Merry Christmas from Kritter Girl

All I Want For Christmas

With Christmas just around the corner my thoughts drift back to my childhood. Santa will be here soon we have to bake him some cookies and as a child the most important thing was my letter to Santa …

Okay the cookies are done thanks to mom. Now it’s time to write my letter to Santa. With paper and pen in hand I start out with my best cursive writing and change my mind. I better print so Santa can read it better since this cursive writing thing can look a bit messy; see I’m new at this. 
Now that at this point I finally made up my mind on my handwriting it’s time to write. ...

Election 2012: Vote November 6th!

This video says it all! 

Now We Know The Rest Of The Story ...

An ancient message was found recently, with a short message, but one that explains everything:

Dear Noah:
We could have sworn you said the ark would be departing at 5pm.
Sincerely,
The Unicorns

Trust: A Deadly Disease by Sharon Mathers

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called "Trust."

Animal Rescue Site's "Click Here to Give"

Readers have been wondering if The Animal Rescue Site was for real and legitimate charity – especially since it has a “Click here to Give” aspect and some have received email encouraging them to visit the site and click to help the cause. 

Myth Blaster Verdict: Legitimate Charity. 

The big feature of the Animal Rescue Site is that you click on a purple icon and for every click the organization gets funding. If you would rather give to the hungry, there is a tab to choose from, as well as breast cancer, child health, literacy and to save the rainforest. The site is a partner of the Petfinder website. However, the site claims that 100% of sponsor money goes to charity; which means the click method only. Items for purchase and other commercialization, however, helps the organization make profit, while some of the proceeds does go to charity. 

Tyrannosaurus Relative to Modern Birds?

New York Times, John Noble Wilford writes in his article Tests Confirm T. Rex Kinship With Birds …

In the first analysis of proteins extracted from dinosaur bones, scientists say they have established more firmly than ever that the closest living relatives of the mighty predator Tyrannosaurus rex are modern birds.
The research, being published Friday in the journal Science, yielded the first molecular data confirming the widely held hypothesis of a close dinosaur-bird ancestry, the American scientific team reported. The link was previously suggested by anatomical similarities.
In fact, the scientists said, T. rex shared more of its genetic makeup with ostriches and chickens than with living reptiles, like alligators. On this basis, the research team has redrawn the family tree of major vertebrate groups assigning the dinosaur a new place in evolutionary relationships.
… Dinosaur paleontologists were not surprised by the findings. An accumulation of fossil evidence in recent years had given them increasing confidence that birds descended from certain dinosaurs.

Also see article by Rick Weiss of the Washington Post. 

Links:

Dinosaur - Wikipedia
Zoom Dinosaurs - Enchanted Learning
Walking With Dinosaurs - BBC
Dinosauria - University of California
Dinosaurs - National Museum of Natural History
List of Dinosaurs - Wikipedia
Types of Dinosaur - Dinosaur Jungle
Dinosaur Facts, Fossils and Information - dinosaurfact.net
Dinosaurs: Facts and Fiction - US Geological Survey General Interest Publication
Dino Directory - Natural History of Museum
Profiles of over 300 Dinosaurs - Dino Dictionary
Dinosaur Names - University of California
Strangest Dinosaur Names - NeatORama

So You Want a Pet: Conclusion of Series - Part 11 of 11

I could go on and on about what type of pet you could possibly add to your family/home, but no matter what pet you choose I can’t say it enough - DO YOU RESEARCH. 

I know you’re thinking good grief enough we get it! However you want to say it, gather your facts, do your homework, check things out or do your research. I’ve been only trying to say this in the most positive way I can because the bottom line is there are people that don’t. I’ve seen some of the effects after previously working almost five years at our local humane society. Countless numbers of animals come through the doors of shelters all across the United States some due to no fault of their own. Okay, maybe their fault if they ran away, but there are owners out there that won’t even go look for them. Sometimes genetics and over breeding can contribute to medical/behavioral issues and not all critters can be saved - no matter how hard you try to save them.

So You Want a Horse - Part 9 of 11

There’s nothing like the serenity just before dawn, the fresh air fills your lungs as you head to the barn. The smells of hay and grain, you horse nickers “hello” as the bond between you and your horse fills your heart. Brush, tack and go …An early morning hour long trail ride just as the day begins. The sun comes up; the birds begin to sing, you smile - what a way to start the day. If this sounds like something you might enjoy than maybe a horse is a good choice. [picture, left: Buck, my last horse]

So You Want a Pet:Pot-Bellied Pigs - Part 8 of 11

“Dogs look up at us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals”
Sir Winston Churchill , 1946.

[Photo: Ebsco Book Services] A few years back my son and I was considering a pot-bellied pig, we did our research. Went to the local book store and purchased a book on pot-bellied pigs, Pot –Bellied Pet Pigs by Kayla Mull and Lorrie Blackburn, D.V.M. a very informative book covering before you get you pig to vaccinations, medical management and even car rides. We also surfed the internet for more information. We found a reputable local breeder, and were ready to add a pot-bellied pig to our menagerie. Sorry no little piggies left. Oh well, we thought maybe it just wasn’t time to add to our family. About six months later I was informed of a pig in need. It turned out that its current owner was having difficulties with zoning. After speaking with the owners I was having a difficult time with the relocation of their precious pet, Ellie May - they really loved her. I did all I could to reassure them that Ellie May would get nothing but the best of care. I had even spoken with my Vet to see that she would be taken care of. I was getting really excited as I counted down the days to the newest member of my menagerie was to arrive.