Why do people Dress their animals?

photo by: http://goo.gl/A31CK

Have you ever wondered why people put little shirts on their dogs? It's because people enjoy giving human like characteristics to non human being things. This is called anthropomorphism, which means the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object. According to Healthland, this is what some colleagues had to say:
 “… from pets that can seem considerate and caring, to gods that have goals and plans for one’s life, to computers than can seem to have minds of their own. People show an impressive capacity to create humanlike agents—a kind of inferential reproduction—out of those that are clearly nonhuman… People ask invisible gods for forgiveness, talk to their plants, kiss dice to persuade a profitable roll, name their cars, curse at unresponsive computers, outfit their dogs with unnecessary sweaters, and consider financial markets to be “anxious” at one moment and “delirious” the next.”



I was really surprised to find how people create human like agents. Since I found the root of why this happens, I decided to find out just how far things really go.

Dressing up your pet is definitely cute, but not for the price paid! The RSPCA is threatening legal action for those who dress their pets. If anything is harming the animal’s welfare, prosecution is possible. This includes things such as boots, trousers, and hoodies. It’s good to groom your dog, but don’t overdo things. Remember this when dressing your animal. 

The pros and cons of Pitbulls

Pittbull, compliments of:http://sunspotstudio.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/02/pitbull5.jpg

There are many views about the notorious Pitbull. They’re natural born killers. They are fighting dogs. They bite everyone they see. They’re loving animals. They’re just big babies, etc. Everyone has their own point of view about these dogs. Recently, I’ve been researching the different views of these canines. Here are my results:

According to Pitbulls on the web, “Much of a dog's temperament relates to its breed history and genetic inheritance.” Most people seem to think that it’s the genes in the dog that makes it temperamental. I have to agree. There are poodles, beagles, and chihuahuas out there that are mean. I also think it depends on the people that raise them. Dogs are the same as humans in this way. If you grow up seeing violence as a good thing, you’re going to continue to see it as a good thing. Once it’s planted in your brain, it tends to stay there.

On the other hand, Pitbulls have one of the strongest bites out there.
As greenspun reports:

“They have the strongest bite-grip of ALL dog breeds, as well as ANY mammal in the animal kingdom. They have an up-front generated bite strength (capacity) of anywhere between 2,000 PSI - 2,600 PSI. I have heard reports of these numbers even hitting the 3,000's in provocation sustained tests using a PSI measuring sleeve. Even 2,000 PSI can crush a human skull, very easily. Pits have a propensity towards aggression, as they were originally bred to fight bulls and bears.”

These dogs are clearly nothing to play with. One little snap could easily end a persons life.

So how do you decide if you want one? Research. Make sure you know everything about these dogs. If don’t have the time to train these loving beasts, then I recommend not getting one. Never judge a book by it’s cover. Remember, it’s all in the genes!

An interview with my uncle:

For this blog, I chose to interview my uncle. I asked him questions about his experience with his dog. I wanted to know how his experience has been with raising the dog since he was a puppy.

Me: What kind of dog do you have and how old is he?

Uncle: I have a Miniature Pincher/Beagle named Sampson. He’s about three years old.

Me: How did you get him? Was it one of those cases where he was sitting on your doorstep?

Uncle: Actually, I got him from a friend in South Carolina. I wanted a dog just like my friend had. He told me that there was one just like it at the shelter. I was there picking little Sampson up the next day.

Me: That’s so cute! Were there any difficulties you faced while he was a puppy?

Uncle: Actually, yes. I had to train him not to use the bathroom in the house. I walked him on a chain outside periodically. Eventually, he started coming to me and wagging his tail when he needed to go out. He actually wasn’t a hard dog to train. He listens very well.

Me: Is there anything unusual about Sampson? Does he ever bite or growl?

Uncle: He loves to play. He will chase anyone round the house. He’s always happy. He loves girls. He’s not so crazy about guys though. I’m not sure why. He’s real cautious around men. He’s never bit anyone. He has attacked another dog before. I don’t let him around any dogs anymore. Other than that, he’s a good dog.

Me: I’m happy you found a good dog. Is there anything you would change about Sampson?

Uncle: Not at all. He’s the best dog anyone could ever ask for.

Me: That’s good. Thank you for the time you’ve put into this. I really appreciate it.

Uncle: Any time!

I found some good training techniques with this interview. I’m excited to get a puppy of my own one day. I think all that training would be time consuming, yet worth it. 

Do's and Don'ts of Wildlife Photography

Cat, found at:http://goo.gl/qBniS

Elephant, found at:http://goo.gl/qBniS

There are many things to know when photographing an animal. It’s not just an easy snap of a camera. This is a long process that involves lots of time, thinking, and patience. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to remember when snapping a picture of your favorite animal:

Do: Bring backup lenses and plenty of extra material. No one wants to be in the midst of a shoot and have something break. It’s always good to have an extra set of everything you need available.

Do: Be aware of the weather! You should always be prepared for even the nastiest kinds of weather. Bring things such as a poncho, shorts, tank top, pants, and a hefty jacket. A hat wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Hats can block out the sun and make things easier to see up close. Be prepared for the kinds of shots you’ll get in late afternoon or early morning. You may need tents or certain types of shading to capture just the right shots.

Don’t: Be afraid to research the place you’ll be shooting at. You need to be aware of your surroundings. Make sure you’re prepared with bug spray. You never know what kind of creatures you’ll be around!

Don’t: Do not EVER get too close to wild animals. There have been several times where animals attacked without the slightest warning. Be sure to research the animal and its signs of fear. Also, research how to approach the animal to make sure you don’t provoke it. There are always stories about photographers getting mauled by bears, lions, etc.

As long as you follow these tips, you should come out with some pretty safe results and some amazing pictures. Remember, always be prepared!