World Animal Day

I love animals but this is the first that I have heard of World Animal Day, although this is the 81st time it has been celebrated.  According to WorldAnimalDay.co.uk, it started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.  I know that because I looked it up after reading a reminder post from WWF Canada earlier today.  Live and learn right?

Animals are a vital part of our lives.  In celebration of World Animal Day, think about keeping the stories of animals in your life.

We have two calico cats.  It is the first time that I have actually owned a pet.  That is mainly due to the many years of a rather nomadic life style but, again, that is a story for another day.  But back to my point.  Now that I am a pet owner I have a better appreciation for what a difference animals can make in a home.

I did that layout not long after we brought home our kitten, k.d. with the misguided idea that Sasha would like the company.  Poor girl would probably have been quite content to live in a one-cat household as k.d. does tease her as little sisters do. They do have their moments of apparently reluctant acceptance and now tend to hide under the same bed when there are guests in the house - I guess that is something.  As I write this, k.d. is curled up on my lap watching Sasha who is sitting on the window at the birds at the feeder.  When either my husband or I work from our home offices, both girls will check in regularly; if we are both out for the day, they come running when they hear us return - though they disappear as quickly if we happen to have anyone else with us.  k.d. loves to be picked up and when we watch TV, she'll sit between us on the sofa.  Sasha, on the other hand, still does not like to be picked up, though she will tolerate it briefly.  She does, however, love her floor time and will run ahead of me and flop on the floor until I get down to give her scratches and rubs.

And I should mention that we also have an outdoor cat - a feral that comes by twice a day most days for a meal but won't let us get too close.  I'm starting to worry about him as winter approaches and have been looking at designs for cat houses. 

Tell you pet stories

Pet owners tend to see their pets as part of their families.  If you have a pet in your life - or a wild animal that you watch in your yard - tell their stories too.  Here are some questions that you might want to answer:

• What are your most memorable animal stories?
• What was your first pet?  
• Where did your pet come from - was it a rescue? a gift? a stray?  part of a line of family pets?
• How long has / was your animal around?
• What is your pet's name?  Why?  What is the origin of the name?
• Does your pet have a job (like catching mice, herding sheep or guarding the house)?
• What are the animals special characteristics?
• Is your pet still with you?  If not, why not?

Tell the stories of your pets or other animal friends.  Share the stories and the memories.

Taking pictures of your pets

If you want to take better photos of animals, you might want to check out some of these resources:

http://www.wikihow.com/Photograph-Pets

http://digital-photography-school.com/9-pet-photography-tips

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-pets

http://www.photography.com/articles/taking-photos/pet-photography-tips-photographing-pets-personalities/

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/ten-tips-for-photographing-wildlife-like-a-pro/

http://www.noupe.com/photography/35-truly-dramatic-examples-of-animal-photography.html

Share your stories

What is your animal story?  Love to hear about your pets in the comments.  And if you have any other tips or resources, please share those as well.

Have a great day.  I have to go feed my cats - indoors and out.