#ClimateStrike: Do What You Can to Save Our Planet.
Climate change is an increasingly pressing issue that affects people, wildlife, and ecosystems around the world. Rising sea levels from melting glaciers affect island countries around the equator and animals like polar bears are losing more of their habitats....
So You Think You Want A Puppy.
Puppies are, at least in my opinion, the cutest heckin' things. They're tiny and often fluffy and still figuring out how to exist in the world, which can be quite cute on occasion. While there are many great things about puppies, they're a whole lot of work and can be...
Behind the Breed: Australian Australorp Chickens
If you're looking for a great backyard chicken, Australian Australorps are a great option! With black feathers that have a purple or green tint, these chickens can be raised for meat or eggs and can adapt well to a variety of climates. Standard Australorps usually...
Southern Resident Killer Whales.
Earlier this year, it was announced that a new Southern Resident killer whale had been born last December! Lucky, as it had been nicknamed, is a part of the L pod and a few months after it was born, another southern resident was born to the J pod. For a short time,...
Behind the Breed: Collies
Collies are, thanks to the television show Lassie, a fairly recognizable and popular dog breed in the United States. These dogs are large (ish) but graceful herders, which means they generally stand 22-26 inches tall, weigh 50-75 pounds, and are incredibly smart....
Separation Anxiety and Boredom in Dogs.
Rooster was an amazing and wonderful dog but one of the more difficult things about him was his separation anxiety. For the first few years, we couldn't even go to the mailbox without him wanting to come with us! One of the first times my parents left him alone for a...
Behind the Breed: Shetland Ponies.
In many parts of the world, horses have been an integral part of life for centuries. With the advent of cars, trains, and other forms of transportation, horses have become less of a fixture but still remain important to many. There are numerous horse breeds around the...
Becoming a Therapy Animal and Handler.
All around the northwest, there are animals of all kinds that work as therapy animals and bring joy to many folks. Some of the animals at Animals as Natural Therapy visit retirement homes and horses on the farm help at-risk youth and veterans connect in a different...
Behind the Breed: Corgis
From the So Cal Corgi Beach Day at the Huntington Dog Beach outside Los Angeles to Cheddar the Dog on Brooklyn 99 to Queen Elizabeth II's many corgis, this breed is beloved by many! Hailing from Wales, this breed's name means 'dwarf dog' or 'gathering dog' in Welsh...
The Fires of the Amazon Rainforest (And Why It Matters in the Pacific Northwest).
Recently, news hit the United States that the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil has been burning for the last few weeks. Natural fires within a rainforest like the Amazon are rare and don't occur like they might in other climates, even in the dry season. Many...
Llamas and Alpacas.
I was incredibly lucky to have grown up next to a wonderful neighbor who had llamas for decades. And after college, I even got to care for a couple of them! Having llamas is a bit unusual but not terribly uncommon in the northwest, as they are not native to the area....
Clear The Shelters 2019
Today is Clear the Shelters 2019! For the last couple of years, NBC and Telemundo owned stations around the country have partnered with different animal rescue organizations and shelters to host a pet adoption drive on the third Saturday in August. One estimate...
Why Should You Adopt Senior Animals?
In the last few years, I've had to say goodbye to a number of senior animals. Shasta the llama was 17 years old; Tommy the cat was 18; Rooster was 14.5; Milo was 11. And those are sadly just a few of my senior furry friends that crossed the rainbow bridge. Taking care...
Behind the Breed: Chihuahuas.
Chihuahuas are a tiny breed with a large personality! This tiny toy breed is the national symbol of Mexico, as they're one of the oldest breeds in the Americas and have a lineage that goes back centuries. These dogs usually stand 5-9 inches tall and only weigh 2-6...
Grieving the Loss of a Pet.
Losing Rooster and Milo within a week of each other was difficult, to say the least. I wish I could say that their passings were a complete surprise but at 14.5 years old, Rooster was a super senior lab and we knew we were on borrowed time with him. Milo was only 11...
Two Years.
Two years ago, I started 'Animals of the Pacific Northwest' and so much as changed since then. I started this project because I realized that there's an amazing online community that loves animals the environment like I do and because folks were saying how much they...
Behind the Breed: Great Pyrenees Dogs
These large and fluffy dogs are well known for their goofy, smart, and calm personalities. While they might be strong and powerful working dogs, Great Pyrenees dogs are known for being loyal and wonderful companions nowadays. Many of these dogs stand at 25-32 inches...
Behind the Breed: Newfoundlands
Newfoundland dogs are a large, iconic breed with an incredibly sweet disposition. Despite their heavy and relatively huge stature, this breed actually has the reputation of a wonderful family companion and nanny dog for kids! In some of the official Peter Pan texts,...
Guerrilla Gardening: Seed Bombs.
For pollinators and other animals, flowers and plants are a vital part of life all around the world. There are many types of bees and bats that call the Northwest home and bee-friendly gardens can help bee populations survive! But with increasing development and urban...
Remembering Rooster and Milo.
In the last couple of weeks, we had to say goodbye to both Rooster and Milo. These two dogs were best friends, brothers in some way. Milo was the little brother who adored and annoyed Rooster but they loved hanging out together and taught each other some tricks (like...
Behind the Breed: Border Collies.
This medium sized breed is incredibly affectionate, smart, and popular! Border Collies are a part of the herding group, which combined with their intelligence and workaholic tendencies means they require plenty of attention, exercise/enrichment, and training! These...
Parrots.
Found primarily in warm areas of the Southern Hemisphere, parrots are iconic birds that can often mimic sounds and even words! There are many kinds of parrots around the world and while many are found in warm areas, there are some like the maroon fronted parrots and...
Otters of the Pacific Northwest.
The Pacific Northwest is home to an array of amazing and wonderful animals. Southern Resident and transient orcas and California Gray Whales frequent many parts of the Salish Sea and the waters off the coast; the largest unmanaged Roosevelt Elk herd is found in the...
Behind the Breed: Siberian Cats.
This very friendly and affectionate cat breed comes from the taiga of Siberia, which is a forested area with snow and a subarctic climate. Siberian cats have been known in Russia for over 1,000 years and are even found in some Russian folktales! Many other cultures...
Monarch Butterflies.
The Tropical Butterfly House was and still is my favorite part of Seattle's Pacific Science Center. This warm and humid part of the center is home to many different kinds of butterflies but many kinds of butterflies call the Pacific Northwest home outside of the...
Behind the Breed: Basset Hounds
With large domed heads, floppy ears, sad eyes, and a long body, Basset Hounds are truly one of a kind and instantly recognizable! These dogs are part of the hound breed ground, as you might have guessed, and despite their awkward framing, they're powerful and able to...
Rainforests of Washington.
When you say 'rainforests', most folks might think of tropical rainforests like the Amazon Rainforest (also known as Amazonia) in South America. However, rainforests can actually be found all around the world, as defining characteristics of these forests include tall...
Behind the Breed: Scottish Fold Cats.
Scottish Fold Cats are, as you might imagine, cats with unusual folded ears and while their lopped ears make these cats look like owls, these cats are sweet, loving companions for any person or family! The name of this breed also points to the country of origin, as...
Behind the Breed: Orpington Chickens
Orpington chickens are, in my opinion, some of the best backyard chickens. Like Rhode Island Reds, these chickens are a dual purpose breed and can regularly produce great eggs! There are several full sized and bantam varieties but one of the most common is the Buff...
Happy Earth Day!
Earth Day is personally one of my favorite days of the year, as this day is a reminder that the Earth is our home and a place we should care for. Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson started Earth Day after witnessing the effects of a massive oil spill off the coast of...
Behind the Breed: Black Russian Terriers
Black Russian Terriers are, despite having the name of terrier, large and powerful dogs! They have long, coarse all-black coats that don't shed that much but need weekly brushing. This breed is relatively new and still fairly rare but given the right training and...
Climate Change Effects in the Pacific Northwest.
One of the most relevant topics today is climate change, a widely debated and sometimes misunderstood issue. According to NASA, the weather is "short-term changes we see in temperature, clouds, precipitation, humidity and wind in a region or a city". Climate, on the...
Double Coated Dogs.
Dogs come in all sorts of sizes, colors, temperaments, and abilities. There are small dogs who love to cuddle and big dogs who love adventure. Some dogs need wheelchairs and others get by with only three legs! One important difference in dogs is their coats, as their...
Behind the Breed: Rhode Island Reds.
Over the past few weeks, I've been writing about the history, characteristics, and care of different cat and dog breeds. Knowing the general characteristics of different breeds can give pet owners a sense of what to expect with different cats and dogs, especially in...
![Rooster Dog’s Bucket List [April 2019 Update]](https://i0.wp.com/animalsofpnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/rooster-doge28099s-bucket-list-april-2019.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
Rooster Dog’s Bucket List [April 2019 Update]
Over the last ten months or so, Rooster and I have been doing so many fun things to celebrate the time we have left with him! We've gone to Paws For A Beer and made so many friends, said hi to animals at Hovander Park, played in the snow, gone on adventures with Milo,...
Behind the Breed: Salish Wool Dog
In the 'Behind the Breed' for Labrador Retrievers, I mentioned that labs came from a now extinct St. Johns Dog. The St. Johns Dog isn't the first nor is it the only dog breed to go extinct. Over time, breeds of dogs have shifted and changed, which has meant that there...
Behind The Breed: Australian Shepherds
Not only are Australian Shepherds incredibly adorable, they're also known to be smart, exuberant, and work-oriented! These dogs are medium in size and are usually 40-65 pounds. Aussie coats come in different colors and patterns; one Aussie pattern is merle, a...
Weed, Hemp, and Our Pets.
Most of the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia/Canada) has legalized marijuana use, both in recreational and medical use. Cannabis can be used in a variety of ways for humans; many might use it to experience life a little higher but for some,...
Behind the Breed: Norwegian Forest Cats
Norwegian Forest Cats are large, semi-longhaired cats that have a long history in their native Norway, where they're called 'skogkatt' (which literally translates to forest cat!). These cats have been recorded in Norway for at least 500 years but have been around for...
Fossils of the Pacific Northwest.
By sheer happen chance a few months ago, I was reading one of the entries for the Seattle PI's Ask The Burke columns from a few years ago and stumbled across an article about how a giant sloth was discovered under the Sea-Tac Airport! The very true story is that when...
Behind the Breed: Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are friendly, medium-sized dogs with a thick coat and an ability to help pull light loads over a long frozen expanse in freezing temperatures. These dogs are pack dogs, which means that their friendly demeanor and love for family life and other dogs...
Bird Watching.
While it may sound a bit boring for those don't know much about it, birding and bird watching is actually a popular pastime for millions of people around the world. There are thousands of clubs and societies dedicated to bird watching and numerous blogs and social...
Behind the Breed: Birman Cats
Personality wise, Birman cats are exceptionally friendly cats around all sorts of people and other animals and are quiet and docile. They'll love to spend time with you and might try to follow you from room to room! Birmans are smart cats and very curious; they love...
![Esther The Wonder Pig by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane [Book Review]](https://i0.wp.com/animalsofpnw.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/esther.jpg?resize=400%2C250&ssl=1)
Esther The Wonder Pig by Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter with Caprice Crane [Book Review]
This post contains affiliate links that I could make commission off of. All opinions are my own. Esther The Wonder Pig: Changing the World One Heart At A Time is the story of how Esther the pig came into the lives of Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter and drastically...
Behind the Breed: Old English Sheepdog
Old English Sheepdogs are, nowadays, most well known for their shaggy, profuse coat that's often done in a peek-a-boo hairdo! Many will be white with gray markings in color but some many have grizzle, merle, or any blue shade. These dogs are very mellow, friendly, and...