Archive for the ‘animals’ category

Cat Power!

November 25, 2008

cat-mummy1–Although I’m a fox, foxes are sometimes described as the feline canine owing to our ability to climb, comfort with heights, and other other cat-like traits.  It’s accordingly appropriate that I pay a little historical tribute to cats, some of whom are my best friends.

–You’re looking at a picture of an Egyptian cat mummy.  Sure, he’s looked better, but let’s see how you look in a few thousand years!  Anyhow, the Egyptian word for cat is mau, which means “seer.”  Ancient Egyptians believed cats possessed mystical powers and revered them.  When a cat died, its human family would shave their eyebrows in a sign of mourning.

Humans only think that they own cats, whereas in reality the reverse is more nearly true!  Had cats an opposable thumb, the human race would be in big trouble…

Spider Mating Dances

November 24, 2008

spider-mating-dance–I was thinking the other day how glad I am that I’m not of a species that has to do a mating dance. For example, in the Sonoran desert of the American southwest, the Agelenopsis Aperta male spider courts the female with a mating dance that can last up to an hour.  The dance involves an abdomen waggle and a series of push-ups.  Furthermore, it may be that females chose males partly on the basis of how fast they waggle their abdomen!

Let’s think of that, guys, the next time we think of demanding dates…

Wrist Fox Tattoo

November 19, 2008

Wrist_Fox_by_firefox_b–Those who don’t want tattoos in  large, readily visible locations may want to consider “executive tattoos,” namely those not visible under ordinary clothing.  One such location I’ve used is on my wrist on the area normally covered by a watch.  This little fox can be completely covered, he can peep out slightly, or I can remove the watch and have him readily visible!   My stealth fox,  further conveying the abilities of my kind to remain in the background and blend into our environment so as to be nearly invisible!  This tatt is fun, he’s furry, he’s a fox, and is just a little guy measuring less than 2″ wide and less than 3/4″ high at his greatest height–I’m glad I have him!

You probably don’t have as much dark hair as I do on my extremities, but this is characteristic of the red fox and I am a furry, after all, and a male–the skin may be shaved if you wish, but consider the characteristics of your location, and if an absence of hair would be inconsistent with the surrounding area.  Additionally, the skin on the top of your wrist is not overly sensitive, and a tattoo in this location tends not to be as painful to receive…(I speak from personal experience here!)    😉

Lindsay Lohan Experiences Flour Power!

November 16, 2008

flour-bomb–In Paris, American actress Lindsay Lohan was pelted with a flour bomb by animal rights activists on arrival at a Paris nightclub wearing a black fur stole.   A French activist called her a “fur hag.”  To quote PETA’s Robbie LeBlanc , “There is nothing remotely fashionable about the torture and death of animals killed for fur.”

–Well spoken!  Fur should be worn only by its original owner!

“Cloverfield” is Awesome!

November 16, 2008

cloverfield–The movie Cloverfield did much to revive the monster movie scenario on which I grew up, loving every moment of it! Described as a re-imagining of the Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, Cloverfield presents the attack of a 500-foot tall monster on New York City, all presented from the cinema verite viewpoint of a bystander with a camcorder who is part of a small group of twenty-somethings drawn into the events. Shown from this perspective, the filmviewer likewise feels part of the unfolding action.  The movie is of the heritage of King Kong and Godzilla, updated for the 21st century and with the sentimentality extracted. This is a hard-core, menacing and deadly monster who will decimate us if we do not terminate him first, and he shrugs off the best defenses and counterattacks of the military.  At the end of the film, the military plays its trump card and nukes Manhattan in enacting the Hammer Down protocol so as to presumably destroy the creature even at the cost of sacrificing the city.

A sequel may be coming our way if we are lucky.  When viewing the film, sit through the credits to hear some excellent theme music evocative of the monster movie tradition.  At the very end of the credits a garbled transmission is heard which if electronically enhanced and played backwards says, “it’s still alive!”

–I certainly do hope so!

Chimpanzee Raising White Tiger Cubs

November 14, 2008

chimp-and-tiger-cubs–A two-year-old chimpanzee named Anjana is caring for two rare white tiger cubs that were born in South Carolina during Hurricane Hannah.

Anjana assists with the feeding of the cubs and lies with them when they rest.

White tigers are severely endangered, and there are only about 200 of these animals left in the world.

Fox Attack!

November 12, 2008

rabid-fox–In Arizona on Nov. 6th, a female jogger was attacked by a rabid fox,  ran a mile with the animal’s jaws clamped to her arm, and then drove herself to a hospital.  The woman was on a trail near Prescott when the fox attacked and bit her foot.  The woman grabbed the fox by the neck when it bit her foot, then the fox clamped onto her arm.  Upon reaching her car, the woman was able to disengage the fox from her arm and throw it into the trunk of her car while she drove to the Prescott hospital.

The fox later bit an animal control officer, who with the woman is receiving rabies vaccinations.

(We do not endorse biting people, unless of course they really deserve it!)

Chinese-Styled Fox Tattoo

November 9, 2008

chinese-fox–This is a smaller fox tattoo that I have on my left upper arm that reflects the Chinese style.  It’s less than three inches long and about an inch and a half wide at its widest point, and is if memory serves about the second tattoo that I acquired.  I’ve always liked this tattoo because of its kinetic feel and posture as well as the coloration.  The photo doesn’t really do it justice.

Since I will never in this life be transformed into a red fox, the tattoos that I have of my species on my hide are an external and obtainable manifestation that I am furry inside…

Transformation…

November 6, 2008

animal-transformations–Transformation or “TF” for short, is something near and dear to many of us furries, something devoutly to be wished. It’s often a synonym for metamorphosis and shapeshifting, and can be physical, mental, or some kind of weird “other” state. Physical transformation is the act of modifying one’s body to resemble one’s fursona. Very simple forms of physical transformation are currently available through plastic surgery, such as giving someone a forked tongue, horns or muzzles grown with coral implants, the ears stretched out, or even the throat modified to produce purring sounds.  These changes are expensive, artificial, and sometimes require anti-rejection drugs.

Most furs who desire physical transformation see current technological methods as insufficient, and look to future technologies involving genetic engineering, stem cell organ growth, and chimerazation.  Through genetic engineering, a combination of the individual’s DNA and that of the desired animal traits could be generated in the lab.  Core organs such as brain, heart, kidneys, etc. would never have to change, while external organs such as claws, skin, tails, etc. could be grown, with the new amalgamated DNA introduced to the subject as a new native DNA sequence.

Don’t plan on getting your new tail any time soon, though.  Even were the technology developed and approved for use on humans, the estimated cost of a transformation per individual could run as high as twenty million dollars…damn!

Holy Jurassic Park!

November 6, 2008

mammoth–Japanese scientists have successfully cloned a mouse from a frozen cell taken from a specimen dead for 16 years.  Their next goal?–A mammoth! A rather well-preserved baby mammoth was discovered in Russia slightly over a year ago.

What’s next?–Elvis?–Let’s remember that restoring that frozen shape-shifting alien in John Carpenter’s The Thing didn’t work out too well…

(–Two paws up for President-Elect Barack Obama!)