Disaboom HopefulNebula Blog

10 Working Dogs to Celebrate "Take Your Dog to Work Day"

Nebby — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:14:00 GMT

Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day. While it isn't quite a holiday, I hardly need occasion to commemorate animals. Especially when these particular dogs are celebrating "Take Your Human to Work Day."

Here a doggy, there a doggy, and another service doggy...

(Photo credit: BL1961)

This gal is a Search and Rescue dog demonstrating her balance skills.

(Photo credit: SkyWideDesign)

Everybody has to start somewhere, so have a couple of working dogs in training.

(Photo credit: cobalt123)

(Photo credit: j-ster)

This guy is an actual German police dog. That's not a novelty costume. He sure rocks that hat!

(Photo credit: Antony Pranata)

"I found him!"

(Photo credit: SkyWideDesign)

This guy is in Afghanistan right now, helping his people stay safe.

(Photo credit: army.mil)

WHOA. BIG DOG.

(Photo credit: boutmuet)

Of course, you can't work all the time. Even humans need breaks. Both the following are search-and-rescue dogs resting between rescuing people after 9-11.

(Photo credit: smiteme)

(Photo credit: BL1961)

Want more dogs? Check out the signs that you might be a crazy pet person. More of a cat lover? I have Rules For Stray Cats.

Top 8 Things You Never Knew About Helen Keller

Nebby — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:20:00 GMT

You've probably heard of Helen Keller before. She was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama in 1880, and at 19 months old she became blind and deaf after taking ill. When she was six, her parents hired a teacher named Anne Sullivan to bring the world to Helen. The moment when she made the connection between the finger-spelled letters "W-A-T-E-R" and the water flowing from the garden pump was immortalized in Keller's first autobiography The Story of My Life, as well as in the play The Miracle Worker.

But there is more to Helen Keller's story than what you may have learned in school. Below are eight less well-known facts about her.

1. Her mother was one of Robert E. Lee's cousins, which makes Helen one of Lee's first cousins once removed.

2. She is responsible for bringing the Akita dog breed to America. In 1935, she visited the Akita prefecture in Japan and asked about the story of Hachikō, the dog famous for staying loyal to his master even after his master's death. While in Japan, she told someone that she wanted her own Akita dog, and within a month the Japanese government had sent her one named Kamikaze-go.

Keller wrote in the Akita Journal: "If ever there was an angel in fur, it was Kamikaze. I know I shall never feel quite the same tenderness for any other pet. The Akita dog has all the qualities that appeal to me -- he is gentle, companionable and trusty."

3. She is a stroke survivor -- she had several strokes in 1961.

4. In 1964, she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work as a women's suffragist and workers' rights advocate. The medal is the highest honor the U.S. president can bestow on a civilian.

5. She wrote to eight Presidents of the United States -- Theodore Roosevelt through Lyndon B. Johnson -- and received replies from all of them. She wrote to them about various topics including suffrage, social justice and workers' rights. She even got to meet each president from Grover Cleveland to Lyndon B. Johnson in person.

6. She published 11 books in addition to The Story of My Life. Some of them are about her life after college, and others are more political.

7. She is one of the co-founders of the American Civil Liberties Union.

8. Since 1984, the week of June 27th (Keller's birthday) is known as Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week.

8 Great Animal Dads

Nebby — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Father's Day is June 21st this year, which makes now a good time to honor eight of the best fathers in the animal kingdom.

8. Rhea

The rhea is a flightless South American bird about the same size as an emu. Each male can have up to twelve partners at a time, but the females never stay in place for very long, which means lots of work for the dads! The mothers do very little to care for their young, but the fathers incubate the eggs, guard the nests, and feed their young until they're fully grown.

This is an adult rhea:

(Photo credit: Paul Denton Crocker)

And this one of the many ways a rhea father protects his young:

(Photo credit: Smithsonian's National Zoo)

Obviously, rhea fathers like to take their babies on piggyback rides, too.

7. Marmoset

There are twenty-three species of marmoset, and though all marmosets are small animals, the fathers play a huge role in rearing their babies. Marmoset mothers generally have twins, and the babies together can weigh up to 25% of the mother's body weight.

Because having babies is so taxing on female marmosets, it's up to the fathers to take care of their families. They spend much of their time feeding their mates and teaching their babies about the world, and they can even help deliver the babies when they are born.

(Photo credit: Joachim S. Mueller)

6. Great Horned Owl

Most female birds are smaller than their male counterparts. For birds of prey, and especially for owls, this isn't true. Female great horned owls are much larger than the males, and they're the ones who guard the nests after they're built.

This leaves the male to spend all his time feeding three to five hungry mouths, one of which outweighs him. He can sometimes spend the entire night catching small animals to feed his family without eating something himself.

(Photo credit: backpackphotography)

(Photo credit: kretyen)

(Photo credit: Patrick Doheny)

5. Darwin's Frog

While we're on the subject of food: Darwin's frog fathers safeguard their offspring inside their mouths. The female lays about thirty eggs, and the male guards the nest. After the tadpoles hatch, he scoops them into his vocal sac. From there, the tadpoles feed off their egg yolk, and once they grow legs, the father opens his mouth and lets them hop free.

(Photo credit: Huenchecal.)

4. Sea Catfish

If you think the frog is dedicated, try the Sea Catfish. They protect their eggs the same way, but they don't have special packets to store them in. This means they can't eat until the eggs hatch.

Oh yeah, did I mention that this can take two months or longer? They live off their own body fat for that long.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. Namaqua Sandgrouse

Namaqua Sandgrouses live in Africa's southern deserts. After their eggs hatch, the father will fly up to 50 miles a day to the nearest watering hole, soak his belly, and fly back so his babies can drink water off his feathers.

(Photo credit: happy.apple)

(Photo credit: Arno & Louise)

(Photo credit: Jo Mur)

And now for two of the most famous animal dads in the world.

2. Emperor Penguin

After the female emperor penguin lays her egg, she leaves the egg with her mate, who holds it on its feet. He covers the egg with his belly fat through the Antarctic winter.

Even after the chicks hatch, the males guard them the same way until they are too big to fit.

(Photo credit: Martha de Jong-Lantink)

They even babysit:

(Photo credit: ASOC Pictures)

1. Seahorse

Here's how it works with seahorses: The female lays her eggs into a special pouch in the male's belly. The male fertilizes them and carries them -- nurturing them from his own body -- until they hatch.

That's right, it's the males who are pregnant. If that isn't dedication, I don't know what is.

(Photo credit: doug.deep)

(Photo credit: San Diego Shooter)

The New School Counselor

Nebby — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:12:00 GMT

Sandy began a job as an elementary school counselor and was very excited to be able to help the children. On her first day, during recess, she noticed a girl standing by herself on one side of a playing field while the other kids played soccer at the other.

She asked the girl if she was all right, and the girl said she was.

Later on, however, Sandy noticed that the girl was in the same spot, still alone. She walked back over to the girl and offered, "Would you like me to be your friend?"

The girl hesitated, then said "okay," looking at Sandy suspiciously.

Thinking she was making progress, Sandy asked, "why are you standing here all alone?"

"Because," the girl replied with great exasperation, "I'm the goalie!"

Want more funny things? Or more sports? Can do!

(Photo sources: szlea & Katie@!)

10 More Weird Wheelchair Access Signs

Nebby — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:31:00 GMT

I was looking through my archive and I realized that it's been more than six months since my original "funny wheelchair signs" post. I'm going to fix that now. Again, these are in no particular order.

1. Maybe this sign means it's OK for Aaron Fotheringham to practice there?

(Photo credit: Potjie)

2. Well, at least they saved a spot. But isn't everybody "differently abled"? I'm bad at some things that other people are good at, and good at some things that other people are bad at. Precision of language is important here.

(Photo credit: tkellyphoto)

3. It's always good to have warning that doors are heavy.

(Photo credit: Malingering)

4. What if these aren't flames, but speed stripes because the wheelchair guy is going really really fast?

(Photo credit: Giant Gingko)

5. It really is true: people with disabilities can do anything.

(Photo credit: Jeremy Brooks)

6. Either this is a depiction of the world's strangest tattoo, or somebody fails at communicating in pictures.

(Photo credit: Leo Reynolds)

7. Oh, look, it's another French "If you take my parking space, also take my disability" sign! This one uses the informal "tu" instead of the formal "vous," so it's a nice, chatty sign.

(Photo credit: dms246)

8. I saw this sign in London, but the caption was "Elderly People" instead of "Disabled People."

(Photo credit: twinkleboi)

9. In which Wheelchair Guy learns to use tools.

(Photo credit: clagnut)

10. Redundant sign is redundant, but very cool-looking.

(Photo credit: cafrizell)

Want more signs, of the non-disability variety? Have some weird, weird warning signs.

20 Reasons I Love Cheetahs

Nebby — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:14:00 GMT

You know what the poorest of the big cats is? Cheetahs, because cheetahs never prosper.

Bad jokes aside, a new month means a new edition of "20 Reasons."

1. At least the cheetah likes my joke.

(Photo credit: digitalART2)

2. Big cats mean big tummy rubs, if you dare to get that close.

(Photo credit: BIGDOG3c)

3. Cheetahs watch each other's backs.

(Photo credit: Arno & Louise)

4. They can climb. Very, very well.

(Photo credit: Andries3)

5. Who needs puppydog eyes when there are kittycat tears?

(Photo credit: vladdythephotogeek)

6. They make a roadblock nobody will pass.

"What do you mean, move? You move."

(Photo credit: Arno & Louise)

7. Super stealth

(Photo credit: A. Dawson)

8. They appreciate a good landscape

(Photo credit: Andries3)

9. They at least look like they're thinking deep thoughts

(Photo credit: Picture Taker 2)

10. Their babies are fluffy, playful little ones

(Photo credit: Bill Liao)

11. They know how important downtime can be

(Photo credit: law_keven)

12. Soft fur means soft pillows

(Photo credit: Jasiri Fleckenfell)

13. The way their ears go back when they yawn

(Photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar)

14. They're tasty! Or at least their fur is.

Evidently, anyway. I've never, you know, tasted cheetah fur.

(Photo credit: Picture Taker 2)

15. They have awkward teenage years, too.

(Photo credit: Buckeye Beth)

16. They make good happy faces, even with the painted-on teardrops

(Photo credit: Mara 1)

17. Super-powerful legs for super-fast running

(Photo credit: Jasiri Fleckenfell)

18. They have whiskers just like any other cat

(Photo credit: Picture Taker 2)

19. They stay loyal to their parents as they grow up

(Photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar)

20. They've mastered the "Myspace pose."

(Photo credit: skasuga)

Previous "20 Reasons" posts, for your edification: It started with Saydrah's hedgehogs, and I retaliated with giraffes. Then came cuttlefish, penguins and foxes. It's Saydrah's turn next, and whatever she comes up with will be otterly adorable, I'm sure, so keep an eye out for it!

You know you're a crazy pet person when...

Nebby — Fri, 29 May 2009 16:58:00 GMT

You know you're a crazy pet person when...

You have a mental list of people you'd like to spay or neuter.

You stopped at a house with a "Free Puppies" sign in the yard to have an "Educational Chat," and your kids had to post your bail.

(Photo credit: sheeshoo)

Running out of paper towels is a household crisis.

You not only know all the characteristics of a good "stool," you discuss them at dinner.

Your checks have messages on them like "Subtract Two Testicles For Every Four Feet."

You not only allow pets on the couch, guests have to sit on the floor because the dog has "territorial issues."

(Photo credit: Pippin's mom)

Your chatroom handle is "Queen of Spayeds."

(Photo credit: akav)

You needed a prescription to recover from "Old Yeller."

You've forwarded more warnings about the dangers of chocolate, onions and mistletoe than the National Centers for Disease Control has issued about anthrax and smallpox.

You wear white year 'round, not because you are flaunting a fashion law or belong to a religious sect, but because you have a Dalmatian, Great Pyrenees, Samoyed or white Persian at home.

(Photo credit: Onion)

The world would never guess from your "dog or kittyspeak" posts to e-lists that in reality you are chairman of the IBM corporation.

Vacuum cleaners in your household don't just die, they go out with more smoke and noise than the Taliban.

By the time you investigate different flea control products, their advantages and potential risks, natural versus chemical methods, and study the life cycle of the flea, any fleas have died of old age.

For relaxation, you went mall hopping with your girlfriends. Your eyes glazed over when you saw a "20% Off All Puppies & Kittens" sign in front of a pet shop, and you slapped three security guards before they got you safely contained in the manager's office.

You spend eleven months of the year preaching an appreciation and understanding of canine behavior and the nature of the dog, then you stick fake reindeer antlers on the dog and photograph him for your Christmas card.

(Photo credit: Living in Monrovia)

People are still talking about your spay-neuter holiday greeting from last year, "Deck the Halls with Balls of Collies."

Not only do family and friends think you go overboard with doggie holiday decorations, they've never seen a nativity scene where the holy family is depicted by Dobermans.

Singing In The Rain: 15 Beautiful Raindrop Photos

Nebby — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:34:00 GMT

Yesterday was Memorial Day in the United States, and for many the day means doing something outdoors. For us Denverites, though, the entire weekend was made of rain and occasional lightning, which really put a damper on a lot of plans. At least rain is pretty, though, and in such an arid environment it's truly a blessing.

Therefore, I bring you raindrop pictures.

(Photo credit: Louise - Paisley)

(Photo credit: John-Morgan)

(Photo credit: tanakawho)

(Photo credit: clickclique)

(Photo credit: audreyjm529)

(Photo credit: Lady-bug)

(Photo credit: mommamia)

(Photo credit: Steve took it)

(Photo credit: elvis_payne)

(Photo credit: Steve took it)

(Photo credit: ToniVC)

(Photo credit: elvis_payne)

(Photo credit: Steve took it)

(Photo credit: Darwin Bell)

(Photo credit: play4smee)

Want more water? I have snowflake pictures for you.(What? Snow is water!) If you prefer something more floral, I suggest my post with snowy flower pictures. If this post's put you in a spring-ish mood, I have pictures of leaves as well.

Mightier Than The Sword: 15 Pictures of Pens (and a few markers)

Nebby — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:11:00 GMT

If Saydrah could do it with crayons and colored pencils, I can do it with pens and markers. There's something to be said for working with liquid ink, whether it's stored in the pen or in a container.

(Photo credit: notashamed)

(Photo credit: Luca Zappa)

I love a good crowd scene.

(Photo credit: Carlos Lorenzo)

(Photo credit: photobunny)

It's not easy being green.

(Photo credit: Luca Zappa)

(Photo credit: Reggie Wan)

(Photo credit: athena.)

(Photo credit: Cheekybikerboy)

I really like this one:

(Photo credit: -Gep-)

Oh, look, it's a marker flower!

(Photo credit: beebrisk)

(Photo credit: monica.renata)

(Photo credit: ShutterSparks)

(Photo credit: monica.renata)

(Photo credit: Stewart Liewakabessy)

I can taste the rainbow!

(Photo credit: Sir Mildred Pierce)

Want more photos? Try for leaf photos, or any other pictures I've posted.

Feed me, Seymour! 20 Hungry Animals

Nebby — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:08:00 GMT

I did a post showcasing thirsty animals way back in December, and now it's time for hungry animals to have their say.

1. The price of things these days...

(Photo credit: jpockele)

2. Grand Theft Sandwich

I once saw a scrub jay steal a half a sandwich out of a guy's hands. This is no scrub jay, but it's awesome anyway.

(Photo credit: lecates)

3. Like eating salad, but with attitude

(Photo credit: Alkan Chaglar)

4. When the food is taller than you are, make yourself taller

(Photo credit: fxp)

5. Aw, she thinks she's people!

(Photo credit: apeofjungle)

6. It's not a bird, it's not a plane, it's Hungry Squirrel!

(Photo credit: Marko_K)

7. Yay, food pellets!

(Photo credit: denn)

8. Mmm, sweet nectar

(Photo credit: Kjunstorm)

9. Anybody got any change?

(Photo credit: photojenni)

10. Excuse me, there's something in your teeth.

Did anybody else ever play "Hungry Hungry Hippos" as a kid? Please tell me I'm not the only one.

(Photo credit: sammijk)

11. What do you mean, meant for dogs?

(Photo credit: Caesar Sebastian)

12. Gimme gimme gimme!

(Photo credit: Jack Fiallos)

13. Can't you humans take a hint?

(Photo credit: .imelda)

14. Please, sir, may I have some more?

(Photo credit: Flying_Snow)

15. Ever wondered where "hungry as a horse" came from?

(Photo credit: sliceoflife)

16. Up close and moo-rsonal

Yes, this is a cow mouth.

(Photo credit: foxypar4)

17. Folks, don't try this at home.

(Photo credit: SIDwilliams)

18. Who needs a plate?

(Photo credit: bjackrian)

19. Black and white and green all over

(Photo credit: drs2biz)

20. Always keep variety in your diet

(Photo credit: ArtBrom)

Want more animals? There are plenty of animals here.

I Am a Leaf on the Wind: 15 Beautiful Photos of Nature's Solar Panels

Nebby — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:59:00 GMT

One of the things I love about spring is how all the leaves seem to come out in one day. Around here, that "one day" was over the weekend, so I bring you leaf pictures.

(Photo credit: elston)

(Photo credit: seeks2dream)

(Photo credit: CatDancing)

(Photo credit: Riv)

(Photo credit: philipbouchard)

(Photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar)

(Photo credit: leezie5)

(Photo credit: lo.re.n.zo)

(Photo credit: hyperboreal)

(Photo credit: filmmaker in japan)

(Photo credit: notcub)

(Photo credit: tanakawho)

(Photo credit: [MP])

(Photo credit: EJP Photo)

(Photo credit: Chris Campbell)

Want more nature photos? There are plenty of moon pictures. If you're in the mood for spring, I also have Easter egg pictures.

How to thwart watermelon thieves

Nebby — Thu, 07 May 2009 20:17:00 GMT

(Photo credit: afsilva)

There was a farmer who grew watermelons. He was doing pretty well but he was disturbed by some local kids who would sneak into his watermelon patch at night and eat watermelons.

After some careful thought he came up with a clever idea that he thought would scare the kids away for sure. So he made up a sign and posted it in the field. The next day the kids showed up and they saw his sign: "Warning: one of the watermelons in this field has been injected with cyanide."

The kids were bright and not about to risk another watermelon. They ran off, made up their own sign, and posted it next to the sign that the farmer made.

The next day the farmer showed up to look over the field and he noticed to his delight that no watermelons were missing. He was perplexed, however, by a sign next to his. He drove his tractor up to the sign which read: "Now there are two!"

(Photo credit: s n o R k e l)

Want more jokes? Try The Skydiver and the Stranger. If you want more food and food-related humor, there's always Alternative Cooking Tips.

20 Reasons I Love Foxes

Nebby — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:46:00 GMT

Yes, folks, it's a new month, which means it's time for a new installment of 20 Reasons. This time, it's all about why I love foxes.

1. Long, long legs

(Photo credit: peupleloup)

2. The babies strike grown-up poses

(Photo credit: StarfireRayne)

3. They stand out against the snow

(Photo credit: Rob Lee)

4. Kissable noses

(Photo credit: Everything is Permuted)

5. They're awfully cute when they're drowsy

(Photo credit: Humanoide)

6. If you don't like red, you can get a variety pack

(Photo credit: sea turtle)

7. Those big fluffy tails make excellent toys

(Photo credit: Everything is Permuted again. She has foxes who live near her and don't mind people taking their pictures.)

8. They can walk on (frozen, crystallized) water without sinking

(Photo credit: yeimaya)

9. Soft, soft fur

(Photo credit: digitalART2)

10. Super-secret antigravity powers

(Photo credit: mikebaird)

11. My, Grandma, what big teeth you have!

(Photo credit: Everything Is Permuted)

12. They're naturally inquisitive

(Photo credit: BugMan50)

13. Even the little ones have attitude

(photo source: mikebaird)

14. They're handsome in profile

(Photo credit: Nick Lawes)

15. They're entertaining to have in the backyard

(Photo credit: Everything is Permuted)

16. They even look good scratching themselves

(Photo credit: wildphotons)

17. They can make their own beds

(Photo credit: Limbo Poet)

18. They make great birdwatching companions

(Photo credit: Zaniac)

19. They're easy to take to the dentist

(Photo credit: Everything Is Permuted)

20. Two words: Eskimo Kisses

(Photo credit: law_keven)

The Skydiver and the Stranger

Nebby — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:42:00 GMT

A man went skydiving for the first time. After listening to the instructor for what seemed like days, he was ready to go. Excited, he jumped out of the airplane. When the time came, he pulled the ripcord. Nothing happened. He tried again. Still nothing.

He started to panic, but remembered his back-up chute. He pulled that cord. Nothing happened. He frantically began yanking both cords to no avail.

Suddenly he looked down, and he couldn't believe his eyes. Another man was in the air with him, but this guy was going up! Just as the other guy passed by, the skydiver yelled, "Hey, do you know anything about skydiving?"

The other guy yelled back, "No! Do you know anything about gas stoves?"

(Photo credit: MandaRose)

Need more humor? Try The End of The Raven or Music Notes.

15 Reasons Cats and Books Go Well Together

Nebby — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:49:00 GMT

I'm a sucker for bookstore and library cats, and both the cats I've owned have loved books. It's only fair that on the week of Book and Lover's Day, William Shakespeare's birthday and Miguel de Cervantes' death anniversary, I'll combine two of my loves into this blog.

1. Need to step out of the bookstore for a minute? Get a guard cat.

(Photo credit: 0olong)

2. They keep you from staying up until 5 in the morning reading.

(Photo credit: _madolan_)

3. They love books as much as you do

(Photo credit: urbanlegend)

4. They're very well organized

(Photo credit: brewbooks)

5. They provide excellent window decoration

(Photo credit: tuttidog)

6. They help you turn pages

(Photo credit: static416)

7. Cats prevent you from needing to "dress up" your shelves.

(Photo credit: fofurasfelinas)

8. They can even work as bookends.

(Photo credit: TLVshac)

9. They're always lounging around, waiting for a good discussion...

(Photo credit: 37prime)

10. ...and they can even make recommendations.

(Photo credit: swanksalot)

11. They help mark your place

(Photo credit: Kaotiqua)

12. They point out what you need to study

(Photo credit: mmechtley)

13. They know how to relax with a good book

(Photo credit: marymuses)

14. They keep the books from escaping

(Photo credit: bruce_fulton)

15. They bring surprise to the books you've re-read twenty times

(Photo credit: mcwetboy)

Want more cats? See The End of The Raven and Rules for Stray Cats.