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debelice

Whale Shark Gliding Through Bioluminiscent Algae _ Mike Nulty

friendly-neighborhood-patriarch

SPACE SHARK

nebulations

[ID: A silent black and white video showing a whale shark swimming through black water studded with small dots of white, or bioluminescent algae. Combined with the white spots along the whale shark's entire back, the video gives the strong impression that the shark is a being swimming through space. End ID]

seraphica

“Reconsidering The Pigeon” - photographs by Leila Jeffreys [via]

homunculus-argument

character in a movie: Oh no, angry dog, please don’t bite me!

the dog: I’m at work! I’m doing so good at being at work! I’m barking because my handler gave the sign ‘bark’! I am going to get such a good grade in being a dog actor, which is completely possible to achieve, and normal to want! I am doing a great job! I am proud of myself for doing such a great job! I love this, because I’d make it physically impossible to get anything done if I wasn’t enjoying it! I’m barking!

sindri42

I love seeing dogs and wolves in movies because they’re acting so vicious but also their tails are wagging so hard unless the post-processing guys specifically edited out the tails (which is slightly less obvious but also hilarious in a different way once you spot it).

spectral-cervid

This is why I love the dog in the original casting of The Thing so damn much. I have never seen an acting dog move with such a deliberate, calm intent. It was like every single motion and gesture this animal made was intentional.

Apparently, according to the behind-the-scenes documentation, this dog was just fuckin like that. Almost never, if at all, looked at the camera crews and production teams. Never excitedly wagged his tail on set no matter how much of a good boy he was being. If he did, it was the same… deliberate motions.

His name was Jed, and even though he’s a dog, he deserves an oscar. He was an exceptionally good boy.

jadewolf-writes

Jed also played the role of White Fang in the 90s Disney film version!

I honestly can’t imagine a better portrayal of a stoic, aloof White Fang, who gradually softens, than Jed. Good boy.

chaosacres

Here are some awesome organizations for us to support, all focused on or heavily involved in helping PoC youth gain access to horses and equestrian educations. Most of these I found through comments on @urbancowgirl510 ‘s post. She is working on a list which I’m sure will be more complete and I will for sure boost that list when she posts it but I thought I would also share these now, with direct links to donations, as this will auto-repost to Facebook where I can hopefully circulate it better to the US Icelandic horse community - I’ve heard a number of friends and colleagues in the community discussing ways to help, and supporting these groups seems like a great place to start. @usihc #usihcproud #blacklivesmatter #wecandobetter

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Detroit Horse Power - @detroithorsepower - https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/DetroitHorsePower/GiveOnline.html

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Compton Junior Equestrians - @comptonjrequestrians - https://www.comptonjrequestrians.org/donate

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Urban Saddles - @urbansaddles - https://www.urbansaddles.org/take-action

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Work to Ride - @worktoride1 - https://worktoride.net/donations-2/

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City Ranch Inc. - @thecityranch.inc - https://www.thecityranch.org/donate

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Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club - @fletcher_street_stables - http://fletcherstreeturbanridingclub.com/donate.html

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Ebony Horsewomen, Inc - @ebonyhorsewomen - https://ebonyhorsewomen.us/how-you-can-help

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Saddle Up & Read - @saddleupandread - https://www.gofundme.com/f/saddle-up-and-read-fundraiser

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Sage to Saddle - @sagetosaddle - https://www.gofundme.com/f/sage-to-saddle

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(UK) - Ebony Horse Club of Brixton - @ebonyhorseclubbrixton - https://www.ebonyhorseclub.org.uk/get-involved/

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(UK) - Urban Equestrian Academy - @theurbanequest - http://www.urbanequestrian.co.uk/donate.html

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EDIT: Folks are already commenting to add more! So please also support...

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LUCK (Leg Up for Cleveland's Kids) - https://luck4kids.org/2018/08/03/donate/

chaosacres

Just wanted to add, this post is up on our Instagram and FB page as well so if you’d like to share it on either of those sites, please do so. I’ve shared it to every equestrian Facebook group I’m a member of, with mixed results (some very positive, some groups have deleted it and sent me messages which I’ve attempted to spin into productive conversations, also with mixed results lol). I think it would be great if we could share this to as many equestrian groups as possible!

To come to this list, I did some research and narrowed these down from a slightly longer list, removing organizations that had overt religious affiliations or that seemed to be private businesses. I shared those in my Instagram story so that folks could still show them some love, but the purpose of this post was to provide links for donations so it didn’t make sense for me to share those here.

PLEASE comment with other awesome organizations if you know some that I missed, I’m sure there are so many more. I’ve already edited all of the posts on all platforms to include LUCK after someone commented on Facebook to let me know about their work!!

steadfast-deactivated20191017

When people find out that my dog is afraid of men: Oh, the poor thing must have been traumatized when she was younger! Poor baby, I just want to hold and comfort her and let her know she’s safe.

When people find out that I, an adult human woman, am afraid of men: Um, not *all* men, sweetie. You can’t go your whole life being afraid. Get over it.

When my dog was allowed to get a hysterectomy: She doesn’t need to have puppies to have a happy, healthy like with her adoptive family.

When I, an adult human woman, want to get a hysterectomy: But having children will make you happy! You might change your mind!

thytressesburn

People misgendering a dog: Oh my god I’m sorry it wasn’t intentional! I didn’t know :/

People misgendering a trans person: Uuuuh idc get over it

securityunit-ese

I post about scent detection activities somewhat more frequently than most dog interests for reasons. I don’t think I’ve ever pointed out there’s purpose to what I choose to share and not share:

I will highlight and promote (by sheer virtue of many many followers):

biosecurity dogs

medical detection dogs

conservation dogs

search and rescue dogs

blood dogs

(purely) bomb dogs

sports dogs

rescue dogs that are employed in all of the above.

I don’t post-promote, due to the embedded systematic and structural biases that exist within the handlers of these:

drug detection dogs

police dogs

military dogs

Due to a combination of human welfare concerns first and animal welfare concerns second that are present in these. It’s not up to debate. For a basic introduction into how the drug detection dogs are faulty (including the entirety of Utah’s drug detection dogs being called into question May 2020), click here.

Similar training bias and handler mishandling exist within police and military dogs - except significantly more weaponised and physically dangerous.

For my locals - Australia doesn’t get off free, this is not an issue isolated to America.

And that’s on pointing out that I’m very purposeful on what detection stories I highlight because there’s a point where you get enough followers you have to be more thoughtful about what you choose to share.

darkwood-sleddog

Man tho some conformation only breeders really be calling any breeder that doesn’t have conformation titles a byb even when they health test and title dogs in work lmao.

keepcalmandletitride

EPM; in defense of possums

In recent months, I’ve seen multiple cases of confirmed or suspected EPM in both my life outside of tumblr, as well as tumblr users. The common thread to all of these cases has been misinformation being spread in the comments (by well meaning, but ill informed friends, family and followers of the affected) regarding the disease, the treatment and definitely the method of spread. As I am set to graduate in a few months, I felt like I wanted to get back to using my platform to attempt to spread correct and accurate veterinary information within the community - and to bring up some undervalued points.

EPM - equine protozoal myeloencephalitis EPM is a neurological disease caused by a protozoan life form known as Sarcocystis neurona. This is a condition unique to horses, though other forms of Sarcocystis are able to infect cattle, some sheep, pigs, very occasionally alpacas and some birds. Human infection is very rare. (The term myeloencephalitis refers to the condition caused by the parasite, not the parasite itself and references inflammation of the spinal cord).

The majority of horses that are infected with EPM will never show clinical signs, as their immune system will mount a sufficient response to the protozoa. This is one of the main reasons that serological testing (blood draws) are not considered to be definitive tests for EPM, as horses can be exposed to the protozoa without developing any neurological signs. It’s also possible for EPM positive animals to test negative to blood tests (20% of cases). The standard for diagnostics is a combination of clinical signs and a positive blood test, though the only definitive means of diagnosis is to test cerebrospinal fluid.

Symptoms of EPM are largely nonspecific; ataxia, generalized weakness, muscle spasticity, focal muscle wastage, atypical lameness with occasional presentations involving nerves of the face, head and neck. Most commonly the hind limbs are affected and generally unilateral - both sides may be affected, but there is often a side that is considered worse or more dramatic.

There are currently three treatments authorized and supported by the FDA: Ponazuril (Marquis) - 28 day treatment of oral paste, Pyrimethamine and Sulfadiazine (Rebalance) - up to 120 day treatment of oral suspension, Diclazuril (Protazil) - 28 day treatment of alfalfa based, pelleted food top dressing.

These are the ONLY approved and proven methods of treating EPM. This certifies that they have undergone rigorous testing to prove efficacy, safety and long term benefit. Anything else lacks scientific evidence and is based entirely around anecdotal evidence at this point. While ongoing investigation into further treatments is active, at this point, these should be considered the only option.

Now, one of the hotbed issues with regards to EPM is the lifecycle. Basically all small mammals (cats, raccoons, squirrels, skunks, sea otters) can act as intermediate hosts, which provides a body for protozoan sporocysts to develop into sarcocysts, which are then ingested by possums, which are considered the definitive host. Infection of horses is through ingestion of contaminated feed or water sources with fecal material from infected possums.

This has lead to a very knee jerk response regarding the possibility of possum culling. This is, in short, nothing short of a reckless and ill thought plan. While I empathize with those who have lost horses to EPM, possums are an incredibly important component of local ecosystems and help protect us from another very nasty neurological condition known as Lyme Disease.

Unlike EPM, Lyme Disease does not really have a preference for species. It can infect humans, dogs, cats, horses (though less commonly) and other animals. Annually, 365,000 people are infected, so this is no small feat. If left untreated, Lyme can cause debilitating lifelong problems that will flare up when infected individuals are stressed or ill or under other conditions. Full recovery from Lyme Disease, even when caught early, is considered to be between 64 and 71%.

So, what do possums have to do with Lyme Disease? Well, possums are one of the only creatures that have a natural immunity to Lyme Disease. They can be bitten by as many ticks carrying the disease, without ever developing the condition. Not only that, but possums LOVE to eat ticks. They consider them a gourmet snack. Possums can eat up to 5,000 ticks in a single season! That’s potentially up to 5,000 (or more, if a single tick is able to bite multiple creatures) cases of Lyme Disease thwarted by a single possum! If you have multiple living in one area, then that number can increase even more.

The reasonable recommendations are to ensure that your food supply for your horses is considered safe; lifting bales of hay off the ground by placing them on pallets, or storing them in areas that can be fitted to prevent possums getting inside. Water supplies should be checked to ensure that where the water is drawn from, is not somewhere that possums are going to defecating or getting access to. Plus, remember, not all horses exposed will ever show symptoms. They might very well pick up the protozoa, kick its ass and go on with life.

So please, this is your local (very soon to be) equine veterinarian, begging you to be nice to possums because they protect us from Lyme Disease and are an important part in the food chain and local ecological system!

ridemyhorsetodairyqueen-deactiv

Just a reminder that if you’re not comfortable with possums on your horse property….trap them and move them somewhere else. Possums are critical for pest control and I’m sure someone else would be glad to have them.

woolywoofs

Sorry she is the cutest

featheredcritter

this is what it feels like to talk with outdoor cats owners

parakavka

#he has a sock !!!!!

doggiedrawings

In January this year, I attended Dr. Amy Cook’s PLAY WAY seminar at Pasadena Humane Society.

The seminar was about “social play” as a tool for rehabilitating reactive/stressed/fearful dogs. “Social Play” has been defined as something different from playing with toys (tug, fetch, etc) It is literally “goofing around” with your dog in a way that they like that makes them happy. Body language responsiveness, movement and timing is everything.

Not only did we get to see some inspiring and entertaining video footage of Amy Cook playing with her dogs, some attendees had also brought their own dogs to play with, while Amy offered coaching.

It was an amazing and delightful experience and I couldn’t wait to get home to play with my 15 year old Boogie who hasn’t been interested in Tug or Fetch in over a year due to his vision loss.

The Play Way class was like learning a new language, a new vocabulary. You had to be there.

As far as I know, there is no other information out there on how to play with your dog without using toys, and until this seminar, I had no idea that dogs LAUGH. (I don’t think Boogie has ever laughed)

This infographic cannot possibly do justice to all the material covered in the Play Way seminar, which also focused on play as “therapy”. For now, I hope this is enough to pique everyone’s interest in the subject. This is another way to be mindful and respectful of our dog’s body language and of our own body language. I still have a lot to learn!

- Lili

LINKS:

Download Poster here in high-res (shareable without modifications, and with attribution)

Amy Cook’s online Play Way class

Doggie Language - my new forthcoming book will have more art on dog body language.