Should I feel guilty for hanging out with some elephants?

Last night I was in the company of elephants, tigers and clowns … oh my. Yes, I sat among thousands of big-eyed children at the RBC Center watching the “Greatest Show on Earth” — the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus. Most of the feats were stellar.

Bello the clown was our guide through the evening. Sporting an high-top haircut that would make Kid (of “Kid n’ Play” fame) jealous, the seemingly fearless clown climbed up a wobbling pole that stretched nearly to the ceiling of the RBC Center and performed stunts that actually made me nervous for his life. He also ran atop a “wheel of steel” similar to what you’d put your hamster in. A married couple was shot out of a cannon at 65 mph. And, of course, there was the flying trapeze. One of the “flyers” (yes, that’s what you call someone who performs on a flying trapeze) even fell, landing on the net below.

But, I have to say, my favorite part was watching the elephants. They’re magnificent gentle giants. It’s incredible to see them balance on small platforms, spin around and even stand on their hind legs. PETA and other animal rights activists have a lot of bad things to say about the use of elephants and other animals in circuses. And if you read their press releases, it makes you feel pretty guilty for appreciating the splendor of the performing pachyderms:

Since 1992, eight Ringling elephant deaths have been attributable to either osteoarthritis or chronic foot problems–conditions directly linked to prolonged chaining and lack of space. Former Ringling veterinarian Dr. Gary West wrote, “Foot-related conditions and arthritis are the leading cause of euthanasia in captive elephants in the U.S.” In addition to the serious health risks, chaining and confining elephants is also cruel. It denies these highly intelligent and social animals everything that’s natural and important to them.

“Ringling’s elephants are beaten, chained like prisoners, and forced to serve life sentences—with no parole,” says PETA Director Debbie Leahy. “The best way to stop this abuse is for people to boycott Ringling and other circuses that use animals.”

I would have taken more pictures at the circus, but they ticket guy said my camera was “too professional.” But luckily, I was able to snap this pic of the protestors.

So what do you think? Should I have protested the circus because of the elephants and other animals? Or does a girl deserve a little pachyderm performance in her life?

Guess Who’s Going to be in a Circuit City Commercial

It’s Hank! He’s the local Golden Retriever I blogged about that was competing to be “the next Firedog,” a contest put on by Circuit City. I have no personal ties to Hank, but I thought it was cool that the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue (a local nonprofit that does exactly what its name implies) stood to win $50,000 if Hank won. That’s because Hank found a home through the organization. Hank was the only North Carolina dog in the contest.

As a side note, it’s pretty cool to think that the NRGRR will be $50,000 richer simply because of the power of the Internet. Organizers say people cast online ballots for Hank from not only the states, but also from Canada, Singapore, Venezuela, Grandy Cayman, Poland, Russia, England, Germany, France, India and other countries. 

Stolen Puppy Reunited with Owner

Remember the puppy that was stolen from a Cary apartment during a burglary? She was a Golden Retriever named Lulu, and when she went missing Cary Police put out a press release asking the public for help finding her. I blogged about her because I didn’t know how I felt about the police putting out a news release seeking help finding a lost dog.

Well, Lulu has been reunited with her owner, the News & Observer reported Sunday. Supposedly, Lulu was purchased by an unsuspecting woman at a gas station in Angier for $50. The woman couldn’t keep up with the new pup, the N&O reported, so she gave it to her sister who apparently realized it was the stolen pup. Awww. A happy ending.

I have to wonder though, who buys a puppy from a gas station?

Snake in a Window

I have to wait at the same, ridiculously long red light almost every morning I drive to work. This morning I was feeling pretty grumpy as I waited for the light to turn green. I looked over at the restaurant on the corner and noticed this stuffed snake sticking out of the window above Northside Billiards on Whitaker Mill Road in Raleigh.

I’ve never noticed it before. It made me smile (on a day when I could really use a smile), and I had to snap a shot. I just called the pool hall to find out if it’s always been there, and the guy who answered the phone just said he puts it up every year around Halloween. He just hasn’t taken it down yet. I’m glad he didn’t, because it made my morning.

Do you drive past anything unusual on your commute to work?

A Day at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

I participated in a local initiative today designed to get people to volunteer on Martin Luther King Jr. Day instead of taking the day off. I spent part of the day giving some love to cats living at the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh.

Here’s what the shelter offers:

Meet a Potentially Famous Dog in Real Life

If you’re looking for some canine contact this weekend, consider heading to Circuit City to meet Hank.

Hank is the local Golden Retriever who is a finalist in the electronics store’s “Find the Next Firedog” contest. I blogged about him earlier this month, saying that if he wins, the local nonprofit Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue will receive $50,000.

Hank will be on hand from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Cary Circuit City, 1490 Piney Plains Road, along with representatives from NRGRR, according to a news release I received yesterday.

And it’s not too late to vote for Hank (NRGRR officials say he is the only dog from North Carolina in the contest). To vote, click here. I’ve been told that if you vote you will receive an e-mail with a link to confirm your vote and it may go to your junk/spam filter.

What Kind of Person Steals a Puppy?

Cary Police are seeking help finding a new breed of criminal: A puppy thief.

Police say a man allegedly broke into a Cary home on Monday and stole a Golden Retriever named LuLu — in addition to jewelry, a laptop and digital camera. So police issued a press release this afternoon asking for help locating the “puppy pincher.”

Here are the first two paragraphs of the release:

CARY, NC –Cary Police are asking for your help in retrieving a female Golden Retriever puppy named “LuLu” who was stolen during a home burglary on Monday, January 14, 2008 on East Cornwall Road in Cary; LuLu was last seen wearing a pink collar. Police are also seeking help in locating a person of interest who was seen near the home during the burglary.

The person of interest is described as a white male, about 5-feet-10-inches to 6 feet tall, with sandy-colored, medium length hair and was last seen wearing a tan windbreaker and khaki pants. He was also seen driving a beige Ford Taurus at the time of the theft.

By the way, if you’ve seen LuLu, police ask that you contact Crime Stoppers at 226-CRIM(E) or call Capt. Dave Wulff at (919) 469-4017; you may also visit www.carycrimestoppers.net.

Obviously, someone has to be a real jerk to break into someone’s home and steal anything, nonetheless a puppy. And it makes sense that police would want to track down the perpetrator. But do you think it’s also the responsibility of the police to track down the puppy?

‘I Will Love Him and Hug Him and Call Him George’

Ever want to feed a baby squirrel with a baby bottle or help an orphaned cottontail survive in this wild and crazy world?

The Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina will teach you how. The organization is offering a class later this month designed to increase the number of people who are properly trained to rehabilitate baby mammals native to the area. The class is part of the organization’s annual symposium, and those who take the class could become eligible for a wildlife rehabilitator license.

Organizers warn, however, you should not take the class if you see it as a way to make some cuddly, new friends:

Wildlife rehabilitation entails a lot of time, some amount of money, some joy and some heartache. These animals are NOT to be perceived as pets but as temporary charges that will be released into the wild. They must be nurtured but handled as little as possible so they will have a successful release.

The symposium, which includes the rehab class, runs Jan. 25 through Jan. 27 at N.C. State University’s Centennial Campus. It costs $60 if you register before Jan. 11, and $70 if you register after. For more information or to register, click here.

Forget the Presidential Candidates, Vote for a Dog

If you want to cast a ballot in advance of the presidential primary, consider voting for a local dog.

One of the dogs that found a home through the Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue (a local nonprofit that does exactly what its name implies) is a finalist in Circuit City’s “Find the Next Firedog” contest. His name is Hank, and if he wins, NCGRR will receive $50,000 and Hank will star in a Circuit City commercial.

Even if Hank doesn’t win, the organization does. The group has already received $1,000 because of Hank’s finalist status and it will receive an additional $1 for every vote he snags, that’s according to the organization’s president, Jennifer Edwards. Edwards sent an e-mail campaigning for Hank that was forwarded to my in-box (I do not know her, Hank or any of the others involved).

Voting runs from Sunday, Jan. 6 through Jan 25. Edwards says he is the only Golden Retriever in the contest and the only dog from North Carolina. To vote, click here. I’m going to remain objective by not voting, but if you vote, Edwards says you will receive an e-mail with a link to confirm your vote and it may go to your junk/spam filter.

Would You Spend $40 to Put Yourself In Your Pet’s Shoes?

Cat and dog owners perplexed about their pet’s behavior can have their questions answered by local experts for $40. (Durham blogger Toastie may want to take advantage, check out this video of his cat).

North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is hosting a workshop called “Living in Harmony with Your Pets: Behavior Principles for Pet Owners” from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 9, according to one of the more amusing news releases I’ve read today.

Using case examples and videos, Drs. Barbara Sherman and Margaret Gruen will help owners see the world from their pets’ perspective in order to prevent and manage common behavior problems in the home. Five separate sessions will focus on behavior issues involving puppies, kittens, dogs, cats, and children and pets. The workshop will conclude with a question-and-answer session.

I’d love to go to find out why my cat Mogwai licks her front paws incessantly and only wants to be pet while laying on my bed … but it’s not quite in my budget right now. Besides, I already had her analyzed by an “animal communicator” a few months ago during a pet fair in Bluffton, SC, and the woman concluded there was nothing wrong with her. (My cat is named Mogwai after the cuddly, furry creatures that turn into “Gremlins”).

But if you’re interested in finding out about your pet’s quirks via this seminar, click here for more information on how to register. In the meantime, tell me about some of the weird things your pets do.