Wonder if there's anything in the freezer... Amazing moment fox nose-dives into snow while hunting for mice

By NICK ENOCH

Going up: The wily creature reckons he's spotted something in the snow, in Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park in the U.S.

This is the incredible moment a fox was captured nose-diving into deep snow to catch a mouse.
The red fox prowled the snow for several minutes listening out for mice before standing on his hind legs and jumping into the air.
Almost out of shot, he dives head first into the snow leaving only his back legs and bushy tail visible.

Dive, dive, dive! The red fox goes in for the kill, convinced he'll be having mouse for supper

Wildlife photographer Richard Peters caught the adventurous creature while travelling through Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park.
He explained: 'We watched it walk across the snow, stopping from time to time to listen for mice activity underneath the snow cover.
'After a good 20 minutes, the fox leapt into the air and dived into the snow twice to catch a meal.

Heading for disappointment: In spite of his best efforts, the fox failed to find a mouse

'It was so quick I barely had time to frame the fox in the viewfinder before it leaped into the air and came diving down, burying itself in the snow right up to its hind legs.'
This time, the fox was unsuccessful and emerged without a mouse.
It later wandered across the road and up the adjacent hillside to continue its hunt for food on higher ground.

source: dailymail

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Tear-jerking moment lab beagles see sunlight for the first time as they are released from cages

By WIL LONGBOTTOM

Freedom: This male beagle takes a tentative step outside his cage for the first time in his life after he was freed from laboratory testing

This is the heart-breaking moment male beagles kept in captivity inside a laboratory were released from their cages for the first time.
Scared and visibly unsure of leaving the confines of their cages, the dogs were among many being used for lab testing in Spain before it went out of business.
A total of 72 beagles were rescued by members of Animal Rescue Media Education (ARME) during the operation - most of whom had never been outside their cages.

Terrified: The face of this beagle says it all as he contemplates freedom for the first time

Timid: After setting foot on grass, this male beagle is unsure of his new surroundings

Gary Smith, ARME's Beagle Freedom Project spokesman, said: 'We've been told they lived on per cage in rooms of 10 beagles, but they never had any physical interaction with one another.
'They've been in kennels since they were rescued about a week ago, but aside from that, they've spent most of their lives locked up.'
The rescue operation took place in June, and the animals' first steps of freedom were posted on YouTube after they were recovered.
Forty of the beagles arrived in Los Angeles, U.S., last week where they will be put up for adoption.

Cruel: The male dogs, aged between four and seven, were among 72 rescued from the laboratory in Spain after it went bust

Set free: Beagles have been used in laboratory testing of products in the past because they are docile and forgiving

Confined: The dogs may never have been outside or on grass before, and most were understandably reluctant to step outside their cages

The remainder of the dogs, all aged between four and seven and bred in captivity, have already been adopted in Europe.
Beagles are often used in lab testing of products, including cosmetics, because of their 'docile and trusting' personalities.
Mr Smith added: 'Beagles are incredibly sweet, docile, companion animals.
'The downfall is, the same reason the beagle is a perfect companion animal, is the same reason they're used for testing.'
For more information on the rescue operations or adopting one of the beagles, go to ARME's website.





source: dailymail

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She's not for the chop: Tinsel the turkey survives being hurled from a moving lorry – and then falls in love with a DEER

By JESSICA SATHERLEY

The look of love: Tinsel, the Turkey and her friend Bramble the Roe Deer who have become the best of friends at a Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary

Britain's luckiest turkey has been saved from the chop this Christmas after falling in love with a deer.
Plucky bird Tinsel was rescued after she was thrown on to the motorway from a moving lorry.
She was nursed back to health and has now fallen head over claws for a rescued Roe Deer called Bramble.

The pair were brought to the Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary and are now ‘inseparable’.
Tinsel even gives Bramble a ‘peck’ on the cheek before they go to sleep at night.
Sanctuary owner Geoff Grewcock, 61, said: ‘They are completely inseparable.

Best of friends: Plucky bird Tinsel was rescued after she was thrown on to the motorway from a moving lorry before meeting Bramble

‘Both of them live in the same barn and Tinsel always gives Bramble a little peck on the cheek before they go to sleep. It's very sweet.
‘We've grown very attached to Tinsel.
‘She must be one of the luckiest turkey's in Britain because she's not going anywhere near any dinner plate this Christmas.’

Inseperable: The pair were brought to the Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary and are now 'inseparable'
Tinsel was rescued by a driver nine months ago after she was hurled out of a lorry on the M6 motorway near Manchester.

Grandfather-of-one Geoff said: ‘We didn't think she was going to make it.
‘Her feathers were badly damaged and she was malnourished but we fed her up and looked after her.
‘She took an instant shine to Bramble and he seems to like the attention.
‘They walk around the animal sanctuary together, eat together and even have the odd tiff.

Bramble's story: Bramble was just two weeks old when he was found by walkers unconscious in a field in 2008

‘But Tinsel is very protective and squawks and flaps her wings if anyone goes anywhere near Bramble.’
Bramble was just two weeks old when he was found by walkers unconscious in a field in 2008.
Geoff added: ‘Bramble was very poorly when he came to us but after three years he's back to full health.
‘He close bond with Tinsel has certainly helped his recovery.’

source: dailymail

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The five-week-old baby elephant who just loves being stuck in the mud

By JAMES WHITE

Oops! The tiny elephant baby falls over and struggles to get to its feet under its mother's legs

It appears to be a tiring and futile battle for this newborn baby elephant to stay on its four unsteady feet.
But look a little closer and it appears the youngster is enjoying its apparent misfortune, returning to the same spot over and over again.
Video of the animal staggering to his feet was captured by amused keepers at Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire.

Still down: The five-week-old rolls around in the mud at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire

The five-week-old Asian elephant can be seen slipping in the mud under the towering legs of his four-ton mother.
In the clip the elephant's mother and another adult are completely unconcerned by the baby's difficulties.
Zoo spokeswoman Emma Edwards said: 'He is a very bold considering he is only five weeks old.
'He always goes to that same patch but seems to enjoy getting stuck in the mud.

On its feet: The youngster manages to compose itself and regain its balance

All feet on deck: The Asian elephant baby rolls back down, apparently enjoying itself

'I don't think we have ever had such a feisty elephant at any of our zoos he will definitely be the leader of his group when he reaches adulthood.
'At one point onlookers were in stitches as his legs gave way and he fell face first into the mud.'





source: dailymail

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It's a doggone miracle: Family's shock as pet pooch stolen five years ago is found... riding a No.37 bus

By ANDY DOLAN

Rover's return: Pat Oates (pictured with relatives) was stunned when she received a call saying her beloved Staffordshire bull terrier, T-Bone, had been found riding the Birmingham City Centre to Solihull route

When Pat Oates's dog vanished from the driveway five years ago she soon gave up hope of seeing the pet again.
As the days went by without any sighting of seven-year-old T-Bone, Miss Oates concluded the Staffordshire bull terrier had been stolen.
So she was astonished and overjoyed to be told last week that the dog had been found five years on – riding on her local bus.

Home again: Pat Oates, from Solihull, West Midlands is delighted to have T-Bone back. Right, she holds the poster after her pet went missing in 2006 - when she feared T-Bone had been stolen to order by a callous gang looking to use him as a ferocious weapon

The bus driver took the animal to a local veterinary surgery, where staff were able to reunite Miss Oates with her long-lost pet, now aged 12, after scanning his microchip.
Yesterday Miss Oates, 48, a delivery driver, said: 'We couldn't believe it when we got the phone call. I thought the vet was winding me up. I broke down crying. I wanted to get there as soon as I could.
'He vanished from the driveway in 2006. We put up posters and made some appeals in the press, but didn't have any luck.
'T-Bone is like one of our children. When he went missing, I couldn't sleep - it was a nightmare. The whole family was upset.
'We're over the moon to have him back, we thought he was gone for good.'


The mother-of-three, who lives with partner Tony Wellington, 50, near Solihull, West Midlands, said it was a mystery how the dog came to be travelling on the number 37 bus, operated by Travel West Midlands. The bus travels between Birmingham City Centre and Solihull.
But she said it was no surprise he had been found on a bus, as the dog always enjoyed going on car journeys with the family.
She added: 'No one saw who T-Bone was with. We will try to see if there's CCTV on the bus, but the trouble is the person could claim they'd only just picked him up.'

source :dailymail

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The purrrr-fect present: Musical cats strike chord in 2012 calendar

By NADIA GILANI

Rocking out: Two cats strum out a tune on electrical guitars in a make-shift studio with an amplifier

These tow-tapping felines look like they are getting into the party spirit in a calendar that will make the purr-fect Christmas present for any cat lover.
Musical Moggs shows several cats getting into their groove as they turn their paws to playing a selection of different instruments.
In one picture, a pair of cool cats appear to be having a musical jam as they rock it out together on electric guitars.

Brass band: Three cool cats take a deep breath as they play a tune on horns

Another picture shows them turn to brass as they pump out a tune on a trombone and tuba.
A clarinet-playing cat pelts out a tune while his companion holds up the music for it to read, while in another photograph an accordion player appears to be lost in the music as it plays a piece pressing its paws on the keyboard while squeezing the box.

Team work: One cat plays the clarinet while another holds up music for it to follow

Another picture shows a ginger tom cat playing a saxophone while standing beside a neon sign for a jazz club.
Steve Bicknell, from Maverick Arts, which produced the calendar, used a friend’s cats to pose for the pictures, manipulated them on a computer to give the illusion that they are really playing instruments.

Squeeze box: A black and white moggy plays a tune using an accordion

He told the Sunday Express: 'We are very experienced shooting with cats and make sure they are not overworked.'
Maverick Arts, based in Pulborough, West Sussex, which specialises in publishing humorous calendars, greetings cards and children's books, has also produced a calendar called Ballroom Bunnies, featuring two rabbits performing an impressive range of dance styles.

Star quality: A cat poses as a classical musician as it plays the flute apparently on a stage

All that jazz: A ginger tom cat plays a saxophone while standing beside a neon sign

source: dailymail

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Hamstand: 'Gymnast' piglet born without hind legs learns to walk on two front trotters

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Hogging the limelight: The piglet carefully balances itself while walking on its two front legs

A two-legged pig born without its hind legs has amazingly been taught to walk on its own.
The handicapped beast was born in July in eastern China's Anhui Province and could have struggled to make it through its first few weeks as a piglet, according to its owner.
But farmer Ge Xinping said he managed to nurse the piglet through its early life before helping it stand on its own (and only) two feet.

Farmer Ge Xinping gives the piglet a helping hand at the farm in China's Anhui Province

He has now managed to coax the unnamed young creature outside more often and has helped it get about.
The young pig can carefully balance itself on its front two trotters and can walk around unaided.
The pig now also weighs a healthy 30kg, accoring to its owner.

The young pig had struggled in early life but has grown up and learned to walk on its own

Farmer Ge Xinping said: 'Villagers all love it as it walks like an upside down gymnast.'
The amazing sight is not the first time a Chinese farmer has managed to train a young pig with no hind legs to walk on its own.
Last year a 10-month-old animal, known by villagers in Henan Province, China as Zhu Jianqiang, which means Strong-Willed Pig, was born with only two front legs, which it now uses to walk on.

source: dailymail

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Bubbled-up! Video of baby laughing hysterically as her pet dog tries to catch bubbles in the air becomes a YouTube hit

By SIMON TOMLINSON

Bursting onto the scene: Bennie, the German Shepherd, catches bubbles to the delight of baby Molly in the clip which has gone viral

A baby laughs infectiously as her pet dog pops bubbles in a clip that has become an internet sensation.
The nine-month-old tot begins by looking inquisitively at her mother who is holding a bubble gun from behind the camera.
Then, as she fires it, their dog comes bounding into the picture feverishly bursting the bubbles with its mouth, much to the youngster's hysterics.

Infectious: Molly creases up with laughter as Bennie waits for the next round of bubbles to be fired from her mother

Molly, who is sitting among her toys in the living room, finds the whole episode hilarious as her canine companion attempts to eat as many as possible, licking his lips with delight after each one.
Needless to say, the video has gone viral and now you can even get Molly's laugh as a ringtone.
Her mother has posted the video and others of Molly on YouTube under the username JessOrT.

Pop-ular: Molly beams from ear to ear as Bennie clamps his jaws round another bubble. The tot's laugh has now become a ringtone

Cute: Bennie waits eagerly for more bubbles to be shot out from behind the camera. Molly can't wait for more action either

Sweet: At first, Molly was confused as to what was happening. Until Bennie came bounding into the picture, that is. Her mother said Molly wasn't that interested in bubbles until their pet showed her how fun they could be

The 29-year-old, who describes herself as a stay-at-home mum, said: 'On a lazy day, I decided to try blowing bubbles for my daughter, Molly.
'At first, she didn't think they were all that, but then Bennie, the dog, showed Molly how much fun bubbles can be.
'Molly thought Bennie's bubble popping was the funniest thing she has seen in her 9-1/2 months!'
She said the family adopted Bennie from a shelter in Illinois in 2008. He is a German Shepherd and Beagle mix.



source: dailymail

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'Cause cats need iPads too: The adorable kitties getting into gaming

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Gone fishing: This kitten looks like she's getting the hang of it

There's no doubt the iPad has been a game changer.
For years cats have been languishing in gaming hell, forced to make their own fun with real toys. But not any more.
These days our feline best friends can get in on all the action. New iPad apps let our pets hone their mouse catching skills, trail fish in a pond or even compose music.

Making music: There's an impressive variation of games for felines

Pretty soon they wont need to go outside at all.
And as these adorable kitties show there's nothing we humans do that cats cant pick up and perfect in minutes.

Mouse trap: These two cats take it in turns to hone their mouse catch skills

They seem just as fascinated with the glow of the screen and the repetitive play as everyone else, adults, dogs, babies.
These days between apps for the kids and the pets it's hard to get a look in.
And now that they have their own games they'll probably get even more demanding.

Gap in the market: Cats have been saying they wish there was more to do in the suburbs for years

Pretty soon they'll be demanding their own iPads to check email and tweet while you're at work
Earlier this year Whiskas cat food launched three games aimed specifically at the cat market.
Soon most of us won't even be allowed a turn- we'll have to dig out the Super Nintendo.









source: dailymail

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Just take a quarter of a million sprinkles and a lot of patience . . . artist creates amazing picture from cake decorations

By STEPHANIE DARRALL

Shower of sprinkles: Artist Joel Brochu created a work of art that appears as a high definition photograph. However it was created with thousands of sprinkles

At first glance, it looks like a doting owner has taken a photograph of their beloved pet being showered but closer inspection reveals this piece of art is made up of thousands of sprinkles.
Joel Brochu, a fine art student, meticulously created the piece using 221,184 coloured sugary balls usually used on cakes and ice cream.
The Canadian artist said he used double-sided sticky tape to attach the myriad sprinkles to a board using a customised template.

The artist said the work began as a university fine arts project on Pointillism - the technique of using tiny dots to create a painting.
Mr Brochu said: 'It looks like an image of a beagle. It appears as a high definition photograph measuring four inches by one and a half inches.
'I did it by meticulously placing the sprinkles by hand using jewellery tweezers.They adhered to the board with the help of double sided tape and a thin layer of glue.

Hundreds and thousands: Close up it is clear to see the thousands of sprinkles used to create the beagle

'I used just six colours, red, orange, green, blue, black, and white to create a myriad of hues. The artwork's level of detail is directly correlated with the amount of sprinkles used.
'An image with fine detail, such as a panoramic landscape, looks best using a minimum of 275,000 sprinkles and would measure five feet by one and a half feet.

Fine art: The piece took eight months to complete before being preserved with a coating of clear acrylic resin

'An easily recognisable or close-up image, such as a human face, can be created with far less, 33,000 sprinkles for example, and would measure 14 inches by nine inches.'
Using a customised computer program, a template is created from an original image which guides the placement of each sprinkle.
The flexibility of the medium and colour combinations ensures that any image can be recreated with sprinkles, like landscapes, great works of art, portraits, and even black and white photographs.
Taking just under eight months to complete, once finished, it was permanently preserved with a clear acrylic resin.

source: dailymail

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Let's get outta here! Impatient labradoodle honks the horn to tell his family it's time to go

By MIKE O'BRIEN

Now hear this: The angry labradoodle repeatedly hits the horn

They say labradoodles are both intelligent and unpredictable ... and this pet pooch seems to fit the bill.
On an outing with the family he managed to make his feelings quite clear.
He was stuck in the car while mom, dad, the children and others got out to get a breath of fresh air.

Patience is a virtue, but suddenly his ran out.
Beckoning the family to 'get in and get outta here,' the 18-month-old pup simultaneously honked the car's horn and barked.
He can hardly be blamed - tensions can run high during the family car ride season.

Hilarious: The children crack up as their pet pup angrily honks the horn and barks at the same time

If looks could kill: As the patriarch heads for the driving seat, the labradoodle shows his disgust

Thanksgiving has passed, the sales are on, there's Christmas presents to be bought and there's no really no time to be hanging around a public park.
The honking pup, it appears, has become something of an instant celebrity.
The hilarious 20 second video was uploaded on YouTube on Saturday and got 1,500 hits in a day.



source: dailymail

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Glamorous Leona Lewis, Pixie Lott and Keisha Buchanan get all dolled up... to visit the stables

By LUCY BUCKLAND

Horsing around: Leona Lewis, a well known animal lover, looked stunning on a visit to Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

The stables aren't a place you would usually expect to spot a set of glamorous chart toppers.
And although Leona Lewis, Pixie Lott and former Sugababe Keisha Buchanan might not have mucked out at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary the trio helped raise valuable funds to keep the Brentwood facility open.
Bleeding Love singer Leona, 24, is an patron for the organisation and roped in some of her famous friends to help raise funds at this weekend's Christmas Fayre.
Leona roped in her friends to the event on Sunday to help raise funds for the centre which faces an uncertain future after owner Ernie Clark died from liver cancer last year aged 84.

Strike a pose: Pixie Lott (left) and Leona Lewis smile next to one of the looked after animals at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary

Leona roped in her friends to the event on Sunday to help raise funds for the centre which faces an uncertain future after owner Ernie Clark died from liver cancer last year aged 84.
A well known animal lover Leona, 26, has made several trips to the sanctuary over the past few months, most recently for a sponsored walk which raised over £14,000.
The singer even took her mission global after hosting a star-studded fundraiser in Beverley Hills.
Leona performed on the night, including a duet with Glee pal, Matthew Morrison and Natasha Bedingfield also performed.

Christmas belle: Leona Lewis looked festive on her visit with a Christmas beret

I like this one! Keisha Buchanan strokes a white horse at the Brentwood sanctuary

Leona also surprised two of the Hopefield managers by flying them over from Essex to be a part of the evening and see the work that she is doing out there whilst recording in LA.
On the charity's website Leona writes: 'Since the first day I visited Hopefield Animal Sanctuary I knew it would become a big part of my life.
'The work they are doing to save these abused and neglected animals is essential, they would simply have nowhere else to go if this sanctuary wasn’t here. At Hopefield these animals get to live out their lives peacefully and free from abuse.

Say sugar cube: Pixie Lott sports a smile as she poses next to a gorgeous white horse

'My mission at Hopefield is to make sure these animals can continue to live here, that they can live comfortably and safely, that we can build Hopefield into a sanctuary that will educate people on animal welfare and continue to save more animals in need.
'The immediate mission is to raise £100,000 by christmas! A big ask but one we can achieve by each just doing whatever we can for these animals that deserve some love.
Hopefield, which cares for 200 animals, needs to raise £1million to secure its future by buying the land it is currently based on.
Hopefield cares for a horses, donkeys, goats,sheep, pigs, chickens, geese, ducks, cats and and even chinchilla's.

source: dailymail

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No kidding: Woman and her goat who both have prosthetic legs - made by the same doctor!

By LUCY LAING

Best foot forward: Jenny Brown with her pet goat Albie show off their prosthetic legs at her animal sanctuary in New York state

When Albie the three-legged goat needed a prosthetic leg, owner Jenny Brown knew exactly who to turn to.
Having lost her own limb at the age of ten to cancer she contacted the doctor who had made her prosthetic leg and begged him to help.
Now Albie is skipping around the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary in New York state where he lives with Mrs Brown and her husband Doug Abel, 43

Albie arrived at the sanctuary in August 2007 when he was found wandering in a park after escaping from a local slaughterhouse.
But injuries inflicted when he was trussed up with wire in the abattoir infected his leg and vets had to amputate.

Albie: The goat escaped from an abattoir

Mrs Brown said: ‘ When he was brought to us, Albie was in a terrible state. His mouth was covered in sores and his leg and hoof were badly infected.
‘He was weak and scared to death. We just couldn’t believe that this brave little goat had managed to escape like this.’
After the operation, Albie tried to hop around the field on three legs, but kept having to rest as it was too much of a strain.
Mrs Brown said: 'Albie hobbled, but goats don’t have the same balance that dogs have, as they are walking around on the tip of a high heeled hoof.
'He got so tired easily and would have to lie down every few minutes.'
She then asked her surgeon to build a prosthetic leg even though he had never made one for a farm animal before.

Pet: Jenny lost her limb to cancer when she was 10, while Albie had to have his amputated after it got infected

‘The doctor just looked at me in surprise but rose to the challenge and said he was willing to give it a try,' said Mrs Brown.
'We did some research. There had been only one goat ever before in the U.S. that had got a prosthetic limb.
'I knew exactly how frustrated he [Albie] felt with a leg missing - as I had gone through it all myself. I was determined to help him.'

'We take it off at night for him to sleep - just like I do - and then in the day he has it on all the time. He’s skipping around on his prosthetic leg and he couldn’t be happier.’
Mrs Brown opened her animal sanctuary in October 2004, and now has over 150 rescued farm animals, including piglets, former battery hens, goats, cows and turkeys living there.

source: dailymail

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