It's finally Fall!

I thought summer would never end but finally it is officially over. Thank goodness! Now it is time for people like me to take off their hats, go outside, and revel in the beauty of nature and the pale weak sunshine that does not burn us to a crisp. It is still too warm for all-day hoodies, but perhaps a light hoodie for an hour or so in the morning until it warms up. It is slightly closer to my goal of my thick fleece winter hoodie.

I am sorry for all the people who love summer, but also not really. You had your time. And, now it is time for the rest of us to be revived. Also Little Crab loves crunchy leaves so I can collect some oak and maple leaves for her soon to entertain her through winter. A weird but interesting fact about Hermit Crabs is that they nibble on leaves.

While we wait for purrfect cool autumn weather, warm cozy hoodies, beautiful brown and yellow leaves everywhere (with just a pop of red here and there), I have compiled the usual pet-friendly and animal nerdery content to keep you and your pets entertained. There is a lot going on!

Mango Market Pet Appreciation Day September 27 - featuring adoptable pets from Heart and Soul Dog and Cat Rescue, pet photo sessions, and much more. Check out more details on The Mango Market website.

HugABull Fall Fest October 4, Thunderbird Show Park in Langley - bring your dog and it’s FREE! Find out more here.

Dog Days at Maan Farms September 26, October 1, 4, 5, 10, 15, 19, 24, 25, 30, and November 1. Pooch Parade costume contest is October 25! Find out more here: maanfarms

Video proof that cats of all sizes love boxes: Joanne the tiger at the Phoenix Zoo phoenixzoo

Mars the baby pygmy hippo (my latest obsession): follow all his antics at the Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Quick facts: Pygmy hippos are endangered with a population estimate of only a couple thousand left in the wild. So a baby pygmy hippo is critical to saving the species. That estimate is from the 1990s and I could not find an updated number. There is an international effort to conserve their habitat so hopefully the population will increase over time. On a funny note baby pygmy hippos behave like many dogs I met - they have zoomies, refuse to go inside, and enjoy swimming. Though I think Mars can swim circles around many dogs. He is just made to swim. They are also ridiculously cute. The internet sensation Moo Deng is another baby pygmy hippo born at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. Read more about pygmy hippos on the WWF blog.

That Good News Girl had a couple of interesting stories (as usual). You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

An abandoned dog became the official “Executive Dog” of The Philomena assisted living facility in Texas. She was adopted by one of the amazing staff and spends her days visiting all the residents. A must watch video! Chewy the "Executive Dog"

The second story is about a Florida realtor that arranges dog adoptions for each house he sells. DJ Soucy partners with a local animal shelter and arranges adoptions and/or donates to the shelter with every sale. It is such a brilliant idea and helps so many dogs! DJ Soucy story

Here is a brilliant use of those pet talking buttons that are all the rage: “Hey Alexa…” Hey Jude the Beagle likes those relaxing tunes!

An outdoor experiment to try for the dog parents of digging enthusiasts: the california huskies

Pro tip - set up some sort of catcher for all of the dirt flying. Unless you are trying to reseed your lawn or plan to redo your landscaping soon! And, only do this inside if you are crazy and have a shop vac.

Follow wildatheartcats Feline Training and Behavior Specialist for great cat tips and particularly about things NOT to do that are unfortunately popular and misleading videos online. What first caught my attention was her video about this behaviour that looks like spraying but is really just a happy dance. My cat Hal used to do that a lot. It meant he is happy to see me or a visitor. Ziggy does it occasionally. And, one of our special cat clients Snickers coined the term “special dance” for the times he will run up to his perch in the kitchen and give me the special dance moves and get some cuddles.

What a “happy dance” or “special dance” (aka “vibrating butt thing”) is all about: happy dance explanation

A great video of multiple play bows and play invite moves between dogs: mirrorimagek9

The Dodo shared a story about Gigi the pittie who no one would play with at the park. The brilliant thing is that her Dad arrange a meet-up for other dogs and Gigi got to meet some new friends. It broke my heart, made me cry, and made me think humans can just be so awesome sometimes.

Neeka a female RCMP police dog found a missing senior in Barriere. Read the press release here. And, just to add to her amazing accomplishments she has answered over 500 emergency calls with her handler Cpl. Prior! Wow!

And, of course, it is time for Hummingbird fossils. Actually this is the first time, but hopefully not the last. For some reason it never occurred to me that their would be hummingbird fossils. They are so small and delicate and always moving. But, Eons PBS shared a photo and I had to mention it. The photo is a specimen of Eurotrochilus which lived 28 to 35 million years ago. Check out the post on Facebook here, search for September 6, National Hummingbird Day. Read more about Hummingbird origins on audubon.org, the oldest fossils were actually found in Europe.

YouTube randomly showed me an old video about a Honey Badger I actually met! Stoffel was infamous at Maholoholo Animal Rehabilitation Centre in South Africa. When I was there way back in 2011 I kept hearing about Stoffel and how he would escape and they had to build him this extra special enclosure. The BBC did a story on it which you can watch here. If you want to learn more about honey badgers (because they are super cool) check out this article on livescience.com.

My 2011 photos of Stoffel and his mate Hammy

Heart and Soul Dog and Cat Rescue recently launched a TNR project with Straight Out of Rescue for a big colony of cats in Abbotsford. They are looking for fosters and donations to help cover care and vet bills. So if you can help please check out their foster program, their Amazon wishlist (despite the fact that Amazon cancelled the Wheel of Time show, cat welfare comes first), or their donation page.

Pawsitive Thrift, run by Abby Cat Daddy and their volunteers, is open for business. Check it out if you feel like shopping, need something for your home or for yourself, enjoy looking at cats, want to adopt a cat, or want to donate some gently used goods for a good cause. It is across from Seven Oaks in the Little Oak Mall close to The Book Man. Visit their website for more details including items they accept for donation.

SAINTS annual Wishes 4 Whiskers Charity Dinner Oct. 4, New Westminster: find out more and purchase a ticket here.

Have you tried ChocoPup? It is a special dog treat made in Chilliwack. Find out more on their website and read about the benefits of Carob here.

Has anyone been to the Abbotsford Farmer’s Market this summer? If you have not it is every Saturday morning in Jubilee Park. And, if you get one of their shopping bags you may notice the Furryornot Petcare ad on it. If you have one take a photo and email it to me for a special prize. The last market of this year will be October 25th.

If you know of any other local pet-friendly events, activities, fun animal accounts to follow please let me know so I can share it. Just email office@furryornotpetcare.ca with your suggestions.

We have different payment options set up for easier shopping, as well as gift certificates and an eCard if you want to give a gift to a friend or family member. Check it out. We also have cat lover and dog lover shirts, hats, mugs, pillow cases, and a Ziggy Says greeting card.

https://www.furryornotpetcare.ca/category/all-products

Note: ships within Canada only!

Feedback is appreciated so please comment, like, share, or email us back with your thoughts, ideas, or suggestions.

from Jennifer, Ziggy, Bean, Moxie, and Little Crab

Furryornot Petcare

www.furryornotpetcare.ca

office@furryornotpetcare.ca

And, if you made it all the way here to the end thank you for reading!

Here is a special Ziggy photo just for you: