Monthly Archives: November 2009

Could you keep it down, please? We’re trying to live here.

Take a few seconds and just listen to what’s going on around you.  We’ve learned to ignore traffic noise, music, talking and other constant ‘white noise’ around us.  But the wild animals around us haven’t, and it’s affecting how they communicate, live, mate and hunt.  These animals developed very sensitive hearing as they evolved; although their incredible hearing has served them well over the years, it also makes it more difficult for them to filter out the noises we humans have learned to ignore. By making some changes in the things we do and showing respect for these animals’ needs for more quiet surroundings, we can help improve their lives.  Silence really is golden.

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Like human, like dog

Dogs share our lives and they also share some of our diseases…like cancer.   According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, almost one million dogs develop cancer each year.  Many of these dogs are treated with the same medications or procedures that may be used to treat people with cancer. Comparative oncologists study cancer in animals and humans so we can all benefit from what they learn.

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Serving their country and their fellow veterans

If you’ve seen a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, either in person or on TV, you’ve seen the caisson horses leading the funeral procession with dignity and grace.  But what you may not know about these horses is that they lead double lives.  When they’re not honoring our fallen heroes in a solemn procession, these horses are helping injured veterans regain their strength and confidence through a therapeutic riding program.

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Country frogs and city frogs

Have you ever been in a crowd and had to yell just so your friends could hear you?  Weren’t you glad when you left that place and could finally talk in a normal voice?  Well, Australia’s brown tree frogs haven’t been able to escape the constant, loud noises of human civilization and it’s not as easy as walking out of the noisy room.  Because they can’t escape the noise, the male frogs have actually changed their mating calls so the females can hear them better.  Whether or not it’s working remains to be seen. The next time you can enjoy some silence, enjoy it and think of the frogs.

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