#there’s also a bird conservation field in my area so the ‘they eat birds!’ argument doesn’t apply

[m--rtyr]

Having outdoor cats is crazy bc bitches will be acting like you leave them to fend for themselves

Our cats stay in our garden or the field behind our house. If they don’t come home at night, we start handing out missing posters. And I wish that was a joke.

That has only happened once, our cats always come home. She just got stuck in a shed and she came home the day the posters were passed out.

[poop4u]

Dog Parks

#Poop4U

Dog Parks. No controversy there, right, about the good, the bad and the ugly of them? However, the pro’s and con’s of dog parks are usually discussed inside the dog world, not in a national news outlet like the New York Times. But the Times jumped into the fray, with an article provocatively titled The Dog Park is Bad Actually.

The article points out problems that can be found in dog parks, problems that many of us are well aware of: They are lousy places to “socialize” young puppies, they may contain dogs who are not necessarily aggressive (although that too is possible), but are playground bullies who terrorize other dogs like some nasty kids on a playground, they have the potential of spreading disease, there is usually no separation between small and large dogs, which can cause injuries or dogs being frightened (see ��playground bullies” above) and can contain owners wh0 are oblivious to important social signals between dogs that signal discomfort, downright fear and/or hard-eyed aggression.

Here’s a concluding sentence from the article:

“Ultimately you’re the only one who can determine if the risks outweigh the benefits of dog parks, but there is no shame in not surrendering your dog to what has become the quintessential urban dog experience: running with dozens of strangers in a small, smelly pen as people stand by, looking at their phones or gossiping. Make the time you have with your dog meaningful and enriching; after all, your dog wants to spend time with you, too.”

Soon after, Bark Magazine came out with a counter to these arguments titled Dog Parks Can Be Great Places for Offleash Activity. Here’s part of what they have to say, after agreeing that parks could be better monitored and that yes, some parks have problems:

But we take issue of the tone and heavy-handedness of this article—the main takeaway is that dog parks are teaming with dog fights, careless owners and rife with disease! That has not been our experience. In fact, despite at times the presence of an irresponsible owner and unruly dog, most off-leash areas we’ve frequented for three decades are relatively incident free.

I’m curious about your experiences. Full disclosure is that I have few objective opinions, because I, and my colleagues, only see clients whose dogs have either created problems at a dog park or suffered from them. No one ever came to me because their dog loved going to the dog park and never had any problems at one. Of course, I’ve been to many in Wisconsin (with clients) and have indeed seen lots of healthy play and behavior, as well as cases of problematic dogs and oblivious owners. I can say that 1) I’m not a fan of small ones, especially with a single entry gate that allow entering dogs to be swamped, 3) I have strong feelings about how they should be designed (large, double entries, rules that keep people from playing by the gates, owner education efforts to name a few, 4) There are lots of dogs I’d never take to a park (Maggie would crumble into pieces at one), and 5) The dog parks I visited with Luke and Lassie around San Francisco (Bark’s home field), when I lived there to do my Animal Planet show, were full of some of the best behaved dogs I’ve seen. I should also mention that I am very lucky: I live in the country with large, fenced areas for my dogs to play, and nearby areas where a well-trained dog can be safely off leash. I know of many people who love dog parks, and have had nothing but good experiences there. And you? I’m all ears.

  MEANWHILE, back in Africa: So much to say, so many photographs. The photo’s today are from the beginning of our trip. We went to the Giraffe Center on our first day in Nairobi, , which protects and breeds the endangered Rothchild’s Giraffe. There are only about 1,600 left in the wild, and the center has re-introduced up to 40 giraffes into wildlife parks. Giraffe are hands down one of my favorite African animals. Watching them glide across the plains, seemingly frictionless, is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. We saw several of these rare giraffes at the Samburu National Park, one of the few places where they can be found in the wild.

Besides supporting their conservation efforts, visitors get to hand feed the giraffes. Some are docile, others enjoy bashing your head with their own (their primary method of fighting). Along with being in complete and total animal rapture, I loved that we were treated like rational adults who would (or would not) listen to the keepers who warned us about certain animals. But mostly, I loved having their massive heads–the size of our torsos–floating down toward us, followed by their long, purple tongues curling around the treats we fed them. Here’s me and good friend Donna feeding an adult female. (Do you love the “Do not climb up the wall’ sign?)

  Next we visited the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, as known as the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage. Injured and orphaned elephant babies come to them from all over East Africa, where each individual is rescued, medically treated and then raised up to an age in which it can be integrated into a wild herd. The trust has raised 260 orphaned elephants, and has an extensive conservation program of field veterinary care and anti-poaching efforts. The babies are never alone (their keepers sleep with them at night), they are taken out several times a day on walks into the bush, and are given mud baths in front of visitors whose entry fees help support the work of the trust. It’s an amazing enterprise, and something we were honored to support. For an extra fee visitors can adopt an elephant, and I adopted Zawadi. Click on on her photo to watch an amazing video of her rescue, and her battle with what appears to be epileptic seizures. If watching her story doesn’t make you all gooey, I don’t know what will.

Here’s an overview of the visitor area when some of the babies are starting to get their milk. The elephants are brought back from a walk in the bush with keepers, and then fed their morning milk and given mud baths in front of visitors.

The babies clearly love their mud baths!

At night the elephants stay in individual stalls, each with their own keeper sleeping with them. The dedication of the keepers is truly something else, not to mention the work involved in introducing individuals back into wild herds. (They do months of parallel walking alongside herds they know to be accommodating, almost like introducing two dogs to each other.) I don’t know how many efforts are successful over all–I imagine that it’s inevitable that some don’t work out. But their record is impressive. If you get to Nairobi, I hope you can stop in to support their efforts. (Of course, you don’t have to visit to support their work!)

The next day we drove to the Samburu National Park, a park full of rare and endangered species that is rarely visited. We stayed at Larson’s Tented Camp and I wish we could have stayed a week. Here’s the view from our tent at sunrise:

I absolutely loved this camp. The setting was gorgeous, we were surrounded by wildlife (you had to padlock the zippers on your tent to keep out the vervets and baboons) and the staff members were kind and generous. As I did at each place we stayed, I stayed back from one game drive and spent some quiet hours by myself, just me and the vervets, the birds and the river. I also had a lovely time speaking with a staff member about his life, his family and what it was like to work in one of the tent camps.

I showed this photo last week, but repeat it here in context, when it was just me and the vervets at Larson’s camp. I watched this female and her babe for over a half hour. At one point her baby did something she didn’t like, and she took it by the shoulders and shook it. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud.

Here’s what else happened while everyone else was gone–the vervets pretty much took over the dining room:

  The photo below shows one of my favorite African animals, one who you can only see in the dry areas of Kenya, Somali and Ethiopia. Gerenuks are also known as the “giraffe gazelles”, for obvious reasons once you look at their long necks and feeding methods. They are adapted to feed on leaves lower than giraffes usually eat, but higher than other ungulates. They’ll stand like this for long periods of time snacking on leaves. They are so well adapted to dry areas that they can go long periods without drinking, and in some cases, barely drink water at all. What I especially love about this photo is that we only got it because our van (which included me, Jim, good friend Donna, and Jim’s son Zach and partner Sarah, as well as the best driver/guide in the universe, Eric) agreed to sit and wait. Gerenuks are relatively flighty, and it took a good 15 minutes for them to relax enough to begin to feed. Kudos to our van and driver for agreeing to wait!

Another rare animal we got to appreciate was the Grevy’s Zebra, the zebra that I’ve argued was created by a graphic designer. They too are adapted to dry areas, and like the Reticulated giraffe (who also live in Samburu), are highly endangered. There are believed to be only 2,000 Grevy’s Zebra left in the universe.

Here’s a Common (and very pregnant!), or Plains Zebra for comparison:

And the elephants! There were large, healthy herds of elephants at Samburu. Here’s a momma with her one or two month old baby, with what is probably one of her older daughters beside her. We were charmed over and over again by the elephants, as well as being put into our place by a matriach who charged our van, ears flapping and trunk trumpeting. We felt badly that we had disturbed her (our van was fine but she became agitated when another van pulled up along side), and obediently followed Eric’s instructions to stay motionless and silent. She came within a few inches of our van, peered at us for a moment (we weren’t just still and quiet; I think we had all stopped breathing) and slowly turned away.

And I haven’t even mentioned the birds yet! Ah well, more photos in the weeks to come. Please forgive me if you get sick of them. It’s just too much damn fun to post them!

Poop4U Blog via www.Poop4U.com Trisha, Khareem Sudlow

[loloen]

Eastern Red Cedar

Drive through the Kansas countryside along any road, growing in the un-mowed margins, you’ll spot the Eastern Red Cedar. This tree comes in all shapes and sizes (look for the bitty baby ones, I think they're cute), and is most identified for its cone-like shape.  Scientifically known as the Juniperus Virginiana (it is not a true cedar), it is the most numerous evergreen in our state. The USDA estimates Kansas is home to 82 million (!) of them.

It is an extremely adaptable species and thrives in dry, thin, acidic soils. On my commute home from work, I always notice the ones that grow in the exposed limestone along K-10. The Eastern Red cedar is what is known as a pioneer tree. Pioneer trees are the first species of tree that creep in after a field has been cleared for building, ranching, or agricultural purposes. It does so well repopulating that most would call it an invasive species. Cedars compete for resources with native grassland. They grow close together and have dense needles. Sunlight cannot pass through these needles to sustain vegetation that would otherwise grow under a deciduous tree. Any needles that do fall off cedar branches affect the PH of the soil beneath, creating a more alkaline environment, thus further inhibiting growth of other plant life. This poses a problem for ranchers and cattle that depend on grassland. Cedar management is mostly limited to controlled burns or manual removal to maintain the prairie environment.   Ranchers and farmers are not fond of cedars. Interestingly enough though, cedars gained a large foothold in Kansas from farmer activity. During the dust bowls of the 1930's, farmers were encouraged to plant cedars as wind breaks. Initially, in my research, cedars appeared to be beneficial to wildlife. Cedars provide year round shelter and food for many birds. Mammals also feed off cedar berries when food is scarce. Birds who use cedar berries as a food source include Robins, Mocking Birds, Blue Birds, Wild Turkeys, and Goldfinches. Mammals include mice, rabbits, foxes, raccoons, skunks, possums, coyote and deer. Probing more into wildlife's relationship with the Eastern Red Cedar took a darker turn. Taken from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Kansas website:

"Research has shown that red cedar is a dominant factor in displacing grassland birds and songbirds from the native prairie and as few as three red cedar per acre will displace some birds (prairie chickens) from their habitat.  Red cedars can provide some value to wildlife but the value is generally not unique and can often be fulfilled by other vegetation.  As cedars invade, vegetation that supplies food and nesting cover for quail and mast (acorns) for turkey and deer are squeezed out.  Turkeys routinely abandon roost sites that have grown up into red cedars.  Areas infested with cedars often attract raccoons, opossums, skunks, and snakes which displace bobwhite quail coveys and turkeys mainly through nest predation." That's pretty damning, and makes a strong argument for more aggressive thinning of cedars, both for vegetation and wildlife's sake. Another threat the ERC poses is its tendency to be particularly adept at aiding mass destruction. It is extremely flammable and acts as a ladder tree to spread wildfires to taller, more resilient trees. When the cedar catches on fire, its needles send embers in all directions, which spreads the fire even more. In the case of the recent Reno and Rice County fires, a large bit of blame lays at the ERC’s feet. We also share in that blame, through development of prairie into residential areas. According to an article written this time last year that appeared in The Hutchinson News:  Invasive eastern red cedars pose top fire hazards in Reno County.

“Residential development of that area has been accompanied by increased growth of dense stands of eastern red cedar trees. Dusty Tacha, a rangeland specialist with Natural Resources Conservation Service, said cedars are the main culprit in wildfire risk in Kansas. The tree is native to Kansas, but also invasive, readily able to take over areas.

Before the plains were homesteaded, cedars were mostly confined to rocky or barren areas because of natural fires sparked by lightning, intentional fires set by Native Americans and trampling by bison herds. Without those factors suppressing cedars’ growth, they have spread rapidly. Tacha said a study in Oklahoma found cedars were taking over 1-square mile a day in that state. That is a problem because cedar trees are an extreme fire hazard. They are very combustible, burning fast and hot, and they spread embers long distances that can spread fires.

The good news is that prescribed burns can easily control cedars, especially trees under 6 feet tall. The bad news is that in places along Hutchinson’s north and northeast, cedar stands are so thick and so tall that fire wouldn’t be a viable option without cutting out a lot of trees first, Tacha said.”

Part of the success of the ERC’s expansion is due to a symbiotic relationship. There is one bird in particular that REALLY LOVES the Eastern Red Cedar. You could say it loves the shit out of it.  The Cedar Waxwing is a willing assistant on the ERC’s quest for world/prairie dominance. Cedar Waxwings eat the ERC’s berries, and pass them through their digestive tract in just 12 minutes. (Remind anyone of late night trips to Taco Bell?)

The berries pass through unharmed and with triple the ability for survival vs berries that Waxwings have not fertilized. The reason for all those cedars around fences and rocky ledges? Birds perch on fence posts and treat the ground underneath about as well as they do your freshly washed car. Cedar tree growth is a good indicator of where old fence/property lines used to be. Long after an old fence has rotted, those trees will still be growing as the average life expectancy is between 200 to 300 years. The oldest ERC found in West Virginia lived to be 940 years old. Almost as impressive, a 795 year old cedar has been found in Missouri! Between the Waxwing, decreased burns to control the population, and the ERC’s long life expectancy, this is a cedar’s world and we’re just living in it.

Eastern Red Cedar, Johnson County, KS.

Line of Eastern Red Cedars creeping into open field, Johnson County, KS.

I’ve repeatedly used the word berry in relation to the ERC’s fruit, but I need to set the record straight. It is not a true berry. It is actually a seed cone and is only found on female cedar trees. The blue seed cones have fleshy, merged scales. Look closely at them. I found using the flashlight on my phone made it easier to see the small cone shapes. I was excited by this discovery. Male ERCs have small reddish brown cones. Soooo, at this point, I imagine you’re saying, “Hey dummy! If animals can eat them, can I?!” To which I reply, “You better change your tone if you want to be educated.” The short answer is YES you can eat the ERC berries. And if we can’t beat the cedar, we might as well eat the cedar. In central Europe, especially in Alpine areas, the juniper berry is a common spice. The berry most used in cooking belongs to the species Juniper Comminus.  Also, I know a lot of you have consumed juniper berries in the form of gin. (Ask me how much gin I drank going through my divorce in 2010. Shout out to New Amsterdam for being mid-priced and not horrible.) I think an adventurous person would be able to make a passable gin using ERC berries. Probably a better use would be to substitute ERC in recipes that call for J. Comminus berries. I took the time to find you a lovely looking recipe. I am your best friend, and you are really lazy. Garlic Potatoes With Juniper Berries.   Word of note, I really do care about you, so please understand that not all species of juniper berries are safe for consumption. (Juniper Sabina for example, which is highly toxic.) MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PICKING. I read a rule of thumb is if it grows into an upright tree shape, ok to eat. If it’s a bush and you’re not sure what it is, don’t eat. And please, don’t even think about eating berries growing on trees that have been treated with pesticides. “Hey dummy! Are there any health benefits to consuming juniper berries?” “Only if you want an abortion!” I say. Seriously, if you are pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, juniper berries are not for you. See above reason. Before we get to the health benefits, let’s talk about the health risks. ⦁ Long-term consumption is hard on the kidneys. ⦁ Could lower blood sugar to dangerously low levels for diabetics. ⦁ Could irritate stomach lining. ⦁ Could cause abortion (NEEDED REPEATING). Basically, if you have any health concerns, don’t be stupid. Call your doctor.

According to WebMD, people use juniper berries for a variety of medicinal reasons. As a disclaimer, WebMD did say there is not sufficient evidence to back up any of these claims. Read and do your own research. ⦁ Digestion problems (Remember the cedar waxwing’s 12 minute digestion time? Could help you deliver that food baby faster.) ⦁ Upset stomach ⦁ Gas ⦁ Bloating ⦁ Loss of appetite ⦁ GI infections ⦁ Intestinal worms ⦁ UTIs ⦁ Kidney and bladder stones Some people inhale juniper oil (think eucalyptus breathing treatments) to alleviate bronchitis.

If your tummy hurts after all this learnin’, make a cup o’ ERC berry tea! Boil 1 cup of water and pour over 1 tablespoon of ERC berries. Steep 10-20 minutes. Drink 1-2 cups a day to settle stomach. Do not drink for more than 2 consecutive weeks to prevent kidney irritation and possible damage.

I hope you enjoyed learning about this scrappy, prolific and incredibly versatile tree. It’s a bit of a bastard, but you have to be to survive life on the prairie. At least that’s what I tell myself so I can sleep at night.  

Until next time,

Lora