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I am always reading animal-related newsletters and articles to keep in touch with the wealth of information available and would like to share some stories that captured my attention in some way.
Have you heard about the elephant-dog friendship that lasted eight years? In an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee the pachyderm Tarra recently lost her long-time canine companion Bella. Bella was a stray who showed up and never left.
For years she and Tarra were completely devoted to each other and usually could be found side by side exploring the acreage. They shared a barn home at night.
Bella went missing one day and the staff searched everywhere for the dog.
Her body was found in the barn. It was apparent that she had been attacked and killed by a coyote.
There was no evidence that the attack had taken place in the barn. There was a bit of Bella’s blood on the underside of Tarra’s trunk.
The sanctuary staff have pieced together what they believe to have happened to Bella. Most likely, Tara witnessed the attack or discovered it soon after and then carried the body of her friend back to their barn home.
Rob Atkinson of the Sanctuary said "I am convinced Tarra experienced the death of her friend that fateful night, brought her home and said her goodbyes. Tarra was a true friend to the end, and Tarra’s sisters and caregivers will continue to take care of her, as she and Bella did each other."
Tarra will be mourning the loss of her dear friend probably for the rest of her life.
“The incredible Dr. Pol” is going to be featured on a National Geographic series of that name. It premiered Oct 29 and will be on at 9 pm Saturdays. Dr. Pol is a country veterinarian in rural Michigan who still makes house calls. In his practice he cares for every pet and farm animal you can imagine. He has cared for more than 18,000 patients in his many years of practice and is still going strong and working long hours. His old-school, no-nonsense approach to veterinary medicine should result in some interesting shows, perhaps somewhat like the James Herriot stories.
A black lab named Tucker is helping scientists understand why the orca population is diminishing in Puget Sound. Tucker, described as a “Conservation Canine” has been trained to recognize the scent of whale “poo.”
I am always reading animal-related newsletters and articles to keep in touch with the wealth of information available and would like to share some stories that captured my attention in some way.
Have you heard about the elephant-dog friendship that lasted eight years? In an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee the pachyderm Tarra recently lost her long-time canine companion Bella. Bella was a stray who showed up and never left.
For years she and Tarra were completely devoted to each other and usually could be found side by side exploring the acreage. They shared a barn home at night.
Bella went missing one day and the staff searched everywhere for the dog.
Her body was found in the barn. It was apparent that she had been attacked and killed by a coyote.
There was no evidence that the attack had taken place in the barn. There was a bit of Bella’s blood on the underside of Tarra’s trunk.
The sanctuary staff have pieced together what they believe to have happened to Bella. Most likely, Tara witnessed the attack or discovered it soon after and then carried the body of her friend back to their barn home.
Rob Atkinson of the Sanctuary said "I am convinced Tarra experienced the death of her friend that fateful night, brought her home and said her goodbyes. Tarra was a true friend to the end, and Tarra’s sisters and caregivers will continue to take care of her, as she and Bella did each other."
Tarra will be mourning the loss of her dear friend probably for the rest of her life.
“The incredible Dr. Pol” is going to be featured on a National Geographic series of that name. It premiered Oct 29 and will be on at 9 pm Saturdays. Dr. Pol is a country veterinarian in rural Michigan who still makes house calls. In his practice he cares for every pet and farm animal you can imagine. He has cared for more than 18,000 patients in his many years of practice and is still going strong and working long hours. His old-school, no-nonsense approach to veterinary medicine should result in some interesting shows, perhaps somewhat like the James Herriot stories.
A black lab named Tucker is helping scientists understand why the orca population is diminishing in Puget Sound. Tucker, described as a “Conservation Canine” has been trained to recognize the scent of whale “poo.”
He can detect it from a nautical mile away. Tucker is taken out in the Sound in a boat with the scientists.
When he “hits” on the scent by becoming highly animated, the researchers collect the poop for testing. DNA testing and nutritional analysis provide valuable information about the status of the marine creatures.
The scientists have concluded that three reasons for the population decline are: 1) disturbance from private and commercial whale-watching boats, 2) a decline in their primary prey…Chinook salmon, and 3) exposure to chemicals like PCB, PBDE and DDT which are stored in the whale’s fat.
I am not sure how much of their conclusions are the result of the “poo” testing but it sure is intriguing to learn another way that dogs can help man, who then helps animals.
Anne Divine is a long time member of LAWS and has volunteered at Animal Control for 18 years. She can be reached at: adivine@kc.rr.com.
