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Fostering Animals: Save a Life and Live
Few people like to dwell on the suffering of other living creatures, and many of you have most likely wondered if there is anything you can do personally to make this world a little happier. While most of us don’t have unlimited personal resources, and no one can single-handedly change the world, there are little things we can do that matter.
You may ask yourself, “What can I do?” Here is an idea: if you are able and have the resources to do so, perhaps consider opening your heart and home to an animal needing a refuge. Much like human beings in need of help, there are hundreds of animals who have been backed into corners, with nowhere to go and no way out on their own. Volunteering to foster these animals in need of rescue is a service some may overlook or find unimportant in comparison with other social problems. However, reaching out to suffering animals is just as worthwhile and rewarding, and the animal you help will forever thank you for your compassion.
When you foster an animal, you save a life. In shelters and veterinary clinics across the country, animals by the dozens sit in dark, lonely cages or sheds surrounded by other frightened, love-starved creatures. Dogs, cats, and others wait day after day—but most of them never leave the shelter again, and are euthanized because adoption never occurred. It’s a dreary, depressing picture; one that most of these shelters and clinics cannot fight alone. But, there is hope, and you can be a part of it!
Hope comes in the form of foster organizations who work with shelters to extricate animals on what is called the Kill List, which is exactly what it sounds like. But these organizations can only do so much; they need compassionate, aware people like you to help out by providing a temporary home for animals in need. By volunteering a space in your home, you literally snatch an animal from death’s awaiting grip. You give it a second chance.
Believe it or not, animals know when they have been rescued. They recognize that second chance, and they take it with all of their hearts. And, they will thank you. When you see that mother dog with her babies, and she looks at you with eyes full of tenderness, you will know that she is grateful. When the old horse in your empty shed nuzzles you affectionately, you will feel his appreciation. They will pay you back in ways that you never thought possible—through giving them a shot at life, you too will find yourself more alive than ever.
Life is precious. Alleviating animal suffering and death is as worthwhile as any other service in this world. You can help, simply by opening your heart and inviting an animal into your life. Believe this: it makes all of the difference, because through saving a life, you find greater meaning in your own.
Lop Eared Rabbits
Lop ear rabbits are definitely adorable. The Magic Zoo was recently at the big rabbit and cavy show in Pennsylvania hosted by the ARBA, and I saw more sweet little lop ear rabbits there! I wanted to cuddle them all, which would have been counter-productive, since I was there to sell my jewelry to the competing breeders and rabbit owners.
The lop eared bunnies looked so soft and gentle. I think they were my favorite among all the many breeds that were brought to the show. (Believe me, there were lots of them…rows and rows of cages with rabbits of every description)
Preparing your Home
Any new pet animal has to be prepared for. And a rabbit is not any different. Do you have the right food? Have you rabbit-proofed your home? Are you prepared to take your rabbit to the vet if he/she gets sick?
Rabbits are relatively long-lived. Some live for over a decade. In other words, bringing a rabbit of any kind into your home should not be done on impulse, because this little critter will be with you for a while.
And think about getting an animal companion for your bunny. Sometimes even a guinea pig makes a good buddy. But if you do get a second lop, make sure it’s the same sex. Actually, what I’ve read online is 2 spayed females get along well together. So that might be a good option!
Bond with your Bunny
And although rabbits are not crazy about being picked up, they do need to be interacted with. And once they really know you, they will enjoy your company, and actually come to you for affection! I’ve heard they’ll even hop around and follow you in the yard. (Just make sure your yard is fenced in, and you keep a sharp eye on your little guy.)
So find a reputable breeder to find your lop eared friend, or adopt one that needs a good home. I think that’s the best way to find any animal companion, myself. In my mind, those little lost animals deserve a second chance.
Bugs; Nature’s Living Jewels
Bugs are some of the most colorful critters in nature. So of course they have inspired a wealth of jewelry designs through history. Most of us have seen the Egyptian Scarab, said to be sacred to the Egyptians, and used for many different reasons.
Worn by the poor and wealthy alike, they could be rather common and cheap. But some of them were sewn to the wrappings of mummies. Particularly the winged scarabs, which were supposed to help the departed on his journey to the world beyond.
Butterflies have also earned a prominent place among jewelers of the world. It’s not hard to see why. The breathtaking flight of a gorgeous jewel-toned butterfly turns a common suburban yard into a magical setting for this otherworldly critter.
As a jewelry designer and animal lover, I think bugs are great models. I’ve done a few (butterflies, dragonflies and ladybugs) but I’ve never tried my hand at a scarab. And I have definitely stayed away from the spiders (which are arachnids, not insects) I have no idea how I would make those skinny little legs strong enough!
Are you a bug lover? Let me know your thoughts on insect designs!
Fuzzbutt…and Other Weird Animal Names
One of the funnest things about getting a new pet is thinking of a name. Will it be bold, like Brutus or Blaze? Will it be cute, like Pippin or Misty? Or will it be classic, like Toby or Ginger?
Naming your animal is an important part of your relationship with it. A name connects you and your pet. You communicate with your pet by using a special name, and your pet communicates with you by answering to the familiar word. A name is a unique way of letting your pet know that it’s important.
Because of that unique bond, a name itself should be chosen with the pet in mind. Many people go with bold, cute, or classic options; there’s nothing wrong with that! Sometimes Rover “fits” better than anything else. Others, though, take a different route, searching for the most outrageous names they can think up. Some make sense when you hear the story, some leave you scratching your head, and some are just downright funny.
Take the name “Chew Barka.” Perhaps the dog looks a lot like Chewie, or maybe you’re just a huge Star Wars fan. How about a cat named Cleocatra, and her sister named called Neferkitty?
Names come from animal personality traits, color patterns, funny experiences with your pet, or lightning bolts of inspirational weirdness (like Chew Barka, Cleocatra, and Neferkitty) It goes for more than cats and dogs, too. There was once a gold betta fish named Leonardo da Fishy!
Here are some other pet names that will really make you stop and ask again:
Dogs:
- Spark Pug
- Stinker Belle
- Geez Louise
- Badonkadonk
- Nacho Dog
- Sir Knuckles da Dragon
- Santa Paws
- Raising A. Ruckus
Cats:
- Cheeto Burrito
- Pico de Gato
- Schnickelfritz
- Albus Dumbledore
- Black Sabbath
- Purr Diem
- Pattycakes
- Fuzzbutt
What’s the weirdest or funniest animal name you’ve ever heard?
Sterling Silver – Wearable Art
Creating beautiful pieces of art includes more than painting on canvas, sculpting with clay, or chalking the sidewalk at an outdoor festival. We sometimes overlook jewelry as an art because it’s so easily mass produced and picked up at the local mall. But now, with communities like Etsy, people are able to share their artistic creations. Handcrafted jewelry is a beautiful way to express your inner creative abilities.
Using sterling silver in jewelry crafting is popular because the metal is beautiful as well as hardy. Pure silver is too soft for everyday wear and difficult to craft because it doesn’t hold its shape. Sterling silver, on the other hand, is harder and more durable than pure silver. If you’re interested in making jewelry with sterling silver, it’s important to start with the right tools and materials.
Depending on the type and size of the jewelry you want to make, you’ll need the right kind of sterling silver sheeting or clay silver. When you purchase sterling silver, always check for the number 92.5—this is true sterling silver, with the right mix of pure silver and other metals.
Some other basic tools you’ll need include a jeweler’s saw, a buffing machine, saw blades and buffing wheels of various sizes, jewelry polish, a stove top burner for firing silver pieces made with silver clay, and a drill with small bits. Most of these tools can be purchased through the Internet or at a local craft store.
Other important tools are used depending on the design of the jewelry being made. You can use files for sanding down rough edges after sawing, or hammers equipped with various design plates to add texture to the silver. A small blowtorch can also solder pieces together. It’s a good idea to practices these techniques on inexpensive metals, like copper, until you’re familiar with the results.
Once you have the proper tools and a little practice, it’s up to you to determine which material to work with – silver sheeting or clay silver. Silver sheeting does not require firing after you’ve designed your piece, while clay silver needs to be fired in order to set the design. Clay silver also has a higher silver content, and so it’s softer after polishing. It’s important to know how materials will hold up, because it impacts the quality of the jewelry.
You can work with sterling silver as a hobby or even a side business (that’s how Magic Zoo got started!). But whatever you do with it, crafting sterling silver into earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry is a great form of expression and artistic outlet. With the proper tools and your imagination, you can create beautiful, wearable works of art.
Animal News: Mice Terrorize Females!
Normally Sane Women Leap on Chairs to Avoid Killer Mice
Alarming? Maybe. But fess up, that animal news headline is not completely untrue. Have you ever leapt for a chair in the presence of a measly little and even dare I say “cute” furry mouse?
But it is true…just google animal news and you will see that singing mice have made the grade. And yes, they are not randomly squeaking…they are actually singing, kind of like birds! Doesn’t that make things seem better?
Is this Really Animal News?
Yes, I’m afraid so. Scientists, who often scramble for something worthwhile to do, have studied the singing ability of mice. “What!” you may say. What about discovering a cure for cancer?
In a bid to keep their research grants intact, (I’m just being sarcastic here) microbiologists have discovered some interesting things about these talented rodents. When they put male basses and tenors together (excuse me, mice who sing bass?) they found the lower voiced rodents tended to go higher and the higher voiced ones got lower.
Pretty soon they all sang in the same range.
Does this really qualify as animal news? You have to admit it’s kind of fascinating. It caught my eye, after all.
True Confession: I actually HAVE squeaked and jumped up on a chair when I saw a mouse in the room.
And for me to admit that…well, just don’t tell anyone else. And if you actually think mice are cute, come on by and see the mouse jewelry I’ve created!
Etsy Jewelry a Great Place to Shop!
Why am I promoting etsy jewelry?
Etsy jewelry shows off an artist’s handmade creations, and at long last I have my own bronze jewelry on the etsy jewelry site. I think the photos of these items have gorgeous backgrounds which completely shows them off to advantage. (Compliments go to my husband, the photographer!)
Of course I’ve had my own website for a long time now, but etsy is a great showcase for artists who don’t have their own site for one reason or another. Etsy jewelry is mostly handcrafted, so the pieces reflect the personalities and talents of each artist whose work is displayed there. It’s a lot of fun to poke around there, and see what you see!
I’d thought about putting my own handcrafted animal jewelry designs on etsy for several years, but that project got put on hold. I admire etsy, and many of my own customers have been urging me to get my work up there. So at long last, I have put my toe in the water of etsy jewelry. And although all that is up there now is my new bronze work, more will certainly follow.
I Love Being an Artist!
I love creating; it is what I do! But fitting one more thing into an already exceedingly busy schedule took a bit of planning. But for now, etsy jewelry is the only place you’ll see my bronze jewelry. They will be on my regular site before Christmas, if all goes according to plan. But at least you can get a sneak peak at them now!
I think bronze jewelry has a wonderful warm glow, not as bright as gold of course, but very appealing nontheless. To me it’s sort of an autumn feeling; and I imagine most people who have the autumn pallette would look great wearing bronze jewelry as well. I also think women who love 14K gold would enjoy bronze, although maybe for more casual wear. One thing about bronze; it is more affordable than gold!
I think many people actually prefer the more subtle tones of bronze; my own bronze jewelry has a lacquer finish that delays the patina that naturally forms on this metal with time.
Expanding my reach into both the world of etsy artists, and the world of designing in bronze has been a great experience. Both of these new adventures have given me some ideas of additional trails to blaze. And for an artist, creating new work is one life’s greatest joys.
What’s it like to shop on Etsy?
What benefits are there to shopping on etsy? This is my personal list!
* Lots of artist’s designs in one location
* Sort of like your personal arts and crafts show, on your computer screen
* Much of the work there is handmade
* You can switch easily from one gift item to another (from jewelry to pillows, to furniture, and so on)
* You get to support artists by purchasing from them directly
I’m curious; how many of my customers also shop for etsy jewelry? Check it out, and then I would love to know what you think about the etsy site!
The Pink Flamingo Facts and Fun
Phoenicopterus ruber Caribbean Flamingo, Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa, Florida (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The pink flamingo is pretty iconic. And if you live in Florida, you will see this bird all over the place. (Well, not the real thing. Just plastic replicas) Yes, even The Magic Zoo has a collection of pink flamingo jewelry. After all, I am located in Florida!
Long ago there was a small breeding population of pink flamingos in Florida, but not any longer.
Any living pink flamingos you in Florida now are most likely escapees from a captive wildfowl collection somewhere. And sometimes they are seen in the Everglades, but they are most likely stragglers from the current Yucatan population of flamingos.
There are bright pink waterfowl in Florida, but these are spoonbills, not pink flamingos. But they are pretty cool! I see them sometimes on a quick walk from my house to the bay.
Where can you find wild flamingos today?
In mangrove Swamps and also in sandy islands that are above the low tide mark.
And in these locations:
- Europe
- South America
- Africa
- Central America
- Asia
- North America (just not those breeding populations)
I must say these birds adapt well to different sorts of environments. In fact, some live in hot volcanic lakes while others prefer the icy waters of mountain lakes in the Andes!
There are six different species of flamingo, and they range in size from 3 feet to over 4 feet high. But like all wild birds, they are extremely light weight. Even the tallest flamingos only weigh 9 pounds!
Why are they pink anyway?
Well, the pink flamingo gets it’s color from the food it consumes. (By the way, they eat upside down and backwards. Watch one eat sometime (maybe on YouTube) They dip that amazing bill ion the water, suck in water and food from the front, and mud and water drains out from the back of their bill.
Next to eating, they spend a lot of time preening. Got to keep those lovely pink feathers looking good! There is a gland near the base of their tail that produces an oil they run through their feathers with their bill.
Are they fast fliers?
As a member of a non-flying species, I am easily impressed. But they do fly up to 37 miles per hour. And like an airplane, they get their speed up before going airborne. By running, of course. Andy they can fly for 300 miles to get to a new landing spot.
Are pink flamingos good parents?
Yes, they are as good a parents as they are beautiful birds. Or something like that. Anyway, both parents build the nest and incubate the egg. And when junior is about to hatch, the parents converse about it in their own flamingo tongue, uttering parental bird sounds of encouragement. They have even been known to peck at the egg to help things along.
And flamingos are pretty social, at least among themselves. Like someone once said “it takes a village to raise a child.” Well, whether or not that is true for people, it’s certainly holds true for flamingos. They live in large colonies and won’t nest unless others of their kind are around.
And when the little ones are old enough, they join flamingo day care, and are looked after as a group.
A few other fun pink flamingo facts:
They are pretty long-lived, as birds go. (between 20 and 30 years)
Adult flamingos don’t have many predators
They rest on line leg. Now that takes balance and skill!
Have you ever seen a flamingo up close? Tell me about your pink flamingo experience!
Animal Lovers? Tell me your Story!
North American River Otters, Lontra canadensis (per Schreber, 1777. More commonly used, but allegedly incorrect latin name: Lutra canadensis). I took the photo in San Francisco Zoo on August 29, 2005. Français : Loutre de rivière, Lontra canadensis. Image prise au zoo de San Fransisco le 29 Août 2005. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
How many animal lovers do you know? I reckon I know thousands upon thousands of them, and many of them are now my customers. Lucky me! The animal lovers club is one I’m proud to be a part of.
And more of them are being born each day. I’d say the ratio of animal lovers to animal haters is pretty gigantic. Something like 1,000 animal lovers to 1/2 an animal hater. Or something like that.
I’m always falling in love with new animals
I am always discovering new animals, critters I have never seen, but that are completely fascinating to me. As an example, there’s a very sweet young pit bull down the street who has decided I’m his new best buddy. I can’t resist him! He licks my toes, wags his tails a million miles a second, and kisses my hands when I give him a hearty pet. His humans looked a bit concerned the first time, like I was going to freak out at their pup’s approach. But they seemed pleased that an “old lady” like me was unafraid of his attentions.
I’ve also been watching the most wonderful black turtles living in a pond not far from me. Now they seem to know who I am. I don’t know if they expect treats from me, but they like to paddle over and look up at me from where I watch them on the little bridge just above their home.
I even think the spiders we have in Florida are cute. (At least one kind) There’s these interesting little guys that have tiny spikes over their backs, and they come in different colors.They really look like tiny crabs in a spider web!
Spider webs are amazing constructions. You have to appreciate the hard work of the lowly garden spider!
Special Surprise for this Animal Lover
A couple of years ago my husband and I were taking a stroll in our neighborhood. This particular area has a stream going through it. And one exciting evening, we spotted a river otter playing in the stream! I think it’s amazing that river otters live in my neighborhood. Not bad.
What other local animals live near me Here are a few you would see around these parts:
* egrets
* ducks
* hummingbirds
* crabs
* legless lizards (an actual type of lizard, very pretty)
* mullets (the fish, not the hair)
* Ghar fish (long skinny fish with long snouts)
* alligators
* owls
* squirrels
* Other fish, with names unknown to me* Zillions of anole lizards, some with yellow racing stripes, (very appropriate)
* Black snakes, very pretty and very fast
* herons
* pink spoon bills
* pelicans
* armadillos
* opposums
* raccoons
As an animal lover, you could do worse than live in this state. And just a hop skip and a jump away you can see manatees and dolphin swimming.
Tell me how many wild animals you have living in your neck of the woods! Once you start thinking about it, I think you’ll be surprised. I’m sure I’ve just scratched the surface of all the wild animals in my vicinity, but it’s a nice start. I’d love to see YOUR list here!
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