I learned something tonight that made me laugh so hard I had to share it. Did you ever hear this growing up? “Don’t let a praying mantis spit in your eye. You’ll go blind.” I had not. But after a good laugh and some skillful Googling, we learned it was a case of mistaken identity. Praying mantises do not spit. But the two striped walking stick bug has a defensive spray mechanism that could easily be mistaken for spitting. They can activate this gem if you are bold, curious, or making questionable life choices and put your face too close. At that point, congratulations. You've won a memorable life experience and a same day appointment with your eye doctor. The spray is not poisonous or acidic. It is, however, very good at making you regret your decisions. And while going blind is incredibly unlikely, so is getting sprayed in the eye by a two striped walking stick bug… yet here we are talking about it. So what is the takeaway? Marvel at these fascinating creatures. Appreciate them from a respectful distance. And please, keep your eyes to yourself.

Have you ever wondered what whiskers do? They are not decoration, they are tools. Very clever ones. Here are a few functional fun facts about cat whiskers. • Whisker fatigue is real A cat’s whiskers are highly sensitive. When they eat from deep or narrow bowls, their whiskers constantly brush the sides, which can feel overstimulating. Think of it like trying to eat every meal without a fork, stuffing your face into a bowl that is just a little too small. Not comfortable. Not relaxing. • Cutting whiskers is disorienting Whiskers help cats with balance, spatial awareness, and navigating in low light. Trimming them can leave a cat confused, unsure of their surroundings, and more prone to accidents. Whiskers are connected to the nervous system, so cutting, and touching them, can be uncomfortable and distressing. It would be a bit like someone pulling your hair while kicking your legs out from under you at the same time. 😯 • Whiskers are built in measuring tools A cat’s whiskers are roughly the width of their body. If the whiskers fit through a space, chances are the cat will too. It is like carrying a personal toolbox at all times. No tape measure needed. Pretty cool, right? Did any of this surprise you? Do you know any fun facts about animals?

The Peace of Wild Things When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. - Wendell Berry

I’ve been really inspired by the adoption success of Bide Awhile Animal Shelter in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At times, they’ve had no animals waiting because adoptions happen so quickly. That doesn’t come from one magic trick. It comes from how deeply connected they are to their community. Here are a few things that seem to be working beautifully for them: 🐾 Adoption is part of the local culture, supported by consistent education and outreach, so people actively look to adopt and show up quickly when animals are posted. 🐾 They focus on thoughtful matching rather than rushed placement, taking the time to pair animals with homes that truly fit their needs, which builds trust and long-term success. 🐾 Their adoption process is clear and supportive, so people know exactly how to adopt, what to expect, and what steps to take, reducing confusion and increasing follow-through. 🐾 They reduce fear around senior and special-needs pets by offering supportive programs like foster incentives and help with medical care. What stands out to me is this: their success is rooted in community participation, not just shelter effort. I’d love to hear from you: - What could this look like in your area? - What ideas have you seen work locally, even on a small scale? - Are there barriers you wish shelters or rescues could help remove? - What would make adoption easier or more inviting in your community? - There’s no single right answer. Sometimes the most powerful ideas come from lived experience and shared conversation. Looking forward to learning from you. 🐾💗

Sometimes the ocean surprises us in ways we never imagined. Off the coast of Jervis Bay, Australia, scientists discovered something extraordinary. A place filled with gloomy octopuses living close together in a way that challenges what we thought we knew about these fascinating animals. Researchers nicknamed two sites Octopolis and Octlantis. Underwater neighborhoods where octopuses dig dens, gather shells, and share space in numbers far greater than expected for animals long believed to be solitary. Octopolis doesn’t rewrite what an octopus is. It reveals what they are capable of when conditions allow choice, proximity, and opportunity. In these rare gathering places, octopuses tolerate neighbors longer than expected, interact more frequently, and sometimes mate more than once within their short lives. They reuse and shape shared spaces, respond to one another’s presence, and adapt their behavior in ways that challenge long held assumptions. It’s not that octopuses have changed, but that these rare conditions give us a fuller glimpse into what they may be capable of. If you want to see what Octopolis looks like and learn more about this discovery, here’s an informative video: 🎥 The City That Was Built By Octopuses: Octopolis It’s a peek into a world that feels a bit like fiction but is wonderfully real. Another reminder that the ocean still holds stories we are only beginning to understand. What marine wonder do you want to learn about next?