Pet Hippo Becomes Heafty Housemate
Pet Hippo Becomes Heafty Housemate
When a newborn baby hippo was washed up by a flood onto the lawn of his riverside home, the game ranger who found the dying animal lovingly nursed her back to health.
The weakened female survived, put on weight, and grew . . . and g-r-e-w . . . and GREW!
Now the hippo that thinks it's a family pet has become a giant-sized problem.
For what started out as a cute, tubby 35lbs baby is now a boisterous seven-year-old - equivalent to a human 'teenager' -.weighing nearly three-quarters of a ton.
And like many modern teenagers, Jessica, as she has been named, finds family life too comfortable and just won't leave home.
Attempts to reintroduce her to the wild have all failed. And, being free to roam, the danger now is that she will be attacked and killed by other hippos - or shot by local farmers protecting their animals and crops.
As our pictures show, the reason Jessica prefers family life to that of a wallowing big hippopotamus are clear...
She eats, sleeps, swims and plays with retired game warden Tonie Joubert and wife Shirley at their home in South Africa.
She wanders round the house, drinks coffee on the verandah, hangs out with the pet dogs and enjoys Shirley's soothing massages that help her relax at the end of a happy hippo day.
The hippo greets Tonie, in particular, with special grunts and flicking ears whenever she sees him and follows him like a dog wherever he goes.
There is no strict daily routine, but certain crucial things must not be missed - such as the 10 litres of sweet warm coffee, which Tonie bottle-feeds her with every day, or the dog pellets which she expects as treats.
Most nights, Jessica totters off back to the river for a mudbath. But on other occasions she'll wander into the house, wet and dripping slime and plonk herself on the couple's bed.
It is becoming a problem because - unlike the famous hippo in the Silentnight bed adverts - she has broken the Jouberts' bed three times.
Even larger trouble looms because, being a big girl now, giant male hippos are beginning to turn up on the river's edge fronting Jessica's human home.
She became friendly with one of them, a 10-year-old bull nicknamed Charlie. But when he was shot by a neighbouring farmer, it also killed off hopes of finding Jessica a mate and sending her back into the wild.
"Jessica is so trusting," says Shirley. "Our constant fear now is that the same fate as Charlie's may befall our precious Jess, the gentlest creature on Earth."
Says Tonie: "Some people have told me I was wrong to save Jessica. They say you have to be cruel to be kind and that I should have left nature to go its own way.
"But that would have guaranteed she ended up in a crocodile's stomach.
"And look at the joy and companionship we would have missed out on."
Things to Consider before getting a new pet
Things to Consider before getting a new pet
It can happen to the best of us. You see a cute, tiger-striped kitten with white paws and green eyes, just begging for attention. Or maybe it's a gorgeous Labrador mix whose tails seems to be wagging just for you. You take one look, and the next thing you know, you're walking down the pet food aisle at the supermarket.
If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work.
Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. Dogs and cats require lots of time, money, and commitment--over 15 years' worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.
Things to Consider
The fact that you're thinking about adopting from an animal shelter means you're a responsible and caring person. But before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:
Why do you want a pet? It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.
Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.
Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up quickly.
Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, scratched-up furniture, accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.
Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you bring a companion animal home.
Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? If you have kids under six years old, for instance, you might consider waiting a few years before you adopt a companion. Pet ownership requires children who are mature enough to be responsible. If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down is wise.
Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active--they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research. That way, you'll ensure you choose an animal who will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.
Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.
Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.
Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.
Get an Animal for Life
Sure, it's a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through an animal shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt is so important.
Many of the shelter's homeless animals are puppies and kittens, victims of irresponsible people who allowed their pets to breed. But there are at least as many dogs and cats at the shelter who are more than a year old--animals who were obtained by people who didn't think through the responsibilities of pet ownership before they got the animal.
Please, don't make the same mistake. Think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love--for the life of the pet.
Thank you Humane Society for this article.
This Site Dedicated to Milly
This Site Dedicated to Milly
Always in our hearts.
(1987-2000)
If you Must get a Pure Bred, Find a Reputable Breeder
If you Must get a Pure Bred, Find a Reputable Breeder
Anyone can put two dogs together and can call themselves a breeder but that doesn't make them reputable or responsible. Buying a dog is an important and long term commitment so you want to choose a breeder that has the best interests of the dog, their breed and you in mind. Reputable breeders usually don't advertise in the local classified newspaper ads, glitzty dog magazines, or on a poster taped to a wall in the Laundromat -- the places that the average person might look. Responsible breeders will not take orders for puppies over the internet. Most importantly, they will not sell in litter lots, and they will not sell to pet stores. And while some will say it's because the breeders are being elitist the real reason is quite simple. These venues encourage impulse buying. Impulse buying all too often leads to disappointment when the dog turns out to be just a dog, with a dog's needs, and a dog's means of communication. Pounds, shelters and rescue programs are full of dogs that were bought on impulse. Such a fate is not what a responsible breeder wants for the dogs he or she has helped bring into this world.
Defining a Responsible Breeder: What the Buyer should look for:
A responsible breeder is one who:
- Is knowledgeable about his/her breed and breed standard;
- Is active in the breed in some fashion, perhaps in the conformation ring, or in the performance aspect, such as obedience, agility, hunting, earthdog, schutzhund, ring sport, fly ball, etc;
- Has done extensive genetic testing on the breeding stock used and is willing and able to discuss whatever faults his/her dogs have (and all dogs have them. No dog is perfect.);
- The environment the dogs and puppies are kept in are open for your inspection and are kept sanitary;
- At least the dam of the litter is on the premises and is available for your inspection, with pictures and information about how to contact the owner of the sire available to you;
- Has provided proper medical care and nutrition to all his dogs and will provide you with medical records;
- Can discuss the socialization of the puppies and can make recommendations for the continued socialization and training;
- Will have a written contract and bill of sale; (For sample contracts go HERE.)
- Will offer a health guarantee;
- Will offer a genetic disease guarantee;
- Will take back the dog at any time during the dog's life if you become unwilling or unable to care for it.
- Will be available to you for advice during the life of the dog.
RSS
