These Elephants Live In Luxury

The elephants at the Smithsonian National Zoo have a new home and what a home it is! Here are some pictures of their new enclosure. Learn more about their new enclosure and see more pictures from an elephants point of view on their website.

Here is the sand-filled Elephant Community Center. Here they find fresh cut bamboo, a new toy hanging from the scratching post, and a splash pool equipped with a foot pedal that allows the elephants to activate an overhead shower. The skylights allow for natural light to filter into the enclosure.

Shanthi is carrying her favorite toy into the community area of the enclosure.

One of three pools in the new enclosure. This one is shallow and safer for older elephants and young calves. The other two pools are deeper and perfect for swimming and community bathing.

The elephants even have their own walking trail. The Elephant Trails trek is a one-of-a-kind 1/2 mile path that winds around a hill and overlooks American Trail. Here you see Shanthi foraging the vegetation that runs along the side of the trail.

Dog Has His Own Seeing Eye Dog

CNN photojournalist John Torigoe introduces you to Issac, a blind dog, and his friend Isabella who guides him.



source:  YouTube

Boaters Have Close Encounter With Whale

source:  Dana Point Whale Watch

Panda Cub Gets Cold Feet

San Diego Zoo's baby panda, Xiao Liwu, got to experience snow for the first time on Tuesday. When he first came out into his enclosure, he was a little hesitant but Mama Bai Yun went right for the snow as soon as she saw it. It didn't take long for little Wu to figure out just how much fun the snow can be. After 30 minutes of romping in the snow with momma, he was all tuckered out and slept for the next 2 hours.

 

source:  San Diego Zoo

The Three Little Bears...Found In A Box On The Side Of The Road

Read more at FOX Carolina 21

Howyiz! Happy St Patrick's Day!

Or should I say Happy St Catrick's Day?

Medical Marijuana For Pets?

We have all heard of the benefits of medical marijuana. It can and is used successfully to treat many health disorders, with historical evidence dating all the way back to 2737 BC. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of traditional Chinese medicine. It is prescribed for a broad range of indications and can be used for nausea and pain relief, and as an appetite stimulant.

After all these years of proven success, more states are now allowing the medical use of marijuana for human use. But if it's helpful for humans, wouldn't it also be helpful to animals who are going through cancer treatments or suffering from any number of illnesses affecting their quality of life?  Dr. Doug Kramer, a California veterinarian thinks so and his mission is to improve pets' quality of life by outlining safe and effective marijuana dosing guidelines.

Click the link below to read about Dr Kramer and some of his patients whose last months of life were lived happy and pain free, thanks to the good doctor and a little plant.

Dogster.com - Medical marijuana for dogs?