Two baby Fischer’s chameleons are seen in a photo composition in a studio in Wamena, Indonesia. Picture: Igor Siwanowicz / Barcroft Media
No one’s life should be rooted in fear. We are born for wonder, for joy, for hope, for love, to marvel at the mystery of existence, to be ravished by the beauty of the world, to seek truth and meaning, to acquire wisdom, and by our treatment of others to brighten the corner where we are.
“
| — | Dean Ray Koontz (via misswallflower) |
A mouse diced with death when it stole some food from under the nose of a leopard at the Santago Rare Leopard Project in Hertfordshire.
Instead of pouncing on the mouse, the 12-year-old African leopard, called Sheena, simply watched as it fed on scraps of meat thrown into its enclosure.
At one stage she tried to nudge the mouse away with her nose, but the mouse carried on eating regardless.
Heartwarming Tearjerker of the Day: Blair, a year-old black lab mix, suffered a gunshot wound while living on the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She recovered, but remained skittish and nervous from life on the streets, and was living indefinitely at Woodland West Animal Hospital.
Tanner, a 2-year-old golden retriever, was brought to the same shelter when his owner died. Tanner is blind, and also suffers from a seizure disorder that causes him to evacuate his bowels. “His seizure disorder was really, really bad and nothing — no medications — seemed to be helping,” said hospital director Dr. Mike Jones. “Anytime he seizes he expresses his bowels. … It made living in a home very, very difficult.”
Jones said he considered putting Tanner down. Then, Tanner met Blair.
“One day they were exercising in a play yard together and they got together,” Jones said. “Blair all of a sudden seemed to realize that Tanner was blind and just started to help him around.” Now Blair leads Tanner around the playground by his leash — a seeing-eye dog for another dog.
Since the pair became besties, Blair’s timidity has lessened, and Tanner is suffering fewer seizures. “They absolutely have to be adopted together,” Jones said. “But it’s going to take a special home with someone who understands their special relationship.”
