Lost dog saves boy...

Now if this doesn't tug at your heartstrings, nothing will...

Whale saves diver

Apparently a Beluga whale rescued a diver in the whale's tank in China. Here's the story. It's very interesting to wonder whether this was just blind instinct? Or did the whale know exactly what it was doing? Perhaps it's just instinct for a marine mammal to recognize the signs of another mammal in distress. Perhaps it's a maternal instinct (similar to a baby newborn whale that needs help to ascend for its first breath). But perhaps, just perhaps, the whale knew that the human needed help, and it decided to act just because it wanted to. Who knows?

Why is this important to us? Well, first, it's just interesting. Second, it's just shows another facet of the human-animal bond. That's why our pets (read: 'family members with fur') mean so much to us. They respond to us on so many different levels. It's not just about the food and shelter, they really pay attention to us, and we pay attention to them. It may not be a life saving event, but every day our pets show us some little interaction that makes us think there is a deeper connection. Some little event that shows us they understand more than we think they should. Are we fooling ourselves? Who knows?

Then that just leaves the question as to why anyone would want to have a breath-holding contest in arctic temperature water...

Family pet? Or part of the family...?

Want to go to the park, but afraid that your elderly or otherwise ill or injured pet can't go? Never fear, just put them in a stroller! One company has come up with a solution that allows a pet owner to take their dog with them when the pet can't make it on their own.

While it's possible to take the cynical route and proclaim this a silly extravagance, we see every day how much people love their pets. Why shouldn't an elderly dog, who loves the park, get a little help getting to and fro? Once there, he or she can romp or walk or lay in the sun, then get an assist back to the domicile. Like people, many dogs and cats can live for a long time with a chronic condition (heart disease, arthritis, back injury, etc) that may prohibit a long walk, but doesn't interfere with their ability to enjoy the outdoors. Don't people take their elderly family members out for a walk in a wheelchair? Pets are family, too! It's not just about this product, it's interesting how pets have become so firmly intertwined in the fabric of our lives.

If you want to see this item ($223 on amazon.com as of 4/21/09) or more like it , go to this website. I'm sure there are other companies with similar products, but I just ran across this one.

Neat idea. My silly Lab would have to be seriously debilitated to let me push her around in this, though...

Fire!

Everyone's worst nightmare: the vet clinic catches on fire. You've probably heard the news reports by now, but if not, here's a link. The short story is that a veterinary hospital exploded. All of the people escaped, but the animals were trapped inside. One of the vets was able to break down a door to get back in to the burning building and let the animals out. No humans were harmed, 4 pets (3 cats and 1 dog) eventually died, many were saved, and one dog is still missing.

(Update 3/16/09: The missing dog has been found and the cause of the fire was an 'electrical malfunction.')

Most of the news reports spin this as 'the heroic veterinarian saves the animals.' OSHA rules are to get the people out first, do NOT take time to save the animals, on the philosophy that no risk to human life is worth the gain to animal life. Fire experts say to never go back into a burning building, NEVER.

The thing that is interesting is what this incident shows about people and their relationship to animals. Clearly, this vet (and a good samaritan) ignored these rules and saved animal lives. This is just one more example of how people truly believe that animals DO have value, and people are willing to risk much in order to save them.

You may have also heard that recently Martha Stewart lost a puppy at a fire at a boarding kennel. Also at this fire, a person saved a dog in spite of being badly burned in the process. Again, the rules say save yourself, ignore the animals; this isn't what people actually do. Look at Hurricane Katrina. Many people refused to leave, even in dire situations, because they would have to leave behind their animals. Granted, many animals were left behind, but the point remains: animals are perceived by many to have value approaching that of another human being. One could argue whether this is valid, or good, or worthwhile, but it doesn't change the fact that the phenomenon is here to stay.

Veterinarians see this everyday as owners agonize over their sick pets. Perhaps the greatest feeling in the world is sending a healthy pet back to it's loving family.