Animals
An Equine Reunion Six Years In the Making

On August 17, 2012 a group of six emaciated mustangs arrived at the ranch after being rescued by the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services as part of an animal neglect case. This group has flourished in our Mustang Habitat and welcomed their seventh member with the birth of a filly in 2013. […]
San Diego Zoo Food, Wine & Brew Celebration Returns

Enjoy a globally inspired, all-inclusive food, wine and beer tasting event at the San Diego Zoo from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, September 22. More than 160 of Southern California’s best vendors—along with animal encounters, live entertainment and dancing—will take place inside the world-famous San Diego Zoo. At the Food, Wine & Brew Celebration, […]
Compassion for Paws Thanks Donors

This past month, Isabela Skincare in Mission Hills was the site of a fundraiser for Compassion for Paws. To help with this effort, Isabela Skincare provided raffle items as an incentive to help with the fundraiser. Candice Dodge, who is an author of the children’s book “Phyto The Friendly Firefighter,” is also supporting this effort […]
Giant Panda Xiao Liwu Turns Six

Giant panda Xiao Liwu (pronounced “sshyaoww lee woo”) turned six-years old this past month, and the San Diego Zoo held a “Super Hero for Wildlife” conservation-themed birthday celebration to honor the much-visited white-and-black bear. Zoo guests and animal care staff packed the Barlin-Kahn Family Panda Trek and watched as Xiao Liwu—also known as “Mr. Wu” […]
Visually Impaired Horse Has New Home with Old Mate

Two new equines have arrived at Horses of Tir Na Nog. One is an eighteen year-old gelding that has been diagnosed with moon blindness. Moon blindness is an eye disease that is also known as equine recurrent uveitis. The causes of this disease are not completely understood. As an appaloosa, this gelding had a greater […]
Save Our Bees!

I have attended three lectures on bees since I began writing this column. Years ago, a speaker gave an anecdotal talk to Mission Hills Garden Club about how she and her sister took over their father’s hives after his death. A few years later, at the San Diego Horticultural Society a speaker from UCSD brought […]
Walkabout Australia Opens at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The Safari Park is known for its expansive habitats featuring African and Asian species, but now it offers a view into the Land Down Under, featuring Australia’s interesting and unique species. Walkabout Australia takes guests through four different types of Australian habitats: grassland, rain forest, wetlands and desert. Featured animals include western gray kangaroos, red-necked […]
Orphan Pets Seek Superhero Adopters at 6th Annual Event

As comic book enthusiasts prep the perfect costumes for this year’s Comic-Con Convention, local pets are busy creating their superhero “paws-tumes” for Helen Woodward Animal Center’s 6th Annual PAWmicon Convention. The 2018 PAWmicon will, once again, be held one week prior to Comic-Con to allow attendees to take in both types of animated characters. The […]
What Now?

The Emperor of Entitlement Entitlement: The belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. Fen did not start out in life as an entitled dog. “Au contrar!” Having been born with a defective leg, he arrived hobbling pitifully on three. In fact, that’s why we rescued him, in the wake of the […]
Wild in the Country Returns to San Diego

Lions Tigers & Bears Annual Fundraiser Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego’s only accredited big cat and exotic animal rescue, announced today the date for their annual springtime fundraiser. This year’s theme is Rock ‘n’ Roar! And takes place from 3 to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 19 at 24402 Martin Way in Alpine, CA. A […]