Switching
I’ve decided to switch my blog over to livejournal. I just don’t like the format of this site very much.
The new blog link can be found here: http://sublimeanimal.livejournal.com/
Whoosh!
That cold front and wind is blowing across Western PA today. It’s brought weather of 30-40F temperatures, rain, clouds, and unbearably cold winds. Blue and I are hoping it clears up soon–no sled dog likes being cooped up inside. She keeps asking me to go, but I don’t have a way to explain it’s the weather’s fault, not any laziness of mine.
Just as a FYI, there was a good news article released on OCD and general obsessive behaviors in our pets: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27329468/
A few weeks ago our family Australian shepherd of 13 years, Daisy, was put to sleep. Toward the end of her life she was extremely self-destructive and OCD as her arthritis began to limit her movement. She spent most of her time licking her elbows until they fur was permanently gone and it opened wounds. Boredom, stress, and lack of stimulation can be as damaging as deprivation of basic physical needs (food, water, shelter). This sort of behavior is one of the main reasons I’ve become so interested in intellectual stimulation for Charlie the rat; an intelligent animal kept alone constantly needs novelty and problem-solving to remain happy. Someday, hopefully, he’ll give in and accept a friend.
I’ve wondered about how much the encouragement of problem-solving and the constant introduction of novelties during an animal’s youth affects personality and intelligence throughout adulthood. All of the animals I raise and “work with” are much bolder and quicker to solve problems later in life than the ones I left alone.
For example: My parents own four cockatiels, one of which I hand-raised and spent hours with everyday. One thing I did with him was to open the cage door and then make him climb down to me instead of me reaching in to get him. This cockatiel, BB, was then left alone with the other three cockatiels and not interacted with much when I went away to university. Years later, they have serious problems with BB. He objects to being caged, so he opens the cage door regardless of how they’re tied/latched shut. Anything that can be chewed through or untied/unwound is quickly removed. He’s made a career out of letting himself out and sitting on top of the cage to tease the other birds that can’t figure out how to follow him. I wonder now if his early introduction to the concept of door caused him to apply it later on to escape.
How animals interpret our behavior is always unpredictable. Our body language and actions mean so much, and sometimes smaller actions have much more impact than we could expect. I’m still learning so much about how different species have different perceptions of the same training.
Ratty Studies
How to Study for Exams:
(Illustrated by Charlie)
Step 1: Give your study materials a quick glance
Step 2: Take a break!
Step 3: Go to sleep
Introduction
I think this day is an ideal one to begin this blog. After my first real day of work at the pet store, a gorgeous evening autumn walk with my dog, and a quiet night caring for the rest of the animals/playing with my rat, the day was completely animal-centric.
Subsequent posts will include updates on my animals, memorable experiences from my volunteer work, progress on my veterinary technician pursuit, and photographs from my hikes/walks with Blue the Alaskan husky.
(Note: The rest of this post is a duplicate of my “About” page!)
The overall purpose of this blog is to appreciate everything “sublime” and awesome about both domestic and wild animals. Nearly all of my work hours and spare time are devoted to the care of and working with animals, and so I’ll record the more memorable/important experiences here.
I am a university student working towards becoming a veterinary technician in the next few years. My hope is that with my career I can help animals by helping veterinarians. 
I work at a pet store as a companion animal specialist but due to professional reasons I won’t mention specific experiences very much. In my spare time I volunteer at the local animal shelter and care for my own animals. Other hobbies of mine include art (acrylic paint, ink, and polymer clay mediums) and hiking/walking.
My animals currently include:
Blue the Alaskan husky was adopted at around a year old in 2007 from the FNSB animal shelter I volunteered at in Fairbanks, Alaska. Despite her name, she’s a she! She was surrendered because she refused to work with the rest of the owner’s sled team. Now she’s moved south with me to Pennsylvania to live as a pet and hiking companion rather than sled dog.
Charlie the rat was acquired here in Pennsylvania in June 2008. Rats are my favorite companion animal because of their cat-like playfulness, dog-like affection, and sharp intelligence. The only drawback is their extremely short life span. Charlie loves to ride around on my shoulder and keep me awake as I study or do desk work.
Sid the bearded dragon was purchased in September 2008 from the store I work at. He’s still very young, but developing quickly, and I’m excited to finally have a dragon again. Of all the reptiles I’ve had experiences with, I’ve found beardies to be the most enjoyable to work with as pets. They become attached to their owners, have strong personalities, and are a manageable size.
Mantids I raise include the Chinese mantis (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis) and the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina). These insects are raised as beneficial insects for the garden as well as kept as pets. I’m fascinated by the process of growth these creatures go through, from the hatching of the egg case to their final molt into adulthood. As pets, they are nonviolent and entertaining to watch, but insects are still insects as far as personality and affection go. Raising them makes an excellent experience for children especially.
…and that’s it! I don’t own very many animals myself so that I can give the several I have the attention they deserve, while also having time available to help others.
