My mother early on taught us to respect all animals, and I mean all animals – not just cats and dogs but rats and snakes and spiders and fish and wildlife, so I really grew up believing they are just like us and just as deserving of consideration.
— Joanna Lumley
Category: Columnists
This category is for a columns page that shows all the columnists posts.
Badgers
A little intro to the European Badger……our black and white stripy friend.
| Life Span: | 5 – 7 years (typical in wild). Have been known to live up to 13 years. |
| Body Length: | 75cm (30″) head to tail. 90cm (35″) max. |
| Weight: | 10 – 12kg (22 – 26lbs) average. 23 – 27kg (51 – 60lbs) heaviest recorded. |
| Distribution: | Found throughout Europe with sub-species present in all continents except the Arctic and Antarctic. Particularly abundant in Britain and Ireland with the majority found in southern England. |
Badgers are stocky, short-legged animals that are easily recognisable by the black and white stripes that run from their nose to shoulders. They have small heads and eyes with a thick short neck and long wedge-shaped body that ends with a short tail.
Their powerful short legs end with paws, each having five digits, which are tipped with long, thick, sharp claws. This makes them very efficient diggers.
Black and white hair covers the badger’s body, making it appear grey from a distance. They have black chests and legs, a highly distinguishable black-and-white striped head with black ears that are tipped with white. Some badgers have different colour variations, such as ginger (erythristic) instead of black (melanistic). Also, some can be white (albino).
It’s difficult to tell male from female badgers. Males are slightly larger and heavier than females and normally have a wider head and a longer, thinner and lighter coloured tail.
Badgers are nocturnal animals that spend most of their lives underground in burrows called setts. They have highly social behaviour and live in family groups of up to 12 individuals. These groups display signs of hierarchy, with a dominant boar and sow leading the group.
Around dusk, they usually leave their setts to forage for food throughout the night until dawn, when they return to the safety of their sett.
Badgers can live in a wide range of habitats. Badgers mainly live on the edges of woodlands and pastures. They also live in scrubland, under hedgerows, in old quarries, on moorlands and open fields. Sometimes, they even live in gardens on housing estates.
The badger must select habitat offering plentiful food year-round. The site also must be secluded and well covered to allow inconspicuous emergence from setts. It also needs to be free from disturbance.
What are they up to this time of year…
Badgers have spent October fattening up for winter and, weather dependent, will continue this in November.
People may see increased activity in gardens where badgers visit and more snuffle holes in their lawns.
Badgers are omnivores. Their diet consists mainly of earthworms and grubs but can also include frogs, small mammals, birds, eggs, lizards, insects, plant bulbs, seeds and berries. They love peanuts and jam sandwiches as a treat.
TJ and Bart: Tail Sniffing
Bart: Hewwo, Anipal Times Readers! This is Bart, and we, TJ and Bart, are ready to write another column.
TJ: Dis is TJ, and dis is an important column. Doggos have asked us dis question: Why do our humans become upset when we sniff each other’s tails?
Bart: It is stwange, TJ. What is da problem with them?
TJ: They do not know dat is how we greet each other! We check each other out when we do dat! But humans just get all weird about it.
Bart: Hoomans, y’all do weird things too, like when we poop outside, y’all gather it in paper bags. Why do you want to save our poop?
TJ: I never figured dat one out, Bart.
Bart: Hoomans are strange. Anyway, for you hoomans, when we sniff each other’s tails, it’s our way of saying hello.
TJ: You can tell a lot about a doggo by sniffing its tail.
Bart: Exactly. You know den if you can twust da other dog. If you smell da wong thing, it’s no good
TJ: Dis is how we bweak da ice at da dog parks. Other doggos can be nervous, but when we sniff their tails, it rewaxes dem.
Bart: Dat’s wight. So, for you doggos, be patient with your humans. Dey are stwange.
TJ: And for humans, try to be more understanding. We will twy to be understanding with you.
Until next time. Woof woof!
Why You Should Consider Adopting An Older Cat
I am loving, affectionate, and I need a home.
While kittens are small, cute, and full of fun, there is a group of cats that often gets overlooked at shelters–older cats. Cats like me, and other older cats, have lots of love to give and may be a better choice for your home.
When adopting an older cat, you will save a life. Older cats are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanised. The satisfaction of giving an older cat a home is a wonderful feeling. My mummy feels immense gratitude for providing a home for me after an extended period of my lacking one.
Older cats are thankful that someone gave them a home for their senior years. They make loyal and loving companions. I love my mummy, who has given me a home of my own.
Kittens need a lot of supervision as they are curious and mischievous. Older cats are more sensible and relaxed, but still enjoy some playtime. They like the simple pleasures of a warm lap, sun puddles, and a quiet place to nap. Strictly speaking, I am not an older cat, being only four years and seven months old, but I can be naughty and silly.
Since older cats have developed personalities, you know what you are getting. Whether you are looking for a lap cat or an independent companion, you can find the perfect fit for your home.
While many people are concerned about medical costs for older cats, shelters will provide medical histories. Some cats require medication, and others may be in excellent health, but you will know in advance. With kittens, their future health is unknown. I had some minor health complaints, but I am in excellent health now.
In conclusion, when you choose to adopt an older cat, you change your life and gain a loyal and loving friend. Older cats deserve a loving, forever home, too. Contact your local animal shelters or rescue organisations to find your new family member. You won’t regret it.
The Cat Who Ate the Sun
by @kittehboi & Nightcafe Studio.
“The Cat Who Ate the Sun” is a mythical story explaining the origin of tortoiseshell cats. According to the legend, the sun became a black cat to visit the Earth. When the sun left, it left behind its fire in the patches of red and orange in the torties’s coat.
This is why Tortoiseshell cats are so popular, because they seem to carry a spark of the sun itself.
Kissy Noses and Deeper Thoughts
Do you ever notice that your peeps do not know the names of the other peeps at the dog park and just call them Sparky’s dad and Ike’s mom?
Do you ever wonder why the eggs come in a carton with twelve in them, but the peeps act like a hero when giving you one whole, big-deal egg? #danerve #moreplease
Do you ever wonder what peeps dream about when they go sleepies? Is it rabbits, squirrels, and running through lakes, like us?
Do you ever wonder why your closet is a millionth the size of your peeps’? #dogmariekondoit
Do you ever wonder why we must get a bath when we roll in fun, delightfully free items at the park?
Do you ever wonder why dogs must fly in a tiny cage on the airplane when the humans are the ones ready to rumble, misbehaving, and tossing drinks at each other?
Do you ever wonder why your peeps close the restroom door when the two of woo are home alone, but when you are on your walkies, they constantly stare right at you, steal your droppings, and give you no privacy at all?
Do you ever wonder why your peeps place a container full of tasty delights they call leftovers in the middle of the room where you eat and then yell at you when you jump up and eat it?
Do you ever wonder what those water drops are coming out of Momma’s eyes and how easily a hug from me just makes it stop? #Sassysuperpower
Do you ever wonder why your peeps cut down a gigantic tree, place it in a bowl and put attractive, shiny balls, strings of popcorn and cranberries on it but yell at you when you pounce it to the ground and eat the tree?
Do you ever wonder why it is more fun to play with the box your toy comes in instead of the actual toy?
Do you ever notice that we can smell someone opening a packet of chips a mile out and can be there in under a second to ask for one?
Do you ever wonder why the human takes all the gorgeous snow and grumbles and groans while making a space for peeps to walk in, rather than pounce through it with his tongue hanging out, like you do?
Do you ever wonder why the peeps squeeze you into a tiny sweater to go out in the snow, when you have two pounds of fur on already?
Do you ever wonder what is in that big, humming box and why you don’t have one? You live here, too.
Quote: Rebecca West on Cats
Did St. Francis preach to the birds? Whatever for? If he really liked birds he would have done better to preach to the cats.
— Rebecca West
How A Cat Shows Their Love, Part 1
Cats are not the cold, independent creatures that some people believe them to be. We have much love to give to our chosen human companions. Sometimes, the unobservant human misses how we show our love.
- When a cat blinks at you slowly, it is the equivalent of a ‘kitty kiss’. Some of us choose to show our love this way. It means that we trust you completely.
- When a cat purrs while sitting next to you or on you, it mostly means that it is happy, content and relaxed. Cooper, my brofur, had a powerful purr engine and purred his heart out when he was next to Mummy or Daddy.
- When a cat sleeps near you, it shows love, trust and that it feels safe with you. Cooper loved to take a nap curled up in Mummy’s arms, and he slept at night at her feet.
- When a cat walks around with its tail held upright, especially with a curl at the tip, it says that it is pleased to see you. I loved doing that.
- When a cat bumps or rubs you with its head, it shows affection and marks you with its scent. I loved to rub my face on my Mummy’s or Daddy’s shoes and legs. I was very enthusiastic about it.
- When a cat shows its belly by lying on its back near you, it shows total trust in you. That’s because it is the most vulnerable area of their bodies. Cooper also delighted in doing that. Some cats don’t like their bellies touched, though I don’t mind it.
As you can see, cats show their love with their body language and/or speech. Part two will cover several ways feline companions display affection.
Willow
To Bathe or Not To Bathe, That is The Question
Firstly, hello and welcome along to the wonderful Anipal Times. My name is Bob, and I’m your Agony Uncle.
My first email raises the very impawtant question – “To Bath or Not To Bath”. Recently, someone bathed Fred, whose name was changed to protect privacy, even though he fought heroically after he refused a bath.
Dear Bob
Let me set the scene, Fred says. He was walking along with his hooman whilst out walking in the lovely countryside where he lives and came upon the most gorgeous, premium, irresistible scent in the air that he knew he had to investigate and discover – if only to enter it into his Catalogue of Smells!
Well, when he looked back to see his hooman talking to anofur hooman, he thought he would check it out himself … so he did. When he got there, he realised it was indeed the most exquisite smell efur a dog could come across and knew instantly that he needed to have it upon himself. He rolled and rolled in it to ensure he covered every inch of himself in this luxurious smell! Proudly, he couldn’t wait to get back to his hooman to let them smell for themselves this wondrous smell! A true delicate bouquet for the nostrils!
Anyway, upon his return to his hooman, who incidentally was still talking to the other hooman, he went and sat right next to them and looked up at them, smiling. Then, a complete fluff explosion occurred. His hooman shrieked and shouted, “You smelly ****” (this word cannot be repeated ), then took away Fred’s freedom and liberties by grabbing his harness and taking him home. On reaching home, the hooman took Fred, who put up the most heroic fight for at least 30 mins, before being tricked with a treat, to the bathroom. They indeed trapped him in there and bathed him without a please or thank you.
Poor Fred lost his exquisite smell, and someone bathed him without his consent. Yes, consider this: Someone bathed Fred without his consent.
Dear Fred,
I think I’m not the only one who thinks they mistreated you when they gave you a bath without your consent. In fact, I believe your hooman needs a serious talking to about this unacceptable behaviour. I, for one, will come along to your home and back you up in this serious talking-to. They took your choice and liberties without consent, and you need to make them aware of this.
I would like you, the readers, to let me and Fred know your opinion on this matter. Do you think, like me, that their hooman needs a proper talk with? What would you do?
Please let us know in the comments.
Thank you.
A Senior Dog’s Transformation
Arthur, an older dog with a mysterious history from downstate Illinois, was once a bundle of nerves in the bustling city. The urban landscape overwhelmed him, making him scared and reactive to every noise and sudden movement. His owner, seeking a change for her beloved companion, found a lifeline in Dog Training Now (DTN). She would later recall that location with intense gratitude; Arthur discovered existence need not induce fear there.
The 12-day board-and-train program was transformative. DTN wasn’t just a business; it was a community of people who genuinely cared about the dogs’ success. They welcomed Arthur with open arms, understanding his anxieties and working patiently to build his confidence. Under the dedicated guidance of the trainers, especially one named JJ, Arthur unfurled.
Each day brought new lessons. He gained trust, followed instructions, and, above all, the realization that the surrounding wasn’t hostile. JJ fostered a special bond with Arthur, treating him with a love that mirrored his owner’s own affection. Even after returning home, the lessons stuck. Arthur continued to practice his new skills, his progress a testament to the comprehensive and caring approach of the DTN team.
His owner watched proudly as the once-timid, reactive dog blossomed into a confident, happier companion. The transformation was remarkable. “I highly recommend DTN,” she often enthused, “no matter what their age, they can help your pup be a better dog!” Arthur’s story shows that, with support and affection, dogs of any age or background can find happiness and confidently embrace life.
The Anipal Times 