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Cool Plush Stuffed Animals images

Some cool plush stuffed animals images:



Funny Bunny
plush stuffed animals
Image by Mariken Mirri Rocks
Funny Bunny is a sweet bunny.
It looks like he is a bit goofy,
and his smile makes you laugh.
He loves to hug a lot!
He radiates free love and shares the feeling of safety with you.

21 cm wide and 27 cm long (8,26 and 10,26 inch)

About the Funny Bunny family:
This are magical handmade stuffed animals.
Each one has a special characteristic. They are here to show us their love and spread safety. Every bunny is here to play and to remind us of the playfulness and love that is inside of us.

31.38thCapitalPrideFestival.WDC.9June2013

Some cool animal rescue images:


31.38thCapitalPrideFestival.WDC.9June2013
animal rescue
Image by Elvert Barnes
38th Capital Pride Street Festival on Pennsylvania Avenue near 4th Street, NW, Washington DC on Sunday afternoon, 9 June 2013 by Elvert Barnes Photography

EXHIBITORS Series

Washington Animal Rescue League
warl.org/

Visit CAPITAL PRIDE / Washington DC website at www.capitalpride.org/

Visit Elvert Barnes 38th Capital Pride 2013 / DC docu-project at elvertbarnes.com/38thCapitalPride2013


DSC00083v2
animal rescue
Image by Capt Kodak
TRMS Pet Club helping out at Animal Rescue Fair 2009

July 11 2010: Fred

Some cool animal protection images:


July 11 2010: Fred
animal protection
Image by Barbara.Doduk


July 11 2010: Peaches
animal protection
Image by Barbara.Doduk

Cool Animal Abuse images

Some cool animal abuse images:


Asia & Babe
animal abuse
Image by StePagna
www.casaorizzonti.ch/

Asia (Dog) 13 y.o. and Baby aka Spider Pork : )

Asia:
Asia è un maremmano, è arrivata al rifugio dopo essere stata vittima di svariati maltrattamenti in un allevamento privato.

Asia avrebbe dovuto essere soppressa poiché considerata aggressiva a causa di tutte le violenze subite.

In data 8 ottobre 2009 ci è stato comunicato il risultato delle analisi effettuate sulla ciste di Asia. Con il cuore in mano vi comunichiamo che Asia ha un angiosarcoma.

Asia è uno degli animali del rifugio che più ha sofferto a causa della cattiveria umana, e ci è difficile accettare come anche il destino possa essere così crudele.

Tutto lo staff è vicino ad Asia, e come fin'ora fatto sarà coccolata, amata e protetta.

*****************************
Asia is a Maremman Shephard, came to the shelter after being the victim of abuse in a variety of private farming.

On 8 October 2009 there was announced the results of tests carried out on the cyst Asia. With my heart in hand we inform you that Asia has an angiosarcoma.

Asia is one of the shelter animals that suffered most because of human wickedness, and it is difficult to accept the fate can be so cruel.

All the staff is close to Asia, and as done so far will be pampered, loved and protected.

______________________________________________________________________
Baby-Spider Pork:

Purtroppo conoscono tutti bene la fine di questi animali (tra l'altro molto intelligenti e puliti). Baby (soprannominata Spiderpork) è stata rifiutata dalla mamma, poiché aveva troppi piccoli. Perciò stava per essere uccisa e buttata nell'immondizia. Un nostro amico che si trovava sul posto, ha deciso di dargli il latte, ma poi non poteva più occuparsene. Per questo è arrivata a Casa Orizzonti.

**************************

Unfortunately, everyone knows the end of these animals (among other very smart and clean). Baby (nicknamed SpiderPork) was rejected by her mother, because she had too many children. So was about to be killed and thrown in the garbage. A friend of ours who was there, decided to give him milk, but then could not deal with it. For this she got at Casa Orizzonti.


Chair cover
animal abuse
Image by terriem
The chair has been abused by cats and now the dog, so we cover it. But now the chair cover is being abused.

Nice Animal Control photos

Some cool animal control images:


100_0677
animal control
Image by labanex
We adopted new members to our family, a cat and a dog. They have to be fixed so we will not be able to pick them up until Friday, but they are ours now.


100_0670
animal control
Image by labanex
We adopted new members to our family, a cat and a dog. They have to be fixed so we will not be able to pick them up until Friday, but they are ours now.


100_0698
animal control
Image by labanex
We adopted new members to our family, a cat and a dog. They have to be fixed so we will not be able to pick them up until Friday, but they are ours now.

Nice Photos Of Animals photos

A few nice photos of animals images I found:


Nature ...
photos of animals
Image by _Guilherme Grespan
Foto por Guilherme Grespan

Observações:
Todas as fotos aqui postadas estão livres para divulgação, desde que com minha assinatura na foto e com os devidos créditos, como segue abaixo:

Foto por Guilherme Grespan - www.flickr.com/photos/guilhermegrespan/

As fotos estão com tamanho reduzido para web, tenho todas em alta resolução, e sem a assinatura, caso alguem precise é só me enviar um email.

Qualquer utilização das fotos em meios comerciais, favor me contactar.

Contato:
email: gui_grespan@yahoo.com.br

Ao Publicar:
Caso você publique esta foto em algum local, favor me informar por email, para que eu possa manter o histórico.

Muito Obrigado.

______________________________________________________________________

Photo by Guilherme Grespan

Notes:
All photos posted here are free to disclosure, provided that with my signature on the photo and with the appropriate credits, as follows below:

Photo by Guilherme Grespan - www.flickr.com/photos/guilhermegrespan/

The photos are reduced in size for web, have all at high resolution, and without the signature, if someone needs just send me an email.

Any use of photos for media business, please contact me.

Contact:
email: gui_grespan@yahoo.com.br

By Post:
If you publish this picture in any place, please let me know by email, so I can keep the history.

Thank you very much.


Man Versus Bull - The Jallikattu Sport Series | Explored
photos of animals
Image by VinothChandar
Looks Best in Large!
Press L to see in Large & Black
Press F to Fave :)

Here is a complete photo series on the ancient sport of Tamilnadu "The Jallikattu". This is the end of this photo series and so iam posting all the shots here. Please feel free to comment and fave the shots you like.

Follow me @ Google+ | Twitter | Facebook


Dolphin Family
photos of animals
Image by Ulrich Thumult
Near Salao, Faial

Cool All About Animals images

Check out these all about animals images:


HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!
all about animals
Image by reynolds.james.e
Who is ready to rock the party? Me.
How hard did the party rock? The decision was made to watch a movie instead of playing board games because 2 guys were too gone to handle counting. The 2 guys then passed out. Extended bouts of staring at "hanging from the bar" and "crossing the pool" or whatever the hell it's called on the TV because no one would make a decision on the movies I brought and I refuse to be Fun Hitler.
So I did what any fat party animal worth the title would in that situation. I ate more sausages.

Then we watched She Wolves of the Wasteland. Aw yeah.


Grand Canyon National Park: Mule Deer 0891
all about animals
Image by Grand Canyon NPS
Mule deer, are among the most readily seen mammals on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Surefooted and nimble, they travel in and out of the canyon with ease as food and water dictate. The earliest trails into the canyon were likely built along deer paths. Mule deer are readily distinguished by their large ears. NPS photo by Michael Quinn

Never approach wild animals. Photograph all wildlife from the safety of your vehicle. Use telephoto lenses and observe quietly. It is dangerous, and illegal, to feed wild animals in a national park. Violators will be fined. Wildlife can become dependent upon handouts and lose their ability to hunt and forage. Such animals lose their fear of humans. They can become aggressive and bite, kick, or gore. Many are struck by cars while searching for handouts. Help us keep wildlife wild. Never feed or approach wildlife.

Read more about keeping wildlife wild. www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/wildlife_alert.htm

Cool The Animal Pictures images

Some cool the animal pictures images:


Disney's Animal Kingdom 095
the animal pictures
Image by Michael Kappel


Disney's Animal Kingdom Park
disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/

Picture taken in Orlando Florida at the Walt Disney World Park
View the high resolution image on my photo website
Pictures.MichaelKappel.com


Disney's Animal Kingdom 555
the animal pictures
Image by Michael Kappel


Disney's Animal Kingdom Park
disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/animal-kingdom/

Picture taken in Orlando Florida at the Walt Disney World Park
View the high resolution image on my photo website
Pictures.MichaelKappel.com

wading horse

Some cool animal movie images:


wading horse
animal movie
Image by striatic
this is the part of the movie where the car overheats, and our protagonists are forced to pull over to the side of the road to wait for the car to cool down and watch the horse trot through the flooded roadside that was much of central saskatchewan on their way up to saskatoon.


White-faced monkey
animal movie
Image by xymox
The monkey from the movie "Outbreak"


Woodland Park Zoo - July 2009
animal movie
Image by artvixn
I never got a good shot of these guys because they zoom, but they look just like Scrat from the & "Ice Age" movies.

Nice Wild Animal photos

Check out these wild animal images:



Wild
wild animal
Image by NatalieManuel
Puma - Melbourne Zoo

www.animusphotography.com

Woodstock Animal Sanctuary 25a

A few nice animal sanctuary images I found:


Woodstock Animal Sanctuary 25a
animal sanctuary
Image by twinxamot
Albi--the amputee goat.

Polistes (2), F, side, Dominican Republic, La Ve Jarabacoa_2013-03-15-14.41.37 ZS PMax

Some cool animal species images:


Polistes (2), F, side, Dominican Republic, La Ve Jarabacoa_2013-03-15-14.41.37 ZS PMax
animal species
Image by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring
Unknown Polistes species from the Dominican Republic


CD420 Cyclommatus tarandus
animal species
Image by listentoreason
Visit to Insectropolis with Brian, Nana and Papa, August 2009.

Not convinced about the species assignment, but it seems this beetle has farily extensive morphological polymorphism (for all I know the differences could just be from sex or life stage). Very similar specimines are near the bottom of this page.

From Wikipedia:

"Stag beetles are a group of about 1,200 species of beetle in the family Lucanidae, presently classified in four subfamilies. Some species grow to 8 cm (3¼ in), but most are about 5 cm (2 in).

The English name is derived from the large and distinctive mandibles found on the males of most species, which resemble the antlers of stags.

Male stag beetles use their jaws to wrestle each other for favoured mating sites, but despite their often fearsome appearance they are not normally aggressive to humans.

Female stag beetles are usually smaller than the males, with smaller mandibles.

The larvae feed for several years on rotting wood, growing into grubs which in larger species may be the size of a human finger."

Museum Homepage


London Zoo Sloth
animal species
Image by Martin Pettitt
London Zoo 4-5-2013 London Zoo is the world's oldest scientific zoo. It was opened in London on 27 April 1828, and was originally intended to be used as a collection for scientific study. It was eventually opened to the public in 1847. Today it houses a collection of 755 species of animals, with 16,802 individuals, making it one of the largest collections in the United Kingdom.

Cool Wildlife Animals images

A few nice wildlife animals images I found:


Wildlife - Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha, Kenya
wildlife animals
Image by David d'O
16 October 2009 - Crescent Island, Lake Naivasha. Impala (Aepyceros melampus). Maasai Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelkirchi). Blue Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), subspecies Western White-bearded Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus mearnsi).

For those who like the biological details:
Click a link and you'll go to the Flickr photo page for that rank in the biological classification.

Phylum: Chordata; Vertebrates / Gewervelden
Class: Mammalia; Mammals / Zoogdieren
Order: Artiodactyla; Even-toed Ungulates / Evenhoevigen
Suborder: Cetruminantia; Ruminants, Whales and Hippos / Herkauwers, Walvissen en Nijlpaarden
Infraorder: Pecora; Ruminants / Herkauwers
Family: Bovidae; Bovids; Antelopes, Gazelles, Buffalos, Sheep, Cattle / Holhoornigen; Antilopen, Gazelles, Buffels, Schapen, Runderen
Subfamily: Aepycerotinae; Impalas / Impala's
Genus: Aepyceros; Impalas / Impala's
Species: Aepyceros melampus; Impala / Impala of Rooibok
Subspecies: Aepyceros melampus melampus; Common Impala / Impala of Rooibok


Kerbao 1
wildlife animals
Image by BataksGraphy

P4041483_b2

A few nice animal picture images I found:


P4041483_b2
animal picture
Image by DreamShoot by Marcel Steger
Eine der schönsten "Maine Coone" Zucht der Schweiz.

Die Zucht von Frau u. Herr Gabathuler

"Maine Coons vom Magletsch"

Nochmals vielen Dank für den herzlichen Empfang und bis bald...


P4041382_b2
animal picture
Image by DreamShoot by Marcel Steger
Eine der schönsten "Maine Coone" Zucht der Schweiz.

Die Zucht von Frau u. Herr Gabathuler

"Maine Coons vom Magletsch"

Nochmals vielen Dank für den herzlichen Empfang und bis bald...


Amur Leopard Kittens Make Nice Pictures
animal picture
Image by MacJewell

Cool Wild Animal images

Some cool wild animal images:



In the jaws of the beast
wild animal
Image by San Diego Shooter
a lioness carries a bone during feeding time at the San Diego Wild Animal Park

View On Black

Cool Animals Video images

A few nice animals video images I found:


How Mute Swans Feed
animals video
Image by LI Refugee

Cool Endangered Animal images

Check out these endangered animal images:


The Endangered African Wild dog
endangered animal
Image by Wild in Africa.
They are not kidding when they say endangered. There are only 150 estimated Wild dog in the Kruger and when they are grouped in packs of 10-30 your chances of sighting these dogs over an expanse of 2 000 000 Hectares is pretty rare. I am fortunate enough to spend enough time in the park to know their territories and the roads they generally use to move. It always fascinates me when people visiting the park just drive past these guys as if they see them everyday or expect to see them again.



Wild dog (Endangered)
endangered animal
Image by Arno Meintjes Wildlife
PICT2538

second life avatar

A few nice facts about animals images I found:


second life avatar
facts about animals
Image by freestone
I now have entered trying out SECOND LIFE and there I am, near the shelter area.

my new Avatar. me.
In my first life, I am 6' 2' and weigh about 135 lbs, and am tall and scrawny. A perfect "opposite" to me; In spite of the fact that this character looks like a currant living Indian Guru, who likes to wear an orange robe!!

I plan to explore worlds. All kinds of worlds and realms. I might not change too much my avatar, I read that prims and added attachments can slow down the fps!
Many of these worlds I can never ever visit, in my 1st life, I look forwards to experiencing these.

Second Life, this place might be a role model for what the afterlife is like! Will be like, as I hope that all of us will go there some day: the ultimate created worlds. In fact, I read that higher heavenly beings create the entry level heavens for us, each of us then adds the personal areas.

freestone


Intl Gay Rodeo Association
facts about animals
Image by dbking
Gay Rodeo History
It is a huge surprise to many that the gay community is involved in rodeo, but this being America and the fact that all of us are intrigued with our Western heritage, it only adds to the reality "We are everywhere!"

The gay community has found many creative ways to become involved with America in efforts to overcome the walls of prejudice. The "Imperial Court" system, which is active in many cities across America, asked their "Empress and Emperor" to raise money for charity. It was felt that raising money for the "Muscular Dystrophy Association" would make a statement for both our existence and our concern for our neighbors.

Reno Gay Rodeos
Emperor I of Reno, Phil Ragsdale, came up with one of the most creative ideas to raise funds. The year was 1975 and Ragsdale wanted to help out the local Senior Citizens Annual Thanksgiving Day feed. An amateur gay rodeo would be fun, raise money, and even erase a lot of gay stereotyping. Ragsdale did not find it easy to pull off this event. He did finally land the Washoe County Fairgrounds for October 2, 1976 and then could not get any local ranchers to allow gays the use of their animals. Finally, on October 1, 1976, he was able to locate five "wild" range cows, ten "wild" range calves, one pig, and a Shetland pony. The next day, "IT WAS RODEO TIME!" Over 125 people took part in this "first" event and the winners were crowned; first, "King of the Cowboys," second, "Queen of the Cowgirls," and third, "Miss Dusty Spurs" (the drag queen). It was great fun and a minor success.
Ragsdale added several new twists to the 1977 version of this rodeo/fundraiser. He founded the Comstock Gay Rodeo Association and his rodeo project became the National Reno Gay Rodeo. Following the Imperial Court's lead, Ragsdale added the "Mr., Ms., and Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo" contest to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The 1977 rodeo, although still small, with its new twists donated 4.00 to MDA under the name of "Reno Gay Liberation." The National Reno Gay Rodeo became a total new outlet for the gay community and created a dual party, "emerging Gay Liberation mixed into a Country/Western party" and "24-hour casinos." Dance troupes from the gay community found an arena to show off their stuff. Square dancing, clogging, formation line dancing, and the rebirth of the two-step made the nights into fabulous parties!

By 1980 a group out of California, the "Pacific Coast Gay Rodeo Association," had emerged with talented rodeo contestants. Fresno, California and Utah had presented some of the top contenders for the Mr., Ms., and Miss titles. Gay rodeo, and the parties surrounding the event, had gained a great foothold in America. Texas was the big state in 1981, bringing a host of fans in Texas T-shirts, a hot contender for All-Around Cowboy, and Mr., Ms., and Miss contestants, who by the way raised nearly ,000 for MDA. The Miss from Texas won the competition for Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo. With San Francisco only a short drive away, the underground gay network spread the word about this "party" and the audience in the grandstands grew to 10,000. Those who only came for the nightlife swelled the head count of gays in the city to over 40,000!

1982 was dominated by Colorado and brought another change to Ragsdale's rodeo: contestants who wanted standardized rodeo rules so they would feel that they were competing on an equal basis. Many contestants from the previous five years did not return for competition. The Mr., Ms., and Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo contestants were no longer comfortable raising large numbers of dollars just for MDA. Texas in particular was disappointed in this area and decided not to return in 1983.

So 1983's version of Mr., Ms., and Miss National Reno Gay Rodeo allowed contestants to designate 50% to MDA and 50% to a gay-related charity of their choice. Most chose the AIDS Foundation. 1983 also saw the largest number of dance groups ever assembled at a gay rodeo and the grandstands filled with over 12,000 people. The lack of consistent rules continued to create problems in the arena.

By 1984, the ninth and final National Reno Gay Rodeo still brought over 10,000 people to the rodeo grounds and thousands more to Reno for the gambling and nighttime parties. The IRS credits the demise of this rodeo to a dispute with Washoe County Fairgrounds and the Sands Hotel along with the purported seizure of the rodeo books. Nonetheless, Phil Ragsdale had made a major mark on gay history and introduced the renowned Rose Maddox and Joan Rivers to the emerging gay-Western lifestyle and kindled the flame in the hearts of many men and women scattered across the nation.

The Colorado Connection
Across the nation, the gay community began to set the tone for the "Urban Cowboy" phenomenon. Beginning in 1980, a popular disco called "The Broadway" in Denver introduced Country/Western nights with Ron Jesser teaching the two-step. It became so popular that the club dropped its disco format and catered strictly to this new country crowd and changed their name to "Broadway Country."
The city of Denver and the changing need for government buildings brought the "Broadway Country" to a roaring halt in January 1981 when the city gained control of the property for a new Justice Building. Denver's two-steppers were still hungry for a place to "do their thing" and one of the most ardent fans gambled his world to bring a country dance floor back to the gay community.

John King opened "Charlie's" in Denver in early June of 1981 and the urban cowboys were again happy. The underground gossip chain rumored that country bars were springing up all across the nation and believe it or not, a gay rodeo in Reno, Nevada. A handful of adventuresome cowboys from Denver decided to check it out and even if it wasn't true, Reno had great casinos. It proved true and a couple of the men even became contestants.

The boys from Denver saw an unbelievable mass of gay humanity coming together in Country/Western celebration. A couple of groups from San Francisco introduced Square Dancing (The Foggy City Squares), clogging (The Barbary Coast Cloggers) and a line dance called "Kaw-Liga." Rose Maddox belted out a theme that the gay community dearly loved, "Stand By Your Man." Everywhere you looked, the Pride of Texas was in front of you with great looking T-shirts and loads of enthusiasm. They had raised nearly ,000 for Muscular Dystrophy and their Miss candidate even won the title of Miss Reno National Gay Rodeo.

At the closing party in a jam-packed room at the Sands Hotel, the newly crowned Miss Reno National Gay Rodeo (Miss Texas) came face to face with Wayne Jakino. He couldn't move left or right and felt compelled to congratulate Miss Texas. She responded, "Thank you, and where are ya'll from?" Jakino said he was from Denver and Miss Texas chided, "Well, ya'll might as well of not shown up from all we have seen of you." Jakino let his mouth overload and snapped, "Yeah, but check us out next year!"

Excited about the Reno weekend, Jesser asked John King if Charlie's would allow a group to meet to talk rodeo. The first meeting saw Jesser, Jakino, and seven other men commit themselves to form the Colorado Gay Rodeo Association (CGRA) and return in force to Reno.

In just a little over a month, on September 13, 1981, the new association elected its first officers, with 42 people present, and make its first public appearance at a community fundraiser that evening. Jakino was elected Founding President and his memory burned with the taunting from Miss Texas. It was now "Reno or Bust!" time. It should be noted that the argument over placing the word "gay" in the name of the association had raged for a month before the election and for two months following at every bylaws ratification meeting.

Founding membership was held open on December 1, 1981 and hit 94 founding members. Thereafter, membership continued to climb. Surprisingly so, for historical purposes, this new rodeo group didn't even own a horse!

The next ten months were frantic and filled with enthusiasm. When August of 1982 rolled around, 270 CGRA members and over 150 supporters wearing shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Colorado Rides With Pride" arrived for the Reno National Gay Rodeo! This time they even had horses! The entourage included the first mounted gay drill team, the Mile High Square Dancers, the Denver Country Cloggers, candidates for the Mr., Ms., and Miss titles, and 43 rodeo contestants, which comprised two-thirds of the contestants for that rodeo.

Colorado contestants quickly learned that the rules of the rodeo arena changed from one minute to the next and learned from other returning contestants that this had been true in the past. The contestants voiced a wish for uniform rules in order to improve the quality of rodeo and more rodeos in which they could hone their skills.

Why not? A new challenge! Start another rodeo! Colorado returned home and talked rodeo. Practicality clearly indicated Colorado had not raised the amount of money that Texas had and additionally, Texas had a huge population base and an emerging political climate that Colorado could not match.

The Texas Connection
Colorado picked up the gossip from the underground network that there were great Country/Western bars with urban cowboys operating in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio. Having already made a few Texas friends in Reno, CGRA decided the road to another rodeo led through Texas. A Colorado delegation headed south in the fall of 1982 determined to talk Texas into forming an association and hosting a rodeo.
Wayne Jakino, Rich Rezac, John King, and Kenny Cunitz arrived in Houston and headed for "The Barn." Walter Strickler and Terry Clark operated the club. Both men had been very involved in the efforts to bring Texas to Reno. The "Brazos River Bottom" was the hot country-dance bar and the target for added support in the rodeo effort. Discussions were positive, but Houston leaders were very hesitant to go forward. The official answer was, "You stage a rodeo in Colorado and we will work hard to support you." If you ever bump into Rezac, Cunitz, or the security guard from the Allen Park Inn in Houston, be sure and ask about the "Ester Williams Midnight Synchronized Diving Exhibition!"

The Colorado delegation was not discouraged. San Antonio and the much-talked-about "Snuffy's Saloon" were just up the road. Ron Weaver and Swampy were great hosts and Snuffy's was hopping, but the official answer was, "You stage a rodeo in Colorado and we will work hard to support you."

The city of Austin was a short drive away, but the group hit this one cold turkey. The target was called "The Red River Crossing" and the people were really friendly. After a really good time, there was no official answer, but some really nice people said, "If Colorado does stage a rodeo, we will sure come to see it!"

Okay, so Fort Worth and Dallas were just up the road! A stop at "The 651 Club" in Fort Worth netted support from some really helpful cowboys and they escorted the group over to Dallas. It took all of two minutes in "The Roundup" to meet Tom Sweeney and Richard Montgomery. The Roundup was "The Mecca" for the "Urban Cowboy" and everybody was ready to rodeo, but not in Texas and not after Colorado had talked to Houston first. Colorado did get a very sincere official answer, "You stage a rodeo in Colorado and we will work hard to support you."

The delegation headed home to Colorado fully convinced. If the five largest cities in Texas were coming to the Colorado Rodeo, it was time to start organizing.

Back to the Colorado Connection
CGRA had little problem getting a vote of approval from its membership to stage a rodeo so the committee went to work. To be politically correct, the rodeo needed to be two months in front of the Reno rodeo, since that one was called the "National" Reno Gay Rodeo. As sort of preliminary competition and hoping to provide ownership of an event to a much larger area, the rodeo was established as the "Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo."
Everything was rosy, except that CGRA could not land rodeo grounds. The answer was a flat "NO" or more delicately phrased, the answer was, "and we would be delighted to book your rodeo. What date were you wanting?" or "Oh, that date isn't available!" Nor was any other date for the next ten years. Only days before the decision to postpone the rodeo, an attorney called with the cryptic message that Aurora, Colorado had a "non-discriminating" clause on the use of it's parks and that an unknown and run down little arena existed on the eastern edge of that city.

History records June 3, 1983 as the date that the Denver metropolitan area became the second location in the United States to stage a gay rodeo. As promised, Texas arrived with major support and additional contestants from California trekked across the country for the first Rocky Mountain Regional Rodeo. Torrential rains hit the rodeo, but too much effort had been spent to let a little water stop the festivities. Colorado's membership topped 390 by rodeo time.

The Texas Gay Rodeo Association
Terry Clark and Walter Strickler asked the original Colorado delegates to return to Houston for the Gay Pride Celebration in late June 1983. If Colorado could provide the books from their rodeo validating that the rodeo had not lost money, they would invite all interested individuals in Texas to attend a meeting to form the Texas Gay Rodeo Association (TGRA). The Gay Pride Celebration was a success with a reported crowd of 54,000 lining the streets. The vote to proceed to form TGRA was also a success.
Within a few short months, Texas banded together a network inside their largest cities and forged the framework for a multi-city organization. A November 1984 date was targeted to stage the first TGRA rodeo and the search began for rodeo grounds, which were finally located in Simonton, 35 miles outside of Houston. Texas became the third state to stage a gay rodeo.

The California Connection
The "Urban Cowboy" phenomenon also appeared in California in the early eighties. While Fresno and the Bay Area were the most visible at the Reno rodeos, a loosely organized group called the "Pacific Coast Gay Rodeo Association" provided contestants for both the Reno and Colorado rodeos. Hundreds of men and women attended the Reno rodeos, but the man with the burning desire to organize California was in Long Beach.
Al Bell opened "Floyd's" in Long Beach, which became one of the best Country/Western bars in the Greater Los Angeles area. Bell and Pat McGrath traveled to Reno and Denver and became hooked. As we saw in Colorado and Texas, a mere handful of enthused people is all that is needed to put life into a new association. Bell invited folks from CGRA and TGRA to visit and McGrath leaped into organizing "Floyd's Cloggers," later to become one of the best-known dance troupes in the nation. The Golden State Gay Rodeo Association (GSGRA) officially organized in 1984 and set a rodeo date for the following March. The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, located in Burbank, became the site for the fourth state to host a gay rodeo. Dozens of dance teams from around the nation performed to huge crowds.

The Arizona Connection
Things were also shaking in Phoenix as early as 1982, when a small group traveled to the Reno rodeo and Tish Tanner won the title of Miss Reno National Gay Rodeo. Arizona would come to life in the fall of 1984 when King decided to open a second "Charlie's" in Phoenix. The bar opened in early November and since King and Kenny Cunitz lived and breathed rodeo, it was only a matter of weeks before the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (AGRA) formed. In December 1984 the new group targeted January of 1986 for their first rodeo.
Arizona became the fifth state to host a gay rodeo and the event took place in the most unique arena facility on the south side of Phoenix: a Mexican Charro rodeo arena with an attached dance hall known as the Corona Ranch.

Would Gay Rodeo Have a Future?
With four rodeos now scheduled and more contestants joining each day, Jakino felt that an umbrella organization was needed to provide unity between the rodeos and fully standardized rules for the contestants, as well as guiding the growth of gay rodeo's future. Leaders from Colorado, Texas, California, and Arizona were invited to Phoenix for a preliminary discussion. Jakino and Jesser from Colorado, Clark and Strickler from Texas, Bell and McGrath from California, and King and Cunitz from Arizona all agreed to proceed to organize the umbrella organization.
The Articles of Incorporation of the "International Gay Rodeo Association" were filed in Colorado and the four associations met again in March of 1985, in Denver, and elected a temporary board with Jakino presiding. A formal convention date was scheduled for September of 1985, again in Denver, to standardized rodeo rules and plan objectives for growth.

The Oklahoma Connection
The "Urban Cowboy" syndrome was alive in Oklahoma, too. Les Krambeal and Walt Rupprecht had been to Reno and owned a great bar in Oklahoma City called "The Bunkhouse." Krambeal made contact with CGRA members and asked for guidelines to help organize the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association (OGRA) in the summer of 1985. When Krambeal learned that there was a scheduled convention to finalize a new organization in Denver that September, both Krambeal and Rupprecht lit every fire necessary to prepare the framework for OGRA and made plans to appear at this convention and ask for recognition of their state association.
OGRA was accepted at the IGRA convention in Denver and truly became the unabashed joyful child of the rodeo world. Friends from Colorado went to Oklahoma City often and OGRA's enthusiasm was contagious. By the fall of 1985, Oklahoma announced they had scheduled a rodeo for July 1986.

The International Gay Rodeo Association
With ten years of gay rodeo history already in the record books, a gathering of rodeo junkies gathered to formalize the future of gay rodeo in Denver in September of 1985. Nine months of preparation already had been invested in efforts to assure the continuity, growth, and heritage of the Country/Western lifestyle in the gay community. Colorado, Texas, California, and Arizona were each represented by five delegates. The convention opened by recognizing the newly formed Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association and their four delegates.
The five founding states of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) elected Jakino as their Founding President and formally adopted the Articles of Incorporation in the state of Colorado. They ratified the bylaws, approved events, standardized rodeo rules, and committed the organization to the fostering of national and international amateur rodeo and other equestrian competition and related arts, crafts and activities which encourage the education on or preservation of "Country/Western" lifestyle heritage.

History has recorded 14 gay rodeos (nine Reno rodeos, three Colorado rodeos, one Texas rodeo and one California rodeo) prior to the formation of IGRA. The convention also scheduled the sanctioned rodeo season for 1986, running from November 1, 1985 to October 31, 1996:

Texas - November, 1985
Arizona - January, 1986
California - March, 1986
Colorado - June, 1986
Oklahoma - July, 1986
Convention - September, 1986 (in Denver)
During 1986, interest in gay rodeo continued to grow and Oklahoma passed their enthusiasm into surrounding states. The second IGRA Annual Convention in Denver welcomed and seated the Kansas Gay Rodeo Association (KGRA), the Missouri Gay Rodeo Association (MGRA), and the New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association (NMGRA). This convention also approved a new framework for the IGRA bylaws to allow future growth. They also accepted a bid from California to host the first IGRA Finals Rodeo in Hayward, California at the end of the 1986 rodeo year.


St Gerasimos (Gerasim)
facts about animals
Image by jimforest
(Here is a chapter about St Gerasimos from the new, revised edition (2008) of Praying With Icons.)

Among saints remembered for their peaceful relations with dangerous animals, not least is Gerasimos, shown in icons caring for an injured lion.

The story behind the image comes down to us from Saint John Moschos, a monk of Saint Theodosius Monastery near Bethlehem and author of The Spiritual Meadow, a book written in the course of journeys he made in the late sixth and early seventh centuries. It’s a collection of stories of monastic saints, mainly desert dwellers, and also an early example of travel writing.

In the fifth century, Gerasimos was abbot of a community of seventy monks who lived in the desert east of Jericho, not far from the River Jordan. They slept on reed mats, had cells without doors, and — apart from common prayer — normally observed silence. Their diet consisted chiefly of water, dates and bread. Gerasimos, in ongoing repentance for having been influenced by the teachings of a heretic in his youth, is said to have eaten even less than the norm.

One day while walking along the Jordan, Gerasimos came upon a lion roaring in agony because of a large splinter imbedded in one paw. Overcome with compassion for the suffering beast, Gerasimos removed the splinter, drained and cleaned the wound, then bound it up, expecting the lion would return to its cave. Instead the lion meekly followed him back to the monastery and became the abbot’s devoted companion.

The community was amazed at the lion’s apparent conversion to a peaceful life – like the monks, he lived now on bread and vegetables – and its devotion to the abbot.

The lion was given a special task: guarding the community’s donkey, which was pastured along the Jordan. But one day it happened, while the lion was napping, that the donkey strayed and was stolen by a passing trader. After searching without success, the lion returned to the monastery, its head hanging low. The brothers concluded the lion had been overcome by an appetite for meat. As a punishment, it was given the donkey’s job: to carry water each day from the river to the monastery in a saddlepack with four earthen jars.

Months later, it happened that the trader was coming along the Jordan with the stolen donkey and three camels. The lion recognized the donkey and roared so loudly that the trader ran away. Taking its rope in his jaws, the lion led the donkey back to the monastery with the camels following behind. The monks realized, to their shame, that they had misjudged the lion. The same day, Gerasimos gave the lion a name: Jordanes.

For five more years, until the abbot’s death, Jordanes was part of the monastic community. When the elder fell asleep in the Lord and was buried, Jordanes lay down on the grave, roaring its grief and beating its head against the ground. Finally Jordanes rolled over and died on the last resting place of Gerasimos.

It is a story that touches the reader intimately, inspiring the hope that the wild beast that still roars within us may yet be converted — while the story’s second half suggests that, when falsely accused of having returned to an unconverted life, vindication will finally happen.

The icon of Saint Gerasimos focuses on contact between a monk and a lion – an Eden-like moment before creatures were became a threat to each other. By the river of Christ’s baptism, an ancient harmony we associate with Adam and Eve before the Fall is renewed. At least for a moment, enmity is abandoned. A small island of divine peace has been achieved through a merciful action. The icon is an image of peace – man and beast no longer threatening each other’s life.

But is the story true?

Certainly the abbot Gerasimos is real. Many texts refer to him. Soon after his death he was recognized as a saint. The monastery he founded lasted for centuries, a center of spiritual life and a place of pilgrimage. He was one of the great elders of the Desert.

But what about Jordanes? Might the lion be a graphic metaphor for the saint’s ability to convert lion-like people who came to him?

Unlikely stories about saints are not rare. Some are so remarkable — for example Saint Nicholas bringing back to life three murdered children who had been hacked to pieces which were being boiled in a stew pot — that the resurrection of Christ seems a minor miracle in contrast. Yet even the most farfetched legend usually has a basis in the character of the saint: Nicholas was resourceful in his efforts to protect the lives of the defenseless.

Numerous accounts of the lives of saints show their readiness to offer hospitality to beasts.

In the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, one of the most striking stories concerns a wolf. Francis was asked by the people from the town of Gubbio to help them with a wolf which had been killing livestock. Francis set out to meet the wolf, blessed it with the sign of the cross, communicated with it by gesture, finally leading the wolf into the town itself where Francis obliged the people of Gubbio to feed and care for their former enemy. It’s a remarkable but not impossible story. In the last century, during restoration work, the bones of a wolf were discovered within Gubbio’s ancient church.

There are reliable reports that both Saint Sergius of Radonezh and Saint Seraphim of Sarov each had friendly relations a local bear.

It is not unlikely that Jordanes was as real as Gerasimos. He seems to have been a man so Christ-like that fear was burned away.

In fact it has not been rare for saints to show such an example of living in peace with wild creatures, including those which normally make us afraid. The scholar and translator Helen Waddell once assembled a whole collection of such stories: Saints and Beasts. (Appropriately, the copy in our house is scarred with tooth marks in it left by a hyperactive puppy who was once part of our household.)

Apart from the probable reality of Jordanes, he happens to belong to a species long invested with symbolic meaning. In the Bible, the lion is mainly a symbol of soul-threatening passions and occasionally an emblem of the devil. David said he had been delivered “from the paw of the lion.” (1 Samuel 17:37) The author of Proverbs says a wicked ruler abuses the poor “like a roaring lion and a raging bear.” (Proverbs 28:15) Peter warns Christians: “Be sober and watchful, for you adversary the devil roams about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Here the lion is seen as representing that part of the unredeemed self ruled by instinct, appetite and pride — thus the phrase “a pride of lions.”

In medieval Europe, lions were known only through stories, carvings and manuscript illuminations. A thirteenth century Bestiary now at the Bodleian Library in Oxford starts its catalogue of astonishing creatures with the lion. It is called a beast, says the monastic author, because “where instinct leads them, there they go.” The text adds that the lion “is proud by nature; he will not live with other kinds of beasts in the wild, but like a king disdains the company of the masses.” Yet the author invests the lion with a knightly qualities, claiming that lions would rather kill men than women and only attack children “if they are exceptionally hungry.”

Yet no one approaches even the most well-fed lion without caution. From the classical world to our own era, the lion has chiefly been regarded as danger incarnate — a primary example of wild nature “red in tooth and claw.” And yet at times the symbol is transfigured. The lion becomes an image of beauty, grace and courage. In The Narnia Chronicles, C.S. Lewis chose a lion to represent Christ. The huge stone lions on guard outside the main entrance of the New York Public Library seem to have been placed there as guardians of wisdom.

There is still one more wrinkle to the ancient story of Gerasimos and Jordanes. Saint Jerome, the great scholar responsible for the Latin rendering of the Bible, long honored in the west as patron saint of translators, lived for years in a cave near the place of Christ’s Nativity in Bethlehem. Only two day’s walk away was Gerasimos’ monastery. The name of Gerasimos is not very different from Geronimus – Latin for Jerome. Pilgrims from the west connected the story told of Gerasimos with Jerome. Given the fact that Jerome sometimes wrote letters with a lionish bite, perhaps it’s appropriate that Gerasimos’ gentle lion eventually wandered into images of Jerome. It’s rare to find a painting of Jerome in which Jordanes isn’t present.

-- Jim Forest

Roo Skull

A few nice animal species images I found:


Roo Skull
animal species
Image by Dark Morelia
Dunno exact species, probably a Common Wallaroo or an Eastern Grey Kangaroo.
If someone can positively ID it, I'd appreciate it.


Chester Zoo: Veiled chameleon
animal species
Image by asw909
A chameleon, obviously, but what species?

Nice Plush Stuffed Animals photos

Some cool plush stuffed animals images:



Maca
plush stuffed animals
Image by beautifulcataya
Plush rabbit from Douglas Cuddle Toys ( www.douglascuddletoy.com/ ).

Nice Pictures Of Animals photos

Check out these pictures of animals images:




Turkey takes a picture
pictures of animals
Image by Boston Public Library
File name: 08_06_019022
Title: Turkey takes a picture
Creator/Contributor: Jones, Leslie, 1886-1967 (photographer)
Date created: 1934 - 1956 (approximate)
Physical description: 1 negative : film, black & white ; 4 x 5 in.
Genre: Film negatives
Subject: Turkeys
Notes: Title from information provided by Leslie Jones or the Boston Public Library on the negative or negative sleeve.; Date supplied by cataloger.
Collection: Leslie Jones Collection
Location: Boston Public Library, Print Department
Rights: Copyright Leslie Jones.
Preferred credit: Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

Cool Wild Animals images

Check out these wild animals images:


Tiger
wild animals
Image by vuhlser
Tiger at London Zoo

30/06/07 NOTE: Original replaced by a framed version. Nothing else was changed.


Golden Mantled Ground Squirrel
wild animals
Image by dbarronoss
These little guys were amidst other species of ground squirrel and the least chipmunk at Lake Moraine in Banff, Alberta.
Aren't they the cutest little things ?

Cool Names For Animals images

Check out these names for animals images:


Shop for the Holidays and Support the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
names for animals
Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Smithsonian's National Zoo

Shop for the Holidays and Support the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

This holiday season, shop at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo for gifts your loved ones will give a hoot, whoop and roar about! Spot a great find for the animal person in your life during your next visit to the Zoo, or shop the online catalogue. By giving a Zoo gift, you become a conservationist—all proceeds support animal care, science and research at the National Zoo.

Adopt a Species
Earlier this year, visitors met Kavi, the National Zoo’s newest—and presently its only—male Sumatran tiger. Kavi arrived in early June and settled nicely into his new home at the Great Cats exhibit, where keepers are introducing him to the Zoo’s young female tiger, Damai. Hopefully, the two will breed and produce cubs this winter!
Celebrate his arrival this holiday season with an Adopt a Species package that supports these fascinating felines. With a donation of or more, your special someone will receive a gift set that includes a cuddly plush tiger, a colorful photo, an adoption certificate and more delivered inside an “animal carrier” box.

There are plenty of other Adopt a Species packages, including a new package that includes a certificate, replica paw print of your adopted species and letter of appreciation. Proceeds from Adopt a Species support animal care, habitat improvement and enrichment at the Zoo. Visit the Zoo’s website to view all 16 Adopt a Species packages.

Learn more: nationalzoo.si.edu/Support/AdoptSpecies/.

For Children
Plush Wolf:
Two beautiful gray wolves named Crystal and Coby made their debut over the summer at the National Zoo’s new American Trail exhibit. In celebration of their arrival, the Zoo invites kids of all ages to bring home an animal friend with this soft plush wolf pup. Its distinctive expressions and realistic features make this 16” cuddly arm-full a great friend for any canine fan.

Learn more: nationalzoostore.tamretail.net/NavPage.aspx?navid=1000008.

Animal Purse:
Animal prints will always be fashionable! Stay in style with colorful owl and butterfly purses. Made of designer fabric, each purse features working zippers, an inside pocket and a sturdy 10”strap.

Learn more: nationalzoostore.tamretail.net/NavPage.aspx?navid=1000009.

For Your Favorite Zoo Animal

Gift giving is for the birds…and the apes…and the bears! What better way to honor your friends and family than to give a gift in their name while enriching the life of a special animal at the Zoo? Enrichment items encourage animals to use problem-solving skills and help give visitors a glimpse into the natural behaviors of their favorite fauna.

Love to shop? Check out the Enrichment Giving Tree wish list and drop off your gifts at the Zoo’s Visitor Center for the animal care staff to distribute. Prefer shopping from home? Choosing your favorite item is as easy as the click of a mouse in the Zoo’s online store—we’ll deliver your gifts straight to our animals. Can’t decide? Make a donation to the Zoo’s animal enrichment program.

Learn more: nationalzoo.si.edu/Support/MakeDonation/GivingTree.cfm.

Munch Balls,
The munch ball’s natural wicker construction makes this chewable toy suitable for any bird. The Zoo’s parrots like this enrichment, especially when filled with delicious grapes and other treats.

“Kabob” Skewer,
Keepers spear delicious fresh fruit or vegetables on to the Kabob Skewer and hang them in various places in each exhibit, encouraging the Zoo’s birds to forage as they would in the wild.

Tough Tire,
The tough tire is a great enrichment item for many species at the National Zoo. It floats and is strong enough to endure a playful sea lion’s jaws. A version with holes can even make a handy puzzle feeder for elephants and bears.

Bungee Ball, 6
Our great apes and big cats have a ball with the Bungee Ball! Why add a bungee cord to a hanging toy? It offers the Zoo’s animals a new challenge every time they interact with this enrichment and keeps their day-to-day life interesting and exciting.

Ball-inside-ball, 6
The ball-inside-ball is a favorite toy of the Zoo’s bears, primates, and small mammals. Sloth bears are entertained by the challenge of getting the smaller ball out of the larger one, especially when there’s food inside.

Leave a Legacy: Elephant Trails Commemorative Brick

The National Zoo is almost ready to reveal Phase II of Elephant Trails! In spring 2013, this exciting new exhibit will open to the Zoo’s multi-generational herd of Asian elephants, giving them additional space for exercise, shelter and stimulation. Trumpet your support for the Zoo’s elephants by purchasing a 4” X 8” Commemorative Brick. With a gift of 0, a brick will be engraved with your name and/or personalized message, installed in the surrounding walkway and displayed for decades to come. Life-size elephant footprints are available for larger donations. All proceeds support the Zoo’s Asian elephant breeding and research program.

Learn more: nationalzoo.si.edu/Support/AnnualAppeal/ElephantTrek/defa....

Leave a Legacy: Zoo Carousel

This November, National Zoo visitors will delight in the Zoo’s latest attraction: the Conservation Carousel! Opening just in time for ZooLights, the carousel features beloved species such as giant pandas, African lions, and cuttlefish. Adorned with colorful scenery, the top of the carousel highlights some of the world’s most beautiful and majestic birds in flight. Your 0 donation will sponsor a beautiful hand-painted and hand-carved scenery panel, shield or mural. Donors or their honorees will receive recognition on a plaque beneath their figure for 10 years.
Learn more: nationalzoo.si.edu/Support/MakeDonation/carousel.cfm.
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Cool Animal Videos images

A few nice animal videos images I found:


Lost Animal/Kirin J Callinan
animal videos
Image by Threthny
www.myspace.com/lostanimal76
www.myspace.com/kirinjcallinan
Video : www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH_8vBWCzvE&feature=plcp


Lost Animal/Kirin J Callinan
animal videos
Image by Threthny
www.myspace.com/lostanimal76
www.myspace.com/kirinjcallinan
Video : www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH_8vBWCzvE&feature=plcp


Molly Watching Videos
animal videos
Image by Lynn Friedman
Molly gd watching a video at home

Cool Animal Rescue Shelters images

A few nice animal rescue shelters images I found:



Rescue Cats 241
animal rescue shelters
Image by Roy Montgomery
My daughter had rescued these kittens from underneath a trailer.They had a severe case of Mange and fleas. They all survived the treatments to become adopted from a "No Kill" shelter.

xander's lion close up

Some cool plush stuffed animals images:


xander's lion close up
plush stuffed animals
Image by zarprey
A little lion stuffed animal I made for a friend's baby. Very slowly and messily hand stitched.

Cool Free Animals images

Check out these free animals images:


Fur Free Friday : Portland - 2009
free animals
Image by Matt Kowal
Fur Free Friday : Downtown Portland, Oregon - November 27th, 2009


Fur Free Friday : Portland - 2009
free animals
Image by Matt Kowal
Fur Free Friday : Downtown Portland, Oregon - November 27th, 2009


Fur Free Friday : Portland - 2009
free animals
Image by Matt Kowal
Fur Free Friday : Downtown Portland, Oregon - November 27th, 2009

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