!Bienvenidos, olinguito!

Meet the most recently identified carnivore, the olinguito, which has been described as cross between a teddy bear and a house cat. Hellooooo! Best animal ever! Just one more reason why I think South America has some of the most wonderful animals in the whole world. (Google "pacarana" if you don't believe me!) News sites are exploding with this great news, but I think the BBC site has the best coverage because it includes more photos of this beautiful creature: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-23701151 Turns out that zoos were mystified at their inability to breed it, only for the scientific world to realize now that they were trying to cross an olingo with an olinguito (translation: small and adorable olingo. Spanish rocks, too.)

Norman, the Scooter Dog

 

Meet Norman, widely known as "the scooter dog" because he has just been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for setting the record as the fastest scooter-riding dog. (I can't imagine he'll have much competition in this category.) But what really impresses me are his bike-riding abilities. He pedals perfectly, like he's in the Tour de France. Check out the video on his awesome website. If it doesn't make you feel like you're losing your mind, then you have a much stronger grasp of your sanity than I do.
http://www.normanthescooterdog.com

Be more dog?

"Be more dog," says O2, the cel phone provider in the UK.  I dunno. The concept makes for a funny ad (see link below), but I don't think a cat would ever really buy into this slogan. Plus, I prefer the cat acting more like a cat at the start of the video. I mean, the very reason we love cats is that they are so hilariously self-important and snobby! The motto does work well for us humans, though. Dogs are full of joy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMzgl0nFj3s

The Wild Gone Wild!

Photobomb! Here are my favourite photos of animals trying to get into the shot -- and taking all the limelight. The looks on the faces of the women with the friendly manta ray (surely it's not a sting ray?) just crack me up. They are almost as cute as the manta ray. And the sloth! He must be saying, "!aloH!" ("!Hola!" upside-down.)

Wacky Dog Grooming Competition

If this photo makes you say, "Whaaaa?", then don't expect a logical explanation in the rest of the equally mad-cap doggie hair designs in the rest of the slide show. (I also recommend you read the hilarious comments under the photos). Check it out!: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/gallery/2013/jun/18/dog-grooming-competition-in-pictures#/?picture=411023056&index=0

Blue (lagoon) Lobster?

This beautiful lobster was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia. It has a genetic defect that makes it so brilliantly blue. I say, bring on the genetic defects, if this is the result! I can't get over the incredible colour! Read more here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/story/2013/06/09/ns-blue-lobster-caught.html

Milky Way

I believe it was David Letterman who said, "Every man, woman, and child enjoys a fine beverage." Add "25-year-old orangutan" to that list, Dave.