after that, they continued to put strange shaped items on the tree. The ones Casey could reach moved enticingly when he touched them, so he couldn't resist pulling one off to taste it.

"No, Casey," the Man's voice was stern, but he tempered his words by patting Casey's head.

"This is your first Christmas, so I know it's all new to you. The tree is to help us remember the Christmas season. But you mustn't touch it."

Casey's ears sank and he laid down to watch as the Lady and the Man put the final touches on the tree. They smiled and nodded as they gazed upon its splendor. Casey had to admit it looked nice and made a fine addition to the living room.

He began to wonder about the word, Christmas. What in the world did it mean? He hoped his people would say more about it. But instead of talking, they turned on the television to watch a program that featured one song after another. Casey jumped on the couch and nosed his head under the Lady's hand. She obliged him by smoothing the fur on his head.

"I just love Christmas," she sighed.

Christmas again. The more he heard, the more he wanted to understand it. Finally Casey decided there was only one thing to do. He'd ask those best known for their powers of observation.

His friends, the animals.

Fall Weekend

We had another terrific time at the river. The weather couldn't have been more perfect: sunny warm days coupled with crisply cool nights.

Leaves of gold, red, and yellow fluttered to the ground with every breeze, looking like large and colorful splotches of rain. Mother Nature has been busy spinning her magic.

The critters weren't idle, either. We saw an assortment of frogs. Heard the howls of coyotes. Were buzzed by a beautiful young eagle.

The smell of burning leaves gave a bittersweet reminder that summer is truly gone.  And as with so many other things in life, we say good-bye, savoring our memories while we look forward to what lies ahead.  A newly born season has arrived.

So welcome back, Fall.  It's good getting to know you again.

Celebrate Being Kind

Image from American Humane Association

Did you know May 2-8 is "Be Kind to Animals Week"? Established by the American Humane Association, it reminds us not only to be kind to our own critters, but to do a good deed for other animals, whether wild or domesticated. Perhaps you could volunteer for an organization that helps animals. Take pet food or towels to a shelter. Put out wild bird seed in frigid wintry weather. Of course, monetary donations to cash-strapped nonprofits are always welcome. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

So this week in particular, remember to pet your pup, kiss your kitty, and do something for animals who could use a helping paw.

Oh, and Happy Cinco de Mayo to you, too. Ole!

A Conversation

"Psst, Bogey."

"Yeah?"

"Do you know what month it is?"

"It's April, of course."

"But do you know what comes in April?"

"April showers?"

"Besides that."

"Umm. Let me confer with Mom."

-----Short intermission------

"Mom says it's Animal Cruelty Prevention Month."

"Do you know what does that means?"

"Not exactly."

"It means people need to step in when they see animals mistreated and do something about it."

"Like reporting it to the humane society?"

"Exactly."

"Give me the phone, Indy."

"Why do you need the phone?"

"I'm reporting Mom for putting these nail caps on me. I really don't like the color."

"That's not cruelty, Bogey. Would you rather she declawed you?"

"Declaw? Ummm, never mind."

*********

April is Animal Cruelty Prevention Month. Please remember to take a stand for critters.

They depend on us to speak out for them!

Black Bear Blues

Lily. Image credit North American Bear Center

Among the latest video crazes to hit the internet is the 24/7 recording of a female black bear called Lily, as she waits out winter in her den. It's her time to rest, living off the fat she's stored after a major summer/fall eating binge. Lily had to prepare for what's to come because black bears give birth during hibernation. And this well-watched Mama has entertained the world by doing just that.

Check out the webcam.

I'm sure the camera is catching information which will lead to a new understanding of black beardom. But I can't help feeling sorry for Lily during the process. Think about it.

Millions of viewers watched her every move as she went into labor. After delivering a single cub, the high-fives resounded. Never mind the tortuous birthing process which did not include one drop of anesthesia. Lily wasn't happy. It's been rumored that while giving birth she kept growling through clenched teeth, "He'd better not come near me again or so help me I'll...!". Ah-hem. You get the picture.

Meanwhile, viewers continue to watch while Lily nurses, cleans and otherwise cares for her naked, helpless newborn through numerous sleepless nights. No one brings her a midnight snack. No cubsitter pops into her by-now-very-untidy den to help out. There's no getaway night out with the girls. Nothing. Nada. Zero. Zip. Lily's on her own and she certainly has her paws full.

Never mind what the experts discover. I've already learned something from Lily's ordeal. It's the reason park officials warn us to be extra careful around bears after hibernation.

Because nothing can be more dangerous than a post-partum Mama.

Book Review-Soul of a Dog

Recently I read the book, "Soul of a Dog, Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm" by Jon Katz. Katz has published a number of non-fiction volumes, many of which are related to Bedlam Farm, his home in upstate New York, populated with dogs, cats, sheep, cows, donkeys, and chickens. As you can imagine, a menagerie such as this provides a virtual smorgasboard of material for a writer. Katz uses it well.

The book is set up as a collection of short stories that give an interesting read on their own. However, Katz goes one step further by discussing certain questions. Do animals have a conscience? Do they have a free will and reason? Do they have a soul?

While Katz may not have all the answers, he does know his way around a story. I loved hearing about Rose, his independent workaholic border collie. It's clear that Rose has a special place in the author's heart, and it doesn't take long to figure out why.

Then there's Lenore the Labrador's affectionate relationship with Brutus the ram. Unconventional to be sure, but strong and loving all the same.

It's actually hard to choose which story in the book I enjoyed most. Elvis the steer? Mother the cat? Henrietta the chicken? Suffice it to say that I got through the book very quickly, and enjoyed the read.

Don't expect to find ponderous philosophy here. But you will discover simple stories about animals that touch your heart...and your soul.

All Creatures Website

The All Creatures website seeks peace and understanding for all

A website called All Creatures and sponsored by the Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation is a virtual plethora of information related to all things animal.

A few of the many pages on the site include action alerts, stories, poetry, art, photos, campaigns, quotations, anti-cruelty messages....well you get the picture. The list goes on and on. You'd be hard pressed to find an animal topic that isn't covered.

So if you're looking for something to read this weekend, you may want to stop in and browse.

Enjoy and see you on Monday!

Who's Calling?

Are you interested in finding a truly unique ring tone for your cell phone?

How about some real critter sounds? Animal Planet has them for sale. The list of tones available for purchase (at $2.99 each) includes: cat meow, wolf howl, hyena, loon, chimpanzee, couger, dog, ducks, gibbons, gorilla, hawk, horse, bald eagle, elk, birds, frogs, dolphin, donkey, cows, rattlesnake, seagulls, sheep, squirrels, tiger, whale, and lion.

It sounds like the roll call of a virtual zoo, doesn't it?

I love the possibilities. Suppose you're at a work meeting where your pompous boss talks on and on ad nauseum. Suddenly your phone begins to bray like a donkey. You'd be the hero of the office! And the boss would say...well, never mind. Maybe you should have used that mute button.

Anyway, one thing's for sure. With animal sound ring tones, there'd be no mistaking your phone for that of anyone else!

What's In a Name?

Names, anyone?

The St. Louis Post Dispatch did a story on pet names today. I looked at their website edition and found a handy dandy tool that tracks names registered for pet licenses in this area between 2001 and 2007. The database contains about 150,000 names.

The cool part of this tool is that you can look up the top names, total names, or enter your own pet's name to see where it ranks in the metro area.

For example, I found the top 5 dog names to be: Max, Bailey, Buddy, Maggie, and Molly.

The top 5 cat names were Tiger, Tigger, Smokey, Kitty, and Max.

My critter names didn't even make the top 100. Indy came in at 359th, while Bogey's name fell even lower at 560th. Hey, don't worry, fur kids, that makes you even more "special" than you've already proven to be!

Have fun checking out your pet's name.

And by the way, this just might help you find the perfect moniker for that critter character in your next story!

Heavenly Questions

Image from Artistic Threadworks

Do animals go to heaven?

I'm sure anyone who has loved and lost a pet has considered this question.

There are some who argue most effectively that they do. There are others that argue quite vehemently that they do not.

The only thing we know for sure is that none of us knows for sure. We each can only have an opinion on the matter.

For me, I can't imagine that God would create creatures, charge us to care for them, allow us to become attached and yes, even love them, and not let us see them again in whatever form He chooses in heaven.

After all, isn't heaven a place of happiness and joy? And aren't animals a large part of providing happiness and joy for humans? If so, how could they not be a part of our afterlife?

Nowhere in the Bible do I read that God only cares for humans. It does say that "His eye is on the sparrow". In fact, the Book of Job tells us, "...the soul of every living thing is in the hand of God."

I believe that animals, even as they have a place in creation, also have a place in heaven.

And I'm not alone. Here are a few observations from far greater thinkers than me.

"Be comforted little dog, thou too in the Resurrection shall have a tail of gold."--Martin Luther

"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there before any of us."--Robert Louis Stevenson

"Shall we, because we walk on our hind feet, assume to ourselves only the privilege of imperishability?"--George Eliot

"I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness in heaven. If it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there." The Rev. Billy Graham

My friend, Peggy, sent me information on some thoughts regarding this issue in a devotional by John Lawler. I think he expresses the belief of most critter lovers quite well.

Questions, Anyone?

My able assistant, Indy, gives me a hand, er...muzzle

After checking a story on Snopes the other day, I went back to look around some more. It's been a while since I visited their site and forgot how interesting it is to browse.

If you have a question on just about any kind of rumor or story, chances are good that Snopes has checked it out.

I noticed that they have a special section called "Critters". Of course, I love the name. But be forewarned: some of the content is a bit horrifying. I suppose that's the nature of rumors. You just don't get too many cheerful ones. So if you're looking to while away some time, visit Snopes.

It just might answer some of your most burning, terrible questions!

Most Intelligent Animals

Dr. Jane Goodall

An animal behaviorist known the world over for her research on chimpanzee behavior is Dr. Jane Goodall. She's spent a lifetime studying animals and is one of the foremost authorities in conservation and environmental issues. Jane will be 75 on April 3, and still actively pursues her passion. She'll be in St. Louis to lecture at Washington University this month, but alas, I have no ticket to attend!

Last year Jane did an article for USA Today where she chooses what she believes to be the five most intelligent animals in the world. Her list includes the following:

1. Great Apes
2. Whales and dolphins
3. Elephants
4. Parrots
5. Dogs and cats

Her explanation and a couple of short videos are truly must-sees. Check out the post on village of joy.

I especially love the parrot video. Is he smart or what?

Number 4 Faves

Mutts by Patrick McDonnell

Mutts by Patrick McDonnell is different from many of today's strips. His artwork is reminiscent of the early days of cartoon comics. And what's not to love about this sweet, simple strip that gently reminds us animals are as much a part of creation as we, and just as deserving of respect and love. The main characters are a dog named Earl and a cat named Mooch. They have a droll way of looking at the world.

There are a couple of things I particularly love about McDonnell's work. He has an ongoing story line about a dog kept as a guard dog, who lives his life outside on a chain. McDonnell promises fans he'll free him one day, but not before he gets out the message about the cruel practice of chaining dogs.

Another story line that McDonnell uses is the message of adopting pets from shelters. He has done numerous poignant strips about abandoned animals and what they may think and feel, yet he handles these sensitive issues with tact, and a subtle sense of humor. As you might imagine, animal welfare groups adore Patrick McDonnell.

Therefore my number 4 faves are Earl and Mooch, stars of the comic strip, Mutts.