They Really Aren't Just "Fur People".

From New Scientist:

"Last week, researchers gathered at a conference held at the Royal Society in London to hear the latest evidence on how animals interpret the world. One thing is clear: they do not see it the same way we do, and only by accepting that can we learn to care for them better. "The matter of central interest is the animals' own perspective on its quality of life," says James Kirkwood of the Universities Federation for animal Welfare, which co-sponsored the conference with the British Veterinary Association." (Emphasis mine.)

This tidbit is from a very interesting article on current research into the state of animal welfare. It's interesting to find out that what your vet doesn't know can make life miserable for your pet.

Read it all here. And a Hat Tip to Richard H. in Canada.

On the Road Again..

Back to our travels, as we're rushing headlong back to the present! After leaving Niagara, we spent Labor Day Weekend in Ontario, Canada, covering the Great Canadian Triathlon. Other than a disappointing outing at the oval racing, we had an enjoyable time. And so did this little one...



















After returning to Michigan we decided to stop for the night in Lapeer...

DINING TIP: The Blind Fish (no web site), in Lapeer has exceptional seafood and, so I'm told, steaks. Excellent Bloody Mary, (but not as good as mine.) Try the Southwest Grouper- a blend of flavors from chilis to cajun. Yum.

...so we could have dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.

Following a couple days in Jackson, we were motivated to get to one of our favorite stops of the year, the Wind Chasers Lure Coursing Club's annual Pig Roast. Oh yeah, there were trials, too.

Then it was time for our annual week vacation from sighthounds: The Dog's Camp. Held at the 4H Education Center in Swannanoa (near Asheville), it's worth an entire post in itself. So go get your clickers and treats, and get ready...

The Dog's Camp is fun!

Let's Get Serious for a Minute..

Before I finish up the travelogue, there's something I noticed this year that I wanted to bring up.

We've witnessed a couple of career ending greyhound wrecks this year. One in April in Ohio, and one a couple weeks ago in Racine. In both cases, these were really intense, fast, talented dogs who came by various routes from greyhound kennels or tracks. I really admire people who make a place in their homes for these athletes who may be retired, "downsized" out of a job, or not quite talented enough for the rigors of the track, but excel in the activities of the "outside" world.

But somehow, I question that motivation when these dogs are suddenly unable to play at the amateur level at lure coursing, or racing, or agility, or whatever the chosen recreational pursuit. In both cases, the dogs referred to above were uprooted once again from their routine and re-re-homed. That bothers me. I just don't get it. Help me out.

Had Buffy not been able to hunt following her cruciate injury at a very early age, believe me, she'd still be living with me. Maybe that's just me. Is it worth discussing??

Below the Falls..

Mouth of the Niagara River and Lake Ontario.

And a couple views from Old Fort Niagara.








 

And Now for Something Completely Different.

This is really, uh, really... well..., you judge for yourselves.

TOTH to Cindy... you heretic, you! :)

The Challenge...

Last two Falls pic, I promise. When we go somewhere that's visited by millions of people from all over the world, and photographed by the majority of them, the challenge is to come up with something different.

Did I do it? I don't know, but these are two that I liked.

"Wet" Shots

As promised, from the camera-in-a-baggie.

The "Hurricane Deck". It's amazing how wet you can get.