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Reconsider your emu containment system.
It seems there is an emu problem in my area. Apparently, emus really like to wander around here.
Note that I don't live in Australia. I live in the D.C. metropolitan area. Where in recent months there has been an emu problem.
In the past four months, there have been three emu outbreaks. Three birds have escaped from local zoos and gone wandering around the city.
I heard about the first two on the radio on my way to work late in the summer. Right after relating something Bush said the day before and giving the morning traffic report, there was announcement that two emus had gotten loose and were wandering around the city. If you see them, please call this number.
The first one was caught within a few hours of its escape, but the second one wandered around the city for most of the day before they finally got it. Consider that those things can run about 30 mph for short bursts.
So, that added some excitement to my day as I was on the lookout for EMUS.
The third emu outbreak occured last Sunday. I'd just gotten in the car to drive home when the radio reported that some OTHER emu had gotten loose and broken into some guy's house. Apparently it puttered around the kitchen and lounged around the living room for a few hours until they came to pick it up.
Imagine coming home to find a six and a half foot bird on your living room couch.
I mean, okay, it's pretty common for, say, deer to break into houses around here. But you know, deer LIVE HERE. They're all over the damn place. If this were, say, AUSTRALIA then possibly a rash of emu sightings in the city would make sense.
But no, you see, this is the American Northeast. And yet our citizens are not safe from emu breakins.
I'm starting to think that maybe the zoos around here need to reconsider their emu containment system.
No, I'm not inordinately amused that I now have an "emu" AND a "skunk" tag.
Note that I don't live in Australia. I live in the D.C. metropolitan area. Where in recent months there has been an emu problem.
In the past four months, there have been three emu outbreaks. Three birds have escaped from local zoos and gone wandering around the city.
I heard about the first two on the radio on my way to work late in the summer. Right after relating something Bush said the day before and giving the morning traffic report, there was announcement that two emus had gotten loose and were wandering around the city. If you see them, please call this number.
The first one was caught within a few hours of its escape, but the second one wandered around the city for most of the day before they finally got it. Consider that those things can run about 30 mph for short bursts.
So, that added some excitement to my day as I was on the lookout for EMUS.
The third emu outbreak occured last Sunday. I'd just gotten in the car to drive home when the radio reported that some OTHER emu had gotten loose and broken into some guy's house. Apparently it puttered around the kitchen and lounged around the living room for a few hours until they came to pick it up.
Imagine coming home to find a six and a half foot bird on your living room couch.
I mean, okay, it's pretty common for, say, deer to break into houses around here. But you know, deer LIVE HERE. They're all over the damn place. If this were, say, AUSTRALIA then possibly a rash of emu sightings in the city would make sense.
But no, you see, this is the American Northeast. And yet our citizens are not safe from emu breakins.
I'm starting to think that maybe the zoos around here need to reconsider their emu containment system.
No, I'm not inordinately amused that I now have an "emu" AND a "skunk" tag.
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Okay, yes, I know, it would present a traffic hazard. But emus are such amusing-looking animals.
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I mean jeez, they're only slightly smaller and meaner than ostriches.
Seriously, can be MEAN. Waterfowl especially. People say geese are bad but seriously, never EVER cross a swan. They have REACH. Also, they make absolutely terrifying noises when angry.
Also, peacocks. I'm not sure why most zoos let their peacocks wander around loose, seeing as if you upset them (by, say, being six years old and feeding them and then OH NOES running out of food, the rat bastard!11!1!) they are MEAN and make the most terrifying sounds. Also, they have BEAKS. Waterfowl have bills. They pinch. Beaks PIERCE.
Speaking of beaks, I have a fear of parrots. Those beaks just look MEAN. I LIKE parrots, though. I like getting to know them, since some are pretty intelligent and they have personalities and also they're just downright beautiful. But I'm also scared of them, especially big ones like macaws (which is funny seeing as I think macaws are gorgeous and really neat animals and I want one). Also, parrots hold grudges like nobody's business. If a parrot ever takes a disliking to you, that's it. They hate you forever.
I like birds, I swear. They're just. Uh. Birds are special.
To distract from my bird grudge, here is another terrifying animal: the unhappiest cat EVER (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyPY9SmhvQU). BE WARNED: the cat is VERY ANGRY and makes VERY SCARY NOISES. Seriously, I have never heard more terrifying sounds coming out of a feline. Poor Burger. I really wonder why he's so upset. I don't even find it funny, I'm just stunned and concerned.
(also, yes, "terrifying" is apparently my word of the day)
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How often is that icon actually contextually appropriate?
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It's nothing personal. He's got a chemical imbalance.
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Parrots do hold grudges, though.
Also, I think you were there (I think you were taking Larry to a vet to have him stay there for a while and there was a cat and a macaw that lived in the reception area) when I met a giant blue and yellow macaw named Elvis. I want one just (http://zettesworld.com/hdz04b/images/birds/blueandgoldmacaw3901.jpg) like (http://zettesworld.com/hdz04b/images/birds/blueandgoldmacaw2901.jpg) him (http://zettesworld.com/hdz04b/images/birds/blueandgoldmacaw4901.jpg)
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(seriously I love llamas >.> )
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And besides, how could you not love a face like this?
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That, uh.
That's a pretty solid argument.
Congratulations, I now want an alpaca.
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There are actually alpaca farms all over the state, and they're run like petting zoos except that they periodically shave the animals.
We should check it out.
I'd buy an alpaca, except that:
1) they cost between $10,000 and $40,000.
2) Mike would not appreciate it if he woke up one morning and there was an alpaca in our living room. He might not approve of that plan.
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Also, I disagree with Mike on that one. I would NOT object to waking up and finding an alpaca in my living room.
PS: I also want a fennec fox. I picspammed below. Go look.
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Actually, that's bullshit. I'd do it, but Mike said no.
I would NOT object to waking up and finding an alpaca in my living room.
That's a dangerous statement to make when you're friends with people like me. You never know what could happen.
PS - The fox is insanely cute. I think it has something to do with how disproportionate it is.
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i think it speaks for itself. fennec foxes!1!
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But I don't really blame your family. The buggers are (http://naturesworks.infopace.net/images/529_baby_birds.jpg) distressingly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Baby_Emu.jpg) cute (http://www.iowaemuoil.com/See%20baby.JPG).
My personal adventure in attempting exotic pet ownership is trying to get a fennec fox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fennec_fox). I adore them. Unfortunately, circumstances never coincided -- before I could find a breeder I had a place where I'd be allowed to keep one and could house it properly, but once I found a breeder I'd moved to an apartment. No fennec for me D=
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My mother use to have a African Gray and wow. Those bird are so intimidating. SRLY, they're really beautiful but they always seem to have this gleam in their eyes like "I would very much enjoy ripping your fingers off so would you be so kind as to come over here?"
My male cockatiel, Kyo, has these weird moodswings. Sometimes he's utterly happy about seeing me and will chirrup and cheep and sing to me and then. BOOM. He'll sink his beak into my finger. PAIN OMG. He's evil incarnate and I love it. XD
Oh yes, I've got a lot of experience with birds. And you're right; birds are special.
I would actually like a common bearded dragon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bearded_dragon) which is odd. While I'm not afraid of, or hate, reptilian creatures, I've never felt the need to keep them. For some reason though, beardies have grown on me.
WHY DID YOU SHOW ME THAT FOX. Oh MAN. That's a gorgeous little animal.
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And hey, the bearded dragon looks pretty neat! I'm not into owning reptiles, mostly because they don't have much personality or capacity for affection. Which is basically what I want from animals -- reassurance of my own self-worth XD
But yeah, I tend to go for animals whose intelligence I can respect and who can love me back. However, I'll admit that I'm weak to snakes. They're fascinating. I really like holding big snakes, because it's a really incredible feeling, holding a powerful animal like that and knowing that it's all muscle and feeling it move.
I wouldn't be able to handle owning one, though. I'd probably have to feed it mice, and I just can't deal with that.
BUT YES OMG FENNEC FOX. They're SO ADORABLE. I want one MADLY. They're like the perfect mixture of cat-like tendencies and canine enthusiasm and I WANT ONE.
PREPARE TO BE PICSPAMMED:
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OOOH MY GOD. OH GOD NO. THAT'S TOO MUCH. TOO. MUfde fdsfhsdjkfhds.
I do understand what you mean. Like I said, in general, I'm not a reptilian lover by any means. XD I like animals that like to cuddle. For fuzzy animals, I have always had my eye on sugar gliders (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_glider). Alas, they are illegal in Georgia (which actually means squat, since so are hedgehogs and people sell those around here).
THE EARS ON THAT FOX. GOD.
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Well, actually, what I WANTED was a flying squirrel, but those were illegal where I lived. Sugar gliders weren't, though, and I discovered them when I was looking around for flying squirrel information.
Also, FENNEC.
I NEED ONE, OKAY??? >.>
Seriously, aren't they one of the cutest animals ever or what? And aren't those ears ridiculous? ♥ ♥ ♥
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Emu eggs are cool-looking.
And yes, i know about evil swans and geese. There's a reason the Romans used the latter as guard animals. Yikes.
I have also met murderous parakeets that thirsted for blood.
FENNEC AWWWW!
I must stick with an insane cat. (TQ will back me up on this; I think she's heard the beast.)
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And fennecs are possibly one of the most adorable things ever. I swear I will eventually own one. They even get along well with cats, and considering that I have three of those that's definitely a plus. Also on my "Animals I Really Want" list are a blonde German Shepherd, a Corgi, a blue and gold macaw, and now, thanks to
And people thought I'd be the Cat Lady. Hah. No, I just like animals >.>
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I had a fennec poster on my wall in high school.
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