Dog, Cat and Rat
Photo sent to me of a guy walking his dog, cat and rat….
A little out of focus, but cute~~
Posted: Just One More Pet
August 13, 2009 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal and Pet Photos, animal behavior, animals, Just One More Pet, On The Lighter Side, Pet Friendship and Love, pet fun, Pets, We Are All God's Creatures | animal friends, Cats, cross species animal friends, cute pet photo, dogs, Pet Photos, Pets, rats | Leave a comment
Meet Koda, the little horse who could
Koda was born to two normal-size miniature horses at a farm. (Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital)
It is not uncommon for workplaces to have pets. Perhaps a fish or a bird, or at most a dog or cat roaming around the waiting room of a vet’s clinic.
But the Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital, north of Melbourne, has its very own horse who trots around the surgery, nibbling rubbish in the bins and hanging off whoever he can.
But this horse is different from most.
At just 35 kilograms and 59 centimeters tall, 12-month-old Koda is said to be Australia’s smallest horse.
He was born the size of a cat and he is still smaller than some dogs, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with his gigantic personality.
Dr Andy Lynch, who runs the clinic, says Koda – a miniature horse with dwarfism – is basking in his newfound celebrity.
“He absolutely loves the attention from people, he’s just soaking it up,” he told ABC News Online.
“Everywhere he goes he’s instantly recognized and he loves it.”
Australia’s Mr Ed has a jam-packed schedule, with plenty of bookings from local schools and nursing homes as well as a few TV appearances and photo shoots here and there.
“He just had a visit from an elderly people’s home,” Dr Lynch said.
“A van came to visit and he walked through the van and they loved him.
“He’s got a unique nature for a horse of his age. Normal-sized horses at 12 months can just be plain dangerous, but Koda is so trusting, he’s fantastic.
“His very tiny stature isn’t apparent to him, he just regards himself just like any other horse.”
Health issues
But it’s not all fun and games for lively little Koda, who has spent much of his short life immobilized and sadly faces an onslaught of ailments.
In fact when Dr Lynch first met Koda, he recommended that Koda be put down because of the severity of his health problems.
“He had very contorted, buckly limbs that went in all different directions when he tried to stand,” Dr Lynch said.
“And his face was a little bit misshapen, with quite a dished nose and his nostrils were almost like a pig’s snout.”
But luckily vet nurse Karen Stephenson, 23, saw hope in the little guy and persevered.
“I fell in love with him straight away,” she told ABC News Online.
“Provided he wasn’t going to go through too much suffering, I wanted to do whatever I could to give him a chance.”
Koda, who was born to two normal-size miniature horses at a farm, moved to Ms Stephenson’s nearby Kinglake property, where he first came across normal-size horses.
“All the larger horses were hesitant at first, but now he’s one of them but just the size of a dog,” she said.
Costly treatment
But Koda’s need for extensive treatment means he has had to relocate to a small stable at the Yarrambat clinic for now.
So far he has had two surgeries because of joint problems. At one stage his leg was in a cast and he faces more operations because his skull is too small for his teeth.
But “buoyant” Koda doesn’t let the surgeries get him down, Dr Lynch says.
“He’s very brave and he responds very well to pain relief,” he said.
The medical costs have so far mounted to $10,000 and Dr Lynch expects Koda will rack up at a bill of at least $30,000 more.
“But he’s well worth it,” Dr Lynch said.
Future for Koda
And even though Koda’s not expected to live a completely normal horse life, there is hope he will be around for at least a decade more.
“We would be happy with 10 years, bearing in mind a normal horse lives to 25 years,” Dr Lynch said.
“We’d be thrilled with 20 years.”
Dr Lynch says Koda will probably live at the Yarrambat clinic for a few more months at least, but then he will move back to Kinglake to “play with his other horse friends” again.
But this popular little horse isn’t pining for his equine mates too much; he gets on with humans just as well.
“He just loves attention from everyone and he knows he’s loved,” Dr Lynch said.
“In the absence of other horses, we have become his herd and he responds to us like we’re horses.”
And Ms Stephenson even has an idea to cater for “cheeky” Koda’s social needs and growing fame.
“He needs to go on tour around Australia,” she said.
By News Online’s Sarah Collerton
Posted August 13, 2009 07:00:00
Updated August 13, 2009 07:16:00
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Posted: Just One More Pet
August 13, 2009 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal or Pet Related Stories, animals, Just One More Pet, Pet Friendship and Love, Pet Health, Pets, Success Stories, Unusual Stories | animal health issues, celebrity miniature horse, horses, Koda, Melbourne Austrailia, miniature horse farm, miniature horse with dwarfism, miniature horses, Pets, special needs animals, special needs pets, unusual pets, vet bills, Yarrambat Veterinary Hospital | Leave a comment
Save a Life…Adopt Just One More…Pet!
Everyday we read or hear another story about pets and other animals being abandoned in record numbers while at the same time we regularly hear about crazy new rules and laws being passed limiting the amount of pets that people may have, even down to one or two… or worse yet, none.
Nobody is promoting hoarding pets or animals, but at a time when there are more pets and animals of all types being abandoned or being taken to shelters already bursting at the seams, there is nothing crazier than legislating away the ability of willing adoptive families to take in just one more pet!!
Our goal is to raise awareness and help find homes for all pets and animals that need one by helping to match them with loving families and positive situations. Our goal is also to help fight the trend of unfavorable legislation and rules in an attempt to stop unnecessary Euthenization!!
“All over the world, major universities are researching the therapeutic value of pets in our society and the number of hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and mental institutions which are employing full-time pet therapists and animals is increasing daily.” ~ Betty White, American Actress, Animal Activist, and Author of Pet Love
‘Until One Has Loved an Animal, Part of Their Soul Remains Unawakened’
So if you have the room in your home and the love in your heart… Adopt Just One More Pet or consider becoming a Foster parent for pets… Also check out: Little Critter: Just One More Pet
Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know(Kindle)
Photos By: Marion Algier – The UCLA Shutterbug
There is always room for Just One More Pet. So if you have room in your home and room in your heart… Adopt Just One More! If you live in an area that promotes unreasonable limitations on pets… fight the good fight and help change the rules and legislation…
Save the Life of Just One More…Animal!
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As I have been fighting Cancer… A battle I am gratefully winning, my furkids have not left my side. They have been a large part of my recovery!! Ask Marion
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One More Pet Emily loves animals so much that she can’t resist bringing them home. When a local farmer feels under the weather, she is only too eager to “feed the lambs, milk the cows and brush the rams.” The farmer is so grateful for Emily’s help that he gives her a giant egg... Can you guess what happens after that? The rhythmic verse begs to be read aloud, and the lively pictures will delight children as they watch Emily’s collection of pets get bigger and bigger.~~ 2000+ Dog Books And All Things Dog ~~
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If You Were Stranded On An Island…
A recent national survey revealed just how much Americans love their companion animals. When respondents were asked whether they’d like to spend life stranded on a deserted island with either their spouse or their pet, over 60% said they would prefer their dog or cat for companionship!
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