New Species: Joey Rex (Jr.)
by JoyOkay, you defenders of the non-telic dog-eat-dog Malthusian evolutionary world! Here's a great, heart-warming story from the UK's Daily Mail…
Pointer is Baby Kangaroo's Hero
in Torquay, Victoria, Australia a 10 year old German Shorthaired Pointer/Wirehaired Pointer mix, named Rex made quite a discovery while on a walk with his owner Leonie Allan. Early in the morning Rex and Leonie headed out on their usual walk and discovered that a female kangaroo had been struck and killed by a car. Later on in the afternoon Rex returned to the body and gently retrieved what no one knew was there – a 4 month old joey! Rex carried the baby by the neck in such a nurturing way that the little guy was unharmed.
"The joey was snuggling up to him, jumping up to him and Rex was sniffing and licking him – it was quite cute", said Allan.
April 3rd, 2008 at 6:42 pm
I showed this blog entry to my wife and now I have to print out the whole thing- pictures and story. Our son is named Joey. Hearts are melting all over the kitchen floor. What a mess!
Comment by Bradford — April 3, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
April 3rd, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Bradford:
Hahaha!!! So is my fave nephew, (do I get faves?), so I sent the link to Sis and told her to print it out and give it to him with a big smooch from me. He's definitely a "Joey Rex."
Actually, my little half coyote girl-dog Imogene (and her partner in crime, Lucille the Black-and-tan) comprise the infamous "Mill Creek Rescue Society." We live at the proverbial (actual in this case) "end of the road." Where the ugly stepfathers come to dump off the kids' pet puppies and kittens. Both my girl-dogs are puppy rescues.
They go down to the town park at the bottom of our driveway (usually to beg food from picnickers), and occasionally bring things home. In their mouths. Usually little, teeny, tiny kittens. They plop 'em down right outside the front screen door with this classic look on their faces – tails wagging: Can We Keep 'Em?
We usually do.
Comment by Joy — April 3, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I'll bet it's tasty with a baked potato and a pint of Guinness
Comment by kornbelt888 — April 3, 2008 @ 10:15 pm
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
How about a Crow and a Kitten:
Comment by MikeGene — April 3, 2008 @ 10:19 pm
April 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Dogs retrieving live animals can possibly be explained by breeding. Crows rescuing and taking care of kittens is more difficult. I'm guessing that Mike is bringing these up as challenges to Darwin's view that altruism across species wouldn't happen. Am I right?
Whoops! Joy started this thread. Just a typical grandma into cuteness.
Whoops again! From her initial comments, I'd say she's on the same track that I thought Mike was on.
Comment by Bilbo — April 3, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
April 4th, 2008 at 1:47 am
You should be aware that the Daily Mail really doesn't care whether its stories are true or not as long as they appeal to its readers – although I admit this one looks like quite convincing.
Comment by Mark Frank — April 4, 2008 @ 1:47 am
April 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Joy:
When I was a child a kind aunt allowed me to spend time on a farm she and her husband operated. There was plenty of fun and animals. It is decades later and my aunt has passed away but I remember her with fondness. Keep on showering your nephews and nieces with attention and take in those homeless animals. Those are the things that make the world a better place.
Comment by Bradford — April 4, 2008 @ 12:35 pm