A Japanese dolphin is squealing with delight after receiving a prosthetic tail to replace one amputated due to a skin disease. Fuji's handlers at the Churaumi Aquarium in Japan's southern most island of Okinawa say the fake tail may have saved her life as she had put on dangerous amounts of weight from being inactive after she lost her tail. "Because she was not exercising enough (after her tail was amputated) she gained weight and from blood samples we took we realized that her cholesterol levels were too high. We then were afraid that this might trigger other diseases so we had to come up with something," handler Masaya Koami said. The tail was custom made for Fuji by a friend of the handler who works at Japan's leading tire company Bridgestone. The rubber prosthetic device is slightly smaller than the tail of a dolphin of Fuji's size. It is made of material used for Formula One race car tires and the black silicon rubber was reinforced with artificial bone made of carbon-fiber. Sponge rubber was used for parts that come directly in contact with Fuji's skin. Bridgestone said they spent at least 10 million yen (about $83,000) to develop and produce the fin. As for Fuji, the freedom that it brought her is priceless. After initially being frightened of it, the dolphin now leaps and swims with vigor.
Polar bear cub Knut plays in the Berlin zoo. Knut, born on December 5, 2006, weighs 6500 grammes and had to be hand fed every four hours by zoo employee Thomas Doerflein after its mother Tosca refused the baby.
A Chow Chow dog painted in the likeness of panda is displayed for sale at a pet market in Shenyang, China's Liaoning province
'Goblin' the cat takes to the 'catwalk' in a pink dress at the PETCO Spring Fashion Show at a San Diego, California PETCO. The PETCO Spring Fashion Show was held at more than 800 PETCO stores across the United States to allow proud pet owners to show off their fashion-forward animals.
Instructor Momoe Yamamoto demonstrates yoga with her dog Moq, a four-year-old Pug
Chaco, a four-year-old Kaninchen Dachshund, takes part in a 'Dog Yoga' lesson organised by Japan Dog Yoga Association with owner Satoe Tachi at Nippon Ayurveda School in Tokyo. The lesson isaimed at improving health and bonding owner and dog through yoga.
Momo, a 5-year-old dachshund. walks on an aqua treadmill at 'El Perro', an aqua fitness centre for dogs, in Tokyo. The fitness centre has physical training and weight loss programmes and remedies for bone and sinew problems for dogs.
Description: The Afghan Hound is a sighthound with an aristocratic bearing. Tall and slender with a long, narrow, refined head, silky topknot and powerful jaws. The occiput is quite prominent. The muzzle is slightly convex ("Roman nose") with a black nose. There is little or no stop. The teeth should meet in a level or scissors bite. The dark eyes are almond shaped. The ears lie flat to the head. The neck is long and strong. The height at the withers should be almost level and the abdomen well tucked up. The hipbones are quite prominent. The front legs are strong and straight and the feet are large and covered with long hair. The tail has a curl or ring at the tip, but is not carried over the back. The long, rich, silky coat is most often the color of sand with a darker face and ear fringes, though all colors are permitted.
Temperament: Dignified, somewhat aloof, but very sweet, loyal, affectionate and sensitive, with a low dominance level. They must be trained kindly. The Afghan has been described as "a king of dogs." Majestic, elegant, noble and courageous, suspicious of, but not hostile to, strangers. Although tough, they will pine if they are deprived of attention. They will do best with older, considerate children. This breed can be difficult to housebreak. Some are timid and high strung.
Height , Weight: Dogs 27 to 29 inches , slightly less for bitches. Weight: 58-64lb (26-34kg.)
Health Problems: Generally healthy, the Afghan has a low pain tolerance, thereby suffering even with minor injuries.
Living Conditions: The Afghan Hound is not recommended for apartment life. They are relatively inactive indoors and do best with acreage. This breed can live in or outdoors, although it would be happier sleeping indoors.
Exercise: Afghan Hounds love open spaces and must be allowed to run free in a safe area as well as having long daily walks. It needs a minimum of 30 minutes of free galloping per day.
Life Span: About 14 years
Grooming: The long, thick coat demands a great deal of attention. When showing there is a must to bath once a week. Do not brush in-between baths in order to keep coat long and shiny. Brushing a dry coat will damage the coat and even make it more easily matted. Weekly baths are not as important if your Afghan is a pet and will not be shown, but doing so will make the coat less matted and will save you time in the end. Many wear snoods indoors to protect their ears from food bowls. A special air-cushioned brush or pinbrush is useful for grooming.
Origin: This is a very ancient dog, native to Sinai, and mentioned several times in Egyptian papyruses as well as pictured in the caves of northern Afghanistan more than 4000 years ago. The breed was kept pure for centuries, and its exportation was always prohibited. It therefore only reached Europe as contraband early in this century. This elegant sighthound was used as a shepherd and hunter of many types of game including deer, wild goats, and even wolves and snow leopards. They were also used by shepherds as herders and watchdogs. An extremely fast and agile runner, the Afghan Hound pursues game by sight. His thick coat protects against temperature extremes. In Europe and America he has become a luxurious pet because of his aristocratic beauty. Some of the Afghan's talents are hunting, sighting, tracking, herding, watchdogging, racing, and lure coursing.
Berlin zoo employee Thomas Doerflein plays with polar bear cub Knut. Knut, born on December 5, 2006, has had to be hand fed by Doerflein after its mother Tosca refused the baby.
Hi!! This is Tony from Los Angeles , CA . A gizmo geek by nature and fond of all sorts of odd gadgets . I have a passion for pets and..Oh Yes! I have 2 dogs , 2 cats , 1 parrot and a cage full of finches . You can learn about interesting pet news, pet photos, pet videos, pet products, and pet care tips from this blog.. That sums of all about me. So come in with all ur aarfs and meaws and enjoy blogging.
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