Hey, fucknut!

Jackasses, all of 'em! (Except the rooster.)

Frog noise == Mass destruction?

Hawaii Fights Noisy Frog Infestation

It's hard to imagine a tiny, 2-inch frog could cause so much harm. Beloved in its native Puerto Rico, the coqui frog has become a menace in Hawaii, where it suddenly appeared in the 1990s. With no natural predators, such as snakes, to keep their numbers under control, the frogs and their loud "ko-KEE" mating calls have multiplied exponentially — causing headaches for homeowners.

So yeah, invasive species are bad, mmmmmkay? But really, as far as I can tell from this article the only impact these frogs are having is noise pollution. Aparantly the "plucky" island dwellers can't handle a little froggy chirp, though.

In fact, state Rep. Clifton Tsuji calls the frogs "a species of mass destruction." ... Erm... So, the frogs are so noisy that people don't want to buy houses in infested areas and that equals "mass destruction", eh? Right.

More zombie news

This one might even be real: Boffins create zombie dogs

US scientists have succeeded in reviving the dogs after three hours of clinical death, paving the way for trials on humans within years.

Pittsburgh's Safar Centre for Resuscitation Research has developed a technique in which subject's veins are drained of blood and filled with an ice-cold salt solution.

Granted, the story isn't quite as exciting as the title, but hey... I love any story that calls scientists "boffins" -- makes 'em sound like Muppets!

A Man's Man

Kenyan grandfather, 73, kills leopard with hands

The leopard sank its teeth into the farmer's wrist and mauled him with its claws. "A voice, which must have come from God, whispered to me to drop the panga (machete) and thrust my hand in its wide open mouth. I obeyed," M'Mburugu said.

...

"This guy is very lucky to be alive," Kenya Wildlife Service official Connie Maina told Reuters, confirming details of the incident.

Because we love tough old geezers around here.

Links on Parade

  • Endangered Condors Soar Over Grand Canyon

    On some days, as many as 25 to 30 condors soar over the canyon area — more birds than were in existence a generation ago when officials decided to capture and breed them.

  • Agent: We'll see what options are out there

    Peter Forsberg wants to return to the Colorado Avalanche if a proposed salary cap doesn't make him too expensive for the club, his agent says.

    Well, it's been nice having him around...

  • In three fights recently, boxers have just quit. Is this a trend? Is it a self-preservation thing? Might be smart in the long run, though I really question Kostya Tszyu's choice in particular.
  • I don't care how much you love animals, don't go out in the highway!

    An Illinois woman who stopped to help a family of ducks cross Interstate 90/39 on Wednesday morning ended up in the hospital after she was hit by a car and thrown 60 feet.

  • German police can't catch record-breaking speeder

    A motorcyclist captured on film by German police racing at 251 km per hour (155 mph) on a road near Berlin has set a new unofficial national record for speeding, Bild newspaper reported on Monday.

    He'd better watch out for ducks at that speed!

  • Naked Bike Ride shocks London — Warning: British body parts in full view. ;) See also (if you dare!)
  • So the Senate can't manage to pass a bill outlawing lynching, but they can probably agree to apologize for that fact...?!
  • Smooth move: If you're the President of a nation, it's best not to publish your cell phone number. Jackass.

A Slalom Corpse

In my neighborhood, the prairie dogs have turned into hypersuicidal lemmings. The roads are positively littered with roadkill. Maybe the plague has finally gone to their heads.

Maybe a large portion of the coyotes have really died off (something I've heard, but can't find a reference for...) to some degree and are sorely missed.

Either way, it's gross.

Laughing Dog

Animal laughs no joke says expert

Professor Jaak Panksepp says that animals other than humans exhibit play sounds that resemble human laughs.

These include the panting sounds made by chimps and dogs when they play and chirping sounds observed in rats.

Totally. Mingus is very vocal when we play. Not only does he "play pant", he also "monkey talks" and throws head-fakes like a running back. Then he smiles.

He also sighs at me when he's bored or frustrated. I think I saw him roll his eyes at me once, too.

My dog freaks me out sometimes...

Canine Socialization Tips

Dog-Friendly Dog Training

The technique here is to go outside and sit on a park bench. Whenever you see another dog you say "oh, look, here comes a cookie dog." And as soon as your dog sees the other, you give him a treat. Even if your dog is tense and growling and one might say that you are rewarding the dog for growling and acting badly around other dogs, things will improve quickly. The dog cannot help but make the positive association between the approaching dog and the cookie and soon he will look forward to other dogs approaching. Any time your dog acts appropriately when a dog approaches, offer a reward. Be sure you give your dog enough space from the other dog to feel safe and comfortable. And watch for early signs of discomfort, such as yawning, and excessive panting or activity. You don’t want to push your dog too far too fast.

Clever.

Mingus needs some work in this area, for sure. Or, I suppose, I do.

What immortal hand or eye...

Trackers Kill Tiger in Ventura County

The decision by government trackers to use high-powered rifles instead of tranquilizer darts to bring down the elusive cat outraged animal rights activists. But state officials said they had no alternative but to shoot to kill, because the animal could have attacked or bolted onto a highway or into a public park nearby.

I agree with Tippi Hedren, though... They could have at least tried sedating it first with the big guns at the ready.

I just want them to string up whomever brought the cat to suburbia in the first place.