Category Archives: Animals

Animals, Carbon Footprint Reduction

What is a Narwhal?

NarwhalThe other week I was watching a program about warming Arctic waters and was deeply saddened by the changes happening there.  Arctic summers are increasingly becoming ice-free because of our dependence on fossil fuels and mounting carbon emissions.  The situation has far-reaching effects for wildlife.  In the past you would find huge blocks of floating ice and snow-covered land masses.  Now the waters are empty of ice, and polar bears are left to swim very long distances to rest or find prey.  Scientists are also seeing more and more orca whales in these northern waters.  Previously, orcas would not venture into the area because their fins could not penetrate the ice.  Now, they are making thousand mile journeys to feed on other animals which breed their young in once “safe” territory.

As orcas move into the Arctic, they change and threaten an entire ecosystem.  I watched them devastate an entire colony of narwhal.  Narwhal are beautiful animals and are called the unicorns of the sea.  They almost look like dolphins but are larger and have a long tusks that look like swords.  Normally, narwhal find rest and safety in the waters of the Arctic.  With melting ice the narwhal are left defenseless against the mighty orcas.  The orcas, with their sharp intelligence and keen hunting instinct, quickly corner the narwhal and eat them for lunch.

It is so easy for us to forget the domino effect that climate change has on everything in our world.  It alters habitats and devastates species.  Our actions, or lack of action, have far-reaching consequences.  Our choices, in every sphere of our lives, greatly affect other people and animals.  We must reduce our carbon footprints and positively impact our planet.

Animals, Owls

What’s Better than Chocolate?

owl
Great Horned Owl, Pennsylvania Audubon

I had such a great day. I had the chance to meet, up close, four owls. I went to the Audubon Center in Pennsylvania and was introduced to two screech owls and two great horned owls. They were so majestic and quite beautiful, especially Luna, one of the big great horned owls. The horned owl eyes really amazed me with their bright yellow and black colors. That said, owls have an amazing ability to see, and hear. They can see things humans would not ordinarily spot and also hear sounds we would not. I loved the sound the great horned owls made, it was a “hoo-hoo hoooooo hoo-hoo”. The screech owls, on the other hand, were much smaller and quieter. They did not make any sounds or display a large wing span.

The Audubon Center was taking care of these four owls because they each had lost sight in one of their eyes. Each of them had been struck by cars, as they were flying after their prey. If it was not for the Center these owls would probably be dead, because owls with poor eyesight would not be able to survive on their own.

I was moved by those owls and felt grateful to the Center for taking care of them. Too many times animals are victims of the society we live in with our fast cars, highways and relentless growth. Those owls touched me somehow, I felt happier after meeting them and humbled by their beauty. Many people say chocolate makes everything better. I say animals and nature make everything better.

Animals, Kindness, Leadership

Thrombosis – What is it and can it affect you or your pets?

Katie's+Voice+Event+in+IllinoisI became aware of thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms about five years ago and wanted to share what I know about them with you.  In a nutshell, thrombosis means your blood is clotting.  Blot clots occur for a number of reasons including immobility, damage to a vein, or because of health and environmental reasons.  When a clot blocks a blood vessel it can cause serious health problems and even death.  An embolism occurs when the clot breaks up and pieces of it enter the lungs.

I urge you to learn more and protect yourself, your loved ones, and your pets.  And perhaps you would like to support the fundraiser noted in the photo to help promote awareness and prevent needless tragedy.  Sadly, the young lady pictured above died because people in her life (including doctors) were not aware of the signs and symptoms of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

Some signs and symptoms include: redness, swelling, and difficulty breathing.

For more information and tickets please go to the following  website. http://www.katiesvoice.org

Thank you.

Animals, Kindness, Penguins

A Penguin Swims 5,000 Miles to See This Man

man-saves-penguin-returns-swims-5000-miles-18Let me introduce you to Dindim, a South American Magellanic penguin.  He swims 5,000 miles every year to see his special friend.

In 2011 Joao Pereira de Souza found Dindim, covered in oil and close to death.  For 11 months Souza nursed the penguin back to health.  Dindim has now been visiting his friend every year for the past four years.  Souza, a retired bricklayer and fisherman, lives in Brazil.

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Animals, Climate Change, Kindness, Leadership

Racing Extinction

Last week I had the chance to watch the film “Racing Extinction”.  It tells the amazing story of people who are making a difference, saving and protecting animals every day.  These people include race car drivers, former chief executive officers, artists and scientists.  Don’t miss it.

 

Animals, Bobcats, Cats, Owls

Why are Bobcats, Coyotes, and Owls Are So Amazing?

Eurasian Lynx

Did you ever marvel in wonder at an owl’s ability to completely turn its head around? I always have. Owls can turn their heads almost 360 degrees –to be exact they can turn their heads a maximum of 270 degrees. Or did you know bobcats are excellent swimmers? When you think of cats you probably think of domestic cats, most of whom do not dare to swim. And what about coyotes, did you know they like fruit and vegetables? They do.

Animals mean so much to many of us and through the help of my blogs, my goal is to help you to see new ways of looking at things or get involved in protecting the precious few animals which remain on the Earth. I have already told you, we are in the midst of one of the greatest extinctions on the planet. Each day we lose large mammals in the ocean and on land. And I just heard that bobcats, coyotes and owls are suffering and dying on the west coast, in California, because of certain rat poisons. Sadly, many neighborhoods in the Santa Monica area are using second generation toxic poisons to control rat populations. The poisons are toxic because they are making their way up the food chain. They kill the rats but also kill the animals which eat the rat carcasses And that means bobcats, coyotes, and owls are dying. As Julie Schowitz, resident of Newbury Park put it, “the insanity of it all is that in trying to wipe out rats they are killing the very animals that keep rat populations under control.” The poison causes deathly internal bleeding and destroys precious, intelligent, and beautiful creatures.

Our behavior can have such devastating effects on animals and others. Please, think about your actions and the lives of those around you. Your decisions spread far and wide, and have life or death consequences.