Have you noticed recently that one of your dog’s testicles looks larger than the other or does a portion of the testicle appear swollen? Is your dog middle-aged or older? If so, your dog may be suffering from a testicular tumor.

Resembling a cross between the American Longhorn and a Yak, the Scottish Highland breed is ancient and is one of the purest and rarest breeds of cattle known today. It is estimated that their numbers are fewer than 10,000 worldwide, with most of the population surviving in the United States and Canada.

Scottish Highland cattle date back to the sixth century. They are believed to be the product of blending two ancient Asiatic breeds: the Bos primigenius and the Bos longifrons.

Want an unusual herp that is easy to keep? Try the axolotl. A native of Mexico, the axolotl is also known as the aquatic salamander, or the mole salamander. The axolotl is a neotenic amphibian whose scientific name is Ambystoma mexicanum. Neotinic amphibians are amphibians that do not undergo metamorphosis, under normal circumstances, from the larval to adult stages. The axolotl remains aquatic throughout its lifetime. This salamander never leaves the confines of water.

Is your cat or dog constantly scratching at its ears or shaking its head? Do the ears contain a dark brown to black crusty discharge that resembles coffee grounds, yet has a waxy consistency? Does your pet have a hot spot below one of its ears? Then your cat or dog could be suffering from an infestation secondary to an infectious mite called Otodectes cynotis, more commonly referred to as ear mites.

Christmas holly, or English Holly is a commonly prized holiday ornamental that may prove to be irresistible to your pets. Although there are two genera of holly, the Ilex genus, with its 29 species, are all toxic. The technical name for the Christmas holly is Ilex aquifolium.

The Chesapeake Bay retriever is a native of Maryland in the United States. This water dog evolved with the breeding of Newfoundlands and English Otter Hounds with local retrievers, including curly-coated and flat-coated retrievers, back in the early 1800’s.

The breed was developed for its keen intelligence and a willingness to retrieve no matter how harsh the weather or how icy the water. This breed is considered to be the toughest of the water retrievers. They are named for the Chesapeake Bay area from which they hail.

Tall, lean, and built for speed, the greyhound is the fastest breed of dog.  With a sharp eye it is classified as a sight hound.  Originally bred as a racing dog they are now accepted as sweet and personable companions.  As part of the hound family they can have some stubborn personality traits.  They are not hyper and will spend much of their day resting in preparation, conserving their energy, until required to utilize their great bursts of speed. 
 

10. Provides the family Labrador retriever a place to cool off.

9. Less water usage. Lawns and landscaping require watering. Often rainwater is sufficient to top off a pond once it has been filled, dependent on the area of the country.

8. The pond provides a wonderful local wildlife habitat.

7. Sludge collected by a pond filter may be used as a nutrient-rich fertilizer.

6. Just add fish and you have wonderful, easy to care for and entertaining pets.

5. A pond encourages young people to help preserve the planet and brings them in close contact with nature.

The weather is so beautiful that you decide to take a hike along a stream or small river and you come across a deceased white-tailed deer in or around the water.  Unfortunately, it is not an uncommon scenario.  Epizootic hemorrhagic disease or EHD is a viral disease of white-tailed and mule deer that is spread by biting gnats.  Domestic ruminants such as cattle and sheep are typically asymptomatic carriers of the virus but occasionally cattle will exhibit clinical disease.