The Train Dogs
January 24, 2010 by david · Leave a Comment
In Moscow there are some 500 stray dogs that live in the metro stations, especially during the colder months, but only about 20 have learned how to ride the trains, according to animal specialist Andrei Neuronov.
At first it was a way for them to broaden their territory. Over time, it became a way of life. “Why should they go by foot if they can move around by public transport?” he asks.
“They orient themselves in a number of ways,” Neuronov adds. “They figure out where they are by smell, by recognizing the name of the station from the recorded announcer’s voice and by time intervals. If, for example, you come every Monday and feed a dog, that dog will know when it’s Monday and the hour to expect you, based on their sense of time intervals from their biological clocks.”
Another skill they have is to react when they see a green traffic light. “They don’t react on color, but on the picture they see on the traffic light”, Moscow scientist tells. They also prefer the last or the first metro car as those are less crowded.
It’s funny but the ecologists studying Moscow stray dogs also tell the dogs don’t miss a chance to get some play while on their travel in the subway. They are fond of jumping in the train just seconds before the doors shut closed risking their tails be jammed. “They do it for fun …”
The dogs have taken training to a new level!
Sources: FT: Moscow’s stray dogs – Smartest Dogs: Moscow Stray Dogs (EnglishRussia.com)
Amazing Ricochet
January 17, 2010 by david · Leave a Comment
A friend sent me this video about Ricochet who is out in San Diego and it’s a story that will bring smiles to you and your entire family. You can learn more about this great dog and the wonderful team of people who dedicate so much time, heart, and money to helping others with the help of Ricochet and his cousins at: http://ripcurlricki.com
Ricochet and his team are currently raising money for Ian, who was injured in a car accident. Here is the unpleasant portion of his story:
On July 3, 2008, Tod and Stephanie McFarland and their three children, Ian, then five; Lauren, then two; and Luke, then one, headed out from Carlsbad on a road trip. They were going to attend the wedding of Stephanie’s cousin in Boulder, CO, but they never made it to Boulder. A horrible car accident claimed the lives of Tod and Stephanie and left all three of their beautiful children injured to varying degrees.
While Luke and Lauren’s injuries were minimal, Ian sustained severe head trauma and was taken to Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Members of both Tod and Stephanie’s families immediately converged upon SLC to care for the children. Ian’s severe brain injury left him in a coma, and he had to wait to be transferred back to California until he received a shunt and a feeding tube. On August 10, he was flown to Children’s Hospital in San Diego.
Ian slowly came out of his coma, and his rehabilitation continued. He was released from CHSD on Oct. 30, 2008 and returned home with much work to do. Ian has been labeled as having a “diffuse axonal brain injury with an unknown outcome.” He is responding well to therapy and seems to be improving little by little. He no longer has the feeding tube. Ian is able to follow conversations but still has trouble contributing.
Over the course of the past year, Ian has made measurable strides in his quest for recovery and independence. He is able to voluntarily take steps with maximum support of his body, but his movements need a good deal of refinement to be desirably functional. According to his occupational therapist, Ian’s six year old body is growing rapidly, requiring the braces for his therapy be replaced on a regular basis.
Both his therapies and the equipment are costly. I am trying to help raise money so he can get the necessary medical care he needs, and I hope you can help too!
Ian still loves sports and hopes to one day be back at surfing and skateboarding. But it will be a long road. They tell me Ian is the most motivated on the beach, so I’m looking forward to playing with him there, and of course, seeing if I can get him on the surfboard with me! Paw-abunga!
If you’d like to join them in helping little Ian please visit this page for more information: Ian Will Surf Again
The pic below is of the Ricki Team!
