An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) isn’t a regular pet. Unlike service dogs, ESDs are not trained to perform certain tasks. Their sole purpose is to be a source of comfort and compassion for their owners.

ESA’s are committed to helping you manage the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or any mental health issue. This article will touch on all aspects of Emotional Support Dogs and show you how to register your own.

Choosing an ESD

Emotional support dogs provide relief from emotional distress. ESDs give confidence to their owners and help them lead a happy and productive life. Here are some factors to consider when choosing an ESD:

• Many breeds are an excellent choice as an emotional support dog. Look to local shelters and rescues for recommendations on which breeds make great ESDs.
• Before you decide on the breed of dog you want, think about your lifestyle. Do you live in an apartment that may be too small for a large breed that needs lots of exercise?
• Not every dog makes a great ESD. Make sure you choose a breed that is known for its calmness.

How Do I Get My ESA Letter?

Emotional support dogs don’t have to be certified, unlike service animals that require documentation. You just need a letter of recommendation from a licensed mental health professional.

Animals for emotional support are considered “certified” once you’ve obtained your ESA letter. Landlords who ask for registration IDs are not enforcing a real policy. An ESA letter is all that you need as proof.

If you don’t have a mental health provider, you can either make an appointment with a professional and ask for a letter, or you can use an online service to do this. The latter means that you’ll have to complete a mental health evaluation.

More Differences Between ESDs & Service Animals

ESDs are there to provide emotional support and relief in times of emotional distress. They are therapeutic caregivers that help their owners lead stable lives.

A psychiatric service dog is different because this type of animal performs a specific task. Psychiatric service dogs may turn on the lights in whatever room their owner is entering. This is to help them deal with phobias or symptoms or another mental disorder.

Rights for Emotion Support Animals

Animals are companions that create strong bonds with owners. Dogs are able to form close connections with humans and display signs of affection. These nurturing animals must be protected and valued.

Emotional support animals have certain permissions. They are able to travel on a plane without a carrier or extra fee. In rental units, they may be exempt from policies that prohibit owning a pet.

Even though there is a lot of controversy surrounding the enforceability of ESA guidelines, support animals and owners are guaranteed some legal rights beyond those of normal pet owners. To maintain these benefits, ensure that you have a valid ESA letter.

The ESA letter is written on your LMPH’s letterhead, and offers the following:

• Establishes your mental health issue
• Recommends aid from a support animal
• Contains the LMPH’s license number, signature, and date

ESA letters are only valid for one year in terms of air travel. If you are someone who travels frequently, make sure you renew your ESA letter every year. This will help you avoid fees or holdups.

Photo Credits

Photo is from pexels

Guest Author Bio
Trenton J. Smith

Trenton is an aspiring writer who loves to research and write about a wide variety of topics. When he is not writing, he enjoys gardening and long walks with his dog Boomer.

Using a care sheet to understand the basics of keeping your pet is an essential. It is also recommended that you understand your pet’s individual quirks.

Here are five of the most unique traits of reptiles – and what to do to promote the positive welfare of your reptile!

1 – Geckos tails can fall off!

No, you read that correctly! Some species of Gecko, such as the Leopard Gecko, will “drop” their tails when feeling extreme stress.

This defense mechanism developed in response to predators, the gecko will first wag their tail to get the predators attention. When the predator has latched on, they will then “drop” their tail to escape. The mechanism of the drop is included in their anatomy. Gecko’s tails have a point of attachment with very little connective tissue and limited blood flow. This process is known as autonomy.

Interestingly, the detached tail can continue to move for as long as 30 minutes after being dropped.

Once the tail has dropped, geckos can grow another one! It will often grow back slightly wonky, but they can grow as many tails as necessary during their lifetime.

This interesting quirk can be used to look for levels of stress in your pet gecko. If handled incorrectly, geckos can begin to feel stressed and eventually their tails will drop off. Looking out for their tail wag will help you to manage their environment in a way their stress levels remain low.

2 – Not all snakes reproduce via eggs!

Though most snakes will reproduce via eggs (oviparus), there are a select few species that give birth to live young (viviparus). These species include anacondas, vipers and rattlesnakes.

There are several distinct evolutionary advantages to giving birth to live young, the first being the ability to move. Unlike eggs, female snakes that give birth to live young are able to move to do so in safe areas as opposed to laying eggs which can be left exposed. Equally, an embryo is kept safe in the mothers body whereas eggs can be found and eaten.

Though they are not commonly kept as pets, it is important to keep males and females separate unless you are planning on breeding them. Consequently, these species are best housed individually unless they have been introduced to each other at a young age. Equally, if you wish to have them living in groups, they should be sex checked from a young age to ensure they are kept in same sex groups.

3 – Reptiles cannot sweat!

Reptiles cannot sweat! As a result their skin is often smooth, cool and dry, as opposed to the myth that their skin is slimy and wet.

As they cannot sweat in the same way that mammals do, reptiles have very unique and quirky ways of cooling off! For example, bearded dragons can often be found sat with their mouths open, taking in cool air to cool themselves down. The same system can be observed in crocodiles!

Reptiles are also known to hibernate through the summer months when it is too warm and the winter months when it is too cold.

This is why it is important in captivity to offer a range of temperatures in the enclosure to allow our animals to pick what temperature they wish to be. This can be achieved by offering a temperature gradient within the enclosure, and is most often done by having a “warm end” and a “cool end” of the enclosure.

If appropriate, the animal should also have access to a water source in which to cool off, as well as a heat lamp under which to bask and warm up!

4 – Cuddling isn’t always cute!

Owners and fans of bearded dragon will notice that when housed in pairs or groups, they tend to snuggle up under the heat-lamps. However, this adorable pastime is not all that it appears…

In the wild, it’s survival of the fittest! Consequently, Bearded Dragons are more than happy to climb over one another to access resources, including heat and UV lamps.

What might look like they’re getting cute and cuddly is actually one Dragon depriving another of a resource in order to access it themselves!

This is more likely to occur if there is a lack of resources in the vivarium. To combat this, you should make sure that you either provide multiple heat-lamps across space or provide a heat-lamp with a large enough output that your animals do not feel like they have to compete.

Alternatively, you may benefit from housing your Bearded Dragons separately, to avoid this competition for resources.

5 – Chameleons do not actually change color to camouflage themselves

Contrary to popular belief, chameleons do not change color to camouflage themselves in their environment. Surprisingly, this is a misnomer!

In fact, chameleons can change color for a whole host of reasons. Stressed chameleons will turn red or yellow, to signal that they feel under threat. It is likely that this evolved as a social signal, to warn other chameleons when they feel threatened by a predator. Chameleons that are trying to attract a mate favor lighter colors, as it appears more attractive to potential mates.

In warmer temperatures, chameleons will turn a lighter shade, in order to reflect more light. Equally, in colder climates the chameleon may make itself lighter in order to absorb more light and warm up.

This can be something to monitor in your chameleon. If you notice your chameleon is red or yellow, you may wish to evaluate the stressors in your pets environment!

Summary

As we have seen, reptiles are fascinatingly unique animals. Each one has a different set of needs and requirements, and it is important to ensure you are catering to that with your pets.

Even within species, you may see differences in preferences. It is all about getting to know your individual pet’s preferences.

Do you have a rad reptile at home? Leave us your hints, tips and tricks for reptile care in the comments below!

Photo Credits

Leopard Gecko by Sohrob Tahmasebi from Pixabay

Bearded Dragons by Mylene2401 from Pixabay

Chameleon by Marcel Langthim from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Johnathan David

Johnathan David has been a reptile hobbyist since childhood. He has years of experience in herpetoculture and has cared for geckos (2 gargoyles), skinks (blue tongue) and a frog (poison dart).

1) Their ‘Black Masks’ Serve a Purpose

A lot of people love the fact that raccoons typically have a ‘black mask’ on their faces. These masks look adorable, but they actually have a purpose too. Some scientists theorize that the mask helps deflect glare. It’s also said to help with their night vision.

Raccoons are a lot larger than some people think, too. They can reach the size of a large dog, getting to 37 inches long and 23lbs. They’re certainly not as cute and cuddly as they seem in the media. Some people attempt to keep raccoons as pets, but it’s most certainly not advised as they aren’t suited for domestication.

2) They Can Live in Many Different Environments

A lot of animals can be found in just one country or area of the world. The raccoon though can be found all over the world. They’re native to North and Central America, Europe, and Japan. As they’re so adaptable, they can live in a wide array of climates.

They’re adaptable when it comes to their habitat, too. You’ll see that they often live in trees or caves, but they’ll make their dens in man-made structures too. They’ve been found in barns, abandoned vehicles, and more. Your attic or under your deck also makes an excellent den for raccoons as they’re safe and isolated for them.

3) They Make Human Areas Their Homes, But They Aren’t Social

You’ve probably seen raccoons living in areas near your home, and maybe they’ve even taken up residence in your home itself. Even though they’re happy to live near humans, it doesn’t make them sociable. They’re not going to tolerate humans coming near them, so you need to be careful if you see any in your home or yard.

Wherever a raccoon makes their den, they’ll look to raise their young there. They’re usually called kits and are born in litters of up to 7 at a time. They live in the den for up to 2 months, until they are weaned.

Another reason to be careful is that they’re carriers of several diseases. These include rabies, roundworms, and leptospirosis. This is dangerous to you, and certainly, to any pets you have in your home. It’s best to have the animals removed quickly if you see any around. You can learn more at humaneraccoonremoval.org.

4) They Have a More Varied Diet Than You’d Think

You often hear of raccoons eating human trash or leftover food, so it’s easy to assume that they like to eat human food. However, they actually only eat that kind of food when their usual diet is scarce. Normally, raccoons are omnivores and will eat vegetation and meat. They’ll often go for cherries, apples, acorns, berries, beechnuts, and more.

When it comes to meat, they tend to prefer invertebrates. They commonly eat bird eggs, frogs, insects, and fish. If they can’t get these foods, that’s when they’ll go for trash or roadkill.

5) They Don’t Hibernate in The Winter

Many think that like other mammals, raccoons will hibernate in the winter. This isn’t exactly true. Raccoons will sleep more during the winter, but they’re not exactly hibernating. They sleep rather than hibernate, living off stored fat as they do so. As they sleep over this period, they’ll lose around 50% of their body fat over time.

Raccoons are usually nocturnal, so they sleep during the day rather than at night. That’s why you’re more likely to see them at night or hear them moving around if they’ve made their home in your house.

There’s a lot about raccoons that you may not have known, even if you thought you knew quite a bit about them. They’re a hardy animal, living in all kinds of climates, and will make their home almost anywhere. If you see them, it is safest to not approach these wild animals. If you find a raccoon in your home, you’ll need to have them removed to keep you and your family safe — click here for more information.

Photo Credits

Photos are by Jessica Loticus – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio
Jessica Loticus

Jessica is a student, animal rights advocate, and environmentalist. She is an aspiring journalist who focuses on how animal life is endangered due to human activity. Her work highlights how people can best heal their relationship with the environment and animals in nature. As a biology student, Jessica understands that the way humans interact with animals and their surroundings has a profound impact on the planet. Animals are directly endangered and humans must take responsibility if they have any chance of survival. Jessica believes saving animals begins at the home level. Most believe that animals have entered their home but in reality they have occupied the home from the animals in the surrounding environment. There are safe effective ways to take action against animal intruders that endanger neither the animal nor the human. Jessica wants to spread awareness about animal intruder precautions to save local wildlife.

Chickens have slowly but surely become a popular backyard pet, and it’s important to know how to properly take care of them. They are the type of animals that one doesn’t need to constantly keep an eye on, especially since they are free fed, but because of this there may be some interesting activity going on with your chickens that you don’t know about. Here are 8 surprising facts that you may not have known about keeping chickens.

Fact #1: Baby Chicks Have A Tooth

Granted, it does fall off after a day or so after they have hatched, but it’s pretty cool. As baby chicks develop, they grow a tooth on the upper jaw beak. This, as you’ve probably guessed, is to help the chick break out of its shell when it’s finally ready. This means that you do not have to help them get out of their shell as they are fully equipped to get the job done. Remember, chicks are precocial which means they are relatively mature from the moment they hatch, so they know basic living instincts.

Fact #2: Chicks Don’t Eat the First Few Days

Now, this isn’t exactly true. What happens, is that when the chick is still inside the egg developing, it absorbs the yolk and it can live off of just that the first couple days after it hatches. It’s meant as a safeguard in case the chick can’t find food at first and it doesn’t die. This means that you don’t have to provide it with food or water for a few days which makes it possible for chicks to be shipped out to other locations safely.

Some people think it’s cruel to do this to chicks, but it is completely safe to do so. Although, when chicks first hatch, they can’t regulate their own temperature yet, so make sure they have a heat source. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t feed your chicks; if you have food, you should be feeding them, they just may not eat, so don’t be alarmed.

Fact #3: Chickens Eat Rocks

Since chickens don’t have any teeth, they can’t chew their food, so they swallow it whole. What chickens do in order to grind up their feed, is eat rocks. Chickens have an organ called the gizzard and this is where the rocks sit. It is entirely normal to see your chickens eat rocks.

Now you might think, wouldn’t the rocks also tear through its organs? The gizzard actually secretes a lining that protects it from getting torn up. It’s similar to fingernails. You can also choose to feed your chickens oyster shells or limestone to provide calcium.

Fact #4: Eggs can Get Stuck Inside a Chicken

This is called egg binding or hypocalcemia. Eggs get stuck along their reproductive tract because they don’t have enough calcium. This is why you might opt out of feeding them rocks and instead oyster shells/limestone. This is an essential part of their diet, especially if you choose to get the type of chickens that lay lots of eggs because calcium helps them make the eggshells.

This can potentially lead to death if unattended, so make sure they are getting all the necessary nutrients they need as it can easily be prevented. If this does happen, it can easily be treated with some supplement calcium and a warm bath. If all fails, go to a veterinarian immediately.

Fact #5: Chickens can Become Paralyzed

Marek’s Disease is very common in chickens. This affects the chicken’s neck, wings, and legs. It’s a viral disease which means that antibiotics unfortunately won’t help. Marek’s is also highly contagious, so if one of your chickens gets it, they all will.

Thankfully, there is a vaccine that you can, and should, get for your chickens because it can be fatal. Chicks can be vaccinated a day or so after they hatch. The sooner you vaccinate, the better because it is such a common disease.

Fact #6: Chickens Hide Their Illness

This is true for all birds. In the wild, birds are constantly faced with predators, and predators target the weak. It’s a matter of self-preservation, but because of this it’s hard to tell when your chickens are sick until it gets really bad. If you notice or think your chicken is sick, never wait for it to get worse and get them to a veterinarian immediately. A disease to look out for is avian influenza.

Some signs that your chickens are sick:

• Weight loss
• Change in droppings
• Fluffed feathers
• Breathing (listen at night)

Fact #7: Chickens Eat Their Droppings

First rocks, now their droppings? Chickens eat a lot of weird things, but there is always a reason behind it. Chickens have an organ called the ceca. What this organ does is break down fiber into nutrients the chicken can use. The fiber that is not broken-down passes through the chicken and into the droppings. The chickens then peck at their droppings trying to eat that unprocessed fiber.

Although it can be beneficial, you should not let your chickens do this. The nutrients in their droppings can help with making eggshells but there are more negatives. Chickens can get sick from eating their or other animal droppings. One common parasite is coccidiosis that gets passed through feces. Make sure to keep your chicken’s coop clean so that they don’t do this.

Fact #8: Chickens only Breed during the Summer

This means that you’ll only get eggs from April to around July. There is a way around this! Chickens are what is called ‘long day’ breeders. This means they only produce eggs when the days are longer. You can trick the chickens into thinking the days are longer by providing them artificial light in their coops. This will ensure that your chickens lay eggs for you year-round.

Another interesting detail about chicken laying eggs is that they don’t incubate until they’ve laid all their eggs. She does this so that all the eggs hatch at the same time. Make sure to collect all your eggs every morning.

Chickens are actually very interesting animals with a lot of unknown facts about them. If you have children, it may also be fun to have colored chicks! Just punch a little whole in the eggshell right before they’re about to hatch and put some food coloring inside. This is safe to do and won’t harm the chicks. Once the chicks start growing feathers, they’ll lose the color. Keep in mind it is illegal to sell colored chicks.

Hopefully you learned something new about keeping chickens so you can better take care of yours, in order for them to live long happy lives and lay plenty of eggs for you. With the proper care, chickens can be a relatively easy animal to keep.

Photo Credits

Chicken running Image by Erik Karits from Pixabay
Chicken Image by Pexels from Pixabay Chicks
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Chris Lesley

Chris has been raising backyard chickens for over 20 years and is the poultry expert at Chickens And More. She has a flock of 11 chickens (including 3 Silkies) and is currently teaching people all around the world how to care for healthy chickens.

About an hour into our drive, we saw an elephant in the distance and our ranger / driver headed off to find it. Suddenly, we saw a white lioness in the bush to the right of the game vehicle. She stopped, took a look at us and then disappeared quickly into the thick bush. We sat and waited a while to see if she would return.

As we waited, our guide saw an adolescent lion cub coming from the other side of the vehicle. The guide mentioned that this lion was one of 4 cubs and that the female we had just seen was probably their mother.

The young lion was sniffing and following mom’s scent but seemed to become quite distressed when he could no longer find it. He went off down the track behind the vehicle, sniffing the ground and the air as he walked. After about 200m, he turned around, apparently having lost the scent altogether. He made his way back towards us, still sniffing. He bypassed the vehicle and then disappeared into the bush along the same path that he had appeared from.

We sat patiently, wondering what would happen next.

A few minutes later, we saw him coming out of the bush again, along the same path, but this time with his 3 siblings. One-by-one, each sibling came out in front of the vehicle, following the first cub. The first three were also white lions and the 4th was a normal tawny lion. They crossed over to the other side of the track and circled around sniffing for mom’s scent. After a few minutes of pacing around, they re-grouped and paused to look at us. Then they obviously decided to stay put and wait for mom’s return as they settled down in the long, dry grass.

We never found out if mom did return with food and we did not see her hunting either. All we can hope is that she had some success as her adolescent cubs looked like they would need an awful lot of food!

What could be more of a delight (certainly not an everyday delight!) than seeing these magnificent creatures living freely. We were so fortunate to see these cubs and their mother. The white lion is a protected species and there are not many of them living freely in the wild. Our guide pointed out that they are not albinos, rather there is a recessive gene in some normal tawny lions that produce white lion cubs.

Photo Credits

Photos by Debbie Stott – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio

Debbie Stott

I have been involved in education of one sort or another for my whole life – primary teaching, university teaching, corporate teaching and training, as well as creating educational resources for primary and senior school teachers and learners. I completed my PhD in primary maths education in 2014 with a focus on after-school maths clubs for young primary pupils. Education and learning are important to me in all its forms – formal and informal. I am passionate about encouraging people, particularly children to learn new skills and knowledge, to think for themselves, to understand so that they can grow, be independent, make their own choices and decisions and be empowered to own their own lives. My other passions are photography and non-academic writing in the form of blogging. I have been taking photos since 1997 when I bought my first film SLR and am in the third year of a 365 photography project. I started my “Everyday Delights” blog as part of a 2015 100 Happy Days challenge as a way of combining these two passions.

Blog / Website: Dibz-zen

Tiger shark

Two months previously I had been playing tag for real with sharks on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. This time though I had the security of Toronto’s Ripley Aquarium’s thick Plexiglas between me and these aquatic predators. The moving sidewalk in the facility’s Dangerous Lagoon provides a more accessible option for those looking for a face to face experience with some of the ocean’s most interesting creatures. Other denizens of Dangerous Lagoon include roughtail stingrays, green sawfish, green sea turtles and sandbar sharks.

One doesn’t normally expect to have an awe-inspiring oceanic experience on Bremner Boulevard at the foot of Toronto’s soaring CN Tower and many miles from the nearest salt water, but that is what Ripley’s provides. Of course there are also Canadian Water exhibits featuring some of the freshwater inhabitants including many in nearby Lake Ontario. Visitors should also experience the Pacific kelp forest, complete with waves, and be dazzled by the Rainbow Reef with its colorful array of coral and reef dwellers including picasso triggerfish, emperor angelfish and pajama cardinalfish.

Checking out shark stomach contents.

All told there are 9 distinct habitats, six salt water and three fresh water in the aquarium giving a varied and amazing window on the world of marine life. Even the meticulously maintained life support systems are on display for visitors to inspect.

Rainbow reef

The aquarium, completed in 2013 at a cost of 130 million dollars is a must-see for any visitor to Toronto. It provides a perspective on the world that many of us will never have the opportunity to see in real life. Myriads of youngsters cavorted around like shoals of minnows as I toured the facility. I could only wonder how many might be spurred by the exhibit to pursue a career in the biological sciences…or at least be inspired to a greater curiosity and awareness of the natural world around them.

Entrance to aquarium

Photo Credits

Photos George Burden – All Rights Reserved

Shark video taken at aquarium by Bob Dale

For you that may be true.
For me it is not.
My wolf was my best friend.
It is as simple as that.

“But friends are those you can trust”
“Those that will never let you down”
“But this was a wolf”
“You cannot trust a wolf”
“It may eat you”
“Could it not eat you?”

Yes and no.
You see we shared meals together.
And laughs too.

We ran together in the fields
And rested our bodies together as one.
We did that day and night.
He was my friend.

“Surely there was suspicion.”
“Wild animals deserve suspicion.”
“Without suspicion there is a fool’s adventure.”
“You cannot trust a wolf.”

No, here you are in error.
It is with people that suspicion is a necessary guiding light.
Our primate background makes suspicion wise,
When we meet others of our kind.

The myths on wolves run so deep
They so often generate a fear unwise
They miss the gentle side wolves show
As they together join in flow

Have you ever seen a wolf just glide
Across the field or through the wood
It is truly a vision to behold
A dance of nature with grace and trust

Could you truly say that with others of Your Kind
You can always rest easy in trust?
I do not believe that is true.
Maybe a wolf you should get.

Then you can learn true trust
And love
It is as simple as that.

And when you say wild, what do you mean?
Do you mean a creature that lives in harmony with the world?
A creature that does not know betrayal?
Is that what you mean by wild?

If so then step outside.
Look at the other creatures, those whom you call wild.
Could they not teach you something?
When you say yes you will not longer ask
Why a wolf

Lupey

Photo Credit

Photo by John Fentress – All Rights Reserved

Guest Author Bio

John Fentress
I began my academic studies in psychology, with a minor in the biological sciences. From an early age I sought to explore the roots both of human existence and our relationships to nature. I had the amazing good fortune to live life with a special wolf when I pursued my PhD studies at Cambridge UK. The field is called “ethology”, the comparative and biological study of behavior. In addition to my scientific studies, which have moved into the neurosciences, I have long had deep philosophical interests concerning questions such as what we as humans are all about, and how we connect with the universe more generally.

Follow John: On Facebook

Blog / Website: Lupey Wolf

As my clothes were sticking to my body and sweat was rolling down my face I thought to myself how do they stand the heat and humidity with all that fur?  The air felt so thick, heavy and steamy yet as I walked towards one of the cages the thick, steamy air suddenly became easier to breathe as the cutest most loving big brown eyes I had ever seen captivated me.

Title: What’s my Future?
Size: 3.5 x 9.6 inches
Medium: Colored pencil, gouache on paper
Created: November 2013
Photo reference: Orangutan Protection Foundation
All proceeds of this work go to Orangutan Protection Foundation via Go Ape For Art

I asked Yen, my hostess and project manager of FNPF all about this beautiful baby orangutan who caught my eye who was about 12 months old.  Her name was Jodie and evidently she had contracted tuberculosis.  I found that hard to believe as she swung and jumped around the cage so full of energy looking as cheeky as ever and giving a toothy smile, as she swung past.  In the next cage there were two male orangutans that were older than Jodie but still young.

As I approached the bars of the cage one of them leaned towards me, grabbed my hand and pulled it towards him between the bars. He looked at my hand as if to study it then compared it to his own, as though our hands were the same but not quite.  His hand was warm and his palm felt rough and well padded like a leather cushion.  His fur was thick and course and looked like thin wire with beautiful auburn highlights through it that sparkled when caught by the light of the sun.  I was so amazed by his curiosity and persistence to study my hand.  When he finally let go the other orangutan came over and pulled my hand in just like the first orangutan, only with more force. This one wouldn’t let go for quite a while and was more interested in playing than studying my hand.  I guess that goes to show how individual they are.

Title: No, Trees, No Me
Size: 11.7 x 16.5 inches
Medium: Pastel, coloured pencil on paper
Created: February 2013
Photo reference: Friends of the National Parks Foundation. A percentage
of proceeds go to FNPF.
Selected for AFC 2012 annual exhibit and companion hard cover book
Original and limited editions available

It was time to leave as Yen called me over to get back for lunch.  There was a lot planned for the rest of the afternoon yet this experience of seeing the orangutans up close will remain with me for the rest of my life.

I’ll never forget those warm brown eyes…

My trip to Borneo within the FNPF park, and surrounding areas, gave me the opportunity to witness orangutans in their natural habitat.  Witnessing their behavior and seeing how they survive in their environment helped me appreciate their great intelligence, adaptability and resilience.  Some things made me laugh and some things made me cry…  I witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by the planting of palm oil plantations that threaten not only orangutans but also local plant species and other animal species such as cloud leopards. This made me realize that most products made from palm oil are not essential for our survival yet the survival of these magnificent animals is severely compromised because of corporate greed and lack of awareness.

Title: Got My Eye On You
Size: 5 x 7 inches
Medium: Scratchboard
Created: September 2013
Artists own photo reference from Dubbo Zoo, NSW, Australia
Limited editions available

Riding for Rangas:  A few years after returning from my trip I founded the “Riding for Rangas” charity bike ride to help raise funds and awareness for non-profit organization FNPF.  Plans are being made for another ride for 2015 (now a biennial event).  In my first ride back in 2009 I didn’t know what to expect, as I hadn’t ridden over 330 kilometers over a two day period before.  On the second day with only about 30km to go I was climbing what felt like the steepest hill in my life that never seemed to stop.  It felt like I was dragging lead weights.  I felt so exhausted.  A part of me could no longer endure the pain, yet another part of me remembered those soulful brown eyes of Jodie the baby orangutan.  She inspired me to keep going because I knew the pain and suffering that these innocent and gentle creatures endure was nothing compared to what I was going through, and my pain was only temporary!

Riding for Rangas

Image Credits

All Images Are © Geraldine Simmons

Geraldine Simmons Artist Bio

Geraldine Simmons was born in London, England 1959 and lives on Sydney, Australia’s northern beaches with her husband and two children. She has a deep respect and passion for animals and the natural world specializing in mixed media and now scratchboard.

Geraldine sets out to capture the true nature and essence of her animal subjects by paying close attention to the eyes. The purpose of her art is to communicate that the world’s animals are not just mere commodities; to be exploited, used or forgotten.

Geraldine has exhibited her works both nationally and internationally in a selection of group, juried and invitational exhibitions. Her works are held in private collections throughout Australia and abroad as well as in a selected collection in Sydney.

Geraldine is a signature member of the Artists For Conservation.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Ever since I was a child my fascination and wonder for wildlife has never stopped. The diversity of wildlife that is a part of our world and the unique traits each species exudes inspire me to draw in mixed media and now scratchboard.

Like that child I draw wildlife simply because I love animals and for the creative adventures that my drawing process brings.

I don’t necessarily do things “by the book.” I trust my instincts and let my drawing take form one pencil stroke at a time. It leads to a state of stillness where time appears to stand still. I feel connected to my subject.

Blog / Website: Geraldine Simmons – Wildlife Artist for Conservation

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Male Snowy Owl in Flight © Mark Williams

My initial introduction to wildlife was through hunting not photography.  As a lifelong hunter and falconer I found myself suspended between the paradoxical situation of respecting, understanding and conserving wildlife while at the same time hunting and using that wildlife.  Being self-taught as a photographer, I’d have to say my strengths in capturing a good image comes about more from my skills and field craft as a hunter than technical expertise as a photographer.  This being said, the challenge of capturing that magical moment with a wild animal motivates me to learn my equipment and settings, as I dread wasting one of those once in a lifetime opportunities through being ill prepared.

I appreciate many forms of photography but have a passion for wildlife, birds in flight and birds of prey in particular. There is something about the predatory process of search, locate, attack and consume that fascinates me today as it did 40 years ago as a kid. My inspiration comes from viewing other photographers work.  I consider myself very fortunate to be able to live in and travel to different places over the years in order to photograph wildlife, helped in part by sales from my work.

Standing Grizzly Bear © Mark Williams

Wildlife photography is in some ways very similar to that of hunting, not only in learning the field craft and understanding your subject but particularly when comparing the conduct, ethics and behavior of hunters in the field.  Just like hunting the conduct of photographers in the field sheds a spotlight on wildlife photography and how the general public and fellow photographers perceive it. It was not until the past few years when I began to immerse myself into wildlife photography that I began to learn of the negative press some photographers are drawing due to their actions in the field both in disrespect for private property and in disturbing or stressing the subjects in their natural habitat.

In recent years I have chosen to take my camera into the field instead of my bow or my falcons.  I still get a similar sense of connection with nature and learning about my subject, developing skills and knowledge about their movements, behaviors and natural habits that has enabled me to get up close and personal to capture a good natural image and experience those unique often intimate moments. Aside from a genuine interest in my subjects, it is this challenge that drives me to travel distant places, get up at some unearthly time of day, spend many hours searching for my subject or enduring the harsh elements of the weather just to capture that image.

HIdden Hyena © Mark Williams

Photo Credits

All Photographs Are © Mark Williams

Mark Williams Photographer Bio

Mark Williams emigrated from the UK to Canada in 1991 with his wife Ruth and young family where he spent over two decades enjoying the great outdoors and photographing its wildlife. Recently Mark and his wife have moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates as part of a career change, and attracted by the opportunity to use Dubai as a base to travel to new places on that side of the world and capture new images in a different light.  He has always had an interest in the outdoors and its wildlife and nature and has since spent most of his life actively experiencing it.  His travels have taken him to various parts of North and South America including Alaska, Galapagos, Belize, Ecuador, the Amazon as well as Europe, and South Africa.  Mark is excited to be planning his latest 3-week adventure to the island of Madagascar which by the time this goes to print he will have completed.

Mark’s work has been published in various books and magazines and even record albums.  More recently Mark has started to enter the occasional photographic competition and he has been awarded honorable mentions in both Canadian Geographic and Smithsonian Institute photographic competitions.

Blog / Website: Mark Williams Photographer

Yet we go full steam ahead, and when the inevitable happens we grieve.

When we choose a dog, we choose a best friend. Often all we need is that one look and we embark on a new life chapter. If we are lucky that chapter will last more than a decade, but sometimes we are short changed and our dogs leave us too soon. When they depart, we look down the years and see memories and markers of our shared time; precious memories that are poignant and sometimes momentous because we were together. Often there is no one we would rather have spent that time with than that special four-legged being. Our lives can change immeasurably during this time and our dogs may even be the catalyst for that change.

Yesterday, I lost Bella and the grief is so stark.  She died so rapidly that I didn’t have time to sear her into my mind, and I am left with so very little of her. The only reminder that she was ever here is the newspaper that lays scattered around. She was not able to go through the night without peeing on the floor, and because she spent so much time in rescue, she wasn’t great at asking to go out, and I didn’t always wake up when she asked. She couldn’t make the stairs with her amazingly long legs so she always slept downstairs. The newspaper remains today, but I cannot find the strength to remove it. It swishes across the floor when we walk by, the only concrete evidence that she was ever here.

There is space too. She was a big girl, who when asleep on the couch would spread herself along the length of it and refuse to move. A short time after she arrived (only a year ago), I bought her a sofa so she would be comfortable and this was quickly followed by a second one so I could sit down too, although that was generally filled with another dog as well. Now we all fit in nicely on the furniture, but what I wouldn’t give to have her here, sofa or no sofa.

During this day I have been wondering what is so special about the nature of our love for our dogs. My heart is broken in a way that differs so much from how I grieve for a person. Why on their passing do we experience a loss that feels like a searing torch has been lit in our hearts?

Perhaps it is because our dogs share our lives like no human ever can. Those of us that treasure our dogs make sure that they have choices; to deny them that would lead to a very different relationship. Our human best friends are very tolerant about our deficiencies, and rarely gripe or complain about our behaviour, but if they do it is because we may need to change and when we eventually listen, we usually discover they were right. Our dogs may not be able to convey this to us by talking, but they have many other ways of communicating their wishes, and we have to learn to pay better attention to the messages they are offering us. The ability to look and listen starts to carve a path along which we travel with our dogs, and this I believe, is what opens up our lives, causing us to become more than just human. Is this why our hearts fracture into the tiniest pieces when our dogs die?

They share nature with us in ways no human could. Today I took a soulful walk with my other dogs and thought about our common bond with the outdoor world as they snuffled and ran for the sheer joy of being against the backdrop of a fiery sunset. These are the lessons they offer us; to be in the present as much as these sentient canine beings are, experiencing the world in a similar way to us, but with a joy of living in the moment that is so very special.

Human relationships can be so loaded and our dogs deserve more than just becoming substitute people. They are much more than that. Through our dogs we become better at being human; the balance between us and them is weighted heavily in our direction, but we owe them more than they ever owe us.

This is the closest I can get to identifying why the grief is so profound, and if I am lucky enough to be blessed with another very precious best friend, the life we’ll spend together will again be embroidered and stamped with lessons that I could never learn in any human dimension.

Thank you for sharing Bella. I love you. 

Guest Author Bio

Pennie Clayton
My name is Pennie Clayton I am a horse and dog trainer and Bowen therapist. I share my life with 2 rescue dogs and love to see them how their characters and lives change when they first come home after time in kennels.
I specialise in helping people to understand their dogs and how to involve them in their lives. I coach people and encourage owners to become trainers in their own right for their dogs and horses, and to use natural and force free training methods so that the bond between dog/horse and human becomes strong and well developed. I enjoy nothing more than to watch people start to formulate the best way of training and living with their dogs and am very passionate about people learning how to think of their dogs in particular as part of their lives, not just a pet that has to cope with our everyday human lives.

Blog / Website: www.horseandhoundschool.co.uk