Creature Feature Library |
DogsHero, healer, herder, hunter . . . dogs have an astonishing range of job options these days. Meet some fascinating professional dogs of past and present. Jack Russells: Big Dog in a Small Package If you think you know what life with a Jack Russell terrier is like from watching Frazier's Eddie, you don't know Jack. . . Since man met wolf, dogs have been working by our sides as hunters and guards. Today's career canine has many more job opportunities. First Friend . . . Best Friend According to at least one Native American myth man was created as a companion for Dog. The dog's central place in human society is universally recognized. And rightly so. Our oldest friend, hardest working comrade, most loyal partner - the dog is practically our alter ego. Sometimes the quiet, nonjudgmental presence of a pet is all we need to feel better. But animals help heal us in many ways. Uncle Matty - Training Dogs with Love, Praise and Affection He claims he can gain any dog's trust in 90 seconds, and if you've ever seen super-dog trainer Matthew Margolis, aka Uncle Matty, in action, you know that's no idle boast. Now he's turning his skills to retraining society's abandoned and hopeless humans. |
Working AnimalsBring Your Critters to Work - I Some of the best companies in the country are catching on that pets in the workplace makes employees happier and healthier - and it's cheaper than health insurance. Should you be bringing your critters to work?
Bring Your Critters to Work - II Professional pet sitters launched a national Bring Your Dog to Work day in 1998, and the campaign seems to be catching on. Will all workplaces of the future have an open policy on pets?
Sometimes the quiet, nonjudgmental presence of a pet is all we need to feel better. But animals help heal us in many ways.
Since man met wolf, dogs have been working by our sides as hunters and guards. Today's career canine has many more job opportunities.
Hero, healer, herder, hunter . . . dogs have an astonishing range of job options these days. Meet some fascinating professional dogs of past and present. |
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CatsThere's a serial killer in my neighborhood. You may have one, too. Do you know what your cat is up to on the "Afternoon of the Hunter"? Is your cat the next Picatso? Could those shredded curtains you were about to throw out be a valuable work of art? Cats can find may unexpected ways to express their creative talents.
Even if your cat seems to have four left paws, you can get him up and dancing with just a few easy exercises. Virtually stamped out of existence in medieval Europe, the phenomenon of dancing with cats is making a comeback in a big way, and it's changing the lives of cats and their people in unexpected ways.
How smart is your cat. Smart enough to keep you guessing . . .
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RabbitsAll About Eve Esther Bunny shared her life with me for 9 years. Over those years, she learned a lot about life and was always eager to share her insights with the world. Here are a few pages from her extensive collected diaries and writings.
No Regrets: A Rabbit's Life in Review At the end of 9 years, Esther has some words of wisdom and compassion to share with her friends and readers. They're lively and funny, affectionate and mischievous, and definitely not dumb. Meet the bunnies who've had a special place in my life. |
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Looking for trouble? Well look no further. The fun-loving ferret will be more than happy to help you find it. Urban life isn't just for the birds . . . dogs and cats thrive in the city, too. But their human companions may have to make a few adjustments in their lives to accommodate them. City Critters: Part II, Alternative City Pets Where can the urban animal-lover turn when your postage-stamp size apartment isn't big enough to accommodate a chihuahua, the landlord hates cats, and the neighbors are offended by your parrot's "colorful" vocabulary? Luckily, there are many animal alternatives in the city. Does your animal companion have something important to say to you? Do you know how to listen? Find out in "Pets Speak Out." Can We Talk? Learning to Listen to Your Pets Learning to interpret your pet's language takes a lot of patience and concentration. We have to learn to listen with our eyes as well as our ears. Raising kids these days is tough work. How are animal parents handling the problems and joys of bringing up baby? |
Death in the Family: Coping with the Loss of Your Pet Losing a beloved pet is often as painful as losing a human friend or family member, but society rarely supports your grief. Fortunately, there are resources and coping techniques to help you mourn your lost friends and recover. My first rabbit, Esther, was a master at the art of play. As my official home office rabbit, she understood her job was to distract me from my work whenever possible. Your pets may not be as talented as Esther, but with a little help even the most serious pets can learn to be nonproductive with style. For centuries we've tried to separate ourselves from the rest of the animal kingdom, looking for special traits in ourselves that others don't share. A growing number of serious researchers are finding that animals have intelligence, compassion, consciousness and rich emotional lives similar to ours. The Inner Life of Animals - II Do Animals have a soul and a moral sense? Some intriguing research shows they do.
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Fatherhood in the Animal Kingdom Giving birth and raising the kids alone may be a bit extreme for most human fathers, but it's a parenting style that's worked well for the seahorse. The animal kingdom gives us a lot of possible role models for fatherhood . . . Do sharks scare their little ones with bedtime stories of ferocious humans who attack with no warning and ruthlessly rip innocent sharks out of the water to their doom? Maybe they should.
Working the night shift in the animal kingdom can be lonely and sometimes a little spooky. It's time to shed a little light on those mysterious creatures of the night who have given in to the dark side.
Raising kids these days is tough work. How are animal parents handling the problems and joys of bringing up baby? Controversy: New York City - Rat Heaven or Hell Thanks to the enthusiastic support of many on-line rodents (and their humans) this article won the Popular Vote in the Themestream Journalist Club's recent Controversy Challenge. Find out what won the hearts of New York's rat population.
For centuries we've tried to separate ourselves from the rest of the animal kingdom, looking for special traits in ourselves that others don't share. A growing number of serious researchers are finding that animals have intelligence, compassion, consciousness and rich emotional lives similar to ours. The Inner Life of Animals - II Do Animals have a soul and a moral sense? Some intriguing research shows they do. |
Thousands of birds hit the New Jersey shore every year in their semiannual migrations. One strange bird your always sure to see is the hardy binoculared birdwatcher. Bats - Misunderstood Creatures of the Night Demonic night stalkers or benefactors of mankind? Bats may not be what you expected. . . Little Dogs on the Prairie
Oh Deer , , , and Other Urban/SuburbanWildlife Deer are pretty common in Philadelphia's suburbs these days, but it's still surprising to see one strolling down your town's main street. But what's a simple country critter to do when people keep invading their homes and pushing them out? When even the squirrels who chased off all the little bird from the feeders and fearlessly taunted the neighborhood cats are afraid to compete for their coveted sunflower seeds and peanuts, you know you have a serious infestation of PIGEON GANGS. America's Founding Fathers elected the majestic bald eagle to the office of national emblem back in 1776. But we might have been represented by the flightless wild turkey. Did the best bird win, or should we demand a recount? Rehab Habit - I and Rehab Habit - II Wildlife rehabilitators devote their lives to helping injured
animals. The job has its lighter Wild Horses - Spirit of the West Wild Mustangs and the people who love them have fought hard to win their freedom from abuse. |
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I have 26+ years of experience in the publishing industry and more than 20 years as a freelance editor, indexer, writer and desktop publisher. I've indexed and edited books, curriculum materials, journals, and business publications, written newsletters, press releases, feature articles and essays on subjects from literature to medicine and health care, business and management, psychology, sociology, criminology, history, and religion. But for fun (and sometimes profit) I write about animals. My rabbits, Mickey and Bailey, lend a paw whenever the mood strikes them. |
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"I am always so elated to find one of your articles on line. I have subscrited to be on your list and look forward to enjoying your talents on a continuing basis. This article is delightful! Thank you!" - jarb "Very nice. I really enjoyed your article and learned lots." - marlizev "All of your offerings are simply marvelous. I'm so glad you're here!! Now, start shipping some of these treasures out to animal magazines so that even more readers will be as delighted as I am." - emily moorehead |
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[To Esther Bunny] "Lovely article. I hope you hop with lots of new rabbit friends on evergreen pastures. Your article is exceptional. I am sure your mom is very proud of you. Rest in peace." - g_stolberg "That's terrific, very hilarious and her pov is perfect. Thanks for a fantastic read!" - prelude210 |
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"Very well-written as well as entertaining! Having a family of communicative animals. I could really appreciate this article." - Yvonne Garcia "What a delightful article. Thank you." - Kay Pluta "Such a well-written, informative article. Excellent! (And I rated it so!) We have 3-4 dogs at our law office compound and they do help ease the day . . . dogs are great de-stressers. . . ." - artio "Excellent and very humorous! Thanks." - marlene mccarty "This was just too funny." - Raven SiJohn "Brilliant! I am still laughing! Thank you for a great article. It is unique, funny and well researched. Great work!" - jarb |
