dailypetfwd

By Daily Mail Reporter


Some will be dreaming of a bowl of milk, others of a tussle with a ball of string.

After the overwhelming response from readers to pictures of snoozing pups in the Mail last month, meet the kittens catching 40 winks — as opposed to mice.

As you can see, they’re all in a state of purr-fect bliss . . .

Paws for reflection: You wouldn't expect an aristocat like me to sleep in a basket - I'm feline fine right where I am

Catatonic: With any luck, I can stretch this nap out for a little longer . . .

That darn cat: Playing with wool is exhausting and right, in this house, I’m part of the furniture

Cat's whiskers: I'm having a lovely dream all about sardines

Bear hug: Teddy and I are just close friends, and right, that’s enough cataloguing: I’ll look for that Cats DVD later

I'm Tom, he's Jerry: And you won't hear a squeak out of us for a while


From last month's Daily Mail


source:dailymail

By Daniel Miller


Nice tan mate: According to owner Tracey Sandstrom, who runs Roaming Reptiles in Melbourne,
Australia Snappy ate part of a filter in his pool which allowed red algae to flourish turning him orange.

Snappy the bad-tempered salt water crocodile got a little more than he'd bargained for when he decided a pipe in his tank would make a tasty meal.

The pampered croc from Melbourne, Australia, turned a bright shade of orange after it turned out to contain tannins produced by a type of red algae.

Owner Tracey Sandstrom from Roaming Reptiles believes Snappy had chewed through a filter a few weeks earlier which caused the algae to flourish.

She said: 'I think it caused the pH levels in his water to soar which has led to the change in colour.'

Cranky Snappy, who sleeps in his own heated pool at night and is 2.6m long, became infamous after biting Tracey during a reptile show last year.

She is now looking to sell him as he has become too dangerous for her to handle.

She added: 'He's the prettiest croc I've got, and he's such a lovely animal ... apart from that time, he's been quite predictable.'

Crocked: Bad-tempered Snappy now has a bright orange tan to match his fiery temperament


The salt-water croc has no one to blame for his colour transformation but himself


source:dailymail

A child watches chimpanzees sharing a coconut in their newly renovated habitat at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on September 30, 2011. The state-of-the-art exhibit features giant towers, networks of climbing ropes, a giant hammock, as well as an expansive glassed area and tunnel systems for viewing the primates.



A chimpanzee eats watermelon in his newly renovated habitat at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on September 30, 2011. The state-of-the-art exhibit features giant towers, networks of climbing ropes, a giant hammock, as well as an expansive glassed area and tunnel systems for viewing the primates.



Chimpanzees share a coconut in their newly renovated habitat at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on September 30, 2011. The state-of-the-art exhibit features giant towers, networks of climbing ropes, a giant hammock, as well as an expansive glassed area and tunnel systems for viewing the primates.



A chimpanzee and her infant eats watermelon and a coconut in their newly renovated habitat at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on September 30, 2011. The state-of-the-art exhibit features giant towers, networks of climbing ropes, a giant hammock, as well as an expansive glassed area and tunnel systems for viewing the primates.



A chimpanzee enjoys a mouthful of watermelon in his newly renovated habitat at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on September 30, 2011. The state-of-the-art exhibit features giant towers, networks of climbing ropes, a giant hammock, as well as an expansive glassed area and tunnel systems for viewing the primates.



A chimpanzee cuddles her infant in their newly renovated habitat at Taronga Zoo in Sydney on September 30, 2011. The state-of-the-art exhibit features giant towers, networks of climbing ropes, a giant hammock, as well as an expansive glassed area and tunnel systems for viewing the primates.



Chimpanzees at Taronga Zoo have a morning meal of fruit as they explore their newly renovated enclosure in Sydney, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The zoo's 17 chimps have a network of climbing ropes and towers that support giant hammocks for them to enjoy.


source: daylife
photo: Getty images, AP photo

By Emma Reynolds


If you already think your pet is a fussy eater, be prepared for an even pickier pooch as pet food makers have launched a TV ad only dogs can hear.

Nestle has made an advert using a high-pitched sound, like a dog whistle, which is beyond human hearing range.

The commercial, which also includes an audible squeak like the sound of a dogs’ toy, will be screened for the first time in Austria this week.

His master's voice: Adverts will now target your dog with sounds beyond the range of human hearing

Nestle said in a statement that the idea came from an award-winning campaign in Germany that featured 'sniffable' posters to attract dogs.

The company is one of the world's biggest makers of pet food, with its Petcare division accounting for almost 12 per cent of the firm's revenue.

The 23-second advert Beneful dog food was created using the help of U.S. experts in pet behaviour, who researched what would appeal to dogs.

'The television commercial aims to reach both the pet and the owner, supporting the special one-to-one relationship between them,' said Xavier Perez, brand manager for Beneful in Europe.

Puppy power: Dogs may be putting the pressure on their owners after they see the Nestle adverts

Barking: Nestle are hoping to persuade people to buy their pet food with the high-pitched sounds

The advert shows a dogs pricking up its ears and ends with the words 'So delicious, so healthy, so happy' in German.

Georg Sanders, a nutrition expert at Nestle Purina PetCare in Germany, said: 'Dogs' hearing is twice as sharp as humans.

'They can pick up frequencies which are beyond our range and they are better at differentiating sounds.'

Nestle’s Petcare division have this year reported first-half sales of £3.4billion.




source:dailymail

By Jessica Satherley


Best of friends: The cute meerkat and micro pig - named Timon and Pumbaa after the cartoon characters in The Lion King

It could be straight out of Disney's classic The Lion King - but this adorable couple are the real-life Timon and Pumbaa.

The cute meerkat and micro pig - named Timon and Pumbaa after the cartoon characters - have struck up the most unlikely of friendships.

Having been born within weeks of each other in Worcestershire, the black micro pig and fuzzy haired meerkat became best pals after seeing each other through a chicken wire fence dividing their pens.

Give me a kiss: Timon and Pumbaa play around with each other after becoming close pals at Tropical Inc, an education animal display company based in Dunhampton, Worcestershire

After a hesitant first meeting the hairy hombres hit it off and couldn't be separated.

And workers at Tropical Inc, an education animal display company based in Dunhampton, Worcestershire, immediately noticed a more than striking resemblance to the famous characters

Kelly Shambly, 24, an animal career at Tropical Inc, said: 'They are just like their namesakes - they have a real care free philosophy.

'They are both newborns and haven't settled into their roles within the litter yet so they are just running around enjoying themselves much like the mantra of the film.

'They showed great interest in each other from the start, almost like they were meant to be friends.

'At the time they still hadn't been named, but we soon realised we couldn't call them anything else once somebody pointed out they were just like the pair from the film.'

Miniature rascals: Kelly Shambly, 24, an animal career at Tropical Inc poses with Timon and Pumbaa

In an incredible real-life parallel to the cartoon characters, Timon is an outgoing and self-absorbed meerkat.

Kelly added: 'There was a little chicken wire fence between them and Timon was desperately trying to find a way through to get to Pumbaa.

'He is really outgoing and always looking to explore the world. He's interested in anything new, and having a big pig next to him was obviously an exciting thing.

'Pumbaa is definitely more reserved and slopes about the place in an unenthusiastic manner much like pigs often do.

'All they do each day is playfully run around. They are very cute together.


The original Timon (left) and Pumbaa (right): Pictured in the 1994 film The Lion King


'It is an extremely odd friendship, but it is great to see two animals paired together who would never get the chance to ever meet in the wild.'

Kelly, who helps run Tropical Inc, has been helping rear the young pair ever since their births around nine weeks ago.

She added: 'We take the animals to people who would not normally get the chance to get so close to different and exotic animals.

'We've put on parties for all ages - from toddlers to 70-year-old's birthday parties, but everyone loves Timon and Pumbaa equally.

'There hasn't been a time when someone hasn't mentioned the resemblance of them to the characters.'


source:dailymail

By Jessica Satherley


Two majestic deer were found fighting for life by schoolboys walking through a forest - after the stags' antlers became locked together.

Oscar Moulinie, 15, and brother Louis, 12, were shocked at the terrible sight of the rutting bucks trapped together in a cruel twist of nature.

Neither of the young stags could escape as their 30-inch long antlers were entangled together deep in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.

Tragically tangled: The two deer were found by the schoolboys in the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, with their antlers tangled together

The brothers stumbled across the heartbreaking scene as the young bucks were fighting in vain to free themselves.

Oscar and Louis raised the alarm in time to save the darker deer - but the white buck was too weak to survive the ordeal.

Louis said: "One was on the floor and he was clearly injured, while the other was jumping around and struggling.

"He was barking and trashing, he was obviously very distressed and very scared.

"It was an incredible sight to see. It wasn't what I expected when I went walking my dog.

"It was really horrible to see these lovely animals in such trouble. We felt so helpless because there was nothing we could do to free them."

Rutting deer: The deer breeding season typically runs from the end of September to late October

The boys stumbled upon the two young adult bucks in forestry on the Welsh border near Lydney, Gloucestershire.

Wildlife experts believe they had been struggling for hours, getting slowly weaker as they battled to get free.

One had rope tangled around its antlers, which was possibly dumped in the forest - and that added to their pair become entangled.

The quick-thinking boys ran to a nearby road to try and get help for the injured beasts.

The brothers alerted a passer-by the estate keepers who rushed through the woods to try to save the deer.

The boy's mother, Claire, 47, from the nearby village of Bream, near Lydney, said: "It's lucky the boys came along at the right time and were able to raise the alarm.

"If they hadn't acted so quickly both deer would have died. As it is we were able to save one."

An estate keeper said deer getting tangled was getting quite common at this time of year.

He said: "The animals thrash their antlers in trees or on fence posts and pick up things like rope. If they then fight other males their antlers can become locked.

"People ought to think twice by leaving material that could harm animals around.

"These boys did really well but people should be careful when approaching injured animals because they may lash out."

The deer breeding season typically runs from the end of September to late October and during the rutting period, males often rub their antlers on trees or shrubs.

Wild fallow deer have lived in the Forest of Dean for thousands of years and were hunted as far back as Norman times.

Numbers declined and there were only about 40 in 1971 but there are more than 300 in the Forest now.


Rutting stag: During the rutting period, males often rub their antlers on trees or shrubs, as seen here


source:dailymail

Aalborg Zoo will soon begin construction of new enclosure for the tigers and lions, due to lack of space. Aalborg, Denmark. 30th September 2011



Aalborg Zoo will soon begin construction of new enclosure for the tigers and lions, due to lack of space. Aalborg, Denmark. 30th September 2011



Aalborg Zoo will soon begin construction of new enclosure for the tigers and lions, due to lack of space. Aalborg, Denmark. 30th September 2011


Aalborg Zoo will soon begin construction of new enclosure for the tigers and lions, due to lack of space. Aalborg, Denmark. 30th September 2011



Aalborg Zoo will soon begin construction of new enclosure for the tigers and lions, due to lack of space. Aalborg, Denmark. 30th September 2011


source: daylife
photo: Reuters pictures

A new born quadruplet of Indochinese Tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti) , also known as Corbett's tigers look out of a box during their first presentation for public at the Tierpark zoo in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The quadruplet was born on Sept. 10.



Zookeeper Petra Schroeder holds tiger cub Mandalay, one of a new born quadruplet of Indochinese Tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti), also known as Corbett's tiger, during their first presentation for public at the Tierpark zoo in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The quadruplet was born on Sept. 10.



Zookeeper Petra Schroeder holds tiger cub Mandalay, one of a new born quadruplet of Indochinese Tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti), also known as Corbett's tiger, during their first presentation for public at the Tierpark zoo in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The quadruplet was born on Sept. 10.



A new born quadruplet of Indochinese Tigers (Panthera tigris corbetti) , also known as Corbett's tigers look out of a box during their first presentation for public at the Tierpark zoo in Berlin, Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. The quadruplet was born on Sept. 10.


source: daylife
photo: AP photo

By LINA DAS in San Francisco


Early evening at San Francisco’s swanky W Hotel and a crowd of excitable young women are waiting for a glimpse of the newest star in town.

Suddenly, six minutes ahead of schedule — unprecedented for a celebrity of his stature — he takes his place quietly and with a minimum of fuss beneath the spotlight. His understated entrance almost catches his audience off-guard until a lone, hysterical voice screeches: ‘Oh my God! Oh my God! There he is!’

At that, the crowd surges forward as one, brandishing camera-phones to take his picture to the accompaniment of whoops and cheers as nervous-looking security guards try to hold the advancing fans back.

Flashing his million-dollar smile: The cover of Boo: The Life Of The World's Cutest Dog. The five-year-old Pomeranian dog instantly warms to strangers and happily plays up to the camera like an old pro

Meanwhile, the star himself settles back on his velvet cushion, lapping up the adulation with the calm air of somebody who’s seen it all before.

But these young women are not here to catch a glimpse of a teen idol such as Justin Bieber or Hannah Montana — although, like Justin, this megastar is famous for his fluffy hairdo. The object of their affection is a five-year-old Pomeranian dog called Boo.

Boo may look like a teddy bear, have slightly suspect breath and be unable to sing, dance or act to any discernible degree (although let’s face it, that hasn’t stopped most X Factor contestants), but he is one of the fastest-growing stars, not only in America but across the globe.

He has nearly two million Facebooks fans, a publicist, a book deal, and TV and film offers to his name, as well as a host of celebrity admirers, including socialite Paris Hilton.

He has appeared on the breakfast show Good Morning America and the normally serious-minded Time magazine called him ‘aww-worthy’.

Desperate to see what all the fuss is about, I find myself wedged between hordes of twentysomething women and their slightly bewildered and embarrassed-looking boyfriends at the bash being thrown in Boo’s honour.

The party is to celebrate the launch of his debut book — Boo: The Life Of The World’s Cutest Dog — and some 120 guests have paid $20 (£13) each to grab a specially ‘pawtographed’ book, spend an hour in his company and even (OMG!) have their photograph taken with their hero.

Francesca Gouw, a 28-year-old who works for a data management company, says: ‘I just saw him on Facebook and loved his haircut, so every now and then I’ve been checking his website for new photos. My friends have been teasing me, saying: “You’re paying to go see a dog?” But he’s just so cute I can’t resist him.’

As you’d expect, getting a personal audience with Boo is not easy. After a week of toing and froing between four different publicists, we’re informed that an hour-long meeting with Boo is absolutely out of the question. His schedule simply won’t allow it.

Instead, I am granted a 15-minute audience with him and, as is the way with all superstars, it comes with many conditions attached.

His owner, whom Boo refers to on his website as his ‘human’, and who calls herself Jennifer, must remain unphotographed and anonymous at all times. And although I’m reliably informed Boo is sweet-natured, he will not perform tricks for me.

His PR representative tells me Boo ‘just sits there smiling and looking cute’ — a canine Cheryl Cole minus hair extensions. But once you meet him, well, Cheryl’s cuteness doesn’t stand a chance when faced with the megawatt gorgeousness of Boo.

He instantly warms to strangers and happily sits on my lap, playing up to the camera like an old pro. His hair is cropped an inch short around his head to give him that distinctive teddy-bear look.

Although Jennifer takes him to the groomer every two months to maintain his look, I am assured he uses no special products on his fur.

Some dissenting voices have queried Jennifer’s penchant for dressing Boo up, but this evening he looks fairly happy in his blue-and-white T-shirt — his favourite of his seven outfits, one of which is a Union Jack hoodie.

The story of how Boo the dog became Boo the icon centres, as with many celebrities, on a pivotal event in his childhood.

Bear-faced chic: Boo in a costume for Hallowe'en, left.
This dog's a cool act: From Boo's Facebook page, right

Born on March 16, 2006, Boo was just a few weeks old when Jennifer, a 32-year-old who works in the internet industry, bought him from a breeder as a companion for her other Pomeranian, a three-year-old called Buddy.

Though Buddy’s hair grew normally, Boo’s hair, much tougher and thicker, started to get increasingly matted and had to be chopped off.

‘The groomer said they wouldn’t even be able to get a brush through him,’ says Jennifer. ‘It was pretty traumatic to cut his hair, but when I picked him up, I saw how cute he was that way and he seemed happier.’

It was Jennifer’s friends who alerted her to Boo’s overwhelming adorableness, suggesting she set up a Facebook page for him, which she eventually did in May 2009.

At first, Boo had a few dozen Facebook followers, but the number rapidly expanded over a year and by the time Jennifer Kong, an editor with San Francisco-based publishing company Chronicle Books, came across Boo’s picture, he had already notched up some 60,000 fans.

Internet sensation: Boo has amassed nearly two million fans on Facebook

‘For the first book we took photos at our editor’s apartment or on grass verges outside,’ says April, one of the publicity team.

‘But for the second, we’ll see Boo out and about in more metropolitan locations and with some new puppy friends as well.’

Ah yes, friends. Like many a celebrity before him, Boo has found that fame can be a lonely business, and so he has learned to cling to those he trusts — his ‘human’, Jennifer, and his closest confidant and puppyhood pal, Buddy.

I am assured by Jennifer that there is no rivalry between the two.

‘They’re just happy to hang out together and they like to take naps,’ she says.

‘I don’t think Buddy gets jealous of the attention given to Boo and now people are taking Buddy’s picture, too. But they’re different dogs — Buddy’s the dominant character and Boo’s the one who kind of looks up to him.’

Hug a hoodie: Boo

So with Boo constantly being hounded by adoring fans, one would assume that he has a lady friend or two on the scene. But I can reveal that when Boo takes to his blanket of an evening, he does so alone.

‘He doesn’t have a girlfriend and isn’t girl-obsessed,’ says April.

Indeed, even baby Boos are out of the question — Boo having long since parted company with his, um, equipment.

Given his fame and increasingly hectic schedule however, being neutered might not have been such a bad thing — the last thing the world needs is more neglected offspring of the rich and famous. ‘He just doesn’t have time for dating,’ insists April.

‘And puppies aren’t going to happen, but he’s a happy, loving little guy.’

In any case, Boo’s career is taking off too swiftly for him to have much personal life. He has already modelled for online (human) clothing store Tobi. And he is doing his bit as a ‘dogmanitarian’ by making special appearances for kids charity Operation Smile.

Most excitingly, there has been interest in having Boo star in his own TV shows and movies.

‘I haven’t looked into the offers yet, because it might just be too overwhelming for Boo at this stage,’ says Jennifer.

‘But it’s a possibility and people have already asked how much he charges for personal appearances.’

Behind bars: But nothing can hold back Boo's cuteness

Of course, with fame comes the inevitable dark side — the threat of dognapping, the obsessive fans and, later, the cruel slide into oblivion.

The threat of Boo being dognapped is a real one, so much so that a five-man security team has been assigned to him for the evening.

‘Though everyone tonight has been really friendly, I am a little bit worried someone may try to snatch him,’ says Jennifer.

Others have offered her any sum she wants to hand over the hound: ‘Several rich people have contacted me to say “name your price — I want that dog”, but Boo is not for sale. He’s priceless to me.’

Back at the book launch, after an hour of shaking paws, a dog-tired Boo repairs backstage much to the disappointment of his fans.

One of them, Diana Navarro, admits: ‘When I found him on Facebook, he looked fake, so I came along to make sure he was real. But he was everything I hoped for and more.’

Satisfied fans and the promise of greater fame to come: Boo the dog has this celebrity thing licked.

Sporting fan: Boo is a fan of baseball team The Cubs, left, and promoting the We Day movement, a charitable initiative of Free the Children

Shy guy: Despite Boo's popularity, his owner has chosen to stay anonymous and is only known as Jennifer

All wrapped up: Boo looks more like an exotic bear than a dog

Ladies man: Boo has celebrity fans including Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian and singer Ke$ha

Suited and booted: Boo is looking smart

Dog day out : Boo takes a trip to the Tory Burch store in New York

Snug: Boo relaxes in a cushion

Peek-a-Boo: The little fella says hello

Give us a smile: Boo wearing an Operation Smile hat (left) and with a big fluffy head (right)

CLICK PLAY TO WATCH BOO...



source:dailymail