Dopey the hamster must have a bored owner – he got his very own motorized Lego elevator in his cage!

It’s hard not to go “aww!” each time he falls when reaching for his house, but he he seems to really get into it and finally makes it! (That being said, criticisms and comments can be left at the Youtube page – I didn’t make it!)

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Dopey’s Lego Elevator

I can’t believe I’ve never put this up! This is the “Kitty Cat Dance,” a video that’s been around for a while and pretty much never fails to entertain the kids (and ok, the grownups too).

Now just try to get through the rest of the day without thinking “Cat! I’m a kitty cat!“

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The Kitty Cat Dance

I love this commercial! It’s one of the few I don’t instantly fast-forward through.

It features tennis pro Maria Sharapova trying to get little Dolce to pose for the camera. (We happen to have a Canon Powershot [not because of this commercial, though!] and it is a great little camera!)

Little Dolce is actually played by canine actor Beowulf.

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Favorite Pet Commercials: Dolce and Maria Sharapova

I love the idea of robotic or motorized litter boxes – it’s one of my least favorite chores. We tried a Littermaid years ago and were unimpressed – it was noisy and broke down completely within six months, but not before flinging poop and litter across the room randomly when it “cleaned.”

The litterbox above is called a Litter-Robot and if it looks big it is – it stands at 24-by-22-by-29 inches which would take up an entire corner in my house. If anything would definitely be a conversation starter, though!

The process seems simple enough: A sensor in the step lets the system know when a cat has stepped into the box, and is triggered again when the cat leaves, turning on a seven-minute timer. It then starts rotating, sifting the litter into a pocket while the kitty offerings get deposited into a drawer in the base. It then rolls back over and the litter comes out of the pocket and back to where the cats can use it.

I really love the idea of this – everything stays contained (unlike the Littermaid), there are no outside moving parts. I think the size and the price (approximately $330!) would keep me from giving it some serious consideration, though. Maybe after a few years we’ll find that they’re able to adjust the size and we’ll give it another look.

[image: product photo]

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The Litter Robot

Wing clipping is one part of bird care that freaks me out. They tried to teach me how to do it at the little pet store I worked at as a teenager and I opted to let those more experienced keep on top of it. I’m afraid I’d cut something I wasn’t supposed to or would permanently hurt the bird. I don’t want that kind of guilt!

In the video above, FeatherHeads owner Susan van den Broek covers some of the basics of wing clipping. It’s funny how many species towel wrapping is handy for when it comes to clipping things!

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Bird Care: How to Clip Wings

It’s been many years since I’ve had hands-on experience with snakes and I’ve never actually owned one (though I’ve wanted to!), so I found this neat series of videos by Holli Friedland, Reptile Rescue Coordinator at the Mid-Atlantic Reptile Show.

The videos walk you through every step of set-up, care, maintenance and even troubleshooting in corn snake ownership!

I love snakes and the only thing that’s kept me from having one myself is that I’m squeamish about feeding time. Though I’ve (live- and dead-) fed many snakes (my first job was at a small pet store, and I was at the bottom of the totem pole!) and I know that snakes need to eat too, I also love rats and mice, so I just don’t have a snake!

Anyway, more videos below the cut!

How to Decide if a Corn Snake is Right for You:

Setting Up the Corn Snake Cage:

Corn Snakes – Temperature, Humidity & Lighting:

Choosing a Corn Snake:

Corn Snake Handling:

Corn Snake Feeding:

How to Trouble Shoot Problems with your Corn Snake:

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How To Care For A Corn Snake

Oh wow. I really have not laughed this much in a long time. Alicia sent me this video of two professional engineers illustrating the proper care and practical benefits of cats. “None of the cats, humans, or engineers were mistreated in the making of this film. They were however, slightly annoyed.”

I’m going to try and work corporal cuddling and cat yodeling into my daily cat management duties. The cats will LOVE it, I just know it!

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An Engineer’s Guide to Cats

I’m glad Disney isn’t taking themselves seriously with this one because my kids just laughed so hard at the preview they nearly had tears in their eyes! And ok, it got a snicker from me too: Having two chihuahuas ourselves it’s easy to see someone did their research and got it right with the “saucy attitude” that chi’s are known for!

Beverly Hills Chihuahua will be released September 26. Now the question is, will it be a theater movie or a rental?

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Beverly Hills Chihuahua

My local news showed this clip this morning and I wanted to share it too. This little kitty is trying to bust into a chocolate cake protected by a plastic container. Can’t say I blame him!

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Kitty With a Sweet Tooth

Oprah Winfrey’s dog Sophie passed away last month and last week Oprah dedicated an episode of her popular television show to the dog. Oprah had Sophie for 13 years and credits the dog for helping her be a kinder, gentler person.

Oprah’s staff put together a tribute which caused Oprah to get emotional. I admit, I got misty-eyed too. Did you see the episode?

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Oprah Winfrey’s Tribute to her Dog Sophie