Risking Life (and Limb)!

Who in their right mind brings an alligator to a classroom? I'm not talking about a cute little one foot long alligator, I mean a 6 foot menacing pet gator. One would think that its mouth would be taped for safety, but not in this case. This is a trustworthy gator. Sounds like an oxymoron to me. And guess what, he has a name too, Apollo.

I honestly thought I hit the low of animalackofluenza last week when I paid money to pet a dog. Unfortunately it has only gone down hill from there. I am now at the point where I am willing to risk life (and limb) to get close to animals. This past week I had my hand inches from a mouth with 80 teeth. I am lucky to say that I still have enough of my fingers to type this blog, but others suffering from animalackofluenza have not been so lucky. RIP.


So this is Apollo, a famous American Alligator that I was fan-girling over last week. Police found him abandoned in a plastic tote nailed with wooden boards. Without food, water, heat, or daylight for an unknown time, he his lucky to alive. Now he is one of the most famous alligator's in the world and can even do tricks! I was graced to be in the presence of his greatness recently, and wait until you see what he was wearing. In case you can't read the caption, he is wearing a Penn State shirt. Seriously #goals!

Picture from Christina's Pets

We all laugh at those people who walk their cats on the campus story. We gawk when we see a ferret on a leash. But, what do we do when we see an alligator on a leash? Yes, Apollo that Alligator walks on a leash. He walks better than most dogs, and only pulls slightly. Although he is still working on heeling, he recently learned how to go up steps!

Apollo's unique abilities are a result of his connection with his owner, Christiana. She is one of the few people in the world to have a human-animal bond with a gator. She has transformed him from a potential human killer to a docile pet that goes on field trips to Kindergarten class rooms, fairs, and colleges.

Picture from Christina's Pets

Apollo is not alone. He has many reptilian friends including his protege, Tiny! See if you can spot him on the Lion Shrine.

Although I am now partaking in risky behavior, hopefully this will be the extent of my symptoms of animalackofluenza. The human-animal bond is a powerful thing that can transform both animals and humans, and it was incredible to witness it first hand this week.  If your interested in learning more about Apollo and his owner, visit Christiana's Reptiles. Let me know what you think about Apollo. Thanks for reading!

Confession: I Paid Money to Pet a Dog

I have a confession. I paid $5 to pet a dog. I know what your thinking, the animalackofluenza has taken over. It is too late. She is too far gone. RIP. This is the true story of how I was scammed into paying to pet a dog.

It was approximately 2 p.m. and I was getting ready for cross country practice, when my roommate presented me with a tantalizing idea. Instead of running mile repeats, I could skip practice and play with puppies. It was an obvious decision. So off we went walking to a frat at 3 p.m. It seemed strange to be walking to frat when it was daylight, but we continued on.

The frat had set up the perfect trap for those suffering from animalackofluenza, and I fell right in. Pay $5 that goes to PAWS animal shelter, get a free t-shirt and drawstring bag, and play with puppies. What more could I ask for?

Expectation

We arrived, paid our $5, and that is when it started to go wrong. I was handed a drawstring bag, no t-shirt, and corralled to a where 20 people were petting a single dog. Note the word, dog, not puppy. Don't get me wrong, I love dogs, but I had this idea of what I was going to do, and it did not look like this. In my mind, I would have a puppy in my arms, a puppy in my lap, and another 20 running in the grass around me. There would be puppies and happiness everywhere!!! Yet, here I was, fighting to get one hand on a dog. Reminder, I paid $5 for this.

Although slightly discouraged, I knew what I read on the flyer and was prepared to wait it out until the "puppies" arrived. A few minutes later, four more dogs showed up, as well as 100 more people to pet them.  I was ready to sue for false advertising.

Tiger or Dog?

Malachi

Eventually, my disappointment waned when I met a tiger.  This giant husky mix named Malachi, changed my feelings of frustration into feelings of happiness as I stared into his light blue eyes. This sweet guy spends his days in the shelter and truly deserves his own loving home. Look at that loving 'wittle face! Then I came up with a realization. Although I was scammed through false advertising and so were 100s of others,  money was raised for dogs that need it.



I have stooped to a new low this week, I paid money to pet a dog, and I walked to a frat in the daylight. Yet, through these difficult days of animalackofluenza, I have met wonderful dogs who deserve loving homes. Take a look at Centre Country PAWS to read more about the wonderful adoptable dogs that I met. Let me know if you enjoyed this little story and if you too went to the event. Thanks for reading!

Puppy Background

Dairy Cow: Friend or Foe?

The animallackofluenza has progressed. Yesterday while I was running, a black cat crossed the road in front of me. Overwhelmed by my symptoms, I reacted contrary to what most people would. Instead of screaming and running the other way, I called the cat who turned around and sauntered back to me. I was so blinded by my need for animals that I was willing to expose myself to possible rabies to pet a feral cat. (Note: Do not try this at home, rabies can be fatal) Risk-taking to pet animals is a common sign that one might be afflicted with animallackofluenza.

To mitigate this debilitating disease, I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite animals....a dairy cow! This morning I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with 23 of these wonderful gals. These "gentle" giants can reach 2000 pounds! I say "gentle" because cows actually kill five times more people than sharks per year (1).  Don't let that scare you away though, because they are lovely animals.

Through the Animal Reproduction Research Team, I spend my Thursday mornings hanging out with the girls. We enjoy walking through the pasture, basking in the sun, and causing trouble. Somedays we just sit and watch the sunrise, and others we run around in circles. Mornings with my ladies are the best part of the week. Quick Fact: It is to note that they are all girls. Dairy cows are all female because they produce milk. That means that from birth, dairy cows live everyday of their life with other girls, just like an all-girls school. (Sounds kind of like a horror movie!) Bulls are the guy version of cows, but they are scary, so us ladies like to stay away from them.

United at last! #bffs

Many life lessons can be learned from these wonderful creatures. Cows are extremely social animals and form friendships and enemies within the herd. Their love for their friends is admirable and a cow is willing to break down any barrier to be with her best friend.  Last Thursday, they were fed up with being separated into groups of about 25, so they decided to break the gate open. To my surprise, all 100 cows were frolicking together when I arrived at 7 am. Best friends were reunited and happiness hung in the air. A metal gate can not stop true love.  In fact, barriers are only arbitrary.



Meet Betsy! My new best friend. She enjoys laying down all day and eating grass. Her skills include milking and looking cute in every situation. In the future, she plans on watching the sunrise and finding fresh grass. Betsy is best known for her spunky attitude and overall love of life

The docile, loving nature of cows is something that I can't get enough of. Who knows, maybe this is the start of my animallackofluenza recovery. Thanks for reading! Let me know if you too are still suffering from animallackofluenza. Also, let me know if you love cows! Til' next week!

Beta Fish Buddy: The Ultimate Cure for Animallackofluenza

As a new college student, I am the feeling the severe symptoms of a animallackofluenza. (i.e. a devastating ailment caused by the deprivation of animals in ones life) Common systems include: over attachment to dogs on the street, making eye contact with squirrels, and crying. Each time I pass a dog on the street, it takes all my self control not to run after it an pet it. I have gotten to the point where even squirrels seem slightly interesting, but that is for another week as my symptoms progress.

In response to my animallackofluenza, my roommate and I have decided to make the commitment in our future together as parents. After a long and difficult conversation, we have realized it is time. We have taken the plunge and welcomed into the world Hermie. She may be small, but she already has a giant personality.  She is a natural in the water and already knows how to blow bubbles. (PROUD MOM MOMENT) Without further ado, here she is!!!

Hermie the Beta Fish

 I know what you're thinking, "Congratulations, she is so beautiful!" Just kidding, lets be serious. You are thinking, "Why such a small tank? Is that animal cruelty?" See I'm a psychic. Although not ideal, beta fish can live in smaller tanks as long as their water is changed frequently. By frequently, I mean at LEAST once a week. She is fed twice a day with fancy top of the line beta food from Walmart. Hermie is so small that she can't swallow the pellets because they are too big. Therefore, being the dedicated mother that I am, I cut her food before feeding

Hermie is a half-moon beta fish hailing from the Petsmart of Lebanon, Pa. She now lives in State College after making the two hour trek from home. Her ancestors are actually from the rice paddies of Southeast Asia (1). Honestly, she is more well traveled than I am.

Fun fact time! Female beta fish can actually live together in a "sorority tank." Hermie hopes to one day join a sorority, just like her mother (shout out to my roommate)! However, being a new mother myself, I am not at the right stage in my life to care for more than just Hermie.

If you have any questions about beta fish and how to keep them alive in a dismal dorm, let me know in the comments. Also, if anyone is around to watch my fish during Thanksgiving and Christmas break, let me know. To all those out there suffering from animallackofluenza, we will get through this together. Thanks for reading! Prayers that Hermie lives forever!!!