Animal bits

November 8, 2012

Happy Birthday to Dracula’s Creator

Irish writer Bram Stoker was born 165 years ago today on November 8, 1847. He is best known for his gothic horror novel, Dracula. There’s not a lot more to say as words would be wasted. This man gifted us with a wonderful genre of horror that inspires people to this day.

When it comes to movies, my favorite one is the great silent film, Nosferatu (1922) directed by E.W. Murnau and starring Max Schreck. Since Murnau knew he would be sued by Stoker’s widow, he changed the ending and it became the first time that a vampire was killed by sunlight. That detail was NOT in Bram Stoker’s book. A good later movie about Murnau and Nosferatu is Shadow of the Vampire (2000) starting John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe. That one is based on the myth that Max Schreck was a real vampire.

Tito as Dracula — Tito had to play the part of Dracula in this post as all the photos from the film are still under copyright in Germany.

My other favorite movie is Dracula (1979) starring Frank Langella. I’m fond of this one only because Langella made for a rather attractive vampire. Ok, I’ll admit it. He made me drool. He still does, come to think of it. Age hasn’t hurt him one bit.

As for cats inspired by Bram Stoker, please go see Adventures of a Naked Cat. It’s a blog written by Nofuratu, a hairless kitty. He has brothers named Count von Count, Vampir, and Vladimir. He also has a wonderful Facebook page. He’s a great adventurer and fashionista.

November 5, 2012October 28, 2013

Tito and the art of the Dead Bug

Tito and Jenny are both nervous wreck kitties. In Tito’s case, it has taken him 4 years to learn to relax…mostly. He’s still terrified of shoes and he smacks the crap out of anything that doesn’t look right to him. Aside from smacking inanimate objects that make him nervous, he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body. He’s a gentle soul and he adores Miss Jenny.

I managed to get some photos of him practicing the dead bug. He’s getting quite good at holding the position for a long time. Miss Jenny is still too nervous to attempt this position.

Speaking of dead bugs….

YouTube video by Carmichaellynch

November 2, 2012November 2, 2012

The Flying Wallendas got nothing on this dog

Ok, it’s a bit of exaggeration. The Flying Wallendas have been defying gravity for a century. Recently, Nik Wallenda became the first aerialist to walk across the Niagara Falls.

This pooch doesn’t walk across the Niagara Falls, but what he does is pretty impressive. According to his Facebook page, Ozbert Humpledink is a 3 yr old collie/kelpie cross. He was born in Wales. With the help of his human, he has learned some amazing tricks.

As you can see, Ozzy really loves to perform for his dad.

Now it’s time for the gratuitous cat pics.

We hope you have enjoyed this acrobatic interlude.

October 16, 2012October 16, 2012

It’s National Feral Cat Day

Today is the day to think about and remember the feral cats that live among us. The nation has millions of these forgotten and abandoned kitties. JBoD endorses the trap-neuter-release (TNR) method of control. This way is far more humane than mass euthanasia. The kitties are caught in traps. They are then spayed or neutered and given rabies shots. Their left ears are notched and they are released back to their colonies to live out their normal lifespans.

Our wonderful San Francisco SPCA provides free spay or neuter for any community cat that needs it. You can read about it here.

Many areas have their own feral TNR programs. You should contact your own shelters to find out. If there are none, become an advocate if you can.

A good friend of JBoD, Nofuratu participated in a walk to benefit his own local feral TNR program. He took first place for fundraising in the Cat Walk. Hooray for Nofur!!! We wrote about his fundraising efforts back in September. Please take time to visit his blog and his Facebook page. He’s a wonderful advocate for kitties as well a foe of any form of bigotry. In addition, he’s an excellent fashion model. In short, he’s a kitty of many talents and much charisma.

Now it’s time to show off some of the ferals we have seen in our area.

Here are the daytime kitties.

And now we have the night kitties.

feral cats — These are Lastech’s favorites. He calls them Mack the Knife and Pirate Jenny. He’s been watching them for more than a year.

While their lifespan outdoors is considerably shortened with an average of 6 years, they are happy and alive. They didn’t ask to be neglected and abandoned and they shouldn’t have to die as a result. Please consider supporting this option instead of euthanasia.

Our wonderful furballs have feral roots. Tito was born in the shelter to a feral mom. Miss Jenny was feral when she was picked up on the streets as a kitten. Both are wonderful members of our family.

October 8, 2012

Ducks: Happy endings

Good afternoon everyone. Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary provided this wonderful video about some ducks who were seeing water for the first time.

This little video is full of awwwwwww.

September 7, 2012October 28, 2013

Friday has gone to the fishies

In keeping with JBoD’s current aquatic themes, this Friday is dedicated to fishies. Ok, it’s koi.

I’ve posted about the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park, but I haven’t really highlighted the koi. And they deserve the spotlight. After all, they’re beautiful and plentiful.

Japanese Tea Garden Koi — Photo by Rudha-an

Continue reading “Friday has gone to the fishies”

August 31, 2012

Teh Woozle

Known to most of us as Teh Woozle, this handsome beast is the companion of aoeu, a friend of JBoD. aoeu shared this photo the other day and I fell in love with it. I am using it with his permission.

Teh Woozle was rescued many moons ago on the No. California Coast. He was tired and hungry. He has been a loyal companion ever since. He is now living back East and is basking in his senior years. In his day, he was a very talented rat catcher. Those rats didn’t stand a chance. These days one of his favorite pastimes is snarfing up a piece of toast (buttered on both sides) after it has been dropped on the floor accidentally-on-purpose.

August 22, 2012January 1, 2013

Of Fog and Belligerent Wildlife

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is where we go when we want to relax a bit.

Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park — Stow Lake always looks pretty in the fog

I had just taken the fog photo when I saw it. It was a belligerent seagull. It was yelling at its reflection in the car. It was a riot. Even the people who owned the car got a laugh.

After that, we started to drive around to the other side of the lake when I saw it. It was another belligerent creature.

He was a feisty critter and he was just strolling down the sidewalk. We patiently herded him back to the lake as the gulls began to gather ominously. He made it back in one piece.

August 17, 2012August 17, 2012

A New JBoD Friend: Dilly, the Chi-weenie

We have written about our friend and wonderful cat mum, flumptytail. She has many, many cats. She takes them in, spays and neuters and once that’s done, they are free to come and go from her home as they please. She feeds and cares for them and takes them to the vet whenever needed.

Now she has a sweet little puppy named Dilly. Miss Dilly is named for the song Lavender’s Blue.

Miss Dilly is about 3 1/2 months old. She came to live with flumptytail when her previous humans were unable to keep her. Her favorite toys are a squeaky fox and a huge cow. She loves all food, but chicken is her favorite. Isn’t she adorable?

Yesterday, Dilly went to the vet for her spay. It went well and she’s back home. She’s a happy little dog.

Lastech, Tito, Miss Jenny and I would like to welcome Dilly to JBoD!

Our previous post about our friend flumptytail:

Tito and Kitsune Reflect on Mother’s Day

August 16, 2012October 30, 2013

Happy Birthday to Tsula a Happy Corgi

We have written about our friend Abra Crabcakeya’s corgi, Tsula before. Yesterday, she turned seven.

From our previous post about her:

Tsula has a great yard and has plenty of opportunity to engage in her favorite sport. She loves to chase chipmunks, rabbits and squirrels. She always takes time for a nap right after breakfast. She has to keep her energy up for the chase. Her number one favorite thing is being daddy’s girl and spending her time with him.

She’s a very happy corgi and she adores our friend, Abra. May they have many more years together.

Many happy wishes from JBoD and we hope that Abra Crabcakeya will be kind enough to pass on a bunch of scritches.

Of course, all this calls for Sparky and his kibble dance.

We have written about Tsula before.
Tsula: A Happy Corgi

Her two buddies, Justice and Terra have crossed the Rainbow Bridge and are waiting for her.

Terra: A Wonderful Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Justice and Terra are Together Again