WildCreatures

Sea lions are truly the puppy dogs of the sea, resembling our four legged friends in their behaviour as well as their facial appearances. Their personalities are similar in many ways. They enjoy play time and frolicking in the surf and on the sand, and their fun loving nature delights tourists and residents alike. These hilarious animals inhabit almost every beach or rocky shore in the Galapagos Islands. A bull sea lion is a large and formidable animal. Powerful, and equipped with large teeth like a giant breed dog, they command respect when they need it. They are territorial animals and there is only room for one mature male in each colony. There may be dozens of females and their babies, but the bull has breeding rights and will chase off any male who challenges him. In return, the male discourages predators and protects his colony, even supervising the young sea lions when the mothers are out in the ocean, hunting for food. This adorable baby has come to his mother with plaintiff cries for milk. Baby sea lions are always hungry and they know that their mother's nap time is the perfect opportunity for a meal. But the father, who thinks it is cuddle time, does not want to be interrupted. He barks and snarls at the baby and tells him it's not time for a drink. The sad baby wanders around crying but he finds a spot in the sand to have a nap. He will get his chance soon enough when the father gets hungry enough to go out into the water for his lunch. Sea lions are one of the most interesting and entertaining parts of a visit to the Galapagos Islands.

Lily is a four month old Golden Retriever-Terrier cross with a mind of her own. When Nicole decides to try the famous egg challenge, Lily is eager to play along. She takes the egg gently in her mouth and then tries to high tail it out of the room, obviously to eat the egg. She obeys her owner, sort of, when she is told to stay, but she refuses to let go of the egg. Nicole and her sister begin laughing and trying to coax Lily to give the egg back. They try talk to her gently, giving her stern orders, even bribing her with a treat. Nicole begins to think it's time to end the <a href="https://rumble.com/v4dx9h-golden-retriever-refuses-to-return-egg-after-egg-challenge-fail.html" target="_blank">challenge</a> and get the egg back but Lily isn't giving it up. Both girls try to pry Lily's mouth open to get the egg out but Lily stands her ground. It's amazing that Lily can keep her jaw locked partially shut so the <a href="https://rumble.com/v2z8ul-confused-dog-tries-to-figure-out-egg.html" target="_blank">egg</a> won't be taken, yet she doesn't crack it. It becomes impossible not to cheer for Lily because her determination is so impressive. In an adorable attempt to win the egg, Lily tries her pleading eyes. She offers a paw and it's melting Nicole's heart. Nicole tries harder, through giggles and laughter, to get the egg and prevent a mess. In the end, Nicole tries to trade a ball for the egg. Lily lets go for a split second but the egg doesn't land safely as hoped. It's impossible to be upset over a broken egg when Lily is just so adorable. Lily intended to make a getaway to eat her egg, but she gets it in the end and the mess won't last long. Lily is a dog with a very playful personality and lots of energy. Nicole and her family are constantly laughing at her antics.

When an Ontario family moved their mobile trailer home to go camping for a few days, they had no idea that they were taking five adorable little stowaways with them. They drove several hours and arrived in the Peterborough area, where they began setting up their trailer for their holiday. What they found was a complete shock. There were five squeaking, squirming, tiny red squirrels in a nest in the trailer. The mother squirrel had found a warm, apparently safe place to have her babies. She must have been away from the nest when the trailer was moved. The family are true animal lovers and they were horrified to realize that these poor little souls had been separated from their mother. Reuniting the babies with their mother would be impossible. They quickly bundled up the hungry little squirrels and took them to Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital, a veterinary clinic known for their dedication to helping wildlife. Stacey and Jen, Registered Vet Technicians have seen all kinds of wildlife, but even these two were overcome by the cuteness of the five wiggling little squirrels. Only a few days old, the babies had not yet opened their eyes. Stacey and Jen examined the babies, hydrated them using a syringe and some electrolytes and then gave them some formula. Their little mouths are so tiny that they must be fed with an eye dropper or syringe, carefully giving them just the right amount to avoid them choking or inhaling the fluids. This can easily lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening complications.

Humpback whales are one of the most massive and beautiful creatures on earth. They come to Tonga in July through October to mate and to have their babies in a safe environment where there are no predators. The conditions are ideal and the mothers feed their calves massive amounts fo milk so they will grow rapidly. They will need their size and strength for the long journey to northern waters where they feed. Bulls, or male humpbacks, also come to Tonga and they will follow females and calves for weeks, providing an escort and added safety for the pair. But they are also waiting and hoping for a chance to mate with the females. Their protectiveness is only partially out of desire to keep her and the calf safe. It is also motivated by a desire for an opportunity to reproduce. When a female humpback is ready to mate, males will follow and even chase her, competing with each other for the rights. These pursuits often involve six or seven males swimming at full speed, acting very aggressively as they thrash and bump each other. Occasionally, they inflict serious injury on each other in the process. They are 60 ton animals and their hormones are raging. They have little restraint and a lot of drive as they struggle ferociously to impress the female. These behaviors are thrilling and fascinating to watch from a boat. These swimmers are enjoying a snorkel in the shallow waters near an island in the Tongan waters. They have been watching the whales from the boat and looking for a chance to actually swim with a whale. Now, during a break for lunch, they are looking at coral and fish along the reef. It is the last place you would expect to see a humpback whale. But the whales came crashing through like a herd of wild elephants. The female led the pack and nearly struck two of the swimmers. They saw her coming in time to swim backwards and out of the way. The laws here, as well as common sense, require that people avoid getting closer that 5m or 15 feet to the whales. Ethical guides such as the one on this tour will strictly enforce these rules and make sure that guests understand. But it is impossible to control the behavior of the whales and it is possible that they will not respect the same distance. The swimmer filming this incredible event looked to his left to see a 55 foot humpback bearing down on him in water that was barely deep enough for the whale to squeeze through. He was floating at the surface, about 15 feet off the coral and there was nothing to do but tuck in his arms and legs. The whale seemed to realize he was about to collide with a helpless person and he slowed abruptly, twisting and almost scraping the coral with his belly. The bull swam directly under him and missed by inches. This gentle giant actually made very slow and careful strokes with his tail until he was clear of the swimmer. He then accelerated with much bigger tail strokes and rapidly took off after the pack. A total of seven whales barged past these surprised swimmers. These <a href="https://rumble.com/v7nrul-just-a-doggo-getting-a-lift-in-dalat.html" target="_blank">incredible</a> creatures have much greater intelligence and compassion than we have ever given them credit for. Sadly, some countries are still hunting and killing these magnificent animals. The Tongan people can teach us a lot about respecting the whales and the environment. The humpbacks also provide the Tongans with much needed revenue through tourism as people travel here to experience their beauty in their natural world. To lose these <a href="https://rumble.com/v7ax7b-antarctica-highlights-in-2-minutes-penguins-whales-seals-glaciers-and-more.html" target="_blank">whales</a> would be beyond tragic.

Scuba diving is a thrilling sport that takes people into a world that only the lucky few get to experience. It is a world of bizarre and fascinating animals, colourful coral, and sights that are beautiful beyond description. Life beneath the waves is complex and intriguing. The creatures of the ocean exist in a delicate balance where they can be the predator one minute and the prey the next. This balance can flip in an instant and almost all of the animals have unique ways of tipping the balance in their favour and increasing their odds. The octopus is a perfect example of a creature with incredible adaptations and abilities. This octopus has attached itself to a chunk of coral and it has changed its colour and texture so that it resembles part of the ocean floor. As the scuba diver approaches, he is unsure of what is right in front of him. Only a tiny movement causes the diver to focus on the black lump that looks like a rock or piece of coral. As he moves closer to inspect the object, it suddenly comes to life and lifts up and away from him. This diver is meeting one of the ocean's most capable hunters. It has more ability to remember and learn than any other invertebrate. The octopus can change shape, texture, and colour to camouflage itself for ambush or for concealment. They have a specialized tooth on their tongue that they use to bore tiny holes in mollusk shells. They then inject toxic saliva into the shells which kills the animal, allowing the shells to be more easily pried open. The octopus glides across the ocean bottom. They are beautiful to watch, especially when witnessed so close up.

Nurse sharks in Belize are quite relaxed and easygoing, until there is only one fish head between ten sharks. These large beasts are always hungry and always willing to steal food from one another. The first one to get to this meal knows he has to work hard to keep it away from the ones that are on his tail. One larger shark actually works his way under the one with the fish and he grabs it right out of his mouth. He is able to swallow the fish before the first one has a chance to get it back. This is a food fight that was very dramatic for the swimmers who were just above the action!

These calves are as happy as can be, and with good reason. They are living the good life on a beautiful farm in Millbrook, Ontario. The cows have lush green pastures for grazing, ponds full of fresh water, and forest beside their meadows. They can wander freely over a vast expanse of rolling hills. The farmers keep a close watch over their heard from the farmhouse on the hill. This is an ethical farm where herd health and happiness is every bit as important as profit. It's life as close as possible to what nature intended for these gentle creatures. These calves are only a few days old and they are testing out their legs on a warm, spring day. They will nurse from their mothers for several months, starting to eat grass as the summer progresses. There are about 45 cows here and 25 calves, allowing for lots of opportunity to play and gain strength. The calves spend most of their day nursing, sleeping, exploring, or chasing each other over the hills. These calves will be building their strength learning from their herd for over a year. During the summer, they will also be joined by a very large, black bull named Gus. He wanders these pastures too, and there is nothing big enough or strong enough to threaten these cows or their babies while he is on duty. Bulls are second only to a bull moose in terms of massiveness, and any farmer will tell you that they are powerful animals. These calves will grow rapidly in the days ahead. Farms like these are not hard to find in Canada. For those to choose to eat meat, supporting an ethical farm only makes sense. It costs a little more to do this right, but removing cruelty from food production is well worth the extra cost.

This reef shark is a well known character in Belize. He lives on a reef that is a favourite spot for scuba divers and he has a habit of following the liveaboard from one dive site to another over several days. His name is "Patches" due to the two large scars on his head just behind his eyes. It is believed that he received these scars when he was younger as he fed on the surface of the ocean. The frigate birds pecked at him, causing wounds on his head that healed, but left scars. The locals speak fondly of Patches, having become very fond of him over recent years. He is 9 feet long with a mouthful of teeth, yet they are not afraid when he shows up to accompany them as they drift over the coral. Scuba divers in Belize are combatting the problem of invasive lion fish by spearing them as they dive. These fish were never meant to be in the Atlantic ocean. They were released by accident and they have over populated and destroyed populations of native fish, risking the overall health of reefs throughout the area. The lion fish are beautiful, but they are also deadly predators and they have no natural predators of their own. It is hoped that spearing lion fish will decrease their numbers and that feeding them to the sharks and eels will create a recognition that they are food to be hunted. Patches is not following the divers out of affection. It may be curiosity, but it is largely his interest in the possibility of a free meal as they capture and kill the lion fish. Once injured, the sharks are able to eat the lion fish without being stabbed by their venomous barbs. There are different schools of thought on feeding the wildlife. Some experts maintain that it is a bad practice to have animals associate humans with food. Others believe that the benefit outweighs the negative. In the meantime, scuba divers throughout the Atlantic are being encouraged to harvest the lion fish and remove them from the reef. As it turns out, they are a delicious fish to eat. Perhaps when we also see them as an excellent food source, hunting them for profit will be the solution that we are looking for.

Flossey is living a wonderful life on a beautiful farm in Millbrook, Ontario. It's what is knows an "ethical farm" where cows have space to roam and graze instead of being kept indoors for most of their lives. Flossey's farm has vast expanses of lush, green grass, rolling hills, ponds full of fresh water, and forested areas for shade. This is life as it should be for these gentle creatures. Dave is a farm hand who often helps out with some of the chores and animal care. He decided to take a break on this warm, summer day and he took a seat on the hill overlooking the pasture.

This gigantic Loggerhead is over 400 pounds, yet somehow is able to stealthily approach a deep sea diver and put himself right in front of the camera. This ancient turtle is the undisputed King of the Reef in Akumal, Mexico, and has likely been cruising around this coral since before World War I. His massive jaws are powerful enough to crush a conch shell, their preferred food.

Humpback whales are among the most beautiful creatures on earth. They are magnificent and awe inspiring to see in the ocean from a boat, but to actually swim with one is a privilege that few people ever experience. These beautiful whales come to Tonga to mate and to have their calves. It is believed to be the only place in the world where humpback whales are born. Humpbacks are famous for their soulful and haunting songs that can be heard for hundreds of miles. They are equally famous for their breath taking leaps and breaches. Swimming straight up towards the surface, they breach and come out of the water almost completely, often spinning and landing with an incredible splash. The sound and the sight of such a magnificent leap is simply jaw-dropping. Although these breaches are often captured on film as they leave the water, these lucky swimmers were able to witness a whale making its rapid ascent from almost directly beneath them. The whale rose like an enormous torpedo with a few powerful tail thrusts that propelled its 60 ton body high into the air. These whales are almost 60 feet long and most of the whale's body left the water. It spun and dropped, sending a giant splash and wave in all directions. The whale's breach was captured on video from the start to the finish, both below and above the water. An opportunity like this is incredibly rare. Whales don't often perform such a breath taking show beside people in the water. Able to use their echo location to identify animals and objects all around them, the whales undoubtedly know there are people nearby. Known for their gentleness, and even their obvious reluctance to harm other animals, these magnificent giants have even been recorded saving humans and small creatures from predators in the water. Humpback whales are now understood to be one of the most intelligent animals, next to humans. Their social behavior and their communication are far more complex than we appreciated in the past. Able to live well beyond 100 years, many of the large whales that we see today have been alive since commercial whaling was a widespread practice around the world. Sadly, whaling and our effect on the environment brought the humpbacks dangerously close to extinction. Many humpback whale tours in Tonga help people witness these creatures and their natural behavior in the wild. It is important to select one that will also respect the whales by avoiding behavior that will cause stress for these animals. Humpbackswims.com employ only ethical guides and boat captains, making an experience like this unforgettable as well as fair to the whales.

Rescued crows have become incredible pets and friends to a Millbrook family. One of them actually enjoys catching peanuts that are thrown to him. Crows adore peanuts, and this one loves a game of catch at the same time!

Komodo dragons are the largest lizard in the world, growing to 3m in length (10 feet) and weighing up to 70kg (150lbs). They are powerful animals and capable hunters, possessing strong jaws, ferocious claws, and surprising strength and speed. Although these dragons are rumoured to kill their prey with toxic saliva, the truth is that they attack with the intent to kill immediately. They do track prey if it escapes, but this is not their preferred means of hunting. Occasionally, animals die of blood loss or fatigue after injury and the Komodo dragon's keen sense allows it to track prey at a great distance. This contributes to the success of hunting following an attack, as well as to the myth of prey death due to sepsis. A recent discovery on 2005 showed that the dragons do have mild venom which interferes with blood clotting. This would cause prey to die after otherwise non-lethal injuries. MRI examinations of Komodo dragons showed venom glands in the lower jaws of the animals. Toxic proteins in the glands not only inhibit blood clotting, but they also reduce blood pressure and cause muscle paralysis. Prey will suffer from hypothermia and shock as the result of a venomous bite. Komodo dragons are fiercely competitive when it comes to mating rights, battling other males and pinning them to the ground. Even the female will fight to resist mating and the male struggles to restrain her to allow for successful intercourse. Mating pairs are often monogamous, which is very rare among lizards. This Komodo dragon was observed wandering the woodlands of Komodo Island in Indonesia, one of the few islands in the world where these incredible lizards reside. This is a wild dragon that was resting under branches as he made his way through the forest. To witness a Komodo dragon in the wild is a rare and wonderful experience.

Veterinary technicians have one of the most wonderful jobs imaginable. Their days are filled with visits from people with dogs, cats, and other beautiful pets. Anyone with a love for animals would be envious of those who enjoy such an occupation. And as fun as their typical days are, a visit from a new litter of puppies like these golden retrievers makes the day even better. These vet techs at Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital in were thrilled to hear the the puppies from As Good As Gold breeders were coming for their checkups. Who can resist a bunch of fluffy puppies like these? The puppies are as energetic as they are adorable and keeping them all together is a feat. Their owner brought them to the clinic in a wagon that is perfect for the job. The entire clinic was overjoyed at this wagon full of cuteness and they all gushed over them through the entire visit. They all received a clean bill of health and made their way to the door to go home. The techs all gathered around to see them off!

Raven is a big puppy with a big dog attitude. But when it's time for bed, she's a big baby. Raven has a big collection of stuffed toys and things to chew on. But here favourite has always been this stuffed bunny. It's one of the few toys that has not been ripped apart. She adores her bunny and carries it to bed with her each night. Raven's routine involves jumping up on the bed with her stuffy in her mouth and turning around 6-8 times as many dogs do. Then she settles down and chews gently or sucks on the bunny like it is a pacifier. She often falls asleep with her mouth on the toy. What makes this even more adorable is the huge, floppy lips that envelop the stuffed bunny almost completely. Raven wakes up in the morning and carries the bunny with her to her dish where she waits for breakfast. She leaves her bunny on the floor after breakfast but always goes looking for it when it is nap or bed time. Great Danes are a magnificent animal and the breed is fiercely loyal. Anyone who has ever owned one has fallen in love with these great beasts.

Cori, a wild cormorant at the family cottage, shows off his incredible intelligence. He learned immediately that the kids feed him fish, and within two days he comes when his name is called. Within a week he hops into the canoe to wait for a fish to be caught!

Grouper are plentiful in the Caribbean and they are often found in the shallows and also in deeper water along walls and droppoffs. Divers find them interesting to watch and to photograph. The feeling is mutual, as the groupers will often approach scuba divers out of curiosity and to try to catch a smaller fish that might be near them. They routinely follow divers and move casually among them. It is not unusual to have one come almost close enough to touch. What was unusual about this large <a href="https://rumble.com/v38p5b-nassau-grouper-loves-to-be-rubbed.html" target="_blank">Nassau grouper</a> was what was growing on his side. It first appeared to be some sort of lamprey eel type creature. But closer inspection revealed that it looked more like a plant or a gorgonian coral (soft coral that looks like a plant) that had become attached to the side of the fish. Gorgonian coral grows well with moderate current and the fish's movement would not cause any problems for the coral's survival. Considering the slow rate of growth, it seems unlikely that a piece of coral could grow to this length on a fish. It is also a mystery how coral could attach to a fish and stay there. The same questions come to mind for a plant to be growing on the side of a <a href="https://rumble.com/v39v21-sneaky-friendly-grouper-hunts-with-diver-steals-fish.html" target="_blank">grouper</a>. Part of the object appears to be stringy, as if it could be a piece of fishing line with a hook that became imbedded in the fish and then something formed on the line and grew. This particular Nassau grouper is approximately 2 feet long and weighs roughly 30lbs. He definitely seems to be thriving, unaffected by whatever the mysterious object is that trails from his side. He was found on a wall dive on the south side of Little Cayman island in 70 feet of water. If anyone has any theories on what this could be, please comment on the video or share it with anyone who may be able to answer the question.

What do you do when you look up and see a critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle swimming casually along beside you? This diver immediately turns the camera around to get a selfie! These beautiful and graceful sea turtles can occasionally be seen gliding over the reef, but they rarely approach humans. This diver almost spits out his regulator from sheer delight!

This massive snapping turtle is surprisingly OK with allowing a GoPro to be attached to its shell. Check it out as it swims around the water, investigating the lily-pads at bottom of the lake and under the dock. The biggest surprise of all is that it appears to be extremely curious about the camera owner himself!

Cameron is a young, but seasoned scuba diver who has dipped his fins in the ocean in Galapagos Islands, Mexico, Cuba, Belize, Cayman Islands, and Canada. He has seen incredible marine life and he has experienced close up encounters with some of the world's rarest and most beautiful animals. This hawksbill sea turtle in Mexico has been one of his favourite interactions. Hawksbill sea turtles are a rare and special sight for underwater adventurers. Once hunted for their ornate shells, as well as for food, their numbers decreased drastically in the past century. They were captured for ornamental jewelry, hair clips, and ornate boxes. The banning of hunting and exportation of animals, and hawksbills in particular, has allowed the turtles to slowly increase their populations in recent years. This hawksbill is very relaxed with Cameron being near. He knows that a slow approach and non-threatening movements can create a sense of trust, or at least acceptance. He cautiously approached from the side and closed the distance over time to get a close look at this beauty. Over time, the turtle moved closer to him as well, obviously recognizing that Cameron meant no harm. Cameron was thrilled with this encounter and he imitated the movements of the turtle in an effort to "be at one" and also to put it at ease. The result was a prolonged swim with this critically endangered turtle and a memory that he will never forget. These turtles are beautiful as well as being beneficial to the reef. To lose them forever would be beyond tragic.

This Farm in Ontario is home to many unique animals. Among the most interesting of them all is Violet, a 4 month old Lamanche goat who seems to believe that she is a puppy. Since she was born, she has followed her people around the farm wherever they go. She also loves to chase and play with the dogs on the farm, just like she was one of them. She will wander up to people, even visitors, looking for affection and attention. She gently places her head against them, begging to be scratched and rubbed, just like a dog would. Violet is very smart and she quickly figures out everything on the farm, such as how to get food that she is not supposed to get into. But, with an adorable face like that, how can anyone ever be annoyed with Violet? After exploring and playing on the farm all morning, Violet is eager for her morning bottle. Violet has responded to the love and wonderful treatment that she gets on this beautiful farm. She is happy and trusting and she is incredibly affectionate. She is a perfect example of how animals respond so well to kindness.

Lily is a six month old Golden Retriever cross who is full of energy and enthusiasm. When Nicole and her mother took her out to the creek that runs through their back yard, Lily discovered that there were great big salmon making their way up river to spawn. Nicole can be heard laughing as her mother tries to tell Lily not to go in the creek. Nicole seems to understand that there is no way to prevent what is about to happen. Being the friendly dog that she is, Lily leaped into the water and tried to play with the fish. Just as she got close, her new friend turned and swam right at her, splashing vigorously and making a lot of noise. Lily suddenly became frightened and she turned to get out of the water just as quickly as she went in. The fish does an about face and so does Lily, suddenly deciding that she wanted to get close after all. Lily looks confused as she searches in the shallows for a sign of the fish. The salmon returns to the deeper water in the middle of the creek and Lily prances around on shore looking for another fish to play with. Eventually, Lily sees a few more salmon and she jumps into the water again, seemingly braver this time. The <a href="https://rumble.com/v33bkg-salmon-swim-across-flooded-road.html" target="_blank">salmon</a> don't seem as enthusiastic as Lily and they stay in the deeper water where she won't go. Nicole and her mother continue to laugh as Lily wades in the creek, looking for some fun. This <a href="https://rumble.com/v392kq-golden-retriever-puppy-vs-the-lemon.html" target="_blank">Goldie</a> is a very curious dog and she would love to catch one of the salmon, except for the fact that they are so big. This is the first time that Lily has seen fish and it is a completely new experience for her. Salmon will make their way up this creek, and any other river that leads from Lake Ontario, as they obey a natural drive to find the same spawning grounds from which they came. They live in the deep waters of the Great Lakes for three years before making a long and difficult journey, following the female salmon to where they will lay their eggs. For the majority of the salmon, this will be their last swim. A high percentage will either perish on the journey or soon after the spawn. Incredibly, salmon go through tremendous physical change before they embark on their run. The males develop a large, hooked beak which will be used to fight with other males. Both the males and the females also develop large, dog-like teeth as the battle for breeding rights can be ferocious, and often fatal. The life cycle of the salmon is brief but fascinating!

The giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands are among the oldest living animals on earth. When we think of ancient creatures, this gentle giant is usually what comes to mind. But surprisingly, there are more than ten species of animals that outlive the estimated 200 year lifespan of a giant tortoise. Among them are jellyfish, sponges corals, clams, and even a few species of whale. The giant tortoise may hold the record as the longest living land animal. This giant tortoise lives on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. He roams freely and munches happily on almost any vegetation that he finds. Slow moving, these animals do not have much hope of evading or outrunning any predator. They are not capable of fighting off any animal determined enough to attack it. Their defence is their heavy armour and their ability to outwait any threat. They are able to retreat into their shell and pull their legs in tight. The heavy scales and thick skin are almost impenetrable. Weighing as much as 400kg (880lbs) when full grown, few animals could overturn them or get at their vulnerable areas. The tortoise can wait in its shell until the predator grows tired and leaves. In fact, almost any carnivore would die of starvation long before the tortoise needed to come out of its shell. They can last as long as one year without food or water. The longevity of the tortoise is another reason that they are still on the planet. Living over 200 years allows them to last through many breeding seasons, with the females laying thousands of eggs in their lifetime. Unfortunately, the eggs and the small tortoises are not safe from predators such as rats, dogs, and birds. This tortoise may be old enough to have been alive when Charles Darwin made his historic voyage on the HMS Beagle from 1831 to 1836, bringing him to these islands where he found the data and inspiration for his theories of evolution. The giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands are beautiful and fascinating. A trip to the islands would not be complete without spending some time watching these great beasts in their natural habitat.

How does a Canadian deal with waking up late for work? Like anybody else, he tries his best to accomplish the morning tasks on the commute. But when you're making your way from a remote island in Parry Sound to the office, it poses a little extra challenge. Imagination and determination go a long way, however. For Dave, the ride down the lake is 6 miles long and, with cargo shorts and big pockets, he is able to take what he needs along with him. It's just the right amount of time to get everything done on the fly. Lucky for Dave there is no rush hour traffic on the lake and he is able to get to his desk by the stroke of 9.

Buddha is a very timid beagle but he loves his food. He also loves Mitzy's food and he has been caught sneaking through the cat door in the basement to gobble it up when she is not looking. Mitzy has learned that she can get away with pushing her head into Buddha's bowl to eat his food. Although he eats faster and tries hard to keep her head out, he isn't brave enough to stand up to her. It becomes a race to eat the kibble before she does and she does all she can to get her share. Mitzy has mixed feelings about Buddha and she usually swats him to remind him that she's the boss. But as she shares his dinner, she seems to be feeling affectionate and she actually licks his head a few times. Then she scoops some food out of the bowl with her paw. When the kibble is gone, she loses interest and off she goes. It seems like a fair trade in the long run and neither one seems to be starving.