September 22, 2013

• The Sunday Donkey Times 9-22-2013

  Pets Eat When ‘Emotionally Distressed’ Just Like Us, Say Experts September 22, 2013 Is your pet putting on weight? It may be eating to quell emotional distress just as humans do, say experts.Overeating may not be a psychological issue that is solely the preserve of human beings, with vets claiming in new research that cats and dogs are disposed to ‘emotional eating’ too.The assertions were made in a new edition of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, which looked at the eating habits of a range of animals as well as humans. It said that eating can be seen as a ‘coping mechanism’ for pets, too, to combat stress and depression, in light of the animals consuming food when they weren’t even hungry. While the study said that obesity rates can be as much as 25 per cent in cats and 45 per cent in dogs, one expert has said that putting the creatures on a diet could possibly worsen the situation. ‘The bottom line is that there is a ton of evidence in humans and animals like rodents that stress induced eating, or emotional eating is a very real thing and contributes to obesity, so we should be looking at it in pet animals,’ Dr McMillan from the Best Friends Animal Society told The Daily Telegraph. ‘If this is a major factor in our pet animals, then the standard approach, by simply yanking away their food, is very misguided and potentially harmful.’ For the original article, go here! Runaway Potbellied Pig Captured By Police In Austin, Texas September 18, 2013 The usual suspects were nowhere to be seen when police in Texas received reports of an unusual visitor wandering the streets of the state’s capital. Officers from Austin Police Department were left bemused when they were dispatched to deal with an errant pig drifting along the road. The little porker had apparently escaped from its owner before attracting the attention of concerned residents and motorists. Being more used to dealing with hardened criminals, officer Jason Hallmark made light work of catching the pig and bundling it into the back of his patrol car. Despite the 30lb making a mess in the backseat of, officer Hallmark appeared to strike up a rapport with the piglet. ‘Hey! Why did you poop in my car?’ he asks at one point. After being taken to Austin Animal Centre for a check-up, the fugitive pig was later reunited with its thankful owners. For the original article and a video clip, go here!   Dear Miss Smarty Pants, If something "goes without saying," why do people still say it? Donkey Dear Donkey, They say it because they want to look smart, but really they just look foolish.  Sometimes, though, they say it to reinforce a concept.  It goes without saying that parents love their kids, but they continue to tell them every day.  As if wearing rainbow jackets and socks doesn't say I love you enough, people still say the words. Miss Smarty Pants Dear Miss Smarty Pants, Why do people say I wear mismatched socks? Your Favorite, Spazzzz Dear Spazzz, Your socks are magnificent.  I have a secret love of socks actually.  I prefer holiday socks though.  Socks for every holiday. You would find it an interesting tidbit to know that I do not own Thanksgiving socks even though I've spent years looking for them.  I think sock manufacturers must not know how that impacts my holiday sock collection.  Your socks are not mismatched.  They just reflect the many moods you might encounter in a day. Miss Smarty Pants From @Seedsower I Don't Know is this week's winner! Well, that's the way it was!  Your Donkey on the Beat, signing off until next week! Dead Turkey Jokes of the Day  Quantum Mechanics: The dreams stuff is made of. All those who believe in psychokinesis raise my hand. Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to? Today's YouTube Tune Please Mr. Postman - The Beatles Did you see an interesting news article this past week? Do you have a question for Miss Smarty Pants? Report it to the Donkey!

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